SSRI + NRI = SNRI?

For quite a while, I've wanted to try an SNRI (like Cymbalta or Effexor, etc) because I've read that they can rocket a person out of depression, and that they can also help with some of the physical pain associated with depression and anxiety (caused by stress, tension, etc.) Unfortunately, Cymbalta and Effexor are too expensive for me, so I have to look for an alternative.

I'm currently taking 40mg of Celexa (citalopram) per day. As you probably know, Celexa is an older yet potent SSRI that's a cheap alternative to Lexapro because it's available in generic form.

Anyway, this morning, I was browsing Wikipedia, and I came across an old tetracyclic antidepressant called Ludiomil (maprotiline). It is supposedly a very strong norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It's a pretty old antidepressant, but it's supposedly pretty effective. Because it's so old, it's available in generic form (so it's pretty cheap).

Do you think if I combined Celexa with Ludiomil, I would get the same effectiveness and benefits of one of those newer, more expensive SNRIs (like Cymbalta or Effexor)? Has anyone here ever tried anything like this before? Tell me what you think of it, please. I'm open to all comments. Thanks!

To fix this problem of trying to get all the neurotransmitters fixed, I take lexapro and wellbutrin. That way all 3 of my neurotransmitters are being worked on. Thats all I have to say.

I'm on effexor, I don't think its very good as an anti-anxiety medicine. Plus it fogs my thinking, which makes it harder to succeed in school.

I think desipramine is more commonly used. It's also very selective.

Is there any advantage of desipramine over maprotiline? Desipramine is a tricyclic, which I've read are bad for causing weight gain and heart irrregularity. Maprotiline is a tetracyclic, so I don't know if it has any advantages over desipramine because of its chemical structure alone or not.