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Imipramine or Clomipramine
My doctor wants me to try imipramine, but everything I read points to clomipramine being superior. I suffer mainly from extreme anxiety (psych thinks I have anxious depression) and some depression. Not really any OCD, although when my anxiety is high, I have OCD thoughts. I don't want to start imipramine, only to wish I started clomipramine. The side effects of imipramine seem to be worse than clomipramine. Any help would be appreciated (hopefully you could help me PDU)? Other meds include Mirt 30mg, Olanzapine 2.5mg and Nortriptyline 125mg. I would be changing from Nortriptyline as I am still getting anxiety and depression while on it. TIA.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mermaid16
I don't want to start imipramine, only to wish I started clomipramine. The side effects of imipramine seem to be worse than clomipramine.
Clomipramine is the most potent non MAOI antidepressant available. It is a pity it became so strongly linked to OCD that many doctors now think this is all it's good for. It works just as well for the other anxiety disorders and depression and is about as effective for treatment-resistant (refractory) depression as the MAOIs.
BTW-clomipramine is a more potent 5-HT2a receptor antagonist than mirtazapine, which supposedly is responsible for the mirtazapine therapeutic response (it almost certainly isn't), so there would seem to be no point in continuing to take it if you're on clomipramine except perhaps as a antihistamine sedative, but this was even more the case with nortriptyline too.
The typical TCA anticholinergic side-effects such as dry-mouth and constipation may be a little more severe than with imipramine, but about the same as with nortriptyline.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Thanks for your response once again PDU. You're awesome. I have read a few studies where they have compared the two. One of them states: 'With respect to all major outcome parameters ie full panic attacks, total number of anxiety attacks (full plus mild), and anxiety between attacks, the effect of clomipramine was clearly and significantly superior to that of imipramine'. I will need to discuss with psych further and will take the study with me.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mermaid16
I have read a few studies where they have compared the two. One of them states: 'With respect to all major outcome parameters ie full panic attacks, total number of anxiety attacks (full plus mild), and anxiety between attacks, the effect of clomipramine was clearly and significantly superior to that of imipramine'. I will need to discuss with psych further and will take the study with me.
If panic attacks were your main problem I'd be suggesting imipramine as it was the 'gold standard' med for panic disorder until the SSRIs became available and worked well for me. But for mixed anxiety and depression clomipramine is likely to be the better bet.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Mermaid, I have an agitated depression diagnosis and it's a very complex condition to treat. I remember that my psych from many years back (now a published author and renowned in the psych world) put me on moclobemide but this drug is probably not used much now.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Thanks PDU and Pulisa. I think it is a combination of anxiety and depression. I think the clomipramine would be better. I guess I will speak to the psych and see what she recommends with all the information I have gathered. I just don't want to push for the clomipramine and for it to come back and bite me on the bum. I just hope I can get through any added anxiety and depression I might experience when I am swapping over.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi PDU, I was wondering if you could tell me what the difference (if any) is between, Nortriptyline, Imipramine and Clomipramine. Also when swapping over, is there likely to be a lot of side effects, given they are from the same class of meds. Also if Nortriptyline didn't work, is it likely that swapping to Imipramine won't do much good either? My main complaints are high anxiety and depression. Thanks PDU.x
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mermaid16
what the difference (if any) is between, Nortriptyline, Imipramine and Clomipramine.
Nortriptyline is a straight noradrenaline/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It has little impact on serotonin. Imipramine is a fairly potent serotonin and mild noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, and clomipramine is both a very potent serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor.
Quote:
Also when swapping over, is there likely to be a lot of side effects, given they are from the same class of meds.
Perhaps as you're going from a med with very little serotonin activity to a very potent serotonin reuptake inhibitor. However, the TCAs tend to produce less severe side-effects at the beginning than SSRIs/SNRIs, although, as with everything about antidepressants, there are no guarantees.
TCAs are not a uniform group of meds which all do basically the same thing as is the case with SSRIs. Their effects differ greatly in how they work.
Quote:
Also if Nortriptyline didn't work, is it likely that swapping to Imipramine won't do much good either? My main complaints are high anxiety and depression.
Not necessarily as they do different things.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Thanks again Ian for your invaluable information. I am seeing the psych tomorrow and will discuss the Imipramine and Clomipramine with her...I am pretty sure she will stick to her guns though. I have asked about the clomipramine twice before, the first time she said it was for OCD and the second time she said it is too sedating.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mermaid16
the first time she said it was for OCD and the second time she said it is too sedating.
