![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 28 to 52 of 52. Go back in thread:
Posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2005, at 14:34:23
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » ed_uk, posted by Bob on April 2, 2005, at 13:55:16
Hi Bob!
>Ironically, one day on this board, I saw a thread about MAOIs where the poster claimed they made him sleep all the time.
Although MAOIs *can* cause people to sleep excessively, they can also reduce hypersomnia in other people. Do you think you'll try one? Perhaps Parnate.
Ed.
Posted by Bob on April 2, 2005, at 14:53:20
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » Bob, posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2005, at 14:34:23
> Hi Bob!
>
> >Ironically, one day on this board, I saw a thread about MAOIs where the poster claimed they made him sleep all the time.
>
> Although MAOIs *can* cause people to sleep excessively, they can also reduce hypersomnia in other people. Do you think you'll try one? Perhaps Parnate.
>
> Ed.I don't know what I'll do next. Just about everything I've tried in my life has been a disaster, including between 35 and 40 psychoactives. Believe it or not, I'm currently near the end of a cycle of ECT treatments, for the first time ever. I don't have a lot of confidence in it right now. The day of the treatments (at least the first part) I feel great, and practically cured. Then the days after are difficult, with anxious depression, and confusion. I'm losing faith.
The only major class of meds I've never tried are MAOIs, but I am so prone to side effects, and so sensitive to withdrawl, that I'm not sure it wouldn't be my worst experience to date. I can't really rule anything out, but I'm not looking foward to it, anyway.
I can't believe how much this condition sucks.
Posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2005, at 15:08:48
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » ed_uk, posted by Bob on April 2, 2005, at 14:53:20
Hello Bob,
I'm sorry to hear that the ECT isn't providing you with any sustained benefits.
>The only major class of meds I've never tried are MAOIs, but I am so prone to side effects, and so sensitive to withdrawl, that I'm not sure it wouldn't be my worst experience to date.
Many people respond to MAOIs after nothing else has helped, several people on this board have found that. Tricyclic antidepressants are often ineffective for people with hypersomnia, MAOIs can work well in these people. Please don't give up.
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by TamaraJ on April 2, 2005, at 18:03:32
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » TamaraJ, posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2005, at 11:13:39
> Hi Ed!
>
> You could be right, it might help :-) It's a shame that it's not available over the counter here. It's not approved in the UK so doctors rarely prescribe it.
>
~~ If you wanted to try it, perhaps you could order from an on-line, natural supplements supplier. Or is it restricted for import into the UK and can only be prescribed by a physician?Also, I know you are aware of the research done on using thyroid meds to augment ADs. Perhaps that is something that your pdoc might consider, if you can make a strong enough argument for a trial (there seems to be quite a bit of research to substantiate its effectiveness as an augmenting agent). Anyway, I am just including the following website because it seems to have a lot of info on studies done on augmenting with thyroid meds.
http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/thyroid.htm
Take care,Tamara
xxx
Posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2005, at 18:30:11
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » ed_uk, posted by TamaraJ on April 2, 2005, at 18:03:32
Hi Tamara!
>Or is it restricted for import into the UK and can only be prescribed by a physician?
Yes, I think it's restricted. I could import it anyway though, I very much doubt I would get into trouble. Thank you for the suggestion :-)
> Perhaps that is something that your pdoc might consider........
I will ask at my next appointment- in a couple of weeks. Thank you for the link, it was very good. Just out of curiousity, do you still have dessicated thyroid in Canada? It hasn't been available in the UK for decades! I think they call it 'Armour' in the US but I could be wrong.
Ed xxxx
Posted by banga on April 2, 2005, at 18:47:27
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » TamaraJ, posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2005, at 18:30:11
I think they call it 'Armour' in the US but I could be wrong.
>
> Ed xxxxHi Ed!
It is, indeed, armour thyroid in the US...B.
Posted by KaraS on April 2, 2005, at 21:01:03
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » TamaraJ, posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2005, at 18:30:11
I think they call it 'Armour' in the US but I could be wrong.
