Posted by Keith Talent on October 4, 2004, at 6:44:53
In reply to Do I realy have to stay on Anafranil for 6 months?, posted by TheOutsider on October 1, 2004, at 15:48:30
> I have been taking Anafranil (Clomipramine) for two months, reached the dosage of 150mgs two weeks ago.
> Although I think it has helped depression and anxiety it has had many side effects and has not helped my social anxiety or ADD type symptoms.One-hundred and fifty milligrams is a "maybe, maybe not" kind of dose for many patients. From what I understand, 300 mg for four to eight weeks would give a definitive answer. Six months sounds ludicrous.
You need to know whether you do or do not have ADHD - if yes, your psychiatrist should prescribe a stimulant first. People here tend to say that dextroamphetamine or dexmethylphenidate (Focalin) or the high-tech extended-release methylphenidate (Concerta) are the best. I don't know personally, not having ADHD.
The social anxiety/Social Phobia needs clomipramine (or an SSRI) + as much clonazepam as needed (say 4 or 8 mg/day total, in two divided doses) + maybe a low dose stimulant (if the dose is too high, the benefits will be unsustainable; also, if you have ADHD, this fits nicely) + some cognitive therapy from a professional who knows what he/she is doing (for both the Major Depressive Disorder and the Social Phobia).
Personally, clomipramine is my all-time best antidepressant. I'm just looking into getting my doc to add a muscarinic cholinergic agonist like bethanecol to combat the anticholinergic side effects. I think that stimulants tend to help with the anorgasmia.
poster:Keith Talent
thread:397976
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041002/msgs/398737.html