Posted by Racer on June 22, 2007, at 13:08:47
In reply to Imipramine weight gain, posted by Maxime on June 20, 2007, at 20:46:45
Hello, Princess.
I'm so sorry you're getting it in this order. Pretty gruesome, huh?
How long have you been on imipramine? And is that one of the TCAs that has a known blood level? In some ways, nortriptyline was the easiest antidepressant for me, since the doctor could draw blood and then say, "ah, well, you're still not at a therapeutic dose..." None of the, "well, the drug is working fine -- you're just not responding appropriately..." It really took a lot of the frustration between me and the doctor out of the equation.
I've read that one of the best predictors of weight gain on medications is that someone is underweight when starting them. Could it be that you're in that category? I know how you describe yourself -- just exactly the same way I do ;-} -- but could you be a bit underweight right now, according to doctor's charts? If so, there's a chance that it will cause some weight gain.
I don't know, Maxie. I get so upset when people don't understand, when they say, "If you feel better, isn't it worth it?" On the other hand, I feel so helpless thinking about you -- I wish there was a way to wave a wand and make you all better. It's tempting to say something that might sound an awful lot like what I wrote above...
Here's an attempt NOT to say that: You know that the imipramine can't work miracles overnight. You have to get to a therapeutic dose, and stay there a little while. According to SLS's drug chart, the therapeutic range is 75 - 300 mg. Could you look at this as an experiment? See if you can get to a therapeutic range and stay there a set period of time -- like three weeks? You know you can lose weight, you've proved it as many times as I have, right? (I know -- I'm convinced I can never lose a single ounce again, since I'm so fat and hideous. I feel disgusting, etc. I've got more on that subject, but you'd have to email me -- too personal to share here, you know?) And, if the medication worked for you, there are other medications which can mitigate the weight gain.
That was actually my decision for myself. I would try to find a medication regimen that worked for the depression, and at the moment I hit eight pounds of weight gain (don't ask -- eight pounds was some crazy equation) I would march into my doctor's office and tell him that he had to start adding something to undo the weight gain. You know what? He promised he would. I even asked flat out: "You say you'll take care of weight gain. Will you do that even if the numbers on the scale still say I'm technically underweight?" He promised he would. He promised he took it seriously. I know doctors are starting to "get it" about weight issues, so there's a pretty good chance you can find help, too.
I can't say that his assurances have made bluebirds sing on my bed posts, but it has helped a lot in my ability to tolerate medication trials. Maybe talking to your doctor about it? Making sure that you will be working together?
xoxo
poster:Racer
thread:764627
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070622/msgs/764976.html