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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 gromit on February 9, 2005, at 6:02:55
I was wondering if anybody has experienced any of these side effects from Desipramine.
1. My hands get cold alot, it can be so hot that I'm sweating thru my clothes and my hands will be like ice.
2. My temperature seems to have gone down, I'm usually between 99 and 99.4 all the time, now it is often under 98.
3. I have difficulty speaking, I'll start to say something and just make weird noises for a second, I have to concentrate really hard just to talk.
4. My temper is out of control, I get really angry over simple things in an instant. Normally it's pretty hard to make me mad at all.
5. I am alot more emotional, my wife used to say I had no emotions at all, now I'm all over the place. I don't know if this is good or bad but at least it's something different.
6. I can't sleep, tonight I had 100 mg trazodone, 100 mg benadryl, 2 vicodins and a beer, it's almost 4 am and I'm wide awake typing this message. The vicodin makes me wired sometimes but I have a torn rotator cuff and I need to take something.On the other hand a few weeks ago I was trying to identify the strange feeling I was having, I realized that it was happiness! Like when I was a little kid and got sick, I'd wake up one day and I was over it. I'd jump on my bed and run around the house. It didn't last very long though, I'm not sure if it was from the Desipramine or because I stopped taking Lexapro. This kind of bums me out even more, it's been so long since I really felt happy that I had forgotten what I was missing. It has made me realize all the time I spent trying to tell if different meds were working was pointless, I know now that they didn't help at all.
One more thing, last time I saw my pdoc he said "you don't really seem very depressed". Maybe 20 yrs ago I got Haemophilus, my throat was so painful after awhile I couldn't even dring water. My temp was close to 105 for days, it affected my speech, I was slurring my words badly. I went to the E.R. and the dr said normally they would admit someone in my condition but it didn't seem like I was suffering. Arghhh! I think my pdoc honestly believes that I'm making stuff up. What do I have to do, act more depressed somehow?
Thanks
Rick
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 9, 2005, at 7:31:43
In reply to Desipramine, posted by gromit on February 9, 2005, at 6:02:55
I never had any of those side effects w/ desipramine. Do you take any other meds? Could it be them and/or a strange interaction?
Also, do you see a therapist? If so, s/he can be helpful in convincing your pdoc that you really need some attention.
Best,
EE
Posted by banga on February 9, 2005, at 15:42:10
In reply to Re: Desipramine, posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 9, 2005, at 7:31:43
I have not had anything like that either....for me desipramine is rather problem-free.
Posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2005, at 16:25:13
In reply to Re: Desipramine, posted by banga on February 9, 2005, at 15:42:10
No wonder people say they are suicidal, and a few hours are laughing and joking with others in the hospital. Fondly. In other words you have to say suicide to get them to take you seriously! But I wouldn't myself. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by katalina on February 9, 2005, at 19:06:31
In reply to Re: Desipramine, posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2005, at 16:25:13
I just started taking 50 mgs. of desipramine about a month ago. I haven't really noticed any side effects except for maybe drier mouth and I do feel a little edgier/angrier sometimes. I read somewhere that 50 mgs. is barely therapeutic, but I also take Dexedrine Spansules (60 mgs.) and 2.0 mgs of klonopin. I've taken lexapro, effexor and prozac in the past with good results, but was curious to try a TCA, so asked my doc for a scrip. I don't know if the Desipramine is hitting only norepinephrine receptors. Does anyone know if it touches serotonin as well? I didn't want to feel sedated, but I was hoping to feel a little calmer. Maybe I'll go back to good old prozac at the expense of losing what's left of my emotions!
Katalina
Posted by zeugma on February 9, 2005, at 19:09:06
In reply to Re: Desipramine, posted by katalina on February 9, 2005, at 19:06:31
you can try nortriptyline, it's relatively calming, and does not rob you of any emotions.
-z
Posted by gromit on February 9, 2005, at 19:11:59
In reply to Re: Desipramine, posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 9, 2005, at 7:31:43
> I never had any of those side effects w/ desipramine. Do you take any other meds? Could it be them and/or a strange interaction?