>
> Ed xxxx
There are actually a couple of other natural dessicated thyroid meds in the U.S. They are Westhroid and Naturethroid. They are both made by the same company. The Naturethroid has fillers that are more hypoallergenic. I haven't tried either of them yet though some holistic doctors do prefer them over Armour.
Posted by Bob on April 3, 2005, at 10:16:24
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » Bob, posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2005, at 15:08:48
> Hello Bob,
>
> I'm sorry to hear that the ECT isn't providing you with any sustained benefits.
>I had another period of feeling reasonable last night, but by this morning it was gone again. In a way it is hard to deal with, because I get little fleeting windows of feeling reasonable, and then they are gone. Maybe the good times will become more often, but I am somewhat dubious.
> >The only major class of meds I've never tried are MAOIs, but I am so prone to side effects, and so sensitive to withdrawl, that I'm not sure it wouldn't be my worst experience to date.
>
> Many people respond to MAOIs after nothing else has helped, several people on this board have found that. Tricyclic antidepressants are often ineffective for people with hypersomnia, MAOIs can work well in these people. Please don't give up.
>
> Kind regards,
> Ed.I've had significant problems with weight gain, hypersomnia, loss of sexuality, akathisia (at least sometimes), and even difficulty urinating sometimes with many meds. These include SSRIs, Tricyclics and Effexor. Trying meds like Lithium and Depakote have mainly produced problems with weight oversleeping, and sex. I don't think I would ever rule out MAOIs, but would be surprised if many of the same side-effects wouldn't be there, and it seems to me like some of the best things in life, such as sex and food, are severely cramped with these meds.
Posted by ed_uk on April 3, 2005, at 12:03:34
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » ed_uk, posted by Bob on April 3, 2005, at 10:16:24
Hi Bob,
>I had another period of feeling reasonable last night, but by this morning it was gone again. In a way it is hard to deal with, because I get little fleeting windows of feeling reasonable, and then they are gone. Maybe the good times will become more often, but I am somewhat dubious.
How far into your course of ECT are you? How often are you having it? 2-3 times a week?
>I don't think I would ever rule out MAOIs, but would be surprised if many of the same side-effects wouldn't be there, and it seems to me like some of the best things in life, such as sex and food, are severely cramped with these meds.
The MAOIs have a different mechanism of action to all of the other other antidepressants. Tranylcypromine (Parnate) would certainly be worth considering. Have you asked your psychiatrist about trying an MAOI? Since the MAOIs are completely different to any of the antidepressants you've tried so far, they could be very beneficial- you might be surprised. Optimist is currently doing well on a high dose of Parnate with no side effects at all.
Ed.
Posted by Bob on April 3, 2005, at 13:43:58
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » Bob, posted by ed_uk on April 3, 2005, at 12:03:34
> Hi Bob,
>
> How far into your course of ECT are you? How often are you having it? 2-3 times a week?I believe tomorrow's treatment will be number 13, but I'm not sure. At first they were M-W-F, and then they switched to M and F.
> The MAOIs have a different mechanism of action to all of the other other antidepressants. Tranylcypromine (Parnate) would certainly be worth considering. Have you asked your psychiatrist about trying an MAOI? Since the MAOIs are completely different to any of the antidepressants you've tried so far, they could be very beneficial- you might be surprised. Optimist is currently doing well on a high dose of Parnate with no side effects at all.
>
> Ed.No side-effects at all? Uhhhh, I dunno. Anyway, I have discussed MAOIs, but we decided to try this first. I have had such a terrible time with medecines, that I wanted to take a break. I realize that MAOIs may prove to be a magic bullet, but I've got to believe it's a long shot. What I'm really afraid of is what has always happened before: I get on a therapeutic dose of the stuff, and then a very unpleasant side effect develops, such as anger, agitation, or sexual obsession, or excessive weight gain, extreme lethargy/drowsiness, or whatever else. Then, I can't get off it quickly, so my life becomes a daily, living hell as I try to taper down. Past experiences like this have been nothing short of life threatening. Even if the med does work, I've never been on one that keeps working. Nevertheless, I won't rule them out.
Posted by ed_uk on April 3, 2005, at 14:11:52
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » ed_uk, posted by Bob on April 3, 2005, at 13:43:58
Hi Bob,
>I believe tomorrow's treatment will be number 13........
