Posted by tom_traubert on November 11, 2004, at 17:15:34
In reply to Re: Looking for similar withdrawal experiences... » tom_traubert, posted by jujube on November 11, 2004, at 11:41:56
It's difficult for me to give you an accurate depiction of how anafranil at those doses affects you. I was on the highest safe level (something around 200mg/day I think or maybe 275) also with 1.5mg/day Klonopin. Now, I know that a lot of the fatigue and sleepiness is probably from the Klonopin. I was tired, and no I couldn't concentrate that well, but I don't know if that was the depression or the medication. Apart from that, I had the garden-variety side effects of constipation, dry mouth, heartburn, loss of sex drive, and impaired sexual function (delayed ejaculation). I got dizzy if I stood up too quickly, and was just plain kind of sedated, which was a welcome state at that time.
Let me say again that the meds pulled me out of a terrible time in my life filled with panic attacks, deep depression and nonstop ocd symptoms. In six years I put so much medication in me and hardly ever once discussed how I was feeling or tried to consciously and energetically look my emotins and fears. Instead the doctor focused on symptoms. It's not his fault, it was his job, and I was probably too scared to talk about anything.
You didn't mention that ocd was your problem, you listed depression. I hope you know that Anafranil is mainly for ocd. I don't know if you've been on other medications, or if this is your first, but if it is I'd say try to avoid medication at all reasonable costs. Don't punish yourself, however, just explore your options. If your life is upside down, and nothing else has helped, then hopefully the meds can fill that gap.
But if you are new to the world of pschotherapy and psychiatry, again, I would really earnestly try to find a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, one who believes that medication is only one of many possibilties, not necessarily the first and lifelong one. 99% of the people on this site are on meds for very very difficult problems and I don't fault them one bit for being on medication. For many it was a courageous act just to start. I'm just saying to try something else
if you can, because that's what I personally wished I would have done had I the knowledge or guidance.If you do start on medication, NEVER abruptly discontinue, wean yourself off. I made that mistake and paid the price, almost with my life.
Hope this helps,
Tom
p.s. every question on this site is neurotic, that's why we're here, so don't be afraid to ask.
poster:tom_traubert
thread:414392
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041108/msgs/414695.html