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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 rytoor on November 22, 2002, at 12:49:20
Any Desipramine veterans out there? Success stories or otherwise?
I recently started a trial of Desipramine. I'm trying to get up to a therapeutic dose, and have hit 100 mg as of Day 12. I know I’m probably only half way to a therapeutic dose.
But the side effects are tough to take. Do they go away? Or diminish?
So far, side effects include: weight gain (must be water, since diet hasn’t changed and is pretty healthy); complete spaciness and fatigue, especially when taking more than 25 mg at a time; cold hands (of all things!!).
If I can’t handle higher doses, and so far it doesn’t look good, my next option for a NE-targeted AD is Reboxetine. Effexor has failed several times, again because I can’t get up to the mega doses.
I’m also on Lexapro and Dexedrine. Please share,
R
Posted by BrittPark on November 23, 2002, at 1:10:22
In reply to Any Desipramine veterans?, posted by rytoor on November 22, 2002, at 12:49:20
I take 50mg of desipramine on top of 300mg of imipramine, which gets me into the therapeutic range but not by much. But I'm a hyper metabolizer. Most people will hit the therapeutic range with desipramine at 150 to 200mg, so you're probably not too far from the therapeutic range.
When are you taking your meds. If desipramine is making you very drowsy, try taking it all before you go to bed.
The side effects do diminish over time but you can expect to have dry mouth and perhaps a little constipation for as long as you take it. With luck the excessive fatigue will diminish. Hang on for a good 4-6 weeks if you possibly can to give the drug a chance. You might find that the efficacy outweighs whatever side-effects remain.
Feel better,Britt
Posted by lawrence s. on November 23, 2002, at 2:25:42
In reply to Any Desipramine veterans?, posted by rytoor on November 22, 2002, at 12:49:20
Yes I'm a former desipramine popper. At 120mgs. it gave me tachachardia. I also got fatigue at any dosage. I tried as little as 10mg. a day. which gave maybe even more help than 120. It always made me feel wired, nervous and fatigued. Difficult to find the right dose. In my opinion, it may be usefull as an augmenter at low dosage.
Posted by rytoor on November 23, 2002, at 15:27:04
In reply to Re: Any Desipramine veterans? » rytoor, posted by BrittPark on November 23, 2002, at 1:10:22
Thanks for the info; I'll give it more time. Another side effect I have is difficulty breathing, which is no fun. Lessening the dose seems to help, though. See my pdoc this week.
Does anyone know if this stuff needs to be tapered down, when and if I go off it? If I do, what time frame should I allow before trying Rebox?
Thanks all --
R
Posted by polarbear206 on November 24, 2002, at 8:32:45
In reply to Any Desipramine veterans?, posted by rytoor on November 22, 2002, at 12:49:20
> Any Desipramine veterans out there? Success stories or otherwise?
>
> I recently started a trial of Desipramine. I'm trying to get up to a therapeutic dose, and have hit 100 mg as of Day 12. I know I’m probably only half way to a therapeutic dose.
>
> But the side effects are tough to take. Do they go away? Or diminish?
>
> So far, side effects include: weight gain (must be water, since diet hasn’t changed and is pretty healthy); complete spaciness and fatigue, especially when taking more than 25 mg at a time; cold hands (of all things!!).
>
> If I can’t handle higher doses, and so far it doesn’t look good, my next option for a NE-targeted AD is Reboxetine. Effexor has failed several times, again because I can’t get up to the mega doses.
>
> I’m also on Lexapro and Dexedrine. Please share,
>
> R
>R,
The desipramine will increase your lexapro blood levels. Could be why your are having more side effects. I used to take paxil and imipramine together. This happened to me when I added the imipramine. You have to wein down on a tricyclic to avoid the flu-like effects of going off of them too abruptly.
Laura.
This is the end of the thread.
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