How many treatments will you be having? What side effects have you had so far?
>No side-effects at all? Uhhhh, I dunno.
He had some mild sexual dysfunction for a few days and then no side effects from then on. You can babblemail him if you like! Many people do have side effects from MAOIs, there's no doubt about that, I just wanted you to know that some people don't. Since the MAOIs are very different to any of the other antidepressants, you might find that you like them. Interestingly, some people seem to do much better on one MAOI than on another... the three main MAOIs are phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate) and isocarboxazid (Marplan).
Which antidepressants have caused you the worst side effects in the past?
Ed.
Posted by Bob on April 3, 2005, at 22:20:45
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » Bob, posted by ed_uk on April 3, 2005, at 14:11:52
> How many treatments will you be having? What side effects have you had so far?
>I'm not sure what the plan is. I am either almost done, or they want to try for "maintenance ECT". However, since it doesn't seem to be going that well to me, I have my doubts about maintenance treatments. I guess I will find out more tomorrow, and then I see my psychiatrist on Tues. I'll know more than, I figure. All I can say now is that I expected to feel better than I do.
>
> He had some mild sexual dysfunction for a few days and then no side effects from then on. You can babblemail him if you like! Many people do have side effects from MAOIs, there's no doubt about that, I just wanted you to know that some people don't. Since the MAOIs are very different to any of the other antidepressants, you might find that you like them. Interestingly, some people seem to do much better on one MAOI than on another... the three main MAOIs are phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate) and isocarboxazid (Marplan).
>
> Which antidepressants have caused you the worst side effects in the past?
>
> Ed.
>
>I am aware that the MAOIs are different, but I have had a very bad record with just about every med, including things like lamictal, SSRIs, tricyclics, and whatever else. I think it would be unrealistic to expect little or no side-effects from an MAOI, since they have a rep for even more problems than tricyclics. Sometimes I get a short-lived response from the meds, but eventually it becomes a burden, and then the challenge is withdrawing off of it without endangering my life, which I haven't always been successful at. A few of the side-effects I almost always get are: significant weight gain, significant sexual dysfuntion, urinary hesitancy, and sometimes one or all of the following: anger, apathy, akathisia, hypersomnia, jaw tightness, constant yawning, and migraine headaches. Not all of the meds produce all the same effects, but those are some of the major ones that have shown up multiple times. I have become much more reticent over the years at trying new meds, as it has become very, very difficult to go on and off of them. My body cannot bounce back any longer. A full list of all the side-effects I've had from all the meds would take up this server, as well as the next two days of my time. I'm a poster child for rare/uncommon problems, and yes, I got the rash from the lamictal, and kidney stones from Topomax.
Anyway, right now I'm embroiled in this ECT thing, so I have to see how that plays out. BTW, what is your situation with treatment and response? I don't think I asked that before, did I?
Bob
Posted by Bob on April 3, 2005, at 22:38:04
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » Bob, posted by ed_uk on April 3, 2005, at 14:11:52
One thing that scares me about Nardil is the almost guaranteed weight gain, and the fact that pretty much nobody is sexually functional on that med. I've also heard bad things about urinary retention on MAOIs, especially Parnate. Yes, I might not get those problems, but they seem awful common from my readings on this board.
Posted by ed_uk on April 4, 2005, at 8:35:47
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » ed_uk, posted by Bob on April 3, 2005, at 22:20:45
Hello Bob,
>One thing that scares me about Nardil is the almost guaranteed weight gain, and the fact that pretty much nobody is sexually functional on that med. I've also heard bad things about urinary retention on MAOIs, especially Parnate. Yes, I might not get those problems, but they seem awful common from my readings on this board.
Sexual side effects are common with Nardil, particularly at first. Parnate seems to be considerably better in terms of sexual side effects. Weight gain also seems to be more common with Nardil than with Parnate. Urinary retention is quite common with MAOIs. Parnate might be a better choice for you than Nardil.
>However, since it doesn't seem to be going that well to me, I have my doubts about maintenance treatments.
I can understand that. Do you think any of the benefits have lasted more than a day?
>they have a rep for even more problems than tricyclics.......
