Posted by jedi on May 24, 2006, at 3:15:36
In reply to EMSAM Plus Nortriptyline - Possible?, posted by SFY on May 23, 2006, at 15:58:50
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> My next step was to try Emsam because I had a good response to Nardil in the past (but the side effects, esp. the insomnia, became a problem). But I'm wary of having to go off the Nortriptyline and being without any support for my depression until (and if) the EMSAM kicks in. This is especially true as I'm dealing with some current emotional issues that have the potential to send me into a tailspin if my depression comes back full-blown.
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> I'm just wondering if this is doable. I know I've read about people here taking an MAOI/TCA combo in the past and I'd be interested in any of those experiences as well.Hi SFY,
I'm currently back to my old mix of nortriptyline plus Nardil. I haven't tried EMSAM yet but didn't think I had the time to experiment as I was falling back into the pit after being off of Nardil for about four months. During that time I was on high dosage of Omega-3s, 300mg bupropion, then 150mg nortriptyline. None of these held off the major depression which was rearing it's ugly head again, after being off Nardil for a few months. I dropped the dosage of nortriptyline back to 75mg and have now worked the Nardil back up to 90mg as of today. Now, I'll have a three or four-week period of sheer HELL while I wait for the MAOI to kick in again. It better kick in again! It has never failed me in the past. I have atypical double depression with social and generalized anxiety disorder. I also take 1mg of clonazepam daily for the anxiety. When I stabilize again I may try to talk my MD into trying EMSAM, but I can't risk being back in the pit right now. I have too many financial problems from ten plus years fighting this disease to be sick now. I saved up several months of Nardil when I last went off of it. It is the only med that has pulled me out of major depression. Now I get the joyful task of telling my MD that I went back on the Nardil without asking him, and trying to get him to re-write the script for it. Oh what a tangled web we weave...Anyway, back to the point. I have added Nardil to nortriptyline in the past with no problems. I don't expect to have any this time except for the politics involved in using meds that are officially contraindicated. Good luck in your search for a workable combination of meds.
Take care,
Jedi
poster:jedi
thread:646882
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060520/msgs/647663.html