Wrong on both counts. Sedation is mostly produced by antihistamine potency and clomipramine is a weaker histamine H1 antagonist than nortriptyline, though imipramine is a little weaker again. a1-andrenergic and 5-HT2a receptor antagonism also plays a part and in that regard again there isn't that much difference between clomipramine and nortriptyline, so if sedation wasn't an issue with nortriptyline then it shouldn't be with clomipramine.
Anyway, if she is so concerned about sedation why are you on mirtazapine and olanzapine which are both very sedating?
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi PDU
I have seen the psych this morning and she has agreed to changing to Clomipramine. The schedule she has given me is as follows: I am currently on 125mg of Nort.
Sunday
Nortriptyline 3 tabs (75mg)
Tuesday
Nortriptyline 1 tab (25mg)
Wednesday
Clomipramine 1 tab (25mg)
Thursday
Clomipramine 2 tabs (50mg)
Sunday
Clomipramine 3 tabs (75mg)
I have asked if I could spend a week at each level with the Clomipramine, so 25mg one week, 50mg week two etc.
Do you think slowing down the increase in Clomipramine is necessary or do you think because I am taking the Nortriptyline it would be better to ramp it up over a week.
I hate medication changes and my anxiety is already high just thinking about it. Sorry for all the questions. Thank you again for all the information you have shared with me. I know I should be asking the psych some of these questions, but the psych is a bit of a scatterbrain, she asked me what medications I'm on when I go in, and then says 'oh, I have so many patients I can't remember what everyone is on'. So I would probably trust your judgement more than hers. The only reason I am staying with her is because she is linked to the hospital where I was admitted at the end of last year.
Thanks PDU.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mermaid16
I have asked if I could spend a week at each level with the Clomipramine, so 25mg one week, 50mg week two etc.
Do you think slowing down the increase in Clomipramine is necessary or do you think because I am taking the Nortriptyline it would be better to ramp it up over a week.
While I would have suggested a different approach, I prefer your psychiatrist's faster switching method to limit any withdrawal symptoms than your slower pace, however, they may not be that severe anyway as the TCAs are usually easier to quit than the SSRIs and SNRIs.
Quote:
I know I should be asking the psych some of these questions, but the psych is a bit of a scatterbrain, she asked me what medications I'm on when I go in, and then says 'oh, I have so many patients I can't remember what everyone is on'.
This is what patients' records are for, to be quickly read between patients!! Sigh!! One of the things I've observed about doctoring generally, and psychiatry in particular is critical thinking skills don't seem to be a basic requirement. :sad:
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi PDU! Just curious as to how you would do the swap over as you mentioned you would have gone for a different approach. I have read somewhere to reduce Nort down to 25mg and then start the Clom and I have also read a study where patients were taking 150mg Clom and 50mg of Nort (which I will not be doing), but obviously they can be taken together, as I think I will still have the Nort in my systems when I start the Clom. Thanks PDU. You are a 'fountain of knowledge'.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mermaid16
Hi PDU! Just curious as to how you would do the swap over as you mentioned you would have gone for a different approach.
I think cross-tapering is a better strategy. But your doctor should be the arbiter.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Not doing too well with my taper so far. Only dropped one tablet last night instead of 2 (started on 125, so only dropped down to 100). Probably just my mind playing tricks on me, but I am actually worried that I will lose my mind by dropping this med so quickly. Doesn't it put your brain into all kinds of chaos. Have psych appoint tomorrow to see what she thinks. I want to do it quickly, but I'm really scared of what may happen. So far today have just felt a little off, but nothing major.
Have only been on med about 6 months all together, with 3 of them being at 125mg, before that 100mg.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mermaid16
Not doing too well with my taper so far. Only dropped one tablet last night instead of 2 (started on 125, so only dropped down to 100). Probably just my mind playing tricks on me,
Almost certainly. Nortriptyline has an average half-life of 25 hours, range 16-90 hours, so withdrawal symptoms don't usually begin immediately.
Quote:
but I am actually worried that I will lose my mind by dropping this med so quickly. Doesn't it put your brain into all kinds of chaos.
