Posted by Adam on December 3, 1999, at 10:26:23
In reply to Considering MAOI's, posted by EdithAnn on December 2, 1999, at 20:50:07
I have also had disappointing experiences with all other antidepressants that I have tried,
and the only breakthrough for me (though far from perfect) has been an MAOI.My feeling is, if you're going to have to deal with side effects (and they can be borne),
you may as well take something that works. For some who do respond to MAOIs, the results
can be quite dramatic.The three doctors I spoke to either in the hospital or since I got out all thought the
dietary concerns were overblown for the average person, and that even if you do flub up
and eat the wrong thing, you may only experience a headache, some nausea, and a stiff
neck. However, all recommended that it was not advisable to wait for a hypertensive
crisis to resolve without getting some medical supervision. I guess this means going
to an emergency room (expensive!).I've seen many posts on this board that have suprised me; people seem to be eating all
kinds of things that I once thought were simply out of the question before. I think the
safest approach is to use caution, but do some research, and very carefully experiment.
A nibble of gorgonzola might not be a problem, but half a pound certainly would (the
"cheese effect" is dose dependant.) I think doctors' hands are a bit tied on this issue.
It is better for them, and of course, for us, if they are overly cautious and mistaken
than the alternative. And, also, one person may be able to eat almost anything, while
another may be very sensitive.I personally, am going to experiment a little, and keep $50 in my wallet for the ER.
> Having gone down the path of SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Wellbutrin and various combo's) I'm considering MAOI's. Wondered what sort of success people have had with them? how big a pain in the neck is the diet? how dangerous it is if I dork up and eat a prohibited food? (I read something about an "antidote" of some sort that you can get a script for) and of course, the age old question...are there sexual problems? why do MAOI's seem to be the drug of last resort?
poster:Adam
thread:16104
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991123/msgs/16138.html