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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on May 3, 2002, at 20:26:14
I was just wondering if there is still anybody on long-term imipramine? I am thinking trying it as my next med. Any comments appreciated.
Thanx,
Jay
Posted by lrw on May 3, 2002, at 21:14:28
In reply to Anyone still on Imipramine (Tofranil)sp?, posted by jay on May 3, 2002, at 20:26:14
I can't speak for myself but my mother has been on it for about 2 years. The only side effect that she has is that it makes her sleepy. She takes it at night and it puts her right out. She is on 75mg. That's about all I can tell you with her experience.
Posted by Rathrbfishn on May 3, 2002, at 22:20:29
In reply to Re: Anyone still on Imipramine (Tofranil)sp?, posted by lrw on May 3, 2002, at 21:14:28
Just my short lived experience. Pdoc rx'd it at 100mgs/day back in the 80's. Was taking 4 mgs of xanax/day at the time. I took the imipramine the next morning and within an hour was in a full blown panic attack that lasted all day. By far the longest one I have ever had. I tried using the xanax to stop the panic but it didn't touch it. I do know that there are studies showing it is effective for both depression and panic in some people. I never took another one and fired the pdoc. I contacted an old friend I grew up with who was practicing psychiatry at Georgetown U. and told him about the experience. He told me that when he rx's imipramine he starts out at low doses, 10-25mgs/day along with a benzo for any anxiety that may accure with it. He then titrates it up slowly to therapeutic doses. He said he has had success with it, but a certain population simply can't tolerate it. Just as a side note, I've tried most AD's in all classes and find them to be much too enhancing. So my reaction may not be typical.
Posted by waterlily on May 4, 2002, at 8:42:31
In reply to Anyone still on Imipramine (Tofranil)sp?, posted by jay on May 3, 2002, at 20:26:14
I was on imipramine for a year. I took it in addition to Wellbutrin. The hope was that the imipramine would reduce generalized anxiety. It helped partially. I stopped it because I wanted to see if something else might work better and because I was getting braces and would not be able to tolerate the side effect of dry mouth any more. I'm now on Serzone and doing much better.
I think any medication is worth a good trial. Any one of them could be the answer you're looking for.
Posted by johnj on May 4, 2002, at 19:23:28
In reply to Anyone still on Imipramine (Tofranil)sp?, posted by jay on May 3, 2002, at 20:26:14
Hi Jay,
I just started a 10 mg last night. I am on nortryptline, but for various reasons I want to switch, and I have been having some troubles lately with sleep. I tried remeron, and was too spaced out even though the sleep was great it almost seemed to make me more depressed. So, I decided to stay with a TCA for now. Not too sure about SSRI's to be honest. I also may need to go back on the same dose of benzo I was on a few years back. I had managed to cut it in half, but I have been having some anxiety again. What else do you take, if anything? Any anxiety, panic issures? Thanks.
John
Posted by jay on May 5, 2002, at 4:29:15
In reply to Re: Anyone still on Imipramine (Jay), posted by johnj on May 4, 2002, at 19:23:28
> Hi Jay,
>
> I just started a 10 mg last night. I am on nortryptline, but for various reasons I want to switch, and I have been having some troubles lately with sleep. I tried remeron, and was too spaced out even though the sleep was great it almost seemed to make me more depressed. So, I decided to stay with a TCA for now. Not too sure about SSRI's to be honest. I also may need to go back on the same dose of benzo I was on a few years back. I had managed to cut it in half, but I have been having some anxiety again. What else do you take, if anything? Any anxiety, panic issures? Thanks.
> JohnHi John:
WOW...we have similar issues! Most of the new meds just make me worse. I take a little bit of Zyprexa along with a benzo, and am hoping a tricyclic will help kick both the anxiety and depression in the butt. I may be going on imipramine this week when I see my doc, as I am still waiting a few days to see how the nortriptyline works out. (Hasn't been great so far..but will give it a few more days.)
How are you making out so far, and what meds have been better for you, and which ones horrible, in the past? I thought Effexor was the 'one', but I feel like I would have to take twice the max doseage of it just to feel ok.
Let me know how you are doing, and take good care!
Jay
Posted by polarbear206 on May 5, 2002, at 12:05:18
In reply to Anyone still on Imipramine (Tofranil)sp?, posted by jay on May 3, 2002, at 20:26:14
> I was just wondering if there is still anybody on long-term imipramine? I am thinking trying it as my next med. Any comments appreciated.
>
> Thanx,
> JayJay,
I've been on Imipramine for 13 years. This is the only drug that responds to my depression. These drugs (the tricyclics) work by a different mechanism that the SSRI'S. They inhance the release of various neurotransmitters. I sleep very well. When you start this drug, increase it gradually so tolerance to side effects can develop
Posted by Lia Mason on May 5, 2002, at 23:02:35
In reply to Anyone still on Imipramine (Tofranil)sp?, posted by jay on May 3, 2002, at 20:26:14
Jay,
I'm so glad you posted. I'm trying imipramine and I can't find too many people to give me feedback.
