After developing a severe allergy to 3 SSRI's I am trying TCA's--tricyclic antidepressants. My new meds--Desimpramine, Concerta, Xanax. Many more side-effects with tricyclics, but it might actually be a good drug for me once my body adjusts. It can prevent migraines, treat anxiety, panic, and depression--quite a lot for one drug. Hoping to be off the Xanax eventually.

Drugs I absolutely cannot take with it---benadryl, chlor-tabs, meclizine, phenergan, codeine, etc...... The side effects were not fun. Will keep posting my experiences just in case anyone else is unable to take SSRI's.

out of interest, have you talked about the possibilities of other types of AD meds with the doc - i.e. SNRI, NARI, RIM (MAOI) etc

I personally have not trialled TCA's however it is my belief that one experiences the highest side effects from these

Good luck with it all and I am interested in how you go

SNRI's would probably do the same thing as SSRIs because both of them affect serotonin

yeah quite possible!

However I too can't take SSRI/SNRI yet I seem to be ok on RIM (MAOI) - which also target serotonin! Tis amazing how different people react differently

I am allergic to Cymbalta, an SNRI, and wellbutrin didn't work very well--irritation and anger. MAOI's have interactions with food--very severe ones, and I would rather manage my medications carefully than my food intake. Plus there are very dangerous interactions with many drugs and MAOI's too.

I wish there were effective non-pharmaceutical treatments for depression. Once my balance disorder and ear problems are diagnosed, will consider trials of other meds--with advice of a pharmacist and doctor.

Xanax was a bad one for me. It made my anxiety worse so I had to switch to Ativan. Ativan works for me so that's good. Sorry you can't take SSRI's or SNRI's and best of luck on your current regimen.

MAOI's have interactions with food--very severe ones, and I would rather manage my medications carefully than my food intake. Plus there are very dangerous interactions with many drugs and MAOI's too.

I'm not sure which part of the world you are from or if they are available there however there has been advancements with MAOI's and there are now reversible MAOI's - or named RIMS (reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase), which basically eliminate most of those dangers linked with the original irreversible MAOIs.

I have been trialling a RIM names aurorix (moclomebide) for a week now, after SSRI, SNRI & NARI just didn't agree with me. There are only a few things I need to avoid (other meds/drugs) however I eat all the foods I want.

Worth looking into

hi can you tell me which side effects you got from taking phenergan etc.

I am doing very well on the Desipramine. My mood is better, my anxiety reduced to almost nothing, and I like the affect it has on impulse control for ADD!

My real need is to get my ear problems and the balance problems they are causing diagnosed and treated. These alone can cause depression and anxiety--if you already have a history of the disorders, it quickly becomes overwhelming to have them triggered and worsened to the lowest point of my life.

Because of the interaction potential and my complex medical history, I now have a medical binder with my history, symptom tracking charts, test results, basic info about my different diagnoses, and printouts of anatomy relevant to my symptoms.

Right now, I am trying a tiny dose of meclizine to see if it causes any twitching or jerking again. I badly need some improvement in my balance. Otherwise, there is no drug I can take for my balance. I do have a contrast inner ear MRI scheduled and am hoping for some results that lead to a dx and treatment. I am in a lot of pain, but with the desipramine, I am not sinking into depression. The only anxiety I have is when i have fluid discharge from my left ear--through the ear tube. Breathing air through it irritates nerves and that triggers physiological anxiety. This is very different from my other experiences of anxiety. Interesting is it not?

I have never heard of RIM drugs-I am in the US, perhaps they are not approved or used here yet? I don't want to use MAOI's because of the food restrictions--to easy to slip up, not a risk I am willing or want to take.

The next step for finding a medication if I ever have to change meds, would be to see a psychopharmacologist at the medical school since my reactions to 3 SSRI/SNRI alone or combo's is so very unusual.

Update---not a bump.

It is now march 6, the Desipramine is still working well, up to 75mg and upping to 100, hopefully to eliminate my migraines. It also helps with my fibromyalgia, and facial nerve pain. Think of all the drugs I don't have to take because of the actions of this one drug-generic even.

No too much worry bout interactions anymore, just don't take any meds-prescribed or OTC without doing a drugs.com interaction checker. Even though it is an "older drug" it is working very well for me and treating the impulsive traits of ADHD too.

VI

Glad to read that you are doing well.

Happy to read your current med. tx. is working for you.;)

I take Nortriptyline 50mg in p.m. for migraine/tension HA prevention. I have taken it for 2 years now with success. Nor. also helps with my neck problems. I broke my neck in the past C-1 & C-2 in 20+ places, wore a halo on my head, was paralyzed....... So my neck gets stiff/sore easily and I have nerve damage as well.

I was interested to hear that tricy. aid with ADD. I too take WB SR and Ritalin IR when needed.:)