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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Brainbeard on October 19, 2010, at 15:49:48
I've been on 225mg of clomipramine for a number of weeks now. When I see my psychiatrist again, I should have been on this dose for at least a month. (The clomipramine is tweaked by 50mg of fluvoxamine, which boosts the serotonergic motherdrug (=clomipramine itself) and suppresses the noradrenergic metabolite (desmethylclomipramine). Dr. Bob, please don't move this to Neurotransmitters.)
Clomipramine is the master drug for OCD, and that's what I'm taking it for. Thing is, I don't see all that many results. Another thing is, I tend to take other meds pell-mell, and I'm afraid I have to conclude that such ad hoc pharmacotherapy doesn't improve my mental stability. Yes, that's an understatement.
How are other people on the board faring with clomipramine?
I wonder if my dose could be *too high*. Really, I think I did better when I was on 125 or 150mg. Can anyone corroborate that?
And: how many folks here would have to admit their capricious med popping is actually countertherapeutic? That would include lowering and raising the dose at will. If not for my firm agreement with my p-doc that I'll stay on this dose for at least another month, I would by long have lowered my dose - and perhaps not see the results that come as a reward for patience (and compliance?).
Posted by Roslynn on October 19, 2010, at 16:21:01
In reply to Clomipramine, Compliance, Custody, Curiosity, posted by Brainbeard on October 19, 2010, at 15:49:48
Hi Brainbeard,
I'm still on it too. Had to reduce my lithium, because my tremor worsened. My legs shake, my hands shake, and I can't write clearly. I'm hoping this is a lithium thing and not a clomipramine thing.
I think clomipramine is a strong drug and it may be the case that less is more...(?)
Roslynn
> I've been on 225mg of clomipramine for a number of weeks now. When I see my psychiatrist again, I should have been on this dose for at least a month. (The clomipramine is tweaked by 50mg of fluvoxamine, which boosts the serotonergic motherdrug (=clomipramine itself) and suppresses the noradrenergic metabolite (desmethylclomipramine). Dr. Bob, please don't move this to Neurotransmitters.)
>
> Clomipramine is the master drug for OCD, and that's what I'm taking it for. Thing is, I don't see all that many results. Another thing is, I tend to take other meds pell-mell, and I'm afraid I have to conclude that such ad hoc pharmacotherapy doesn't improve my mental stability. Yes, that's an understatement.
>
> How are other people on the board faring with clomipramine?
>
> I wonder if my dose could be *too high*. Really, I think I did better when I was on 125 or 150mg. Can anyone corroborate that?
>
> And: how many folks here would have to admit their capricious med popping is actually countertherapeutic? That would include lowering and raising the dose at will. If not for my firm agreement with my p-doc that I'll stay on this dose for at least another month, I would by long have lowered my dose - and perhaps not see the results that come as a reward for patience (and compliance?).
>
>
Posted by g_g_g_unit on October 19, 2010, at 21:24:07
In reply to Re: Clomipramine, Compliance, Custody, Curiosity, posted by Roslynn on October 19, 2010, at 16:21:01
Hey Brainbeard,
I've been on 75mg for just over five weeks now (boy times flies). Anyway, I can corroborate your sentiment that it seems to be doing very little for OCD - or anxiety, as a matter of fact. I was hoping, like you, that in setting aside my fears of this rather antiquated and messy OCD panacea, I'd at least be gifted with an unprecedented sense of inner peace. But I am just as anxious as when I started.
I find that when I do implement some CBT/ERP, it's a little easier than before, but that's it as far as therapeutic benefits go.
I can also related to the "capricious med popping" - not insofar as I pop actual meds, since I have very few on hand, but to the extent that I'll constantly be countering the clomipramine sedation with uppers like caffeine or dex, which may be exacerbating my anxiety. It's a far more innocuous spin on the Elvis Presley syndrome.
