Posted by jedi on August 17, 2010, at 12:41:43
In reply to Re: If MAOIs are so good, posted by Huxley on August 16, 2010, at 23:19:56
> > Believe it or not still takes it also. Phillipa
>
> I guess it is worth the trade off. They do sound like they can have an awful side effect profile, particularly Nardil. But does this mean that all get the side effects? Or most?Hi Huxley,
The MAOIs are powerful medications that sometimes work for treatment resistant depression when all else fails. I have been on Nardil for over a decade and because of the side effects have tried many other combinations of medications. I have always gone back to Nardil and it has always worked for my major atypical depression and social anxiety.The major side effects for me are weight gain, insomnia, and delayed orgasm. At lower doses, for me - 60mg and under, these side effects are considerably less. When a MAOI works it often works well. I still have a residual level of dysthymia but the major depression is pretty much gone on Nardil. I have a prescription for 90mg but I can often get efficacy at 60mg. When I feel the depression starting to creep back, I will up the dosage to 75 or 90mg until it is controlled. Usually this is during really stressful times, this year being one of them. A very close friend had a heart attack, I had a hip replaced-major surgery, had some pretty severe financial difficulties and my Dad died a month ago. So up to 75mg until the crisis passes.
I augment with 1mg of clonazepam, which I am trying to slowly reduce because of memory problems.
I think you will find that many people quit the MAOIs because of the initially severe side effects. Those that can stick through them can find long term success with these medications where other meds fail. I have seen people post on this board and others that have been on the irreversible MAOIs for decades. The same can not be said for very many other psychotropic medications. And it is not because they are cured and able to resume a normal existence. In my opinion, very few treatment resistant patients with severe depression are ever cured. I have been on 45+ different combinations of antidepressants and augmenters. Nardil is the only thing that has worked and baring some big breakthrough in depression treatment, I'm a lifer.
Be Well,
Jedi
Jedi
Treatment resistant, atypical, double depression with social anxiety.
Nardil + clonazepam
poster:jedi
thread:958734
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100811/msgs/958919.html