Posted by satsumas on September 1, 2008, at 12:01:11
In reply to Re: Parnate: Orthostatic hypotension PLUS hypertension, posted by Justherself54 on September 1, 2008, at 9:57:31
Not so well, although mood and especially motivation has improved. Now that I've been on an MAOI for the past 6 weeks I realize why they are so effective -- dopamine has been a serious issue for me and I see it working on that, something even effexor didn't hit very well. My mood has improved much but I'm not acutely suicidal.
Side effects are still pretty bad. Orthostatic hypotension has reduced a little bit but is still there, jitteryness (could be the smoking and the caffeine combined with the parnate) is the worst I've ever felt but manageable. Twitching and shaking of the legs last night was very weird and something I've never experienced, but it could have been from (not smartly) doubling up my lithium dose since I missed a dose the night before.
Sleep is very rough and lunesta + xanax isn't helping. Urinary retention is bad, I'm extremely constipated and "backed up" (feel like a pregnant woman), and I have pretty bad erectile dysfunctino which has prevented an orgasm for 2-3 weeks (ever since I went up to 90 on the nardil, then switched to 40 on the parnate). I'm really really hoping these side effects abate over time, and if they don't improve in a week or so, I'm going to reconsider parnate for my doctor's suggestion of pristiq + abilify, though I'm not confident that mix will give me the dopamine I need in the right areas. Focalin (ritalin) has helped for dopamine in the past but it feels very different (not as good, more speedy, less anti-anhedonic) than the Parnate.
HOpe that helps, and if ANYONE ELSE READING has any advice on the side effects, and whether they will abate, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE post!
poster:satsumas
thread:849107
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080822/msgs/849711.html