Posted by SLS on January 9, 2001, at 9:15:27
In reply to Re: response to meds in general » SLS, posted by Bob on January 8, 2001, at 21:59:09
Hi Bob,
> The things I found to be intolerable about the tricyclics after awhile was the weight gain, jitteriness/yawning, and sweating. Would you say that these aren't significant problems in the long run with the MAOI's?
I did not find either desipramine or nortriptyline to produce weight gain. I did put on quite a bit of weight with imipramine, however. I think amitriptyline (Elavil) and doxepin (Sinequan) are the worst offenders.
Of the two most effective MAO inhibitors, Parnate and Nardil, it is Nardil that most often produces weight gain. Some people gain enormous amounts of weight (perhaps more often with women) while other people like me suffer little or no weight changes at all. I think what little weight gain I experienced on Nardil involved the recovery of my sense of taste and enjoyment of food. If it weren't for the ladies, my tongue would be all but worthless while I'm depressed. I think I ate more because everything tasted so much better.
Nardil would probably be the better drug if social anxiety, social phobia, or OCD is involved. Parnate is the "cleaner" of the two with regard to side effects, and can often reduce one's appetite. Nardil is a little harder on the liver, but I don't think there is any concern with long term (decades) use if there is no existing liver pathology. Only one doctor ever thought it worth mentioning to me, as it is a non-issue.
> Did the hypotension eventually subside?
Yes. I am currently on Parnate 80mg. I have taken as much as 150mg. I have few, if any, occurrences of dizziness. Don't ask me where I get this crap from, but it was once suggested to me that MAO-inhibitors actually help to preserve one's physical youth.
No guarantees, but MAOIs are not monsters.
Let me know what you decide.
Sincerely,
Scott
poster:SLS
thread:51109
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001231/msgs/51249.html