Posted by Bob on March 6, 2009, at 10:37:38
In reply to Re: Question for Scott (SLS) » Bob, posted by SLS on March 6, 2009, at 6:30:52
> Hi Bob.
>
> > I may have missed it, but I was wondering how your switch to desipramine from nortriptyline was going. I remember you saying you were going to make the change because you felt you had gained too much weight on nortriptyline.
> >
> > I am currently on nortriptyline and have gained a good amount of weight in 5-6 months.
> >
> > Bob
>
>
>
> I have not felt well since making the switch to desipramine, presumably because I have been well short of my therapeutic dosage, which seems to be 300mg. I was underdosed for over two months. My doctor finally consented for me to raise the dosage of desipramine to 300. That was eight days ago. I am beginning to feel better, but I had hoped that I would spring right up and feel great. No such luck. So, I need to be patient and keep my fingers crossed.
>
> It seems that I must still struggle to take the weight off that I had put on while taking nortriptyline. I think the Abilify is working against me.
>
> Where are you at with things?
>
>
> - Scott
Hey Scott,Sorry to hear you're having trouble with the new cocktail. I know at least some of your pain with that.
My situation is somewhat untenable, as usual. I'm still taking Nortriptyline, Citalopram and Pramipexole - all in minimum therapeutic doses. The Mirapex is causes bouts of daytime sleepiness which was not entirely unexpected, but still disappointing. I'm starting to gain mad weight which I would at least reflexively blame on the the Nortriptyline.
I'm reluctant to go up on any of the meds as I may get into an experimental study which would preclude playing with the meds. Nevertheless, I think about possible changes all the time, just as I always have. I figured I may want to try that Milnacipran (approved in the US as Savella) since it has the high norepinephrine to serotonin reuptake ratio, in which case I would discontinue both the Citalopram and Nortriptyline. Big change. Another idea is to try a different dopamine agonist, or possibly Abilify again, but the latter is sort of scary for me. Last go 'round it seemed to cause joint pain and agitation despite an extraordinarily low dose.
You mentioned that Abilfy might be part of your problem. How so?
Bob
poster:Bob
thread:884005
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090304/msgs/884071.html