Hi Sara
First of all Im glad that you are getting to see your old specialist and I hope you dont have to wait too long for the appointment.
I would be concerned if I had those kind of side effects to a drug that I had taken before without the same kind of problems. I would be looking at interactions between other drugs perhaps as a starting point. How long ago were you taking it? Are you on other medication now that you werent on before? Here is a good link about the medication and what possible drugs it could interact with. It does mention some of the anti-malarials but not Mepacrine (I think thats what you are on?).
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100003161.html
Interestingly I had similar side effects to another Tricyclic - Amitriptyline. I remember taking about 7 hours to go asleep one night! My brain was wide awake but I was exhausted physically. It was like I had been given an injection of speed! I persisted with the drug for about three weeks before I gave up. It just didnt suit me and seemed to have the effect of heightening agitation. Other people however got through the 'side effects' phase and found the drug to be really beneficial.
Its really hard to say whether its normal to get these side effects and if they will pass. 70mg is - as you know - the recommended starting dose and the medication is supposed to be increased to 140mg if no side effects are apparent and then up to maximum of 210mg if no side effects after the second increase. The only way to know for sure is to persist with them for a few days and see if the side effects settle down. It sounds like this week is not the best week for testing them out though
If the side effects are too much to cope with you could look at the MAOI group of drugs but of course you would have to talk to your specialist about this when you have your appointment. I wonder would it be a good idea to phone the psychiatrist you saw yesterday and explain that you re-started the lofepramine and ask what she thinks?
Its great to hear that the pred is helping your pain and fatigue levels. I hope that you have a lovely time on Saturday
Let us know how you go with this drug.
Luv n stuff
Joan:rose:
First of all Im glad that you are getting to see your old specialist and I hope you dont have to wait too long for the appointment.
I would be concerned if I had those kind of side effects to a drug that I had taken before without the same kind of problems. I would be looking at interactions between other drugs perhaps as a starting point. How long ago were you taking it? Are you on other medication now that you werent on before? Here is a good link about the medication and what possible drugs it could interact with. It does mention some of the anti-malarials but not Mepacrine (I think thats what you are on?).
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100003161.html
Interestingly I had similar side effects to another Tricyclic - Amitriptyline. I remember taking about 7 hours to go asleep one night! My brain was wide awake but I was exhausted physically. It was like I had been given an injection of speed! I persisted with the drug for about three weeks before I gave up. It just didnt suit me and seemed to have the effect of heightening agitation. Other people however got through the 'side effects' phase and found the drug to be really beneficial.
Its really hard to say whether its normal to get these side effects and if they will pass. 70mg is - as you know - the recommended starting dose and the medication is supposed to be increased to 140mg if no side effects are apparent and then up to maximum of 210mg if no side effects after the second increase. The only way to know for sure is to persist with them for a few days and see if the side effects settle down. It sounds like this week is not the best week for testing them out though
If the side effects are too much to cope with you could look at the MAOI group of drugs but of course you would have to talk to your specialist about this when you have your appointment. I wonder would it be a good idea to phone the psychiatrist you saw yesterday and explain that you re-started the lofepramine and ask what she thinks?
Its great to hear that the pred is helping your pain and fatigue levels. I hope that you have a lovely time on Saturday
Let us know how you go with this drug.
Luv n stuff
Joan:rose: