Posted by babbler20 on March 2, 2016, at 19:57:34
In reply to Re: How to stop Parnate?, posted by SLS on March 2, 2016, at 9:35:46
> > > I'm on 80mg of Parnate/day. All in one dose in the morning and have been on it for years.
> > >
> > > Advice please on a schedule for coming off of Parnate without completely making my life miserable. By advice, I mean a timeline for stopping.
> > >
> > > Any help much appreciated.
> > >
> > > Thanks
>
> > I was on 100 mg and I can tell you what not to do. I decreased by 10 mg a week until I was at 0. It felt like getting off heroin, but worse. I ended up in the hospital with extreme back pain and panic attacks. Every time I would speak I had to gasp for air for some reason. The back pain lasted for like 6 months and basically ruined my life. It was caused by spasming of the muscles in my back that were a reaction to getting off parante. The gasping for air literally lasted for two years. I couldn't focus my eyes right for about a year. Please go much, much slower than I did. I promise you it's not worth it.
>
> Babbler20:
> This is the first time that I have heard of anything remotely similar to this as being a consequence of Parnate discontinuation. I'm sorry that you had such a horrific experience. That's very scary stuff. I don't disbelieve you, though. I researched these things a bit after reading your account. There are several case reports of the occurrence of a spectrum of phenomena similar to yours, but most involve abrupt discontinuation. Your case is unusual, but not unheard of.
> http://www.comingoff.com/maoi.php
>
> TJ Smith:
> There are no systematic studies at to how quickly to taper Parnate. In my personal experience and in the opinions of the doctors that I have worked with since 1982, one can discontinue Parnate in three weeks. Each person's neurobiology is different, of course, but I have discontinued Parnate 120 mg/day multiple times at a rate of 10 mg every one or two days. The only negative effect I experienced was some REM rebound that manifested as increased and more intense dreaming. From 80 mg/day, you might consider reducing by 10 mg every three days. Just be wary of side effects and adjust your taper accordingly, even if it means staying at the same dosage for a few days before continuing the taper at a reduced rate. Let us know how things progress.
>
>
> - ScottI promise this was my exact experience. It was the only drug I got off at that time so It was definitely the Parnate. I really hope that TJ Smith doesn't taper at the rate that you suggested or he will completeley lose his mind. I was basically sh*tt*ng my pants for several weeks. I had crying fits where I would just started crying for no reason, which has never happened to me. The more I think about it the more horrific things I remember. It was absoluteley the worst experience of my life.
poster:babbler20
thread:1086450
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20160131/msgs/1086653.html