Posted by ed_uk on April 6, 2005, at 14:21:20
In reply to Re: I got up at 5pm..... » ed_uk, posted by Bob on April 6, 2005, at 11:39:42
Hi Bob,
>Do you really think there is more benefit to seeking out a full blown psychologist?
I don't know, I'm not the best person to ask because I don't know that much about psychology. Perhaps a psychologist might be able to offer various different kinds of psychological therapies- such as CBT.
>The only tricyclic type med I've ever tried was Anafranil, and I wasn't too fond of it. I have heard of desipramine, though. I have always been quite dubious of being able to take another tricyclic without incurring massive side-effects, as well as withdrawl upon discontinuation.
Desipramine and clomipramine are really quite different. Clomipramine is very serotonergic, sexual side effects and withdrawal symptoms are common. Desipramine is essentially a norepinephine reupatake inhibitor. Lofepramine is very similar to desipramine, it is metabolised to desipramine in the body.
I've come off lofepramine 'cold turkey' many times- usually when I run out- I'm very disorganised :-S I've only ever had two withdrawal symptoms from lofepramine: slightly increased fatigue and increased dreaming.
Clomipramine frequently causes SSRI-like sexual dysfunction. Desipramine is less likely to affect sexual function than clomipramine. Although desipramine can sometimes (occasionally?) cause sexual side effects, it is not like an SSRI. Lofepramine doesn't affect my sexual function at all.
Desipramine generally causes less weight gain than clomipramine, although weight gain can certainly still occur. I've also heard of people losing weight on desipramine. Lofepramine hasn't affected my appetite or weight.
Desipramine is less anticholinergic than clomipramine. Dry mouth and urinary retention are anticholinergic side effects. I had practically no saliva when I took amitriptyline! Lofepramine has never given me a dry mouth. I find that it causes mild urinary hesitancy. I could hardy pee when I took amitriptyline! Desipramine does sometimes cause dry mouth and urinary hesitancy, it's unlikely to be as bad as clomipramine in this department though.
Desipramine is less sedating than clomipramine. Lofepramine doesn't make me drowsy or dizzy. I almost lost consciousness when I took amitriptyline!
Lofepramine makes me a bit flushed and sweaty, it's not dramatic though. If I combine it with an SSRI I am very sweaty!
What side effects did clomipramine cause? How bad was your withdrawal?
Ed.
poster:ed_uk
thread:478590
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050404/msgs/480742.html