I'm at 150 and it took a long time to get here. I started at 10 mg and increased 10 per week. I think it's helping me but I'm also on Sam-e and Lamictal so it's hard to say. I was prescribed imipramine for a chronic pain condition and it's worked great for that. I'm hoping to use imipramine as my primary antidepressant because I don't like the sexual side effects of the SSRI's and MAO's.
I have all the typical side effects but they're not debilitating. I get a little lightheaded if I stand up too fast. I'm a bit constipated and have some dry mouth. I have not gained weigbht, though. I had what felt like increased heart beat when I first took it but that went away. I'm generally tired and I don't know if that's depression or drugs. My doctor says that if it's imipramine it will wear off.
For the record, I was on Nortriptyline before this and couldn't tolerate it. I found it very fatiguing and the lightheadedness was much worse.
My doctor said that imipramine's therapeutic dose ranges anywhere from 150-300.
Good luck and please keep posting your experience. I'm very hopeful about imipramine. I've been on literally everything else and couldn't live with the side effects. I know people on this board are often down on tricyclics because they're side effect ridden ("dirty"). But I'd rather have a lot of minor side effects that I can live with than one major one that I can't.
Best,
Lia
Posted by johnj on May 6, 2002, at 13:26:38
In reply to Re: Anyone still on Imipramine (Tofranil)sp?, posted by Lia Mason on May 5, 2002, at 23:02:35
Hi,
I am currently on nortryptline 50 mg, and have added 20 mg of imipramine. I know what you mean about nortryptline, I have always had light headness, and dry mouth. I have been on it for 8 years or so. I will be attempting to switch after my imipramine gets high enough. I have also had problems working out while on nortyptline. It seems to aggravate my sleep and anxiety problems. So, I am switching to see if the new TCA helps and I have had little if any side effects.
Have you had any problems/experiences with excercise while on nortryptline?
Posted by Lia Mason on May 6, 2002, at 13:34:04
In reply to Re: Anyone still on Imipramine (LIA), posted by johnj on May 6, 2002, at 13:26:38
Honestly, I just didn't exercise on Nortriptyline. I was too tired. But... I spent a few days in NYC while I was on it and that necessitated a lot of walking--I mean, alot. And it was difficult. I felt spacy, like I was floating and not anchored to the ground. I kept wanting to sit down. So, your problem doesn't surprise me.
An interesting side note... I took Nortriptyline 14 years ago for sleep. I was 18. That dose was actually higher than the one I took recently and I had no problems. I guess our bodies really do change. It's perplexing...
Lia
Posted by johnj on May 6, 2002, at 13:48:22
In reply to Re: Anyone still on Imipramine » johnj, posted by jay on May 5, 2002, at 4:29:15
I am at 20 mg of imip. and 50 mg of norty. right now. If things work out well I will make the switch after my imipramine dose gets high enough. So far no side effects to really speak of.
How is the nortryptline working? My doc. said the nort probably did not cause my excercise problems, but then a again nobody studies that type of stuff. I think the TCA's are damn good drugs, and I would rather have a dry mouth than the sexual side effects of SSRI's. Take care and keep us informed.
John
Posted by johnj on May 6, 2002, at 13:55:27
In reply to Re: Anyone still on Imipramine (LIA), posted by Lia Mason on May 6, 2002, at 13:34:04
Lia,
yes, the nort. makes one pretty tired and aerobic excercise makes me dizzy and spacey too. I can't believe my doctor has never heard of this??? Since I am older too I see my reactions are different now too. I feel better, or should I say mentally sharper on TCA's, when compared to remeron. Man, that stuff is great for sleep, but the sponge brain feeling was driving me crazy. I realized I would rather be depressed than feel that way. But, after a few rough days of quitting remeron I feel so much better. Maybe the imipramine is helping too. I have high hopes for imipramine, but I guess I shouldn't get over excited quite yet though. take care.
Johnj
Posted by johnj on May 6, 2002, at 18:46:54
In reply to Re: Anyone still on Imipramine (LIA), posted by johnj on May 6, 2002, at 13:55:27
HI,
You said you have been on it for 13 years. Did you ever try any other AD's? If you excercise does it cause any side effects to be enhanced or bring back the depression or anxiety? I was just wondering because I felt that way on nortryptline. Thanks!
Johnj
Posted by polarbear206 on May 6, 2002, at 20:02:39
In reply to Imipramine Question (Polarbear), posted by johnj on May 6, 2002, at 18:46:54
> HI,
> You said you have been on it for 13 years. Did you ever try any other AD's? If you excercise does it cause any side effects to be enhanced or bring back the depression or anxiety? I was just wondering because I felt that way on nortryptline. Thanks!