It's not always the case though because the MAOIs are so different to the TCAs. Some people who hate TCAs do really well on an MAOI.
>BTW, what is your situation with treatment and response? I don't think I asked that before, did I?
Lofepramine helps my depression somewhat, I'm not entirely satisfied though. At least I don't have any major side effects from it which is a nice change! I often need an SSRI for anxiety and OCD, not at the moment though. They make me very apathetic, I always need an afternoon nap if I'm on an SSRI.
What is your diagnosis?
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by Bob on April 4, 2005, at 15:09:57
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » Bob, posted by ed_uk on April 4, 2005, at 8:35:47
> Hello Bob,
>
> >One thing that scares me about Nardil is the almost guaranteed weight gain, and the fact that pretty much nobody is sexually functional on that med. I've also heard bad things about urinary retention on MAOIs, especially Parnate. Yes, I might not get those problems, but they seem awful common from my readings on this board.
>
> Sexual side effects are common with Nardil, particularly at first. Parnate seems to be considerably better in terms of sexual side effects. Weight gain also seems to be more common with Nardil than with Parnate. Urinary retention is quite common with MAOIs. Parnate might be a better choice for you than Nardil.
>
> >However, since it doesn't seem to be going that well to me, I have my doubts about maintenance treatments.
>
> I can understand that. Do you think any of the benefits have lasted more than a day?The treatments have seemed to help my body somewhat physically, more than mentally. My sleep cycle was severely delayed to the point where I could not get up early in the morning, and was always staying up late. The ECT has seemed to push that back closer to normal, although I don't know how long that will last when I stop. Also, I was getting a lot of akathisia and uncomfortableness in my muscles, which the ECT has also helped with, somewhat. Of course, if I go back on an antidepressant, I have no doubt that these things will be back in a flash. Mentally, it seems that the benefits for the ECT don't really last longer than a day, or two at the most, and usually not even that long.
>
> >they have a rep for even more problems than tricyclics.......
>
> It's not always the case though because the MAOIs are so different to the TCAs. Some people who hate TCAs do really well on an MAOI.
>
> >BTW, what is your situation with treatment and response? I don't think I asked that before, did I?
>
> Lofepramine helps my depression somewhat, I'm not entirely satisfied though. At least I don't have any major side effects from it which is a nice change! I often need an SSRI for anxiety and OCD, not at the moment though. They make me very apathetic, I always need an afternoon nap if I'm on an SSRI.
>
> What is your diagnosis?My diagnosis is major depressive disorder, with coexisting GAD. When I read about you needing a SSRI for anxiety and OCD, it reminded me very much of myself. I too get significant apathy and fatigue/drowsiness from SSRIs. Unfortunately, I find it very difficult to go on and off of these meds, so it is no small matter to change from one drug to another, or to add or subtract a med from the cocktail. For the few weeks when I started the ECT treatments, I was drug free for probably the first time in almost 12 or 13 years! Now, I'm taking Ativan as an adjunct to the treatments.
As for starting on Parnate or Nardil, I would be worried about the obsessive and anxious aspects of my nature, since it would be out of the question to mix SSRIs, or anything else for that matter, with MAOIs.
Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do next.
I find it remarkable that you have almost no side-effects from lofepramine. That's no small victory.
Bob
>
> Kind regards,
> Ed.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by ed_uk on April 4, 2005, at 17:30:27
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » ed_uk, posted by Bob on April 4, 2005, at 15:09:57
Hi Bob,
>Mentally, it seems that the benefits for the ECT don't really last longer than a day, or two at the most, and usually not even that long.
I'm sorry it hasn't helped much. Have you considered any of the other 'somatic' treatments such as rTMS or VNS?
Btw, have you ever had CBT? What have you tried in terms of herbs and supplements?
St. John's Wort, Trimethylglycine, L-tryptophan, Omega-3, Vitamin B Complex etc.>When I read about you needing a SSRI for anxiety and OCD, it reminded me very much of myself. I too get significant apathy and fatigue/drowsiness from SSRIs. Unfortunately, I find it very difficult to go on and off of these meds, so it is no small matter to change from one drug to another, or to add or subtract a med from the cocktail.
