Tricyclic antidepressants and pain

[Guest guest]

Hi -

I have DM and get attacks of pain that seems like nerve pain in one part

of my body or another.

My GP (not rheumy) prescribed imipramine. When I found out its main use

was as an antidepressant I got annoyed. No matter where I looked on the

net, I did not find its use for pain, and my thoughts toward my doctor

were along the lines of " If you think I am depressed, why don't you just

tell me directly! I've already admitted as much myself. "

But I decided to give the imipramine a try. I still felt a bit distanced

from him, though, because of the idea that he had put me in

antidepressants while telling me he was prescribing something for pain

and to help me sleep through the night.

When I confronted him calmly about it on my next visit, he just as

calmly (and more good-naturedly) pulled out his laptop and showed me

some articles on tricyclic (antidepressants and their use to treat pain.

He said, " You should have tried searching tricyclic antidepressants on

the net and not imipramine. "

One for the doctor!

Oh yes, I did get a three day attack of pain in my arm this week, but

the pain was not as sharp, and so not as debilitating. Keep marching

on...

All the best.