Withdrawal symptoms are usually physical, not psychological. Plus TCAs tend to produce less severe symptoms than the SSRIs and SNRIs.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Thought I would keep updating, incase someone is in a similar situation to me at some stage. My taper has had an extra day added to it. So is now:
Tuesday
Nort 1 tablet
Wedn
Nort 1 tablet
Thursday
Clom 1 tablet
Friday
Clom 1 tablet
Saturday
Clom 2 tablets
Sunday
Clom 2 tablets
Monday
Clom 2 tablets
Tuesday
Clom 2 tablets
Wednesday
Clom 3 tablets
Had another psych appointment today, where we nutted out a plan for the week ahead. Plus we put a safety plan into place in case it all goes to shit. She has written up admission papers, so if it does go to shit over the weekend I can go into hospital. Anxiety seems a little higher today. I take Clonazepam at 8.00am and 2.00pm and could really feel the anxiety ramping up before the 2.00pm dose. Also have I think a tension headache of some sort. Feeling a little yuck. Will be glad when work is over. Will try and keep updating for others that are starting on Clomipramine.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi Mermaid and PDU,
I have been prescribed Nortriptyline (10MG) as an add on to my celexa. I currently taken that in conjunction with my daily clonazepam (which I want to get off of). Is it normal for psychiatrists to add on this medicine for anxiety while taking an SSRI. Now i'm anxious to start a new medication. I'm afraid it's going to cause increased anxiety. Any thoughts on this drug combination?
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi Ethansmom
I have read about Nortriptyline being an add on to other meds. I was taking Nortriptyline while I was tapering off sertraline, so you can definately take it with other meds. I don't remember any added anxiety when I started the Nort. My anxiety did improve, but not enough to get off the clonazepam, which is why I am now changing to Clomi. I am hoping that it will do enough for my anxiety and depression so that I can get off the Clonazepam. I was taking 125mg of Nort so was on a much bigger dose. I would think that you would hardly notice the Nort at 10mg and would doubt you would have any anxiety. Nort did raise my heart rate. I use to sit at about 50 or 60 resting, whereas now my resting is around 80. I do think this relates to the dose though so again you probably woudn't notice anything. I did get postural hypertension at the start, so just take is slow to start with. This did end up going after a week or so and again was at a higher dose. I was started on it while I was in hospital (so I increased quite quickly from memory). Try not to be scared, it is only a small dose. I have tapered down to 25mg and took my last tablet of them last night. Tonight I take my first dose of Clomi 25mg, so know that it is scary, but we have to do it to try and get better. If you have any questions about it, feel free to ask.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hello,
I just wanted to give you my experience with clomipramine. I was started on this by a psychiatrist when I was 15 due to sudden onset of severe panic disorder - not OCD. I have been on it (on various doses between 50mg and 150mg) ever since - I am now 27. Although I still have bad phases of severe anxiety (and some obsessive thoughts regarding death) generally, I would say this drug saved my life.
My mum also started experiencing panic attacks a few years back and has been on a low dose of clomipramine which has helped her.
It's quite a rare drug these days apparently but I can really say it has helped me, as much as I believe any med would. I haven't suffered any serious bouts of depression since before being prescribed it either.
Only major side effects are bad dry mouth and drowsiness but the dry mouth goes away and the drowsiness is manageable!
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
THanks for your quick response regarding the nortriptyline. I'm always afraid of side effects and my doctor knows this. I was told to take it before bed. My main goal too is to get off clonazepam. I take 2MG a day. So now i'm going to be taking 3 drugs... I hate that! Clonazapam is what really helps me, but only to a certain point. I'm going to take my first dose of nortrip on Friday evening to see how I react. I'm already catastrophizing some horrific outcome---so much anxiety!
Were you taking your nortrip after the clonazepam at night? Just curious what your schedule was like?
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi! I'm the same with worrying about side effects, but at the end of the day, the docs know what they are doing. My schedule was:
8am .5mg Clonazepam
2pm .5mg Clonazepam
Before Bed (so around 9ish). 1mg Clonazepam, 125mg Nortriptyline, 1.5mg Olanzapine, 30mg Mirtazapine. (It was about 10 tablets all together and I swallowed them all together).
I have never had any bad side effects doing this and if my kids woke up during the night, I was able to get up to them without any problems.