Yes... apathy, drowsiness and fatigue have always been my reason for coming off SSRIs. Paxil was the most sedating. SSRIs also make me EXTREMELY sweaty which can cause problems at times. When I was working in a shop the sweat was dripping down my face onto the counter- it was very embarrassing!
>As for starting on Parnate or Nardil, I would be worried about the obsessive and anxious aspects of my nature, since it would be out of the question to mix SSRIs, or anything else for that matter, with MAOIs.
Nardil is often very effective for anxiety- more so than most antidepressants. Parnate hasn't been studied much in anxiety but some people do find it helpful. Parnate occasionally exacerbates anxiety. MAOIs are generally only slightly effective for obsessive-compulsive disorder though, do you suffer from OCD?
>.....since it would be out of the question to mix SSRIs, or anything else for that matter, with MAOIs.
Various psych drugs can be safely combined with MAOIs. Benzodiazepines do not interact with MAOIs. You could still take Ativan if you need it.
>I find it remarkable that you have almost no side-effects from lofepramine.
Have you ever tried it? I find it very tolerable. I've tried two other TCAs as well, amitriptyline (Elavil) and dothiepin (Prothiaden). Both caused bad side effects: severe drowsiness and lethargy, dry mouth, dizziness, urinary hesitancy, blurred vision etc. Lofepramine doesn't even compare!
Ed.
Posted by Bob on April 6, 2005, at 10:42:18
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » Bob, posted by ed_uk on April 4, 2005, at 17:30:27
> Hi Bob,
> I'm sorry it hasn't helped much. Have you considered any of the other 'somatic' treatments such as rTMS or VNS?
I enrolled in the local study for VNS in Baltimore, but the whole program collapsed, so I wasn't ever able to participate. Unfortunately, I have not read of any robust, enduring results from either of those treatments. I have also considered getting involved in rTMS, but wasn't able to get into a study center.
>
> Btw, have you ever had CBT? What have you tried in terms of herbs and supplements?
>
> St. John's Wort, Trimethylglycine, L-tryptophan, Omega-3, Vitamin B Complex etc.What is CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? I have had many years of therapy, although little of it was strict CBT, as far as I know.
As far as supplements, I have tried many different compounds on my own, including St. John's, L-Trypt, Omega-3, thyroid supplements (T3&T4), and whatever else I could think of. More often than not, these efforts would cause more problems than they solved.
>
> >When I read about you needing a SSRI for anxiety and OCD, it reminded me very much of myself. I too get significant apathy and fatigue/drowsiness from SSRIs. Unfortunately, I find it very difficult to go on and off of these meds, so it is no small matter to change from one drug to another, or to add or subtract a med from the cocktail.
>
> Yes... apathy, drowsiness and fatigue have always been my reason for coming off SSRIs. Paxil was the most sedating. SSRIs also make me EXTREMELY sweaty which can cause problems at times. When I was working in a shop the sweat was dripping down my face onto the counter- it was very embarrassing!I couldn't agree more: Paxil was the most sedating SSRI I ever took. It was brutal. I had sweating issues on many meds, with the worse one being the tricyclic Anafranil. I sweated like on no other med, while at the same time picking up massive weight. It was crazy.
>
> >As for starting on Parnate or Nardil, I would be worried about the obsessive and anxious aspects of my nature, since it would be out of the question to mix SSRIs, or anything else for that matter, with MAOIs.
>
> Nardil is often very effective for anxiety- more so than most antidepressants. Parnate hasn't been studied much in anxiety but some people do find it helpful. Parnate occasionally exacerbates anxiety. MAOIs are generally only slightly effective for obsessive-compulsive disorder though, do you suffer from OCD?I suffer from obsessessive thought patterns, but according to the docs, not OCD, technically. They say that the compulsive component is not really there, and the type of thoughts I have don't really fit classic OCD patterns. Nevertheless, I obsess about things.
>
> >.....since it would be out of the question to mix SSRIs, or anything else for that matter, with MAOIs.
>
> Various psych drugs can be safely combined with MAOIs. Benzodiazepines do not interact with MAOIs. You could still take Ativan if you need it.I am aware that I cannot afford to rule out any of my options, including MAOIs, although I am not quite ready to tackle them yet.
