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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Meltingpot on March 6, 2009, at 13:28:10
Hi,
As my lexapro seemed to have stopped working to the extent that I wasn't sleeping on it and was getting a lot of agitation etc I decided to start taking Clomipramine instead.
I started it last Friday and got a lot of start up anxiety which I stopped with Zyprexa. The last few days I've been sleeping well and eating better but I seem to go through different phases thoughout the day. I'm very drowsy and slightly anxious in the morning, I feel very flat, morbid in the afternoon (like I did on Seroxat when it stopped working) and then I sort of pick up in the evening. I think I'm currently taking about 40mgs a day (I cut the tablet in half). Are things likely to improve.
I ordered this drug off the internet so I've only got a certain amount left to take. Not sure what do, whether to get some more just in case it does work or just bide my time. They seem to be helping a bit but not enough.
Can anyone advise? I feel like I'm just going to end up like I did on SSRIs which is that sort of numb, nothingy kind of feeling.
Denise
Posted by Relapse on March 6, 2009, at 23:25:41
In reply to Clomipramine - Experiences, posted by Meltingpot on March 6, 2009, at 13:28:10
Denise
I tried lexapro and never could sleep well while taking it. The sri I have taken more than any of the others (over the last 14 years) is Zoloft. I have a high degree of anxiety with my depression. I am on a pretty high dose, 150mg with lithium added to it. The good news is that it helps with both. Like your experience though, it dulls you emotionally. However, I will take this over the ripping pain I was in after I pronounced myself "cured" and stopped taking my meds. a few months ago.
Posted by meltingpot on March 8, 2009, at 10:12:10
In reply to Re: Clomipramine - Experiences, posted by Relapse on March 6, 2009, at 23:25:41
Hi,
I've been on it for a week now and although it seems to be helping with the anxiety, I still don't really feel like doing anything. Feel flat.
Am I likely to stay feeling like this on it? Has this been your experience?
Thanks....Denise
Posted by yxibow on March 9, 2009, at 0:02:13
In reply to Clomipramine - Experiences, posted by Meltingpot on March 6, 2009, at 13:28:10
> Hi,
>
> As my lexapro seemed to have stopped working to the extent that I wasn't sleeping on it and was getting a lot of agitation etc I decided to start taking Clomipramine instead.
>
> I started it last Friday and got a lot of start up anxiety which I stopped with Zyprexa. The last few days I've been sleeping well and eating better but I seem to go through different phases thoughout the day. I'm very drowsy and slightly anxious in the morning, I feel very flat, morbid in the afternoon (like I did on Seroxat when it stopped working) and then I sort of pick up in the evening. I think I'm currently taking about 40mgs a day (I cut the tablet in half). Are things likely to improve.
>
> I ordered this drug off the internet so I've only got a certain amount left to take. Not sure what do, whether to get some more just in case it does work or just bide my time. They seem to be helping a bit but not enough.
>
> Can anyone advise? I feel like I'm just going to end up like I did on SSRIs which is that sort of numb, nothingy kind of feeling.
>
> DeniseIt is a fairly potent SRI and also is somewhat 'unclean' so it has a NE component that can be agitating at a certain dose.
I'm not going to inquire why you didn't go through your doctor's channel for clomipramine other than I think he/she should be aware that you're taking a TCA, since you're also taking an AP.
Here its capsules, I haven't heard of a tablet formulation of Anafranil but I suppose there might be.
I take 75mg, which is about the highest I can stand at the moment before NE kicks in big.
It can be a good antidepressant and an OC agent if others have failed.
As a TCA it is virtually going to be more unclean than an SSRI, but the initial effects do go away. The NE part still stays though, at least for me.
-- tidings
Jay
Posted by meltingpot on March 9, 2009, at 7:06:19
In reply to Re: Clomipramine - Experiences » Meltingpot, posted by yxibow on March 9, 2009, at 0:02:13
Hi Jay,
Thanks for your response. I went to see a private psychiatrist on Saturday and she is aware that I'm taking the Clomipramine as well as some Zyprexa now and again.
I upped the clomipramine to 75mg and have been on it for just over a week now.
I had very bad agitation the first two days. Now I feel less empty and weak (which is how I feel off medication) but feel quite drowsy.
This sort of feels pretty much like SSRIs affect me. They all seem to get me to a certain point (not so empty and weak) but not to the point where I feel like I'm actually enjoying life again.
I will give it 6 weeks, which I promised the psychiatrist and then review it with the psychiatrist.
I often think I'm just never going to be happy.
Denise
Posted by yxibow on March 9, 2009, at 15:00:31
In reply to Re: Clomipramine - Experiences, posted by meltingpot on March 9, 2009, at 7:06:19
> Hi Jay,
>
> Thanks for your response. I went to see a private psychiatrist on Saturday and she is aware that I'm taking the Clomipramine as well as some Zyprexa now and again.That's good, so she is aware and can monitor.
> I upped the clomipramine to 75mg and have been on it for just over a week now.Take the dosage adjustment easy with this agent, with side effects and all, it is fairly potent, and better to err on caution.
> I had very bad agitation the first two days. Now I feel less empty and weak (which is how I feel off medication) but feel quite drowsy.
>
> This sort of feels pretty much like SSRIs affect me. They all seem to get me to a certain point (not so empty and weak) but not to the point where I feel like I'm actually enjoying life again.It may take longer for you for whatever reason, metabolic differences, to get a good plasma level. Not everyone is the same.
> I will give it 6 weeks, which I promised the psychiatrist and then review it with the psychiatrist.
>
> I often think I'm just never going to be happy.
A lot of us with depression do --- and it takes time, I'm not saying its pleasant, but there are combinations of medications that will get you as close to that as possible.-- best wishes
- Jay
Posted by Meltingpot on March 16, 2009, at 13:26:24
In reply to Re: Clomipramine - Experiences » meltingpot, posted by yxibow on March 9, 2009, at 15:00:31
Hi Jay,
Thanks for your support. I felt anxious today and then emotionally numb again this afternoon. I don't feel that this clomipramine is working too well so far. I have more energy but hardly any motivation.
What are you taking?
Denise
Posted by yxibow on March 19, 2009, at 19:56:57
In reply to yxibow, posted by Meltingpot on March 16, 2009, at 13:26:24
> Hi Jay,
>
> Thanks for your support. I felt anxious today and then emotionally numb again this afternoon. I don't feel that this clomipramine is working too well so far. I have more energy but hardly any motivation.
>
> What are you taking?I think the better question is what am I not taking....
Yes, I have major depression but I have a main 'orphan disorder' of somatoform NOS, psychosis NOS.
Basically I see things most people see magnified a lot, traffic lights too bright, etc, the list goes on, as well as bodily sensations which makes this a generalized but not specific enough for a label, somatoform.
Seroquel XR (may switch back)
Neurontin
Valium
Skelaxin (unrelated, spasm induced likely from years old benzodiazepine dump)
Lamictal
and Anafranil.Not to mention otc, 5-htp and l-tryptophan.
Its a lot -- I'm always stuck with no choice on medication and my illness being right. But at least at the moment it holds my 'functionality' together somehow. Not like it used to.
-- Jay
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