Please try not to worry about it, it is such a tiny dose. I don't even think you would have side effects on that dose, but if you do it would be more like, dry mouth and constipation.
If you need to chat, I'm here :-)
---------- Post added at 09:50 ---------- Previous post was at 09:42 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Scaredbear
Hello,
I just wanted to give you my experience with clomipramine. I was started on this by a psychiatrist when I was 15 due to sudden onset of severe panic disorder - not OCD. I have been on it (on various doses between 50mg and 150mg) ever since - I am now 27. Although I still have bad phases of severe anxiety (and some obsessive thoughts regarding death) generally, I would say this drug saved my life.
My mum also started experiencing panic attacks a few years back and has been on a low dose of clomipramine which has helped her.
It's quite a rare drug these days apparently but I can really say it has helped me, as much as I believe any med would. I haven't suffered any serious bouts of depression since before being prescribed it either.
Only major side effects are bad dry mouth and drowsiness but the dry mouth goes away and the drowsiness is manageable!
Hi Scaredbear! Thank you for giving us your experience on Clomipramine. It can be quite a stuggle sometimes on here to find someone who has experience with these medications. With regards to the drowsiness are you still able to drive, work etc. I am starting tonight on 25mg. My main concern is an increase in anxiety, as my levels are already pretty high, even though the last few days haven't been too bad because I have been able to have a relatively good sleep. I'm on other sedating medication (olanzapine, mirtazapine and klonopin, so I am hoping once the Clomipramine kicks in, I can start to reduce some of these meds. Thanks again for your input. Tracy
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
I left a message for my psy this morning, I thought she nortryptalyine was the generic for Elavil. Now i'm wonder if she meant to prescribe Amatryptyline?? So frustrating, now i'm questioning if she even wrote down the right prescription.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi Scaredbear! Thank you for giving us your experience on Clomipramine. It can be quite a stuggle sometimes on here to find someone who has experience with these medications. With regards to the drowsiness are you still able to drive, work etc. I am starting tonight on 25mg. My main concern is an increase in anxiety, as my levels are already pretty high, even though the last few days haven't been too bad because I have been able to have a relatively good sleep. I'm on other sedating medication (olanzapine, mirtazapine and klonopin, so I am hoping once the Clomipramine kicks in, I can start to reduce some of these meds. Thanks again for your input. Tracy[/QUOTE]
Hello! Yes I can still drive and hold down a full time job on 150mg. I was slightly less drowsy when on a lower dose - 80mg for about 2 years at uni and I managed to have a complete university experience including working late nights till 3am in a bar and getting up for a 9am lecture. To be completely honest, I think with the drowsiness you just learn to manage it. It's something you get used to. I have been feeling tired for years but I would rather have that and less anxiety than the other way round!
I'm not saying it's a wonder drug I still have bad anxiety spells that can last months HOWEVER when I was started on clomipramine I couldn't leave the house whereas now I live a normal life. In my experience, doctors aren't that familiar with clomipramine as SSRI's are more commonly prescribed and clomipramine is a tricyclic. It is therefore quite difficult to find people with experience of it. If I can help in any way I will!
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi Scaredbare! That is great that it hasn't impacted on your life in a negative way. I still have kids to run around to school etc, so am glad I can still drive etc. I took my first dose last night, I was a little apprehensive, but it turned out okay. I woke early at 3.30am, but I think I managed to dose back off, even though it sometimes feels like you just lay there awake. I had an early start for work so was up and out of the house by 5.00am. Not feeling too bad so far (I had imagined much worse). I woke up drenched in sweat (it is winter here at the moment though, so I was pretty rugged up. I could feel my anxiety a little more than usual and just feel a bit meh. I am at work and it feels like the time is dragging on and on. Haven't really felt like eating anything and have been drinking lots of water and tea with ginger in it to keep any nausea away. I don't even know if I have nausea. I feel sleepy and yawning. Haven't noticed any change in heart rate or anything else really. Will update later. Well off to bed after my first day. Nothing really to update on. Felt a bit off most of the day, but it wasn't bad, was tired late afternoon so had a lay down. Not sure if I slept. Will report tomorrow. Uneventful day today.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Yesterday wasn't too bad. I had a very bad headache, like I had been hit in the head with an ice pick kind of a headache. I think this is probably a mixture of withdrawal from the Nort and starting the Clomipramine. I ventured out to do some groceries, but stayed at home so I could lay down when I felt like it because of the headache. I couldn't sleep though and was up a lot longer last night than I usually am. I have done three nights at 25mg and am thinking of increasing to 50mg tonight as we have a public holiday tomorrow. After that I think I might sit at 50 for a bit longer. I am tolerating it okay so far. Headaches and anxiety have been manageable. Back to work on Tuesday.
