Posted by azalea on September 21, 2008, at 21:41:16
In reply to Re: Nardil Dosage, posted by AZLIZZY on September 21, 2008, at 20:05:42
Have you tried a mood stabilizer like Lithium or Lamictal (lamotrigine)? The combination of anxiety, irritability, and depression could be "soft bipolar disorder." The website psycheducation.org has more information. It is written by Dr. Jim Phelps, author of the book "Why am I still depressed?"
You're right about the 2 week wash-out period between stopping Nardil and starting an SSRI. Since you're already on a therapeutic dose of Nardil, perhaps consider adding an augmenting agent before giving up. Options include Lithium, Lamictal, Deplin, possibly others--talk to your pdoc and see what your choices are. Best wishes and let us know what you decide.
> > Nardil 90 mg/day is the maximum according to the prescribing information. However, there are reports of some patients who respond well to 120 mg/day. You mentioned irritability and anxiety as side effects. Are you experiencing any other side effects? How is your sleep? Do you feel dizzy or light-headed when you go from sitting to standing?
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> Thanks so much for your response. I do have some unpleasant side effects, namely diarrhea, muscle/joint pain in my knees and legs, insomnia, and jaw clenching. The diarrhea has gotten alot better over time, but the knee and leg pain has actually gotten worse. I have never had the lightheadedness or dizzyness related to the drug. I'm still willing to ride it out if it helps. The irritability and insomnia are things I have had for a long time before I started the nardil. I think they are signs of depression that is coming back. Each of the last few days have gotten a little bit worse. I don't know if I need to increase the dose or start something new. If I begin an SSRI, I will have to wait 2 weeks to start something else. I really crashed hard the last time I had nothing in my system. I have tried most classes of drugs over the last ten years. I have to get this under control before I can be released to go back to work. Thanks for your help.
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poster:azalea
thread:853198
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080915/msgs/853333.html