Posted by sweetmarie on March 14, 2001, at 12:21:28
In reply to Re: treatment resistant depression » sweetmarie, posted by SLS on March 13, 2001, at 21:21:21
> Dear Anna,
>
> Thank you for replying to my question.
>
> > Trimipramine has had no side effects on me (as far as i know). It`s difficult to tell, though, as I am taking 4 different medications. I don`t feel `sedated` in any way, or at least not by Trimipramine. I am lethargic, but I think that`s to do with depression in general. In other words, my lethargy has not increased since I started taking Trimipramine. The side effects of the drug are basically the same as those of other Tricyclics (none of which spring to mind except the usual dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, possible weight gain etc.)
>
> > Are you thinking of taking Trimipramine?
>
> Yes.
>
> > I don`t know how effective it is on it`s own (for `resistant` people)
>
> I cannot affort to declare inelligible any medication at this point. I am interested in trimipramine (Surmontil) because it is the "black sheep" of the tricyclic family. It doesn't appear to do the things that were considered important for a tricyclic to do, namely the inhibition of the reuptake of norepinephrine, and to a lesser extent, serotonin. That the drug works at all speaks to how little we understand about how antidepressants work and what are the psychobiological abnormalities that cause depression and bipolar disorder.
>
> > As I said, it`s one of four medications I am taking (Lamotragine, Valproate, Trimipramine and Phenelzine).
>
> Have you or any member of your family been diagnosed as having bipolar disorder?
>
> > I will be coming off the Trimipramine in order to try out this new combination.
>
> Don't you also have to discontinue Nardil before beginning Effexor?
>
> > Sorry to not to have been of much use.
>
> Don't be silly. Consider yourself well used. :-)
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> - ScottScott,
I`m glad to have been of some use. Like you, I can`t afford to rule anything out (if that`s what you were saying). I`ve been very severely depressed for about 3 years, with all the stuff that goes with that (inability to work, have a social life, carry on any meaningful relationships with friends, etc.)
Nobody in my family has ever been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and it has certainly never been suggested to me that I may have it. The only other person I know of who suffers at all from depression is my sister, who gets mild depression for short periods, and are adequately treated with a short course of anti-depressants. Her low moods are `reactive` though, unlike my illness which is genetically based, and I`ve suffered to differing degrees (from moderate to severe) most of my life. She has a very stressful job - she`s a psychiatric nurse (enough said, probably).
Re. discontinuing Nardil in order to start on Venlafaxine, you`re right - there should be a certain gap (about a week, I believe) before Venlafaxine can be commenced. Having said that, a friend of mine has just cganged from Nardil to Vanlafaxine, and her psychiatrist has overlapped the two. I don`t think that she`s suffered any side effects from this - apart from the severe depression she has been experiencing for slightly longer than me (we are quite a comfort to each other). This isn`t the `correct` way to do it, I`m sure though.
Good luck with the Trimpramine (if you choose to take it). How long have you been depressed? Is it moderate/severe? Whatever, you have all my sympathy - it is truly a hideous illness.
Anna.
poster:sweetmarie
thread:55847
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010310/msgs/56496.html