Headaches definately been the worst. Today, same thing. Fell asleep this morning. Headache still there when I woke up. I'm sure yesterday it was behind my right eye and today behind my left.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi mermaid,
Is it normal to feel drowsy on 10 mg of nortriptyline? Its day 2 and I feel drowsy even though I take of at night. I also take celexa and clonazapam.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi! To be honest I can't really remember and if it did it passes. I would say give it a week and you will probably find it goes. It just takes a bit of time to get into your system. How have you been feeling otherwise. I did a quick taper off Nort (within a week) and on to Clomipramine and I'm finding it quite difficult. I think I should have taken a bit longer to come down in the Nort. I just want to sleep all day and I'm back at work tomorrow.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Other than feeling very drowsy the next day, I do feel a bit better. My doctor said Nort starts working very quickly. I'm only on 10MG. I'm also concerned about weight gain as a side effect (as I've already gained 20 pounds from Prozac that has only budged about 5 pounds or so.) I'm been working out everyday and going to therapy weekly. I have it tonight and am so excited to talk with the therapist. I just hope this gives me the boost to calm down. I do notice my pulse is a bit higher- but returns to normal when I am totally calm (at night). I wonder if I will have an issue with that. I know you mentioned your pulse was higher. I have Obsessive thoughts and wear a fit bit everyday, so i'm constantly checking. Maybe I should just put down the fit bit!!! It's feeding my anxiety. Or maybe only look at it twice a day instead of every 10 minutes:ohmy:
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi! I think with a lot of meds they say you put on weight. I think if you exercise and eat healthy you will be okay. I have a fit bit too. I check my pulse a lot too, but I don't get worried about it. My psych once told me that they wouldn't be worried until my resting pulse was up around 130bpm. It has never even got close. If you obsess and worry over it though, maybe be better to turn the heart rate monitor off. I am pretty sure you can do this in the settings. That's good that you are having therapy. I really enjoyed the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, but not the CBT so much. I felt I got a lot more information about how to deal with the thoughts with the ACT. I went up to 50mg on Clomipramine last night. Not feeling too bad today, but at work, so can't nap if I feel drowsy. I'm not overly drowsy. I've noticed that my eyes seem a bit blurrier today, other than that pretty much the same. I have notice the intrusive thoughts that I usually only have when my anxiety is high have come back, but I think it is the withdrawal from the Nort and starting the Clomip that has caused that. The psych said to stay on this dose for a week, so next Monday I will go up to 75mg and then sit there for a few weeks and then evaluate how the anxiety etc is. I read that it takes 8 days for Nort to be eliminated from the body. I took my last dose on Wednesday, so this Thursday the 17th it should be out of my body. I was pretty rough over the weekend, so I am hoping that is the only withdrawal I will have from it. Has PDU left? Sorry for rambling. Just doing a bit of an update at the same time. Still having the intrusive thoughts, I'm trying to ignore them, but they are very annoying at the moment. Hope they start to fade soon. If my mind is busy I forget about them. Had been feeling kind of flat over the last couple of days, but just baked a cake when I got home from work, so things are hopefully improving. I always bake when I'm feeling good, so hopefully I'm on the up
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
I was wondering about PDU as well? I hope he's okay!! I hope this new medicine works for you. I'm on day 5 of Nortryptyline and I've noticed an increased in energy and happiness, but still have intrusive thoughts that I have to find throughout the day. I'm better when i'm at work that when i'm sitting idle doing nothing. My therapists believes in CBT and I find that it does help me see how irrational I can be. I hope this is the right med. I go for a med review next week.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ethansmom
I was wondering about PDU as well? I hope he's okay!! I hope this new medicine works for you. I'm on day 5 of Nortryptyline and I've noticed an increased in energy and happiness, but still have intrusive thoughts that I have to find throughout the day. I'm better when i'm at work that when i'm sitting idle doing nothing. My therapists believes in CBT and I find that it does help me see how irrational I can be. I hope this is the right med. I go for a med review next week.
