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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brianmilnar on September 2, 2007, at 15:53:00
Hello all,
I have a question about the medication that I have recently begun taking; my psychiatrist is out of town for the week. Here's my situation:
I'm 26, male, and have had anxiety all my life. I briefly took Paxil when I was 20 (too many side effects), then switched to Remeron, which seems to do wonders. I went off for a while, then around four months ago went back on.
My psychiatrist also insisted that I supplement the Remeron (at 60mg) with Seraquel, as needed, and Imipramine. I haven't noticed any problems with the Seraquel; it pretty much zonks me out when I take it in high doses, but I don't find anything immediately unpleasant about it. I've been taking between 0 and 300 mg a day for the last month, usually closer to 0 - 50 mg a day, sort of as an as-needed anti-anxiety punch.
I also started taking Imipramine three weeks ago, first at 25 for a week, then 50 for a week, then only a few days ago up to 75. Yesterday, while I was eating (I think tofu), I suddenly couldn't swallow. Scared the crap out of me! I was practically choking... had to spit the food out. Took me about a minute to 'remember' how to swallow again. It happened again today during lunch (but not breakfast.) In addition to that, I've noticed that I'm not feeling well. That's nothing new; my anxiety naturally pushes me toward hypochondria, but I'm SURE that this swallowing thing isn't in my head. On top of that my head feels like it's 'burning'. It's been like that for a few days and is getting worse; by no means unbearable, but certainly annoying. What I'm wondering is if both the swallowing and the head-burning (which is constant) could be related to the Imipramine?
I've consulted all the literature (which of course reads that all drugs can pretty much have any sort of side effect at any time... thanks FDA... my tax dollars at work). I don't want to go to a doctor to get checked out, because they never find anything and there's almost certainly nothing really wrong. My plan is to wait for my psych to get back into town. Has anyone experienced anything like this, either the swallowing or the burning?
Thank you in advance,
Brian
Posted by Phillipa on September 2, 2007, at 17:05:17
In reply to IMIPRAMINE and SWALLOWING - HELP!!!, posted by brianmilnar on September 2, 2007, at 15:53:00
No but not on the same meds. Maybe drop down on the imipramine til doc back in town. Phillipa
Posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on September 2, 2007, at 20:14:01
In reply to IMIPRAMINE and SWALLOWING - HELP!!!, posted by brianmilnar on September 2, 2007, at 15:53:00
Well, as long as you don't think it will harm you, then it may just be a 'fluke'...and may go away with time. If there is swelling, or pain of any kind, it may be an allergic reaction and then you should get medical treatment asap. But, it doesn't sound like that. Best wishes...
Jay
Posted by gardenergirl on September 2, 2007, at 20:25:35
In reply to IMIPRAMINE and SWALLOWING - HELP!!!, posted by brianmilnar on September 2, 2007, at 15:53:00
According to Epocrates, one should use caution when using imipramine and seroquel together, especially w/ high environmental temperature. The combination may "increase risk of CNS depression, psychomotor impairment, hyperpyrexia, QT prolongation and arrhythmias" due to additive effects.
If your symptoms started when you started imipramine or when you raised the dose, it could very well be related. Is there anyone covering your doc's service? You could also call a pharmacy and talk to the pharmacist about what you are experiencing.
take care,
gg
Posted by Quintal on September 2, 2007, at 20:35:32
In reply to IMIPRAMINE and SWALLOWING - HELP!!!, posted by brianmilnar on September 2, 2007, at 15:53:00
Is imipramine giving you a dry mouth at all? I suppose a shortage of saliva might make swallowing food more difficult, and that is a common side effect. I remember having a burning feeling in face when on imipramine, a bit like flushing, another common side effect. The pdoc does seem to have made an unusual choice of drugs, so not many people will have taken that cocktail. Sounds very sedating.
Q
Posted by Larry Hoover on September 3, 2007, at 15:05:52
In reply to IMIPRAMINE and SWALLOWING - HELP!!!, posted by brianmilnar on September 2, 2007, at 15:53:00
The difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) is a known side-effect of imipramine. It's generally considered to be one of those side-effects that you immediately contact your doctor for advice. If I was in your shoes, I'd discontinue the imipramine.
Lar
Posted by Squiggles on September 4, 2007, at 9:17:57
In reply to Re: IMIPRAMINE and SWALLOWING - HELP!!! » brianmilnar, posted by Larry Hoover on September 3, 2007, at 15:05:52
> The difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) is a known side-effect of imipramine. It's generally considered to be one of those side-effects that you immediately contact your doctor for advice. If I was in your shoes, I'd discontinue the imipramine.
>
> LarJust out of curiousity, what would you replace it with Larry? Because imipramine is used for major depression, and the SSRIs may not be strong enough.
Squiggles
Posted by brianmilnar on September 4, 2007, at 9:42:07
In reply to Re: IMIPRAMINE and SWALLOWING - HELP!!! » Larry Hoover, posted by Squiggles on September 4, 2007, at 9:17:57
Thank you all for your replies; I've decided to discontinue the imipramine and stay with the remeron and seraquel for the time being. I had just started the Imipramine so losing it isn't a big deal. I don't feel despressed at all, and though my anxiety issues are alarming, I'd rather be a little bit anxious and retain the ability to swallow.
I will talk to my doctor about alternatives, but both Paxil and Imipramine have given my side effects worse than my anxiety. My stomach also hurts pretty badly and I'm chalking that up to the Imipramine, too. I think I'll give sobriety another month and then see how my body feels.
Many thanks,
Brian
This is the end of the thread.
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