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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by denise528 on April 3, 2003, at 7:52:29
Hi,
My psychiatrist has prescribed me Nardil, I've just got the prescription and was ready to start taking it but the literature that comes with it says that I can't eat any of the restricted foods within 14 days of taking Nardil. Does this mean I have to wait another 14 days before I can start taking it?
Denise
Posted by djmmm on April 3, 2003, at 10:55:12
In reply to Nardil Question, posted by denise528 on April 3, 2003, at 7:52:29
No...just be sure that you haven't taken any other meds like sudafed, or any other similar allergy medication.
Unless you have just eaten a pound of Blue cheese, and munched on some old lunch meat, you should be fine.
The food list appears extensive, but in reality, you should only avoid a few things, most of which are medications.
The food list is extensive for safety reasons, it must include ALL food containing tyramine, and natural sources of dopamine.
Again, in real life situations, the portion, or amount of food (that contains tyramine) is almost always lower than amount that would cause a hypertensive reaction (different than hypertensive crisis, which are rare and require medical intervention)
Here's a good link about MAOIs, food and tyramine content
http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/psychiatry/CPS/19.html
Posted by Jonathan on April 3, 2003, at 22:29:21
In reply to Nardil Question, posted by denise528 on April 3, 2003, at 7:52:29
> My psychiatrist has prescribed me Nardil
... on persuading a UK psychiatrist to prescribe an irreversible MAOI. How did you do it? Is (s)he your NHS psychiatrist or did you have to go private?
I hope it works well for you.
Posted by denise528 on April 4, 2003, at 3:59:18
In reply to Re: Nardil Question, posted by djmmm on April 3, 2003, at 10:55:12
Hi,
Thanks for that, it's really helpful. Still dithering about whether or not to start taking them today, my Mum will go mad if I do, she was in hysterics yesterday after reading the literature.
Do you know if it would be ok to have the ocassional bacardi/vodka and coke with these drugs, also whatabout Zyprexa?
Denise
Posted by denise528 on April 4, 2003, at 4:23:33
In reply to Congratulations ... » denise528, posted by Jonathan on April 3, 2003, at 22:29:21
Jonathan,
I've been seeing a psychiatrist privately for over a year now who wouldn't prescribe it. Went for a consultation with another private psychiatrist who said he would so I am now under his care. I'm feeling pretty negative about Nardil working, well I'm feeling really negative generally, a symptom of this illness I suppose. I had to take 10mg Zyprexa yesterday because I was getting anxious about having to wait 14 days to start taking 45mg of Nardil. That would have been 14 days on nothing, then another 14 days on 45mg and then possibly 10 weeks on 90mg, which is 14 weeks taking me up to July, then if it didn't work then I'm back in the same boat, only my options would have dwindled to nothing. Anyway, as I said took 10mg of Zyprexa yesterday and am feeling a lot better today, I really hate being like this.
Denise
Posted by djmmm on April 4, 2003, at 9:39:03
In reply to Re: To djmmm, posted by denise528 on April 4, 2003, at 3:59:18
> Hi,
>
> Thanks for that, it's really helpful. Still dithering about whether or not to start taking them today, my Mum will go mad if I do, she was in hysterics yesterday after reading the literature.
>
> Do you know if it would be ok to have the ocassional bacardi/vodka and coke with these drugs, also whatabout Zyprexa?
>
>
> DeniseForm personal experience ONLY, I would say it is safe to consume moderate amounts of alcohol (Rum, Vodka, etc). Stay away from Sherry, and tap beer (although I have never had a problem with either.)
currently the updated list is:
Aged cheese
• Aged or cured meats (e.g., air-dried sausage)
• Any potentially spoiled meat, poultry, or fish
• Broad (fava) bean pods
• Marmite concentrated yeast extract
• Sauerkraut
• Soy sauce and soy bean condiments
• Tap beer"... Because many of the items in lists of foods to avoid are not based on scientific evidence, a recent review systematically evaluated the literature to formulate an MAOI diet which was practical for patients to adhere to. The restriction of all aged cheeses is recommended since it has been documented that many of these cheeses have dangerously high levels of tyramine. As well, any dishes made with these cheeses (e.g., lasagna or pizza) are to be avoided. However, fresh cottage cheese, cream cheese, ricotta and processed cheese contain little or no tyramine. It is also recommended that fermented or dry sausage (e.g., pepperoni, salami, mortadella) be avoided."
"Sauerkraut and marmite concentrated yeast extract have an extremely high tyramine content per serving and need to be avoided. Other yeast extracts such as brewer's yeast are considered safe. Soy sauce and other soybean preparations may contain high tyramine levels, whereas soy milk has low levels in a normal serving. Other foods to be avoided include fava or broad bean pods (not beans) and banana peel. Restriction of banana pulp, peanuts, chocolate, avocados and raspberries is UNNECESSARY. Because of the high levels of tyramine found in an analysis of tap beer, all tap beers should be avoided. Other than this absolute restriction, domestic bottled or canned beers (including non-alcoholic beers) and red or white wines are permissible; however, daily intake should be limited to two servings (e.g., one wine serving = 125 mL glass)."http://www.pharmacyconnects.com/content/phpractice/1996/06-96/f22_features.html
*The cheese used for "fast-food" chain Pizza is FINE..and has been removed form the list.
Posted by Matt Miklos on April 4, 2003, at 11:17:42
In reply to Re: To Jonathan..., posted by denise528 on April 4, 2003, at 4:23:33
Hey you... Stick with the Nardil if you can! I know it's hard... I was in the same boat as you about 3 months ago, but boy am I glad I stuck it out! I feel SO MUCH better! I've been on just about every med in the book, and various combinations, and nothing has ever worked nearly as well as Nardil. The diet is not that hard to stick to, and I would even eat only plain rice every day to feel this much better! Good Luck :)
Posted by Jack Smith on April 4, 2003, at 11:54:37
In reply to Re: To djmmm, posted by denise528 on April 4, 2003, at 3:59:18
Denise,
Go to this site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/maois
Then go the links section and there are links to the most up to date diet lists. Also, if you want, there are several people quite experienced with Nardil and Parnate who could answer any specific questions you have there.
Good Luck and I think Nardil will work for you.
Jack
Posted by denise528 on April 5, 2003, at 7:32:13
In reply to Some Help » denise528, posted by Jack Smith on April 4, 2003, at 11:54:37
Hi,
Thanks to all of you for responding. How long does it take to work approx and at what dose? In the past I was so used to drugs working within a few days so now it's difficult to be patient. How long do you thing I should give them and at what dose. If these don't work then I'm going to start thinking TMS, ECT or VNS but even they aren't a sure thing are they.
Years ago when Antidepressants used to work so quickly and so well, I automatically assumed that they worked that way for everyone, I didn't realise there was such a thing as "treatment resistant depression", the drugs worked so miraculously well I always imagined I would never have to go down there again because the drugs were a sure thing. When I heard stories of people getting suicidal on SSRIs I sort of thought maybe they were at fault, that they weren't giving the drugs a chance or that they may have other issues in their lives that were stopping the drugs from working. Now I know that not to be the case.
I started taking 45mg of Nardil yesterday and so far they feel pretty much like taking an SSRI, initial drowsiness not much else.
Denise
This is the end of the thread.
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