Posted by jay on April 14, 2002, at 22:21:03
In reply to Re: Started Clomipramine...questions... » jay, posted by mike21 on April 14, 2002, at 10:17:35
Hi Mike:Questions are great...we learn more that way! I think imipramine is a *great* choice, especially if you have an anxious component to your depression. On SSRI/SNRI's, I felt "numb", and on clomipramine, I feel SO much better. (Mind you, I was on Zyprexa also, but even before, I hated that lifeless zombie-like feeling Effexor caused.)
One other thing too, and that is Effexor (and SSRI's) seemed to turn me into a miserable, angry person all the time, and on clomipramine I have my little mood swings, but nothing like before.Anyhow, I would say give it a shot, as I think TCA's are coming back in because many are fed up and let down by the newer drugs. (Never mind the fortune they cost too!) No a.d. has been proven more *effective* than imipramine, and it still is the "official" a.d. of the World Health Organization.
Best wishes....
Jay
> Hi Jay,
>
> Sorry to just add more questions to your own, but...
>
> Have you tried imipramine? My doctor prescribed it for me, but I've heard it's bad for cognitive function, memory, and it's an anti-histamine, which I generally don't tolerate. Do you have any experience with it? Any decrease in cognitive function with the clomipramine?
>
> I've tried SS/NRIs (Prozac, Paxil, Effexor, Wellbutrin) with little or no success either.
>
> Mike
>
> >
> > Hey folks:
> >
> > Well, after a fewy years on Effexor and Zyprexa, as well as all of the SSRI's..Serzone, Welbutrin, etc..(ohhh..and the 'mood stabalizers'), I have started on clomipramine. To be honest, I have only ever benefited from tricyclics. Anybody also on a tricyclic as their main a.d.?
> >
> > I see so *few* people using this as their prominent antidepressant, and besides some slight side-effects (BTW..I found side-effects on SSRI/SNRI's MUCH worse..), I feel like *me*. I don't feel like some manic person trying to crush my depression and anxiety, it's like everything was toned down, and I can experience pleasure. In all...I am positive I will never turn back to any of these SNRI/SSRI meds. Oh ya...and the 'weight gain' side effect of tricyclics is JUST as much, if not more, on the SSRI/SNRI's. Plus, many people add Zyprexa et al to their combo, and the weight gain is even worse.
> >
> > I am also hoping to go on theraputic benzo treatment with my clomipramine. For the direly anxious depressive, clomipramine seems to have saved the day when all of these 'super' (and VERY expensive) drugs simply numbed me.
> >
> > One last point. I heard somebody recently say that the newer SNRI/SSRI's basically work on making people 'undepressed', while the tricyclics work on achieving a better perspective on life, and actually learning not to care about too much that has happened in your past.
> >
> > Benzos and tricyclics seem to be a "powerhouse" mix. In essence, the anxiety gets knocked down so much that you lose some of the depression caused by anxiety.
> >
> > Anyhow...just my .02 cents. Any comments??
> >
> > Thanx
> >
> > Jay
poster:jay
thread:103023
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020408/msgs/103084.html