Hi - i also put this in general health earlier as I thought some people who were 'on tablets and well' might only see that board (I know when Im ok I tend to be everywhere other than the mental health board - its a bit like a sign for myself tht im doing ok because i can spend hours in syle and beauty!!)
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(If you cant face reading this whole post - and frankly i dont blame you- i'll put some pecifics questions at the bottom. Would really really appreciate any input x)
Long story short - i suffered severe PND nearly 11 years ago.(no previous history) Got well eventually on seroxat but then went through debilitating withdrawal several times. (in between times would be ok on relatively low doses of AD's)
Finally swtiched to a tricyclic AD (clomipramine)in 2004 and eventually did very well on that. Came off very slowly in 2006 but same thing happened. (not able to work /terrible depression & anxiety).
Back onto the clomipramine and after several months stabilised again. (50mg dose which then slowly reduced.)
Very well, happy, no anxiety, working full time in management job through 2008 and 2009 on 20mg and less.
Then end of Jan '10 cut down to 10mg and just crashed again. Had been really looking forward to this year - loads of fantastic things planned to celebrate my 40th. Work going brilliantly. Lovely times with my boys.
But now back to a shadow of self again .
So basically 3 weeks ago I went back up to 20mg (still a very low dose) because thats what I had been well on for 2 years. But still no sign of improvement.
I'm wondering if thats enough - or if I need to go higher to try and stabilise - or if once you reduce an AD you do run the risk of it not working again.
At the same time I've also started fish oils, a mult vit and doing breathing exercises twice a day.
Im past the point of worrying about withdrawal - or being concerned about taking AD's long term. I just need to get on an even keel.
QUESTIONS:
- Anyone taking a tricyclic long term - what dose do you take? Have you noticed it stop working after a while?
- Anyone taking any ANY Ad's long term - do you notice that you still have crisis maybe on a cyclical basis?
- Anyone who has reduced their dose - found that it did eventually kick in again - but it did take quite a while?
Sorry so many questions and so long x