Hi! I am really glad that you feel like you are having some success with the Nortriptyline. I felt that it worked, but it didn't work enough. I was still having problems with anxiety and depression. I was taking it with Sertraline initially but have now stopped that. I haven't been feeling to bad, I think I am still going through a few rough bumps. I stopped the Nort 8 days ago and it takes that long for it to fully get out of your system, so I'm thinking these bumps are due to coming off that and starting on the Clomipramine. The Clomipramine hasn't been too bad with start up, as I was experiencing most of the side effects on the Nort anyway...blurry eyes (which is due to your eyes being dry) and constipation being the main ones. I have eye drops, but I rarely use them and take Metamucil once a day for the constipation, which seems to help. Please keep in touch and let me know how you get on with everything and I will do the same. Talk soon...Tracy x
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
I'm hopeful that our medications are going to work...... we need them to :)
I have days where I feel better and then other days where I don't feel as great. It's been one full week on 10MG of the nort. So far, I do have the eye blurriness. I'm going to try to keep eye drops in my purse. I wear contacts so and that the end of the day they are super blurry!
Keep me posted.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi! Fingers crossed the meds work. I have been on 50mg for one week and tonight I go up to 75mg. Like you, I have good days and not so good days. I wouldn't say they not so good days are unbearable, they just not as good as the good days. I find if I am distracted, I am much better. I had a little panic driving the kids to school today. I felt a bit dizzy I think and then I always think I'm going to pass out. My daughter said 'It's okay Mum, you have to face your fears'. Bless her. I have been okay for the rest of the day. I'm not really sure what dose is supposed to be good for panic and anxiety, I think around 100mg. I will stay at 75mg at least for a week I guess and then see how I go from them. It takes 3 weeks to reach a steady state so I don't know if that means it takes that long to work or not. 75mg is the theraputic dose though. I think the Nort works as an add on to boost up the other med you take, so hopefully over the coming weeks you see improvements. I will let you know how I get on tomorrow after increasing the dose. xx
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
7:00am: Took my first dose of 75mg last night. Had to be up early for work. Woke with my heart racing 95bpm, when I got up it went up to 105bpm which worried me a little. I tried not to worry about it as I know that Clomipramine can cause tachycardia. The psych has told me before that they wouldn't be worried until it was up around 130bpm while resting. At work now and it is 62bpm. Feeling okay so far, same as every other day before I increased the dosage.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Thanks for the update and I pray that things get better for you and all of us on here!
I'm wondering if you could tell me whether the nortriptyline caused increased hunger? I hope this goes away!!! I can't afford to put on any more weight. I see the psy today, so i'll see what she says.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi! It's hard to say regarding weight. I take three medications that list 'weight gain' as a side effect (clomipramine, olanzapine and mirtazapine). I have started dieting and exercising. I lost a few kilograms, but then just plateaued. I haven't been exercising since starting the clomipramine. If you eat healthy and exercise, that is the best you can do. Most medications seem to list weight gain as a side effect, so changing from one to another, doesn't really seem to matter. It is better to just try and work with it I guess.
Update: Day 2 on 75mg Clomipramine. Increased anxiety and heart racing 95bpm again on waking. Feeling anxious today, but know it's from the medication and hopefully means it is doing something. Heart rate drops after I get up in the morning back to about 70bpm.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi Mermaid,
Same issue here. Day 13 of 10MG of nortryptyline. Feeling more anxious as well. Is this normal? I know the SSRI's do that to me, but my doctor wants me to increase the nort to 20MG this Friday. Is that a wise decision??? Ugh, i'm so riddled with anxiety. today was my son's first day of school and it was a bit emotional for me. My heart rate has been in the 90's all day, so decided to take a Xanax and to put the fit bit away!
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
Hi Ethansmom. I guess you should discuss with your psych to see if you should go up or not. I know it's hard to even contemplate doing it when your anxiety is already high.
Update: I didn't have any racing heart rate today. Anxiety level is through the roof. Hopefully it calms down soon. I just keep telling myself that it's the medication making changes in my brain that is making me feel like this and hopefully it means it's going to work eventually to decrease my anxiety.
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Re: Imipramine or Clomipramine
That's a good way of thinking about it--- it's making positive changes in the brain-- so hopefully that's a good sign?? I just want to conquer this thing.