Re: Imipramine, have I made the right choice?
Originally Posted by
Dazzlar13
I am familiar with the Ashton method, I have the book "Back to life" it's going to be a challenge as I'm taking zopiclone as well. Stupid as I know it is it is mind you. I do plan on tackling it, I'd like the help of professionals but the drug services where I live are mainly focused on opiates..
One that understands the particular issues with BZDs could be a big help, but I'd be wary about those without considerable experience. The problem is there are two issues that need handling with BZD withdrawal, the effects of the med and the issues arising from the anxiety disorder. It needs a delicate touch, not the bull-in-gate approach often used with opiates, etc.
Hopefully my sleep and anxiety improve as they've both been pretty bad since I had the dosage increased. I assume this is normal?
Unfortunately, yes for both. Serotonin isn't the 'feel good' neurotransmitter of popular myth, anything but as you've discovered (neurotransmitters don't actually have an intrinsic attribute, their action is determined by the receptors they bind too). The increased serotonin activity should begin to drop a couple of weeks after the last dose increase and the heightened anxiety will then usually begin to diminish. The extra serotonin is probably also responsible for the insomnia and imipramine isn't usually sedating enough to override this. Like the anxiety it should diminish after a week, or two as serotonin synthesis and expression drops back to baseline, and below. If it become a problem in the meantime then maybe try an over the counter antihistamine like diphenhydramine found in Nytol tablets and liquid. If that isn't strong enough then ask your doctors for something. A small dose of mirtazapine should do the trick, but their computer may flag a risk of serotonin syndrome. It will be wrong, but you might have trouble convincing them of this because there is so much BS about it even in MHRA, NHS and FDA literature despite the best efforts of syndrome researchers like Ken Gillman and Ian Whyte.
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The opinions expressed above are based on my observations and, where applicable, interpretation of cited data and are general in nature. Consult your physician before acting on anything stated.