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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 33. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jack Smith on February 4, 2003, at 17:59:41
It seems like a lot of people on this board have taken one of these meds and then stopped. Most say good things about them but now they are on other combos. If the MAOIs are such wonder drugs, why have people stopped taking them? I am just curious as I have an appt next week with my pdoc and we are going to discuss the possibility of nardil or parnate. I am now leaning towards parnate because of the less weight gain and less sexual sides. But Nardil does seem to be more efficacious. By the way, have depresssion with heavy associated anxiety--guess you could call it GAD.
Jack
Posted by cybercafe on February 4, 2003, at 19:41:13
In reply to Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate?, posted by Jack Smith on February 4, 2003, at 17:59:41
> It seems like a lot of people on this board have taken one of these meds and then stopped. Most say good things about them but now they are on other combos. If the MAOIs are such wonder drugs, why have people stopped taking them? I am just curious as I have an appt next week with my pdoc and we are going to discuss the possibility of nardil or parnate. I am now leaning towards parnate because of the less weight gain and less sexual sides. But Nardil does seem to be more efficacious. By the way, have depresssion with heavy associated anxiety--guess you could call it GAD.
>
> Jacki realized i had ADD, and wanted to avoid combining an MAOI with a stim...
i really miss parnate, it was a good drug
Posted by Jack Smith on February 4, 2003, at 20:42:21
In reply to Re: Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate?, posted by cybercafe on February 4, 2003, at 19:41:13
Had you tried nardil before it? What were your parnate side effects. I am still deciding between the two.
Posted by djmmm on February 4, 2003, at 21:23:55
In reply to Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate?, posted by Jack Smith on February 4, 2003, at 17:59:41
> It seems like a lot of people on this board have taken one of these meds and then stopped. Most say good things about them but now they are on other combos. If the MAOIs are such wonder drugs, why have people stopped taking them? I am just curious as I have an appt next week with my pdoc and we are going to discuss the possibility of nardil or parnate. I am now leaning towards parnate because of the less weight gain and less sexual sides. But Nardil does seem to be more efficacious. By the way, have depresssion with heavy associated anxiety--guess you could call it GAD.
>
> JackI stopped Nardil a few months back because of problems getting it...I switched directly (the next day) to Parnate and love it just as much as Nardil.
Both are equally effective for depression/anxiety/phobia..
Parnate is more stimulating...
Nardil has been studied more extensively for social anxiety.
I have found minimal differences between the two (Parnate is PRO-sexual, Nardil caused MINOR problems (sexually)
Posted by Jack Smith on February 4, 2003, at 21:48:31
In reply to Re: Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate?, posted by djmmm on February 4, 2003, at 21:23:55
Would you recommend trying parnate first, since it has less sexual sides?
Posted by ace on February 4, 2003, at 22:26:14
In reply to Re: Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate?, posted by djmmm on February 4, 2003, at 21:23:55
> >>
> I stopped Nardil a few months back because of problems getting it...I switched directly (the next day) to Parnate and love it just as much as Nardil.
>
> Both are equally effective for depression/anxiety/phobia..
>
> Parnate is more stimulating...
>
> Nardil has been studied more extensively for social anxiety.
>
> I have found minimal differences between the two (Parnate is PRO-sexual, Nardil caused MINOR problems (sexually)Djmmm - how long have you been on Parnate now?
Not much diff between Nardil?
Posted by Lawrence S. on February 5, 2003, at 0:57:24
In reply to Re: Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate? » djmmm, posted by ace on February 4, 2003, at 22:26:14
I stopped nardil 3years ago after being on it for 4+ years. It was a very unpleasant experience stopping. Nothing else has worked as good since stopping. I stopped in preparation for an operation. I'm considering going back on it but the bad memmories of discontinuation are really hard to forget. I do miss the effectiveness though.
Posted by likelife on February 5, 2003, at 1:26:49
In reply to Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate?, posted by Jack Smith on February 4, 2003, at 17:59:41
I stopped Parnate almost a year and a half ago after gaining about 20 pounds and developing really bad acne (on a 6 month trial), though no one else I've talked to has had these problems. It worked wonders for the depression, and about a month after tapering off I was really regretting it--si was back in full force and life was dreary as hell. I've since been on a tricyclic for over a year and it's been like a wonder drug for me. Better than the MAOI and leagues ahead of the SSRI's.
Best of luck to you, whatever you end up with...
Posted by djmmm on February 5, 2003, at 8:22:19
In reply to Re: Who has STOPPED taking Nardil--djmmm, posted by Jack Smith on February 4, 2003, at 21:48:31
Not necessarily, I think I would recommend Nardil first, because of the easier dosage schedule (you can take your nardil dose once in the morning compared to 2 or 3x a day dosing with Parnate) also, Nardil, for me, wasn't as stimulating. I think I have a preference for Nardil because it was the first drug that ever really helped me...I feel a strange sense of loyality to it.