I'm also taking lamictal 200 mg and 10 mg vicodin when I need it. I've been taking the lamactial for about 8 months at that dose. The doctor who gave me the vicodin said it might increase the level of desipramine. I may be a poor metabolizer as well. Haven't had a blood test, do they have a test to measure your levels like nortriptyline? I think I'll go down to 100 mg from 150 to see if that helps.
> Also, do you see a therapist? If so, s/he can be helpful in convincing your pdoc that you really need some attention.It's just recently that I have issues that I think could be helped by therapy. No I don't have a therapist, I have a referral from my pdoc but I'm thinking of dumping him and getting a referral from the new pdoc. I found a guy at the local university that is both an md and phd. I saw in another post that this may mean he is a psychopharmacologist. I'm not sure exactly what that means but it seems to be a good thing.
Thank you for replying!
Rick
Posted by gromit on February 10, 2005, at 1:54:16
In reply to Desipramine, posted by gromit on February 9, 2005, at 6:02:55
Posted by tygereyes on February 10, 2005, at 10:21:34
In reply to Re: Desipramine, posted by gromit on February 9, 2005, at 19:11:59
<< I saw in another post that this may mean he is a psychopharmacologist. I'm not sure exactly what that means but it seems to be a good thing. >>
Psychiatrists can also be both MDs and PhDs. Some psychiatrists are both, some are only MDs, just like some psychopharmacologists are both and some are only MDs. But a person can call himself/herself a psychopharmacologist even if they've gone to pharmacy school, so be very clear on his training before going to see a psychopharmacologist.
Here is a website with some information on psychopharmacology:
<< http://www.mhsource.com/expert/exp1011204d.html >>
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2005, at 16:40:18
In reply to Re: Desipramine, posted by tygereyes on February 10, 2005, at 10:21:34
You must have been reading my mind. This was a question that I did not have an answer for, but always thought they had "special" Knowledge above the ordinary. Thanks for the website. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by gromit on February 11, 2005, at 1:16:29
In reply to Re: Desipramine, posted by tygereyes on February 10, 2005, at 10:21:34
Posted by gromit on February 11, 2005, at 1:40:48
In reply to Re: Desipramine, posted by tygereyes on February 10, 2005, at 10:21:34
Eeeep, well I'm done with desipramine as of today. I don't know if it was accumulated lack of sleep or stuff that has been building or a combination but today was not a good day. As of tomorrow I'm starting Cymbalta 30 mg. Going by this chart http://sl.schofield3.home.att.net/medicine/psychiatric_drugs_chart.html desipramine, vicodin and trazodone are all metabolized by CYP2D6. Maybe this is part of the problem, 3 scripts from 3 different doctors. It's not like I didn't tell them what I was taking and I filled them at the same pharmacy and they didn't flag it either. According the the same chart cymbalta is metabolized by this same enzyme. Am I way off base here? Should I stop trying to play doctor? Is there a site that is something like The Complete Idiots Guide to Neurology and Pharmacology?
Thanks
Rick
Posted by banga on February 11, 2005, at 7:33:45
In reply to Re: Desipramine, posted by gromit on February 11, 2005, at 1:40:48
When I started desipramine, I also started Abilify---also metablolized by the same enzyme. The effect of both in the beginning was definitely amplified...
I am actually doing ok on desipramine, a slight energy boost. It may at times agitate the anxiety, but the energy helps get moving despite the fear.
Posted by Lazarus on February 12, 2005, at 20:33:19
In reply to Re: Desipramine, posted by banga on February 9, 2005, at 15:42:10
I have taken both imipramine and desipramine, and liked the impipramine (Tofranil) much better. It is more sedating than desipramine and was much more effective in ameliorating anxiety.
Lazarus
Posted by Maxime on February 13, 2005, at 23:35:44
In reply to Re: Desipramine, posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2005, at 16:25:13
Phillipa, I care about you very much. I don't know if your statement below is in jest but I don't think it's a fair statement. It is somewhat judgemental.
