Tricyclic Antidepressants

Wonderful medication for me

Question:

I have had bipolar disease all my life.  I was finally diagnosed in 1998 and since that time I have run the gambot of medications to try to find one (or a cocktail) that makes me feel and act normal.  I have finally done so. I am on Seroquel (this is the one that makes me feel normal), Neurontin (Mainly for my nerve pain and migraines), imipramine (a tricyclic, old drug, mainly for my IBS), 0.5 mg of Klonopin a day (mainly for sleep but it along with the Seroquel keeps me from having anxiety).  I am very happy with this cocktail.  I hope everyone else keeps trying and has a pdoc as up-to-date as mine is. Bless.

Response:

Boy, you’re sure right on about trying to find the right "mix" to get some relief. After being suicidal for weeks (and really, really depressed) and losing 26 pounds in 8 weeks, I finally got smart enought (by accident, I’m sure) to go se my Doc and get my meds adjusted. He doubled me up on the Wellbutrin and prescribed Xanex. Man, I’d been in such a downward spiral for so long the difference, after taking the new meds, has been astonishing!! I actually feel like I have a future now and the suicidal thoughts are gone completely. I was able to get my divorce filed and tons of other stuff that I’d been putting off. My house was a mess, I literally hadn’t left the couch for 2 months. You know,my mother fought depression her whole life and they didn’t know as much about it in the 60’s as they do now. If they had, she would have had a much higher quality of life. I still don’t understad why some folks hesitate to take meds for depression or why, after they are on them for awhile they seem to want to quit taking them I had 2 suicide attempts last year and the meds (and some really good therapy) literally saved my life. You couldn’t get the meds away from me. I feel "NORMAL" for the first time in years and years. Good luck to you. Michael McCammon Portland, Oregon

Response:

Filed under: Imipramine