Not everyone experiences sexual problems with Nardil, so don't let that stop you from trying a med that could potentially change your life. FWIW, although irritating, I would take some sexual dysfunction over major depression ANY day.
Posted by ZeeZee on February 5, 2003, at 8:22:43
In reply to Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate?, posted by Jack Smith on February 4, 2003, at 17:59:41
I stopped because I was tired of scrutinizing everything I put in my mouth when I went to friends and relatives homes or restaurants. Plus the ignorance of other docs about these med's is astounding - you have to put up with doc's not knowing how to treat you for other things and then discouraging you from using it. Whe I had a h/t crisis and the EMT's came to my house to take me to the hospital, they didn't understand what my problem was. Although my neighbor, a RN, and both me and my husband repeated it to them several times. They wanted to treat me for an allergic reaction to an ingested food and inject me with adrenalin, or whatever it is they use!
I feel however, that both drugs are very worthwhile and had I not used them I would never believe that a drug could truly treat my problem. They have been the standard by which I've held all other med's and none have measured up - yet.
Getting off of them wasn't so terrible for me, however I do not suffer from depression. I took myself off of it (no doctor involved) and did it slowly over the course of a few weeks. It did cause nightmares and depression, however I never missed a day of work and continued about my life.
I found Parnate was just as effective as Nardil with few if any negative side effects, most of the s/e's were quite positive.
Good Luck
Posted by djmmm on February 5, 2003, at 8:28:29
In reply to Re: Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate? » djmmm, posted by ace on February 4, 2003, at 22:26:14
I've been on Parnate since the last week of November. The only noticable difference is mild stimulation and the fact that I have NO sexual problems....and that I have to take it 2x a day...other than that, I have noticed that I dont need to take inderal to control a mild familial tremor in my hand, maybe the Nardil exacerbated it?
Posted by sjb on February 5, 2003, at 9:21:09
In reply to Re: Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate?, posted by likelife on February 5, 2003, at 1:26:49
I had the weight gain, too, but not the acne. Had terrible insomnia the first week, was cold a lot and seem to have delayed reaction, perception problems (driving was scary). Also, had trouble working out at gym and was very sleepy everday at 4pm. Didn't have any problems with the food restrictions, however, and cheated like mad.
Posted by AffectsHer on February 5, 2003, at 10:26:49
In reply to Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate?, posted by Jack Smith on February 4, 2003, at 17:59:41
Not sure if you have disucssed Manerix/Moclobemide with your doctor. A newer MAOI (actually called a RIMA--reversible inhibitor of monoamine.) NO sexual dysfuntion and LESS chance of tyramine interaction/hypertensive crisis. I've heard lots of good things but we're all different and have equally infinite responses to these crazy meds.
I'm just starting it as I needed to get off Effexor and supposedly the MAOIs are grand things for my diagnosis: Atypical Depression.
A friend got off Parnate as it didn't seem to be doing the trick for him, with or without stimlants for his ADD...ironically he's now back on Effexor after many years.
Strange world, but I just wanted to throw my Manerix suggestion into the ring as it seems to be a much safer and tolerable/pleasant drug.
Good luck,
K.
Posted by Jack Smith on February 5, 2003, at 10:44:56
In reply to Re: Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate?, posted by likelife on February 5, 2003, at 1:26:49
> I've since been on a tricyclic for over a year and it's been like a wonder drug for me. Better than the MAOI and leagues ahead of the SSRI's.
>
> Best of luck to you, whatever you end up with...Which TCA?? Just curious, I don't think I am going to try TCA's as I have a major anxiety component to my depression and I have heard that TCA's don't help that too much.
Posted by Jack Smith on February 5, 2003, at 10:48:10
In reply to Re: Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate?, posted by AffectsHer on February 5, 2003, at 10:26:49
> Not sure if you have disucssed Manerix/Moclobemide with your doctor.
I would definitely consider Manerix except for one problem--it is not available in the US and probably never will be. . . .
Posted by Jack Smith on February 5, 2003, at 10:49:52
In reply to Who has STOPPED taking Nardil or Parnate?, posted by Jack Smith on February 4, 2003, at 17:59:41
I have heard that Parnate has higher incidences of inducing hypertensive crises? Does anyone know if that's true. Also, are there people out there who haven't had a h/t crisis at all on these drugs?
Jack
P.S. Thanks for all the responses.
Posted by ZeeZee on February 5, 2003, at 11:02:11
In reply to H/T crises--which is worse, P or N?, posted by Jack Smith on February 5, 2003, at 10:49:52
Yes, Parnate is the greater offender when it comes to hypertensive crisis and even spiking of blood pressure in the absence of a tyramine laden food source.
