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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kizzie on June 29, 2006, at 6:43:01
Dear all - I would really appreciate some help.
I have an appointment with psychiatrist next friday but cant speak to him before then because he is on holiday.BASIC HISTORY - took paxil for 2 years for Post natal panic attacks. Then spent 3 years trying to get off paxil. Severe withdrawal. Eventually ended up on clomipramine and got better but after slow withdrawal from clomipramine ended up with severe depression/anxiety/ocd symptoms.
A month ago restarted clomipramine. 2 weeks ago went up to 50mg and 10 days ago up to 75mg. Have been taking 85mg for 2 days.
I have not seen any improvement in my symptoms yet but am also suffering severe side effects.
(I am a journalist and have never ever taken sick leave before but the side effects from clomipramine leave me totally incapable of doing anything.)I have all the usual things (dry mouth/constipation etc.) but also have severe muscle weakness/ dizziness/ feeling faint when I stand up/ inability to walk very far.
I DID have these last time ( and couldnt take 100mg because my blood pressure dropped to low/pulse too high.) But it seems to be lasting longer this time.
Has anyone else had this??? Did it lessen with time?
I really didnt want to be a weak person and 'give up' on the clomipramine too soon because it did work for me in the end last time. But when I see the dr I know he is going to suggest a switch (although he never 'tells' me what to do - he leaves it up to me to decide (!))
Sorry so many questions.
Im really really struggling and trying to be strong but Id really appreciate any support to get through these difficult days.
Kizziexx
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on June 29, 2006, at 9:30:06
In reply to Side effects - please help - dont know what to do, posted by kizzie on June 29, 2006, at 6:43:01
Those sound like serious s/e's to me. I'd call your GP or the pdoc covering for yours. It is worth checking out w/a professiona b/c it could be dangerous.
best,
EE
Posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2006, at 16:18:01
In reply to Re: Side effects - please help - dont know what to do, posted by Emily Elizabeth on June 29, 2006, at 9:30:06
Hi EE Love Phillipa
Posted by kizzie on June 30, 2006, at 9:16:35
In reply to Re: Side effects - please help - dont know what to do, posted by Emily Elizabeth on June 29, 2006, at 9:30:06
Thanks for the reply. I tried to call them but could only speak to a nurse. She said just keep an eye on it for the next few days until you see the dr next friday. But if anything the weakness in my arms and legs and the dizziness (even when im sitting) are worse today (???!!)
Posted by Racer on June 30, 2006, at 15:14:01
In reply to Re: Side effects - please help - dont know what to do, posted by kizzie on June 30, 2006, at 9:16:35
> Thanks for the reply. I tried to call them but could only speak to a nurse. She said just keep an eye on it for the next few days until you see the dr next friday. But if anything the weakness in my arms and legs and the dizziness (even when im sitting) are worse today (???!!)
That's just NOT OK. Call back, say you've already spoken to the nurse, and that your symptoms are worse today. Say that a full week is NOT OK to wait, and you need to speak with someone who can help you NOW. TODAY.
Even if it's not dangerous, it's still not the sort of thing that offers you anything like quality of life, and anyway -- if you can't get a response to this, why should you trust these doctors?
OK, that's also coming from my own bias, and i know it's hard to do, but I do hope you'll call them back and say that you can't manage this for another week. Especially since you've had this sort of trouble before. That doesn't sound like there's a great reason to think it'll be different this time, you know?
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on June 30, 2006, at 21:27:08
In reply to Re: Side effects - please help - dont know what to do, posted by kizzie on June 30, 2006, at 9:16:35
I agree it doesn't sound good. If no one will call back there's always the ER. If it's interferring with your life and dizzyness and weakness aren't normal. I'd go there. Love Phillipa
Posted by Jost on June 30, 2006, at 22:14:01
In reply to Side effects - please help - dont know what to do, posted by kizzie on June 29, 2006, at 6:43:01
Hi, kizzie.
Everyone has a different ability to stick with medications in the face of distressing side-effects. Mine is relatively low--but my reactions are often strongly enough negative that my pdoc thinks I shouldn't keep going, also.
Sounds like your pdoc will also suggest discontinuing, and you shouldn't have to suffer through more of this misery (again IMO).
Esp. if you aren't achieving positive results, and had this reaction (even if less severe) before.
Have you tried anything other than SSRIs?
I agree that you should call (if you feel up to it, of course) and say, very politely but very distinctly, that you need to see or at least speak to the doctor so as to decide whether, and more importantly, how to handle stopping.
Even if he doesn't have time, he can supervise over the phone.
It's hard, but you have every right to help sooner than your appt. Nothing to do with being weak.
Jost
Posted by kizzie on July 1, 2006, at 14:13:51
In reply to Re: Side effects - please help - dont know what to, posted by Jost on June 30, 2006, at 22:14:01
Thankyou everyone for all your advice.
In the end they sent me to my GPS office to get my blood pressure checked. There were no drs there - just a nurse but she was very kind.
She seemed to think somebody should be helping me more but there was nothing she could do herself.
Anyway she did my blood pressure.
Sitting it was 102/60 but then standing it dropped to 90/55.
Resting pulse was 100 (mine is normally 70).So nothing (hopefully) life threatening but not good either.
So I have no choice now but to wait till friday.
Then I'll have been on the clomipramine for 5 weeks. 50++mgs for 3 weeks.
If Ive seen no improvement by then is it time to through in the towel. (If I switch apparently it will be to escitalopram ???)
Im so sorry this message is so long. But my days at the moment are never ending and the support on this site is so welcome.
Because i was involved in the whole Seroxat debate in the UK I have been told so many negative stories about SSRI's. But they're not all bad are they??????
My family are desperate for me to stay on clomipramine because it got me better last time and / they cant face the thought of me having to withdraw from it and take something else.
Kizziexxx
Posted by elsie_girl on July 4, 2006, at 5:23:55
In reply to Re: Side effects - more help-sorry, posted by kizzie on July 1, 2006, at 14:13:51
> Thankyou everyone for all your advice.
>
> In the end they sent me to my GPS office to get my blood pressure checked. There were no drs there - just a nurse but she was very kind.
>
> She seemed to think somebody should be helping me more but there was nothing she could do herself.
>
> Anyway she did my blood pressure.
> Sitting it was 102/60 but then standing it dropped to 90/55.
> Resting pulse was 100 (mine is normally 70).
>
> So nothing (hopefully) life threatening but not good either.
>
> So I have no choice now but to wait till friday.
>
> Then I'll have been on the clomipramine for 5 weeks. 50++mgs for 3 weeks.
>
> If Ive seen no improvement by then is it time to through in the towel. (If I switch apparently it will be to escitalopram ???)
>
> Im so sorry this message is so long. But my days at the moment are never ending and the support on this site is so welcome.
>
> Because i was involved in the whole Seroxat debate in the UK I have been told so many negative stories about SSRI's. But they're not all bad are they??????
>
> My family are desperate for me to stay on clomipramine because it got me better last time and / they cant face the thought of me having to withdraw from it and take something else.
>
> KizziexxxHi Kizzie. I'm so sorry you are going through all this without doc's support. Know the feeling though because I have just been there. I am waiting to see a psych doc soon to get meds on track so I know how you feel. Just try to hang in there though and demand the help when you feel like you can't take any more. Will say a prayer for you - good luck! Elsie girl
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