Posted by ace on May 19, 2003, at 1:46:17
Here I am again.
The past week or so has been misery for me.
On two occassions I've ended up in hospital.
Once the first night of Anafranil, second last night on Nardil.Briefly, I had a 10 day w/out to CMI (clomipramine-anafranil). Then 4 days on CMI - 2 on 25mg, 2 on 50mg. Severe depression ensued. I stopped. I am in the middle of a semester I needed stability. We only waited 2 days drug free to re-start NARDIL. First dose, felt the NARDIL majic back in my body. Only 15mg that day.
2nd day- 30mg
3rd - 60mg.
During these two days (and the next morning) I had episodic periods of extreme fear and confusion with some somatic complaints (shivering etc) But depression was gone - thanks to Nardil.
After 45mg yesterday I was back to my Nardil euphoria. But 2 hours after my last dose (which made it 60mg for the day) EXTREME confusion came. EXTREME fright, with derealization and anxiety. Took heaps of benzos. Calmed me down.
Went to hospital - saw a DR who knew far less about psych meds than me. Asked for a CMI plasma test. Couldn't do it!
Today I've reduced my Nardil back down to 30mg.I feel OK now but I'm still concerned.
My explanation....
1. Mild serotonin syndrome (remember CMI's half-life is only AVERAGED at 20hrs - it can be as high as 37. So When I started Nardil there still could have been a lot of CMI in my blood.
2. Excaserbation (sp?!) of my derealization/anxiety probs due to excessive 5HT stimulation - but that being so, 5ht levels are not in serotonin syndrome range.
PLAN:
- Stick to 30mg until the episodic confusion/anxiety passes.
- Periactin on hand (but of course CMI's blood concentration is going down day by day)
Please offer any advice/opinions!
What a fool I was to change from such a brilliant drug! In the middle of semester!!!!
I love you all,Andrew.
poster:ace
thread:227574
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030514/msgs/227574.html