Posted by Tai Chi on November 25, 2004, at 6:43:28
In reply to Re: MAO Questions for the experts OR Non-experts, posted by ZenTen on November 23, 2004, at 15:49:59
I have struggled with depression for the past 35 years and finally went on Prozac in 1990. However, I soon developed treatment resistance, finding many drugs ( SSRIs, Effexor, Serzone, TCAs, Wellbutrin) either intolerable or ineffective. I did have a successful therapeutic run of four years with Remeron. After the Remeron gave out, I went through 8 months of hell trying different combinations of medications, as well as ECT.
A little over a year ago, I started Nardil. Nardil has turned out to be a wonder drug for me, completely alleviating my anxiety and depression. I’m currently taking 45 mg a day. I have relatively few side effects: slight food craving, occasional low blood pressure, somewhat impaired ability to reach orgasm ( though that seems to be getting better now after four months at 45mg).
I found the only way to control weight gain and food cravings was to go on a fairly strict Atkins diet ( less than 20g of carbohydrate per day). I have been able to maintain constant weight now for over a year and I have no cravings at all for sweets. On this diet, I never feel hungry or deprived.
I have found the MAOI diet restrictions quite easy to follow. I have not had a hypertensive crisis, though I thought I had one once and took one Nifedipine. My blood pressure got fairly low and I felt pretty wiped out for a few hours.
poster:Tai Chi
thread:419108
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041123/msgs/420064.html