>
> >I find it remarkable that you have almost no side-effects from lofepramine.
>
> Have you ever tried it? I find it very tolerable. I've tried two other TCAs as well, amitriptyline (Elavil) and dothiepin (Prothiaden). Both caused bad side effects: severe drowsiness and lethargy, dry mouth, dizziness, urinary hesitancy, blurred vision etc. Lofepramine doesn't even compare!No, I've never tried Lofepramine, but I'll have to keep your assessment of it in mind. It sounds more merciful than the other tricyclics.
>
> Ed.
>
>
>
>
Posted by ed_uk on April 6, 2005, at 11:28:55
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » ed_uk, posted by Bob on April 6, 2005, at 10:42:18
Hi Bob,
>What is CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Yes. Do you see a psychologist?
>I couldn't agree more: Paxil was the most sedating SSRI I ever took.
I always needed 40-60mg paroxetine for it to be effective for my anxiety and OCD. I missed a lot of classes because I couldn't get out of bed!
>No, I've never tried Lofepramine, but I'll have to keep your assessment of it in mind. It sounds more merciful than the other tricyclics.
Have you tried desipramine? It's quite similar to lofepramine. Lofepramine is not available in the US. I've been lucky not to have any side effects.
Ed.
Posted by Bob on April 6, 2005, at 11:39:42
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » Bob, posted by ed_uk on April 6, 2005, at 11:28:55
> >What is CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
>
> Yes. Do you see a psychologist?I actually don't think I've ever seen a certified psychologist. I've always seen "therapists". Do you really think there is more benefit to seeking out a full blown psychologist?
>
>
> I always needed 40-60mg paroxetine for it to be effective for my anxiety and OCD. I missed a lot of classes because I couldn't get out of bed!I remember once, about 10 years ago, when my girlfriend wanted to go shopping and I said ok. About 5 minutes later she was waking me up by yelling at me, because the Paxil I was taking had made me dose off. It was embarrassing.
>
>
> Have you tried desipramine? It's quite similar to lofepramine. Lofepramine is not available in the US. I've been lucky not to have any side effects.The only tricyclic type med I've ever tried was Anafranil, and I wasn't too fond of it. I have heard of desipramine, though. I have always been quite dubious of being able to take another tricyclic without incurring massive side-effects, as well as withdrawl upon discontinuation.
Posted by ed_uk on April 6, 2005, at 14:21:20
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » ed_uk, posted by Bob on April 6, 2005, at 11:39:42
Hi Bob,
>Do you really think there is more benefit to seeking out a full blown psychologist?
I don't know, I'm not the best person to ask because I don't know that much about psychology. Perhaps a psychologist might be able to offer various different kinds of psychological therapies- such as CBT.
>The only tricyclic type med I've ever tried was Anafranil, and I wasn't too fond of it. I have heard of desipramine, though. I have always been quite dubious of being able to take another tricyclic without incurring massive side-effects, as well as withdrawl upon discontinuation.
Desipramine and clomipramine are really quite different. Clomipramine is very serotonergic, sexual side effects and withdrawal symptoms are common. Desipramine is essentially a norepinephine reupatake inhibitor. Lofepramine is very similar to desipramine, it is metabolised to desipramine in the body.
I've come off lofepramine 'cold turkey' many times- usually when I run out- I'm very disorganised :-S I've only ever had two withdrawal symptoms from lofepramine: slightly increased fatigue and increased dreaming.
Clomipramine frequently causes SSRI-like sexual dysfunction. Desipramine is less likely to affect sexual function than clomipramine. Although desipramine can sometimes (occasionally?) cause sexual side effects, it is not like an SSRI. Lofepramine doesn't affect my sexual function at all.
Desipramine generally causes less weight gain than clomipramine, although weight gain can certainly still occur. I've also heard of people losing weight on desipramine. Lofepramine hasn't affected my appetite or weight.
Desipramine is less anticholinergic than clomipramine. Dry mouth and urinary retention are anticholinergic side effects. I had practically no saliva when I took amitriptyline! Lofepramine has never given me a dry mouth. I find that it causes mild urinary hesitancy. I could hardy pee when I took amitriptyline! Desipramine does sometimes cause dry mouth and urinary hesitancy, it's unlikely to be as bad as clomipramine in this department though.
