9 replies to this topic

[hammer of dusk]

Lofepramine has changed my life. After 7 years of all kinds of meds failing or making things worse, I feel the most normal I ever have. I still have anxiety and have times when I'm pretty down, but I can cope now. I can get out of bed in the morning. I'm not lying on the floor crying all day. I used to have 5-6 migraines a month; I'm down to 2-3.

Does anyone know why lofepramine never made it to the USA? I'm a US citizen temporarily living in the UK. I'm reluctant to return because I won't be able to get lofepramine anymore. It's the only thing that's really put me back to normal.

[Deep Sea Philosopher]

I do not know why it is not on this side of the pond.

However, have you tried Desipramine? It is the active metabolite of Lofepramine.


DSP

[hammer of dusk]

I'm guessing that will be my best bet when I get back. I'm worried though that it's pretty hard on your heart and, at least according to wikipedia, is associated with higher incidence of breast cancer. Am I getting that risk anyway though by taking lofepramine? It's touted as having fewer/less severe side effects than the other TCAs, so I feel like I've been spoiled a bit in that department.


ETA: I know all TCAs are hard on your heart...I'm just worried about desipramine hitting "harder." Fear of the unknown, mostly.

Edited by hammer of dusk, 30 March 2011 - 03:35 AM.

[Deep Sea Philosopher]

That is one of those YMMV things. You might get stuck with Desipramine if you end up on this side of the pond because that is the closest thing to Lofepramine.

An intriguing option would be Strattera. Even though it is not approved as an Antidepressant.. it still is technically an Antidepressant. It has a low side effect profile compared to TCA's.


DSP

[hammer of dusk]

Interesting that you mentioned that. A while ago my pdoc in the States was thinking strattera + a mood stabilizer might be the way to go. I'm kind of reluctant about the mood stabilizers but if it works I'll do it. I've kind of wondered if I have some ADHD stuff going on in the first place. That would be awesome if strattera hit that, too.

I guess we'll see in the next couple weeks what my pdoc will want to do.

[Deep Sea Philosopher]

Hmmm.. Mood Stabilizers. I love how that term encompasses two completely different med classes. Lamictal would most likely be the best Anticonvulsant for you and Abilify/Geodon/Seroquel XR when it comes to Antipsychotics.

Geodon does some wacky Norepinephrine Reuptake and Seroquel XR's active metabolite is a pretty potent NRI, so you might want to start with them if you decide to go the AAP way. It seems that your brain really loves Norepinephrine.. mine hates it.. to each their own lol.

Lamictal has a slow titration schedule with a propensity for weird shit to happen until you are above 100mgs or so. It should take at least five weeks to get to 100mg. You can always ask for a prn AAP or benzo to help you until you are at a maintenance dose of Lamictal.

Also, is the Neurontin for your Migraines?


DSP

[hammer of dusk]

Hmmm.. Mood Stabilizers. I love how that term encompasses two completely different med classes. Lamictal would most likely be the best Anticonvulsant for you and Abilify/Geodon/Seroquel XR when it comes to Antipsychotics.

Geodon does some wacky Norepinephrine Reuptake and Seroquel XR's active metabolite is a pretty potent NRI, so you might want to start with them if you decide to go the AAP way. It seems that your brain really loves Norepinephrine.. mine hates it.. to each their own lol.

Lamictal has a slow titration schedule with a propensity for weird shit to happen until you are above 100mgs or so. It should take at least five weeks to get to 100mg. You can always ask for a prn AAP or benzo to help you until you are at a maintenance dose of Lamictal.

I thought mood stabilizers referred to the anticonvulsants--good to know. After a trial of Abilify I'm kind of freaked out by the AAPs and will probably try to give lamictal another shot if we go that way.

Also, is the Neurontin for your Migraines?

The neurontin is for anxiety, because I seem to be in a constant state of it otherwise. Migraine prophylaxis was a potential bonus, but I don't find it prevents them at all for me.

[FI83]

Yup, Lofepramine is a good one. Pretty effective, hits both serotonin and NA (though primarily the latter), and gave me far fewer sexual SEs than the SSRIs and SNRIs.

[JustOnePole]

As long as it isn't a controlled substance in the USA, there are international pharmacies that will ship. You may even be able to make a shipping arrangement with the chemist you're using now.

[hammer of dusk]

As long as it isn't a controlled substance in the USA, there are international pharmacies that will ship. You may even be able to make a shipping arrangement with the chemist you're using now.

It's true, and it'd be interesting if anyone has been able to do this. In my experience, it was getting/keeping a current prescription that was the problem. UK doctors would not continue to refil for me if wasn't living in the UK and couldn't come to appointments, and US doctors don't want to touch it because it's not FDA approved and is not well known.