I have gone to the ER in distress and when asked if I am suicidal I say yes, because it's true. But then they ask if I am going to leave the hospital and hurt myself. One time I said "no" because I didn't know when the impulse would hit. They sent me home and said to come back if I had a plan that I was going to carry out. After that time I always answered yes and told them I was going to jump in front of a train. I knew I needed to be in the hospital. I have the unfortunate curse of seeming very normal and together when inside I am a mess. I guess it comes from years of wearing "the mask".
Anyhow, I had to get that off my chest.
Maxime
> No wonder people say they are suicidal, and a few hours are laughing and joking with others in the hospital. Fondly. In other words you have to say suicide to get them to take you seriously! But I wouldn't myself. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by woodie on February 13, 2005, at 23:51:25
In reply to Re: Imipramine is better than desipramine, posted by Lazarus on February 12, 2005, at 20:33:19
Question: I have a ten year old son who was diagnosed with major depression and generalized anxiety disorder about three years ago. I was very reluctant to have him go onto meds but did so when he was not able to function. We tried effexor (stopped due to hypermania) and celexa ( stopped due to a previously empathetic, sensitive kid losing his empathy and sense of justice). The last, and current med is imipramine. It seems to be helping. His sleep problems and tummy aches have all but disappeared, and he doesn't have the spells of melancholy and crying he was struggling with. I am very worried about possible dependence or adverse effects. I have been struggling with withdrawal from effexor that I had no idea about when I started on it. I would hate to put my little guy through any of the crappy effects of withdrawal. He's only been on this about a month, so I figure if there are some awful horror stories out there, I might not be too late to stop this one, too.
Thanks in advance for any insights out there. Thanks to all for the info provided by everyone on this site. It helps immensely to know that there are so many others going through this stuff. I'm tired of my doctor looking at me like I'm nuts, and/or the first person on earth to have a problem with the meds.
Again, thanks. Thinking of each of you trying to sort this stuff out.
Posted by gromit on February 14, 2005, at 0:09:37
In reply to Re: Desipramine » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on February 13, 2005, at 23:35:44
> I have the unfortunate curse of seeming very normal and together when inside I am a mess. I guess it comes from years of wearing "the mask".
That's what I meant to say, you said it much better. I think it's mostly a good in everyday life but it sucks when a medical professional can't tell that you need help.
Posted by mykull on March 11, 2005, at 17:28:34
In reply to Desipramine, posted by gromit on February 9, 2005, at 6:02:55
I have been on 150mg of desipramine for about a month now. The past couple days I've experienced icy coldness in my fingers and sometimes my entire hands. It's not painful, just annoying and worrisome. I weaned myself off of effexor over the past 6 weeks (gradually declining from 200mg to 35 mg, which I stopped taking about a week ago). I also take 50mg of Atenolol each night for atrial fibrillation. Other side effects from the desipramine include dry mouth, dehydration, and dizziness. It's not fun but I've tried many other antidepressants and this is the first that seems to have lifted me out of my dark and suicidal despair. I can't say I'm feeling particularly happy, but at least I'm no longer feeling suicidal. Still, it would be nice to find an antidepressant that didn't have such side effects. Until then, I'll be drinking plenty of water, trying to warm my icy fingers, and trying to not let the dizziness become unbearable. If anyone knows of ways to alleviate the latter two symptoms, I'd appreciate hearing of them.
Thanks.
Posted by gromit on March 12, 2005, at 1:20:14
In reply to Re: Desipramine, posted by mykull on March 11, 2005, at 17:28:34
Well at least one other person has had this side effect, me. It didn't go away until I stopped taking it :( Still if it's working for you maybe it's worth it to see if these side effects will diminish over time.
Good Luck
Rick
Posted by SLS on March 12, 2005, at 4:59:29
In reply to Re: Desipramine » mykull, posted by gromit on March 12, 2005, at 1:20:14
> Well at least one other person has had this side effect, me. It didn't go away until I stopped taking it :( Still if it's working for you maybe it's worth it to see if these side effects will diminish over time.
They tend to, especially if one thinks in terms of months rather than days or weeks.
- Scott
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