Desipramine is less sedating than clomipramine. Lofepramine doesn't make me drowsy or dizzy. I almost lost consciousness when I took amitriptyline!
Lofepramine makes me a bit flushed and sweaty, it's not dramatic though. If I combine it with an SSRI I am very sweaty!
What side effects did clomipramine cause? How bad was your withdrawal?
Ed.
Posted by ixus on April 7, 2005, at 5:22:24
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » Bob, posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2005, at 15:08:48
> Hello Bob,
>
> I'm sorry to hear that the ECT isn't providing you with any sustained benefits.
>
> >The only major class of meds I've never tried are MAOIs, but I am so prone to side effects, and so sensitive to withdrawl, that I'm not sure it wouldn't be my worst experience to date.
>
> Many people respond to MAOIs after nothing else > has helped, several people on this board have
> found that. Tricyclic antidepressants are often > ineffective for people with hypersomnia, MAOIs > can work well in these people. Please don't
> give up.So far, the only med that I can tolerate is Parnate. It does eliminate hypersomnia in my case.
/ixus
Posted by ixus on April 7, 2005, at 5:29:15
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » zeugma, posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2005, at 5:40:21
Hi Ed,
I believe that hypersomnia is a symptom of residual depression. It means you are depressed, athough you may feel you are ok.
/ixus
Posted by ed_uk on April 7, 2005, at 8:35:16
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » ed_uk, posted by ixus on April 7, 2005, at 5:29:15
Hi Ixus,
Sometimes I sleep because I feel overwhelmed and I just want to escape, other times I sleep simply because I'm tired. I don't feel that depressed at the moment but I do feel rather overwhelmed.
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by Bob on April 7, 2005, at 17:45:59
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » Bob, posted by ed_uk on April 6, 2005, at 14:21:20
> What side effects did clomipramine cause? How bad was your withdrawal?
>
> Ed.
I'd imagine that I probably go almost every typical side-effect on record for that med. It's been a long time - over 10 years - since I touched it. I had massive weight gain, profuse sweating, eventual loss of motivation (i.e. apathy), headaches, more and more trouble waking up in the morning, a total inability to achieve erection, let alone orgasm, constipation, urinary hesitancy, and an insatiable appetite, with a hankering for sweets. I remember eating 3 or 4 bowls of cereal in a single sitting on a regular basis.I had a brutal withdrawl from Anafranil, but it wasn't as bad as Effexor, which was, as far as I'm concerned, life threatening.
I've had a problem with most meds I've taken, including all meds with a serotonergic component, where I eventually cannot wake up early. The worst one of these was Effexor, where I was regularly sleeping into the late afternoon. Paxil was bad too. I guess you could say I tend towards hypersomnia.
Posted by ed_uk on April 7, 2005, at 18:18:45
In reply to Tricyclics - Clomipramine » ed_uk, posted by Bob on April 7, 2005, at 17:45:59
Hi Bob,
>I had massive weight gain........
I expect you would gain some weight on desipramine- although I don't think it would be dramatic.
>profuse sweating...
I think desipramine would make you sweat, but not as much as clomipramine.
>eventual loss of motivation....
Desipramine is likely to increase motivation.
>more and more trouble waking up in the morning...
I think desipramine would make it a bit easier for you to get up in the morning... unless it caused insomnia, in which case it would probably be more difficult to get up.
>a total inability to achieve erection, let alone orgasm....
Desipramine *could* cause these side effects, although it's not likely.
>constipation, urinary hesitancy.......
I think these would be milder on desipramine but they might still occur.
>I had a brutal withdrawl from Anafranil.....
I have never heard of anyone having a brutal withdrawal from desipramine. I think it would be much easier to stop than clomipramine.
>all meds with a serotonergic component, where I eventually cannot wake up early........
I know what you mean! At least desipramine doesn't have a serotonergic component.
I'm not trying to encourage you to take desipramine if you don't want to. I just wanted you to know that there are important differences between the various tricyclics.
Kind regards,
Ed.
This is the end of the thread.
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