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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by DoYouKnowHim? on July 24, 2005, at 3:09:58
Thinking about taking it. Was wondering if you could share your experiences.
Posted by SLS on July 24, 2005, at 6:13:46
In reply to What is the worst side effect from Nardil? HELP, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on July 24, 2005, at 3:09:58
Edema is one side effect that sometimes prevents people from continuing with Nardil. Severe hypotension is another. I would say that the inability to urinate (delayed micturition) is right up there. I don't know what can be done with the edema, but if Nardil works well for your mental illness, you can remediate the hypotension with Florinef and the micturition with bethanacol.
- Scott
Posted by ed_uk on July 24, 2005, at 6:40:44
In reply to Re: What is the worst side effect from Nardil? HELP » DoYouKnowHim?, posted by SLS on July 24, 2005, at 6:13:46
Hi Scott,
>Florinef
The problem is, Florinef can cause edema!
~Ed
Posted by SLS on July 24, 2005, at 9:45:00
In reply to Re: What is the worst side effect from Nardil? HELP » SLS, posted by ed_uk on July 24, 2005, at 6:40:44
> Hi Scott,
>
> >Florinef
>
> The problem is, Florinef can cause edema!
>
> ~EdI know. That is quite a quandry. I guess it wouldn't be right for someone who already has edema, but I know it is used frequently when low-blood pressure occurs in the absence of edema.
- Scott
Posted by DoYouKnowHim? on July 24, 2005, at 11:53:45
In reply to Re: What is the worst side effect from Nardil? HELP, posted by SLS on July 24, 2005, at 9:45:00
how common are those side effects in someone?
Posted by SLS on July 24, 2005, at 12:11:38
In reply to Re: Are the side effects worth it? SLS, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on July 24, 2005, at 11:53:45
> how common are those side effects in someone?
I don't have statistics to report to you.
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic2/phenelzine_ad.htm
From what I have seen here on Psycho-Babble, edema is not as common as low blood pressure. However, it seems to be a side effect that more often results in discontinuation. If low blood pressure is not an issue, perhaps diuretics would be helpful, I don't know. I haven't looked into it deeply enough.Low blood-pressure is common. It usually appears as orthostatic hypotension, where a brief period of low blood pressure and dizziness occur immediately after standing up from a sitting or lying position. However, for others, the hypotension is more chronic and not limited to orthostatic. When this becomes a problem, Florinef, a corticosteroid, can help.
- Scott
Posted by gardenergirl on July 24, 2005, at 13:57:55
In reply to Re: What is the worst side effect from Nardil? HELP » DoYouKnowHim?, posted by SLS on July 24, 2005, at 6:13:46
For me, edema is one of the most distressing side effects. I occasionally take Lasix, a diuretic to combat it. Unfortunately, I am also prone to edema when taking anti-inflammatories, as I currently am for a foot injury. So between the two, I have had a lot of edema lately. It's a pain to have to keep elevating my feet above my heart.
Another distressing side effect for me is weight gain. I've gained fifty pounds since I started Nardil two years ago. For a long time I was willing to trade weight gain for relief from depression, but now I'm getting tired of being this size, plus I'm concerned for my overall health. It's time to start working off some of this weight, and if Nardil interferes with that, I may need to try to lower the dose or look for a change.
That said, Nardil is the only AD that has ever had a significant effect for me. And that can't be overlooked.
gg
Posted by ace on July 24, 2005, at 22:20:22
In reply to What is the worst side effect from Nardil? HELP, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on July 24, 2005, at 3:09:58
> Thinking about taking it. Was wondering if you could share your experiences.
After it kicks in, just the anorgasmia, and weight gain....
Posted by johnb11 on July 24, 2005, at 22:20:49
In reply to What is the worst side effect from Nardil? HELP, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on July 24, 2005, at 3:09:58
For me, the side effects depended on the dosage. At 90 mg/day, it gave me what is referred to as orthostatic hypotension. It lowered my blood pressure to the point that I felt faint when standing up, playing tennis, etc. Also had weight gain and complete sexual dysfunction.
At 60 mg/day, started to gain quite a bit of weight (20 lbs), in addition to having complete sexual dysfunction (loss of libido, inability to achieve orgasm, etc.)
At 45 mg/day, just experiencing sexual dysfunction. Interesting that it hasn't caused the weight gain. My pdoc said the 60 mg/day would be more likely to slow down my metabolism as well as increase carbohydrate cravings, over the lower dose.
Think I need to investigate dropping to maintenance dose of 30 mg/day to see if the sexual dysfunction will go away.
Posted by Bill LL on July 26, 2005, at 9:38:52
In reply to Re: What is the worst side effect from Nardil? HELP, posted by gardenergirl on July 24, 2005, at 13:57:55
To combat the weight gain, do you think that adding a long acting stimulant such as Concerta might work? Or maybe Wellbutrin?
> For me, edema is one of the most distressing side effects. I occasionally take Lasix, a diuretic to combat it. Unfortunately, I am also prone to edema when taking anti-inflammatories, as I currently am for a foot injury. So between the two, I have had a lot of edema lately. It's a pain to have to keep elevating my feet above my heart.
>
> Another distressing side effect for me is weight gain. I've gained fifty pounds since I started Nardil two years ago. For a long time I was willing to trade weight gain for relief from depression, but now I'm getting tired of being this size, plus I'm concerned for my overall health. It's time to start working off some of this weight, and if Nardil interferes with that, I may need to try to lower the dose or look for a change.
>
> That said, Nardil is the only AD that has ever had a significant effect for me. And that can't be overlooked.
>
> gg
Posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2005, at 14:09:39
In reply to Re: to gardengirl, posted by Bill LL on July 26, 2005, at 9:38:52
I've wondered that, but I doubt my pdoc would feel comfortable using a stimulant with an MAOI. I know some folks believe that is contraindicated. I did try Topamax, but it made me more depressed. My resource also lists Wellbutrin as contraindicated with an MAOI.
But thanks for the suggestions. What I really need to do is to get off my rear end and exercise more.
gg
Posted by ed_uk on July 26, 2005, at 15:05:28
In reply to Re: to gardengirl » Bill LL, posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2005, at 14:09:39
Hi gg!
>My resource also lists Wellbutrin as contraindicated with an MAOI.
........it's the manufacturer's suggestion. They're just covering their backs!
~Ed
Posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2005, at 17:21:41
In reply to Re: to gardengirl » gardenergirl, posted by ed_uk on July 26, 2005, at 15:05:28
I did take Wellbutrin when I was also on Celexa. I didn't have much of an appetite suppression then, so I guess I also just don't think of that as helping me with weight issues.
But I know it does have that effect for others.
gg
Posted by Smith562 on July 26, 2005, at 21:50:27
In reply to What is the worst side effect from Nardil? HELP, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on July 24, 2005, at 3:09:58
Hey Do,
I have taken nardil on and off for 5 years. My side effects were ...
1. Weight gain 30 lbs
2. Sexual Dysfunction
3. Severe Insomnia
4. Memory Difficulties
5. Mild leg edemaOn the flipside, I was very outgoing and social. I still am not sure if I get mildly hypomanic on nardil (increased socialiblity, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts) ... or maybe if *everyone* get mildly hypomanic on nardil (many people report insomnia, increased sociablity, memory problems-racing thoughts on nardil). The first MAOI was a iproniazid, also used for tuberculosis .... doctors noted that patients who took iproniazid were "dancing in the streets" and thus tried it as an antidepressant. Dancing in the streets ... slightly hypomanic? I don't know
Smith
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