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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Gab2010 on January 11, 2011, at 14:34:28
Hi All,
I was wondering if you would be willing to give me your opinion as you are all very knowledgeable and I am quite desperate! I'm new to this site too and wasn't sure where to post so please forgive if there are duplicates. Anyway, I've been on 12mgs of Prozac for the past few months for PTSD, depression/anxiety, OCD. I've had some relief from my symptoms (which is wonderful!) but I also have interstitial cystitis, a chronic pain condition which the Prozac seems to have aggravated. My psychiatrist has since switched me to Clomipramine, starting at 12mgs daily, as the anticholinergic effects are good for the IC and I've tried so many different meds before. I'm on day ten of taking the 12mgs Clomipramine and have been absolutely crawling out of my skin with anxiety and racing thoughts!! My doc said that the Prozac is still in my system and can be contributing to the agitation from the Clomipramine, and gave me Xanax for short term relief - however it just seems to make me feel more disoriented. I am seeing him next week, but I wanted to do some research of my own. Help? Any info/input is so very much appreciated! How long would this last, theoretically, before the good effects would kick in? Is this potentially dosage-dependent (eg, if I were to go up to 25mgs, might I see a shift?) .. or is it because there's still Prozac in my system, and how long would that take to get out? Have you ever heard of anyone just staying anxious on the Clomipramine and not responding to it? What is going on in my brain to cause this? My doc says that it should mellow out over time. I am sorry to bother you with so many questions; it's just that I'm rattled because I'm in the midst of such a drastic increase in my anxiety and OCD symptoms. It would be so much easier if I knew how long it would last so I could just tell myself, 'okay, it's only another week of this...' etc etc. I know these are low doses of meds as well, but I tend to be quite sensitive to them. Thank you so, so, SO much!!
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2011, at 16:59:02
In reply to Clomipramine help!!! Crawling out of my skin...., posted by Gab2010 on January 11, 2011, at 14:34:28
Welcome to babble!!! I do know what interstitial cystitis is and hear it's extremly painful. So sorry you are suffering so. As to the med questions I only know that prozac is present in system for five weeks. As to the clomipramine I sincerly don't know. I just wanted you to know that someone cares and hoping soon someone with a great answer comes along. Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on January 11, 2011, at 17:06:17
In reply to Clomipramine help!!! Crawling out of my skin...., posted by Gab2010 on January 11, 2011, at 14:34:28
Hey. I've never taken clomimpramine (the only TCA I've taken is Tofranil), but to me it sounds like akathisia. Akathisia means restlessness--usually, its an inner sense of unease, sometimes accompanied by things like fidgeting or pacing.
Benzos, such as xanax, can help with akathisia. You might benefit more from Klonopin or Ativan. They're strong ("high-potency"), just like xanax, but they last longer and may not cause as many problems for you. Klonopin in particular can last all day w/ 2 doses (although it takes a while to kick in).
I hope everything works out for you. B-6 in high doses can also help akathisia, if that's an option for you.
Posted by Roslynn on January 12, 2011, at 17:18:11
In reply to Clomipramine help!!! Crawling out of my skin...., posted by Gab2010 on January 11, 2011, at 14:34:28
Hi,
I'm sorry for the trouble you are having. My doctor told me that Prozac multiplies the effect of clomipramine. And it could be a few weeks before the Prozac is out of your system.
I found clomipramine to be a very stimulating drug, so I could see where it could cause the symptoms you describe. It can also cause some shaking. For me, though, it is working and I am willing to make that trade-off.
Sorry I don't really have any answers, but best of luck to you.
Roslynn
> Hi All,
>
> I was wondering if you would be willing to give me your opinion as you are all very knowledgeable and I am quite desperate! I'm new to this site too and wasn't sure where to post so please forgive if there are duplicates. Anyway, I've been on 12mgs of Prozac for the past few months for PTSD, depression/anxiety, OCD. I've had some relief from my symptoms (which is wonderful!) but I also have interstitial cystitis, a chronic pain condition which the Prozac seems to have aggravated. My psychiatrist has since switched me to Clomipramine, starting at 12mgs daily, as the anticholinergic effects are good for the IC and I've tried so many different meds before. I'm on day ten of taking the 12mgs Clomipramine and have been absolutely crawling out of my skin with anxiety and racing thoughts!! My doc said that the Prozac is still in my system and can be contributing to the agitation from the Clomipramine, and gave me Xanax for short term relief - however it just seems to make me feel more disoriented. I am seeing him next week, but I wanted to do some research of my own. Help? Any info/input is so very much appreciated! How long would this last, theoretically, before the good effects would kick in? Is this potentially dosage-dependent (eg, if I were to go up to 25mgs, might I see a shift?) .. or is it because there's still Prozac in my system, and how long would that take to get out? Have you ever heard of anyone just staying anxious on the Clomipramine and not responding to it? What is going on in my brain to cause this? My doc says that it should mellow out over time. I am sorry to bother you with so many questions; it's just that I'm rattled because I'm in the midst of such a drastic increase in my anxiety and OCD symptoms. It would be so much easier if I knew how long it would last so I could just tell myself, 'okay, it's only another week of this...' etc etc. I know these are low doses of meds as well, but I tend to be quite sensitive to them. Thank you so, so, SO much!!
Posted by Gab2010 on January 12, 2011, at 17:30:24
In reply to Re: Clomipramine help!!! Crawling out of my skin...., posted by Roslynn on January 12, 2011, at 17:18:11
Hi Roslynn,
Thank you so much for your response! That makes a lot of sense. How long did it take for it to work for you, and for the extra anxiety to wear off? (if it did). Were you at a low dose as well??
Best,
Gab
> Hi,
>
> I'm sorry for the trouble you are having. My doctor told me that Prozac multiplies the effect of clomipramine. And it could be a few weeks before the Prozac is out of your system.
>
> I found clomipramine to be a very stimulating drug, so I could see where it could cause the symptoms you describe. It can also cause some shaking. For me, though, it is working and I am willing to make that trade-off.
>
> Sorry I don't really have any answers, but best of luck to you.
>
> Roslynn
>
>
Posted by Gab2010 on January 12, 2011, at 17:33:04
In reply to Re: Clomipramine help!!! Crawling out of my skin.... » Gab2010, posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2011, at 16:59:02
Hi all,
Just wanted to say thank you so much for your posts and input! I really, REALLY appreciate it! I am trying to get in to see my doc earlier to see what he says - I know it's a good drug and it just takes a while to kick in, I just don't know if I can handle the side effects until then :/ If anyone hears of anything, please let me know! Many thanks again...
Gab
> Welcome to babble!!! I do know what interstitial cystitis is and hear it's extremly painful. So sorry you are suffering so. As to the med questions I only know that prozac is present in system for five weeks. As to the clomipramine I sincerly don't know. I just wanted you to know that someone cares and hoping soon someone with a great answer comes along. Phillipa
Posted by creepy on January 19, 2011, at 12:48:15
In reply to Clomipramine help!!! Crawling out of my skin...., posted by Gab2010 on January 11, 2011, at 14:34:28
Sounds a little like akathisia. doesnt clomipramine touch some dopamine receptors? I cant recall..
Anyhow, I would try some benadryl in the short term, it should help with akathisia.
In the long term, if the problem continues maybe clomipramine isnt for you? =(
This is the end of the thread.
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