![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gman22 on December 13, 2011, at 17:06:29
I'm thinking of trying imipramine again. I first used it about 15 years ago (150mg) for about a year and then remained in a drug free remission for 10 years. I was super high-functioning for those years, maybe even hypo manic. Before and after that, I tried all of the SSRI's and nortriptyline, sometimes combining them. They have helped me somewhat, but not to the 100% feeling that imipramine provided. I'm somewhat worried about cardiovascular side effects because I exercise often now.
It seems to me since I will need meds indefinitely I might as well choose one that I can stay on long term. From looking at sites like pub med, remedy find, and others it seems to me that you don't read about long term success stories with any drugs except imipramine, amitriptyline and Nardil. Many people have been on these for over 35 years and still going strong, but I don't see alot of successes with SSRI's, even though they have been around for over 25 years now. (I am intrigued by amitriptylines neurogenerative properties.)
Has anyone had long term success or at least heard of anecdotal evidence of anything else working with tolerable side effects for 20+ years.
Posted by Phillipa on December 13, 2011, at 17:21:11
In reply to Long term treatments..., posted by gman22 on December 13, 2011, at 17:06:29
So after l0 you again became depressed? Did you take just the imipramine then? Phillipa
Posted by gman22 on December 13, 2011, at 17:59:27
In reply to Re: Long term treatments... » gman22, posted by Phillipa on December 13, 2011, at 17:21:11
No, I haven't tried it again since 15 years ago. After a relapse 5 years ago I started on Paxil, which worked well for a while but I went off it and didn't work as well again 2nd time.
Posted by bleauberry on December 18, 2011, at 7:39:17
In reply to Long term treatments..., posted by gman22 on December 13, 2011, at 17:06:29
From what I have seen I think you are correct. I believe there are only a few meds, in the TCA and MAOI classes, that offer longterm potential. The longest I've seen with ssris is around 10 years, I think I saw one at 15 years....few but they do happen, and they were always with either zoloft or prozac.
Since you are planning for the long haul I might suggest a natural trial first. It has the potential to be completely as good as imipramine was, but in the event that it turns out only neutral or somewhat helpful for you, it combines well with psych meds.. Since you were interested in the side benefits of amitriptyline then you could throw a party over rhodiola because it has a ton more of that kind of health stuff built into it....heart, brain, adrenals, nervous system, muscles, immune system....all in one.
My own experience with it, and most of the success stories I've read, indicate it needs a few weeks to start showing some major changes for the better. Worst case scenario....it is somewhat helpful but imipramine does the job....rhodiola stays on board to boost the body against the negative effeccs of imipramine.
Posted by Phillipa on December 18, 2011, at 21:25:13
In reply to Re: Long term treatments..., posted by bleauberry on December 18, 2011, at 7:39:17
Laney who posts here did great on paxil l0mg for 15 years. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.