Posted by Emily Elizabeth on May 10, 2006, at 23:22:01
In reply to Re: TCA's » saturn, posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2006, at 22:18:21
Thought I'd jump in w/ my desipramine experience (I'm MDD and GAD, no adhd). Some people can get weight gain, but I did not (or just minimal wt gain, probably due to my latte habit more than anything). I did not find it either particularly stimualting or sedating. My podc says that it is different for everyone. I took it at bedtime, but recently a (different) pdoc said that she found that unusual b/c most people find it too stimulating for that. My biggest side-effects were orthostatic hypotension (drop in BP upon standing or climbing stairs, resulting in light headedness) and wicked dry mouth. I could never leave the house w/o a bottle of water and I got more cavities. :(
To answer another ? above, some people do have cardiac side effects (other than the orthostatic hypo). My pdoc questioned me carefully to make sure that wasn't what I was experiencing. I don't know how common cardiac s/e's are.
My understanding is that it is a less prefered strategy for treating attentional disorders. Research supports the efficacy of stimulants over TCA's. However, if one can't take a stim for whatever reason, it might be worth a try.
I took it for almost 2yrs and found it to be moderately good for depression and anxiety. On the other hand, I've been going off of it for the past 10 days b/c it hasn't been helping enough so we are trying a new strategy. I hesitate to say it, but I think that I am feeling a little better physically now due to the lack of desipramine s/e's.
In my experience, desipramine is a mixed bag. But what med isn't?
Best,
EE
poster:Emily Elizabeth
thread:641783
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060510/msgs/642427.html