See: http://www.org/Providers/Conferences/CPS/19.html
Posted by cosis on February 5, 2003, at 12:42:45
In reply to H/T crises--which is worse, P or N?, posted by Jack Smith on February 5, 2003, at 10:49:52
> I have heard that Parnate has higher incidences of inducing hypertensive crises? Does anyone know if that's true. Also, are there people out there who haven't had a h/t crisis at all on these drugs?
>
> Jack
>
> P.S. Thanks for all the responses.
Many people do not have H/T crisis while using MAO's. Much information on the internet and in books will tell you it is rare aslong as you stick to the diet (which isn't hard).Fortunately when I have cheated the diet a few times I never had an episode or headache. Your doctor can prescribe you a pill to lower your blood pressure if you ever did have a crisis. I am going to ask mine about it next time I visit him.
good luck
Posted by djmmm on February 5, 2003, at 13:14:30
In reply to H/T crises--which is worse, P or N?, posted by Jack Smith on February 5, 2003, at 10:49:52
> I have heard that Parnate has higher incidences of inducing hypertensive crises? Does anyone know if that's true. Also, are there people out there who haven't had a h/t crisis at all on these drugs?
>
> Jack
>
> P.S. Thanks for all the responses.Actually, Phenelzine (Nardil) has a slightly higher rate of hypertensive crisis, but Parnate, on average, causes more hypertension than Nardil(go figure)... I have *never* had a Hypertensive Reaction to any food, alcohol, or medication (pseudofed, nasal sprays, etc)...and Ive been taking a MAOI for about 3 years.
Posted by kara lynne on February 5, 2003, at 13:34:34
In reply to Manerix--AffectsHer, posted by Jack Smith on February 5, 2003, at 10:48:10
Of course everyone is different, but you might want to read a few posts from people who have tried Moclobemide/Manerix before you try it (it seems to be pretty easy to get in that way I'm not supposed to talk about). Last time I saw my doctor he said there might just be a good reason for it not becoming legal in the US; they're finding it just isn't as effective as the classic MAOI's. There are posts right now from someone having a helluva time coming off the stuff. Maybe it works for some, but I really didn't like it at all.
Posted by smslade1 on February 5, 2003, at 23:34:01
In reply to Re: H/T crises--which is worse, P or N?, posted by djmmm on February 5, 2003, at 13:14:30
My mother has been on Nardil for years and has never had a hypertensive crisis. She is careful about which foods she eats, but not obsessively careful. She has strayed from the diet, but has not had any problems.
She does need major surgery coming up and has to go off of it. A psychiatrist prescribed Lithium while she is weaning herself off Nardil. She ended up showing symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome. Does anyone know anything about this?
Posted by cybercafe on February 6, 2003, at 0:15:57
In reply to Re: Who has STOPPED taking Parnate--cybercaffe, posted by Jack Smith on February 4, 2003, at 20:42:21
> Had you tried nardil before it? What were your parnate side effects. I am still deciding between the two.
my doc said he didnt prescribe nardil cause of the side effects
parnate gave me increased energy, decreased appetite, increased libido, increased concentration and relieved my depression
shit, i'm starting to regret switching to ritalin :(
damn this rebound depression
Posted by ace on February 6, 2003, at 0:17:37
In reply to Re: H/T crises--which is worse, P or N?, posted by djmmm on February 5, 2003, at 13:14:30
> > I have heard that Parnate has higher incidences of inducing hypertensive crises? Does anyone know if that's true. Also, are there people out there who haven't had a h/t crisis at all on these drugs?
> >
> > Jack
> >
> > P.S. Thanks for all the responses.
>
> Actually, Phenelzine (Nardil) has a slightly higher rate of hypertensive crisis, but Parnate, on average, causes more hypertension than Nardil(go figure)... I have *never* had a Hypertensive Reaction to any food, alcohol, or medication (pseudofed, nasal sprays, etc)...and Ive been taking a MAOI for about 3 years.Interesting....I have noticed spontaneous rises in my bp on Nardil without eating offending foods. Would THIS be less likely to happen on Tranylcypromine?
Posted by cybercafe on February 6, 2003, at 0:22:16
In reply to H/T crises--which is worse, P or N?, posted by Jack Smith on February 5, 2003, at 10:49:52
> I have heard that Parnate has higher incidences of inducing hypertensive crises? Does anyone know if that's true. Also, are there people out there who haven't had a h/t crisis at all on these drugs?
>
> Jack
>
> P.S. Thanks for all the responses.yes i hear parnate has a higher incidence of h/t crises
i never had one, and ate cheese from fast food restaurants all the time
Posted by likelife on February 6, 2003, at 0:25:00
In reply to Re: Who has STOPPED--like life, posted by Jack Smith on February 5, 2003, at 10:44:56
I take 200 mg/day desipramine, along with some ritalin for energy and trazodone for sleep. I'm not sure about TCA's and anxiety. For a little while I supplemented with klonopin, but found I was eventually able to anticipate the anxiety and ward it off w/o the klonopin (it was never a major concern for me).
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