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2010, at 10:26:21
In reply to Re: Clomipramine, Compliance, Custody, Curiosity, posted by g_g_g_unit on October 19, 2010, at 21:24:07
How's the luvox working? I'm still on it ll years later no I still have brain anxiety but no outward appearance. Seems the higher I went on just luvox the harder to get the dose down. I just tweak tiny doses of prescribed meds. Haven't tried the clomipramine but one here was doing very well on it. Maybe a call to your pdoc to reenforce what he prescribed. Phillipa
Posted by Brainbeard on October 20, 2010, at 14:01:48
In reply to Re: Clomipramine, Compliance, Custody, Curiosity, posted by Roslynn on October 19, 2010, at 16:21:01
Roslynn,
I shake like a willow tree as well, and it's not a pleasant side-effect. Yesterday I found myself at the bread baker trying to fold open a plastic bag they gave me - it took me ages, standing there, fumbling, embarrassed.
Posted by Brainbeard on October 20, 2010, at 14:09:34
In reply to Re: Clomipramine, Compliance, Custody, Curiosity, posted by g_g_g_unit on October 19, 2010, at 21:24:07
Yo Triple G Unit,
Nice wording - an 'antiquated and messy OCD panacea'. Beam me back to the sixties. Perhaps you need to smoke grass with it to work. Well, actually I've tried that and it resulted into pretty severe depersonalization. 'Mr. Docter is completely cured of his OCD. Problem is, he now thinks he is a pencil sharpener.'
You can say that again - time flies. I realize now that while I'm so impatient with making a next pharmacotherapeutical move, I've been twistin' and tweakin' meds for over two years now... Brainbeard, how about sticking to a med for at least a month?!
Sorry, I start talking to myself. Yeah. Inner peace. I found myself biting my nails like a cannibal while sitting in my bus home today.
Indeed - I'm countering clomipramine's start-up anxiety with 5HT2A-antagonists, which may well interrupt reaching steady therapeutic results.
I think I oughta give the med three months - at most. That's how long a med can take before it works for OCD.
Posted by Brainbeard on October 20, 2010, at 14:11:04
In reply to Re: Clomipramine, Compliance, Custody, Curiosity, posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2010, at 10:26:21
> How's the luvox working? I'm still on it ll years later no I still have brain anxiety but no outward appearance. Seems the higher I went on just luvox the harder to get the dose down. I just tweak tiny doses of prescribed meds. Haven't tried the clomipramine but one here was doing very well on it. Maybe a call to your pdoc to reenforce what he prescribed. Phillipa
Ah, you're a tweaker too, eh? I'm in good company.
The Luvox is mostly just tweakin' the clomipramine. I could ask for a higher Luvox dose - when I used it two years ago, it did real fine as an antidepressant.
Posted by rogerk on October 23, 2010, at 18:07:10
In reply to Re: Clomipramine, Compliance, Custody, Curiosity, posted by Brainbeard on October 20, 2010, at 14:09:34
im not gonna sit here and go oh take this drug.
but lyrica, is much better in general than gabapentin, in calming you down, but at the same time, increaseing energy. so i would look into lyrica, maybe in the next few months. don't add it right away, but look into it. it's a neat drug very euphoric. but only in my case have i become somewhat dependent on it. and therefore am taking another anticonvulsant to try and get off of it. only because it makes me fat.
one question, how is lamictal or depakote in relation to lyrica? has anyone tried it?
Posted by Brainbeard on October 25, 2010, at 5:06:24
In reply to Re: Clomipramine, Compliance, Custody, Curiosity, posted by rogerk on October 23, 2010, at 18:07:10
Hey Rogerk... Good to see you and hoping to get to know you! Welcome aboard!
Posted by rogerk on October 26, 2010, at 14:35:14
In reply to Re: Clomipramine, Compliance, Custody, Curiosity, posted by Brainbeard on October 25, 2010, at 5:06:24
this is briggs from crzymeds just to let u know.
Posted by rogerk on October 26, 2010, at 14:35:27
In reply to Re: Clomipramine, Compliance, Custody, Curiosity, posted by Brainbeard on October 25, 2010, at 5:06:24
this is briggs from crzymeds just to let u know.
Posted by Brainbeard on October 27, 2010, at 4:22:58
In reply to Re: Clomipramine, Compliance, Custody, Curiosity, posted by rogerk on October 26, 2010, at 14:35:27
This is the end of the thread.
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