> Johnj
Hi John,The only side effects with exercise are increase in sweating and dry mouth. I take a high impact step class. The SSRI's crippled my endurance. I used to run about 20 miles a week. I had a very rough time trying to run only 2 miles when I took SSRI's. My endurance is much better with imipramine. After strenuous exercise I feel great!
Posted by Neicy on July 2, 2002, at 21:54:33
In reply to Anyone still on Imipramine (Tofranil)sp?, posted by jay on May 3, 2002, at 20:26:14
Jay ... don't know if you're still interested on Imipramine information but I've been on this drug since Dec 1996. I have been very pleased for the most part with Trofranil as it has given me a new lease on life. My chemical depression was so bad that I basically slept my life away ~ not a cool thing to be doing with 2 small kids.
Started out at 10mg and worked my way up to at one point 250mg. Had good results but didn't want to be on that high a doseage due to a liver disorder. Working with my chiropractor who educated me about how to change my diet to work on balancing my brain chemisty, I was able to slowly go down to only 25mg a day. That was a positive ~ but the down side of that was that when I cheated (food wise), I paid big on my brain issues.
Finally seem to have found a balance I can live with (for the most part) of healthy food and 75mg Tofranil a day. But the key for the healthy food was getting all fake fats out of my diet ... same with hydrogenated oil and/or trans fats ~ which are in practically every convenience (read tasty) food out there.
What I like about Tofranil is that if I am having a "tough" or stressful period in my life that doesn't appear to be prolonged, I can generally go up on my Tofranil by 25mg and take off the edge ~ especially with sleeplessness that results in tough/stressful times.
Hope this helps.
Posted by MattJ on August 25, 2003, at 12:51:52
In reply to Re: Anyone still on Imipramine (Jay), posted by johnj on May 4, 2002, at 19:23:28
My father has been on imipramine for around 15 years and has recently come off it. Due to a miscommunication between him and his GP he stopped completely rather than tapering off it. Now he is in an awful mess. He lost a stone and a half in 3 weeks, is in constant debilitating pain and gets episode of extreme pain and anxiety. The situation may be compounded by the fact that he's been using pesticides for 30 years. These may have been stored in his fat reserves and were released in a toxic dose when he lost the weight. He also may have had a predisposition since he suffered ME before this all happened. Does anyone have experience of anything like this? Has anyone withdrawn from imipramine after a long period of use? Would anyone have any recommendations about treatment of any kind? The doctors have denied both the withdrawal phenomenon and the pesticide poisoning.
Thanks for any advice.
MattJ.
Posted by macbeth on October 19, 2003, at 17:57:20
In reply to Re: Anyone still on Imipramine (Jay), posted by MattJ on August 25, 2003, at 12:51:52
In case anyone is interested, this response is in reply to the post, over a year old now, to the unfortunate person with PD who swallowed 100 mg. of imipramine one morning...(!)
I used that drug for several years for the smae reason but I was on 10mg. of valium every night and started with 10mg. and by cutting pills in half, workrd my way up to 100mg/night after around four months. It wasn't easy! But with the two dugs in combination it really was fairly effective treatment with minimal sexual cost. It would have made my life MUCH better ten years earlier. Now I'm only taking 10 mg./night because being an older man(51) I don't need anythig even slightly holding back my sex drive and so far that seems to work.
One postive side effect from antidepressents for me was remission of my intractable and demoralizing psoriasis of the fingernails. No small benefit.
Posted by borderguy on November 23, 2003, at 17:53:03
In reply to Re: Anyone still on Imipramine (Jay), posted by macbeth on October 19, 2003, at 17:57:20
I've read some literature about low dose imipramine being an effective anti depressant (under 100 mgs) and also effective for ADD. Also, it seems the sexual side effects are fewer of those who take it than for those on SSRI's. Any feedback on this from people who take or have taken imipramine?
Thanks,
Posted by Lazarus on November 24, 2003, at 16:54:05
In reply to Re: Anyone still on Imipramine (Jay), posted by borderguy on November 23, 2003, at 17:53:03
I took imipramine for eight years. I found that it:
1. Was not a very good antidepressant.
2. Stunted my emotional growth.
3. Was sedating and caused dry mouth and constipation.Lazarus
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 24, 2003, at 17:14:02
In reply to Re: Anyone still on Imipramine (Jay), posted by borderguy on November 23, 2003, at 17:53:03
I'm augmenting 150mg of Effexor with 50mg of Imipramine at the moment. Can't tell much about Imipramine yet. Will keep posting if anything changes.
KDi in TX
> I've read some literature about low dose imipramine being an effective anti depressant (under 100 mgs) and also effective for ADD. Also, it seems the sexual side effects are fewer of those who take it than for those on SSRI's. Any feedback on this from people who take or have taken imipramine?
> Thanks,
This is the end of the thread.
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