Posted by Enigma on July 24, 2010, at 13:01:13
I have major depression, without meds, I become suicidal (and obviously *severely depressed*), almost immediately after discontinuation of meds. I technically have atypical bipolar, hypo-mania is mostly gone (started around 20-25 years of age, minimal depression back then), replaced with relentless suicidal thoughts/some hospitalizations, horrible depression, 2-3 days a week downtime (bedridden all day), (10 years later) oh and of course, I'm treatment resistant.
Tried SSRIS, benzos, TRYC, ATYP ANTIPSYCOTICS, and others (almost every drug on the market), 2 10 shot rounds of ECT at 2 different hospitals (bilateral)
I suffer from almost all side-effects of meds, can't tolerate most to all drugs.. drugs are only 5% (Nardil is higher) effective in treating depression, 20% success treating mania, with other drugs, but not an issue now (mania).MAOI's are the only meds that have proven effective to eliminate (mostly suicidal thoughts/insane crying spells, etc, and most depression)(3-4 atypical anti-psychotics used ad-junctively with Nardil improved but caused severe weight gain (some of which I still cannot lose after 6 months to 1 year of discontinuation of meds. Worst offenders, Zyprexa, Saphris, and Seroquil. Topamax worked ONCE to lose 30 pounds, never worked again, then the 3rd time I tried it, it caused the worse gas you have ever experienced in you entire life. You just didn't leave the room, you wanted to leave the country. There were certain "good bacteria" pills you could take OTC that solved this after discontinuation. Very ODD that Topamax worked like a champ to help me lose all the weight from Seroquel, but not the others. Never understood that (at all).
Most atyp-anti-psychotic's caused dyskinesia, now I have intermittent tardive dyskinesia. Also caused other side effects (that I can't recall). Tried about ever AA. Saphris improved mood, gained 15 pounds of fat in 1 week though, still here after 1 year. Ripped about that.
Parnate did not help with depression, and I'm not sure if I tried Marplan? (sp?), Selegeline worked (for a while) and I want to switch back to it (but poops out rather fast). Emsam worked for my depression but I was allergic to the dermal transfer technology and got awful poison ivy (well worse) rashes - had to discon.)
Gained 15-30 pounds on 3 different drugs, lost it all, except for from the 3rd drug, Saphris (like I said above) I'm 190, should be 165-175 (ideal), and NO MATTER WHAT I DO on Nardil (which is pooping out), I cannot loose ANY weight. I'm literally STUCK at 190 (for 6 months to a 1 year now). Since age 40, now 41, cellulite, a gut, never had them before, can't get rid of them. Nardil, I believe is the culprit - will not let me lose the weight. No matter what diet, what exercise (and I can't exercise with Nardil because I overheat and it's I sweat profusely. I even sweat after a semi-cold shower!! I have soak my head in ice water to lower body temp. Fans are on me all day. 1/2 the week I soak my clothes in bed, and need to get up and change, sometimes twice - other nights, nada - makes no sense. Frequent urination 4-5 times a night, was a problem, then disappeared again. Difficulty urinating recently appeared. Need to PUSH on my bladder to being urinating. My friend to lyme disease says he has the same exact problem. Just suddenly appears 2 months ago. VERY FRUSTRATING, lucking it is intermittent. Urologist blames Nardil, mountain dew and coffee? (which has been my diet for years).
Nardil also causes difficulty in achieving orgasm (which can be a good thing) but orgasms aren't as "good". Whatever.I'm concerned about the weight gain. I look HORRIBLE. If ANYONE knows how to lose the weight while on 75 mg of Nardil and (10mg? of Ambien/4 mg Klonpin night), please let me know. Atkins doesn't work well anymore, but did in the past. Tied many diets. Like I said, when I can swim, only exercise and I do (because I overheat and that can be dangerous (let alone, it's BEYOND uncomfortable), I still do not burn calories. Cellulite, which I NEVER had in my life had "reared it's disgusting head". I know my age is now a factor (been mesomorph all my life - lean/muscular), and now almost a double chin, chest fast (gross), and a semi-big gut, love handles.. NO fat on legs at all, or arms for some reason. They look lean and in great shape.
I look like Mr. Potato Head (made up of different people's parts) :(Also, swam in the ocean for 3!! hours one day, next day, boogie boarded for 2+ hours, didn't lose a pound, and walked MILES for 3 days straight (same days that I swam). Not a single ounce gone. Ate minimally. Flab everywhere and getting worse.
Other days, I do sleep alot (and managed to lose 2 pounds?? - odd) - came right back though)
Nardil causes
- fatigue,
- insomnia (need 2-3 meds to sleep at night),
- constant overheating/sweating/uncontrollable body temp (too high/can't cool down - drinking coffee makes me sweat!), unbearable in humidity (I could ALWAYS tolerate it before Nardil),
- now crying spells (new, never had them until 1 year ago or 6 months ago - some severe crying spells - suicidal - uncontrollable crying - loud, severe. (not a side effect, I think it's pooping out. Nardil never caused this before - been on nardil for 2-3 years) - 75 mg.
- Max dose causes (blood pressure problems, dizzy spells when bending over, raising head back up, fairly bad. Hyptotension? I forget the term.
- Anorgasmia
- Inability to regulate body temperature/overheating
- Severe fatigue
- Unable to lose weight, weight gain from eating little to no calories - very low carb dietSORRY this was so long, wanted to provide lots of info.
If anyone knows of anything that will help, please toss on your comments. Just looking in the mirror after a shower causes depression. Now I wear a beach/surfer shirt to hide my body at the pool/beach. :(
39 years of being pround of my body (using to lift weights a lot), not age 40-41, I hide my body and an embarrassed and I look like I eat at mcdonald's every day.
Help me!!
Oh yeah. My NH Doctor is "done" with me. He does not know what else to try. I have now trying to seek treatment at Mass General in Boston. I hope I can get an appointment without waiting several months. :( I still haven't been able to reach a human being on the phone yet.
I can't keep my head up, so what else is new, so It's nap time. Forgot to mention I nap 1-2 times almost every day. Disabled, and cannot work. I WISH I could get my life back and my career. I'm a useless lump of FAT now. At least I'm there for my kids when I'm feeling "ok".
poster:Enigma
thread:955737
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100720/msgs/955737.html