Posted by ace on April 18, 2005, at 21:42:56
In reply to Switching from Nardil to Anafranil, posted by Greywolf on April 18, 2005, at 12:42:56
Obsessional thoughts abound, repeated compulsive acts (often related to making myself re-do things because the completed (and perfectly fine) act was accompanied by some type of negative thought) occur throughout the day. Frankly, it's exhausting.
I can relate totally to those obsessive thoughts!!!! When the "Bad" thought comes in to play while doing something, you must start the process over again, until no "Bad" thoughts interrupt...i have this a lot! It is a pain big time!
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> I recently consulted with my doctor about the OCD in particular. He has suggested dropping the Nardil (can't take both together) and starting up with Anafranil (clomipramine). It will likely have the some of the SEs I've experienced with anti-depressants (and probably a diminished effectiveness re: depression), but it will focus on the OCD aspect that is seriously interfering with my life.After all the meds you tried, I wouldn't even bother with Anafranil....I would absolutely got to a low dose of an atypical antipsychotic. Don't be scared of them -- I have had them for years and there is no prob. Just have a low dose. See, the drugs you have tried, essentially a lot of them act in many ways similar to Anafranil. The may be less potent on a particular neurotransmitter, but withAnafranil, you are getting SERIOUS serotonin blockage of re-uptake and Noradrenaline. Now, all the SSRIs have covered serotonin, and the SNRI's have covered Noradrenalin. Even Nardil affects both Serotonin and Noradrenalin, not to the same extent as Anafranil but.
I'd give it a go, but don't expect a miracle. I'd hope you would, but it seems unlikely. I think your better off pushing Nardil to 90mg and adding a small dose of Zyprexa, seroquel or risperidone -- to be taken daily.
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> Which brings me to my questions:
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> 1. Does anyone know of an OCD med that can be safely used in conjunction with Nardil?Sure. I have tried many that are supposedly not safe either. Remeron (no effect on OCD), Lithium (no effect on OCD), Reboxetine (no effect on OCD), Lamictal (no effect on OCD), Tramadol (no effect on OCD), Amitryptiline (no effect on OCD), Amisulpride low dose (does not act as an atypical antipsychotic at low doses (no effect on OCD)
I have tried more but forgot. Only antipsychotics low dose help my OCD. And all those drugs above have had studies stating they have helped OCD. Some of them, when combined with Nardil, would have acted very similar to Anafranil too -- ie. Reboxetine (boosting Noradrenalin levels), also Lithium (bossting Seotonin levels)
Only other drug i can think of is clonazepam.
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> 2. What has been your experience on Anafranil? (I had one course of it years ago, but in combination with lithium and an AD I can't remember--which didn't work out too well).Tried it 3 times. Coyuldn't get past the first 3 days.
1. Exremem sedation
2. Made my anxiety and derealization worse
3. Made depression EXTREMELY bad.> Thanks for your thoughts.
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> Greywolf
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Good luck dude!
ace
poster:ace
thread:485950
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050418/msgs/486228.html