Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by quiet_one on October 19, 2005, at 5:12:04
I have been on all the SSRI's, SNRI's, and a few TCA's with no success. I am very sensitive to meds, so half of them I didn't last longer than a day due to severe side effects (usually bad insomnia and dizzyness).
I have been thinking about trying nardil for a while now. I also have social phobia, so I thought nardil would be best in treatment resistant depression + social phobia. However, being as sensitive as I am to drugs, am I likely to suffer bad side effects from it? Is insomnia usually one of them, or is that more common in parnate?
I am from australia and i'm unsure if its still on the PBS? Anyone here from australia on it and know? Whats this I hear about the "new" nardil? Is there a choice between going on the "old" or "new" nardil, or is it all the new one now? If so is it just as effective as the old one?
I heard that it works quicker than the SSRI's, is this true?
Finally, how bad are the food restrictions? Can you eat processed cheese commonly found in mcdonalds burgers etc? Or would this be too risky? Is it possible to carry around a med that lowers blood pressure, to use as an "antidote" should a hypertensive crisis occur?
I feel as though i've tried everything, so i'm hoping if I tried this it will work. What are my chances?
Posted by tecknohed on October 19, 2005, at 10:24:09
In reply to Should I try nardil? some questions, posted by quiet_one on October 19, 2005, at 5:12:04
Hi
> I have been thinking about trying nardil for a while now. I also have social phobia, so I thought nardil would be best in treatment resistant depression + social phobia. However, being as sensitive as I am to drugs, am I likely to suffer bad side effects from it? Is insomnia usually one of them, or is that more common in parnate?
You are indeed likely to experience side effects to a certain extent on Nardil. These can include sexual problems (anorgasmia), dizzeness from hypotension, tiredness (esp. with ongoing treatment), constipation & urine retention.
Insomnia is less common than with Parnate but can happen in some, esp at start of treatment.
The trick is to start Nardil low (15mg) and increase very slowly, that way the side effects will also appear gradually making it easier to adjust to them.> I am from australia and i'm unsure if its still on the PBS? Anyone here from australia on it and know?
One poster here called ACE is from Australia and also on Nardil. Heres a recent post of his (hope you dont mind ACE!):
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051017/msgs/568751.html>Whats this I hear about the "new" nardil? Is there a choice between going on the "old" or "new" nardil, or is it all the new one now? If so is it just as effective as the old one?
Dont think this applies to Australia (?)
> I heard that it works quicker than the SSRI's, is this true?
No hard fast rule - varies between individuals.
> Finally, how bad are the food restrictions? Can you eat processed cheese commonly found in mcdonalds burgers etc? Or would this be too risky?Personally, I find the food restrictions insignificant compared to its great theraputic power. SP & Depression, or give up the cheese? - not a hard decision really! Saying that, 'processed' cheese is said to be ok.
>Is it possible to carry around a med that lowers blood pressure, to use as an "antidote" should a hypertensive crisis occur?
Yes, nifedipine. There are a few others too I think. Dont know if there are any risks invoved.> I feel as though i've tried everything, so i'm hoping if I tried this it will work. What are my chances?
Good I would say! Like you, I've tried most other AD meds without success. I've been on Nardil 2 years for SP/Depression/OCD and it works great. It does have problems but these can be worked around. Most of Nardil's side effects fade away with time - any that are either too troublesome, or that dont fade away can be zapped with additional meds (I take modafinil for my 'Nardil induced' tiredness and it works great!). Decreased efficiacy can be dealt with through dose adjustment/augmentation.
There may still be other meds/combos that you could still try before going the MAOI route. Otherwise I would say its worth a try - go for it!
teck.
Posted by Declan on October 19, 2005, at 16:09:34
In reply to Should I try nardil? some questions, posted by quiet_one on October 19, 2005, at 5:12:04
Hi Quiet_one, whereabouts do you live here?
Declan
Posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2005, at 19:19:26
In reply to Re: Should I try nardil? some questions, posted by Declan on October 19, 2005, at 16:09:34
My pdoc said today she knows of another pdoc using nardil an lamictal. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by ace on October 20, 2005, at 3:02:00
In reply to Should I try nardil? some questions, posted by quiet_one on October 19, 2005, at 5:12:04
> I have been on all the SSRI's, SNRI's, and a few TCA's with no success. I am very sensitive to meds, so half of them I didn't last longer than a day due to severe side effects (usually bad insomnia and dizzyness).
>
> I have been thinking about trying nardil for a while now. I also have social phobia, so I thought nardil would be best in treatment resistant depression + social phobia.Your finally on to something!!! Nardil is the bomb!
However, being as sensitive as I am to drugs, am I likely to suffer bad side effects from it?
Yes. Especially at start of therapy. I recommend usage of other meds to stope s/effects.
Is insomnia usually one of them, or is that more common in parnate?
More common in Parnate, but is known to effect nardil users. personally, Nardil induces a lovely sleep for me.
>
> I am from australia and i'm unsure if its still on the PBS? Anyone here from australia on it and know?It was taken off and it is NOW BACK ON THE PBS. Go for it! Its 4.60 for 100 pills with a healthcare card.
Whats this I hear about the "new" nardil? Is there a choice between going on the "old" or "new" nardil, or is it all the new one now? If so is it just as effective as the old one?
Don't worry...Australian Nardil is fine. Yiou will get it from Link.
>
> I heard that it works quicker than the SSRI's, is this true?No. Sometimes longer. Give it a good 8 weeks. 6 weeks at 60mg, then go to 90mg.
>
> Finally, how bad are the food restrictions? Can you eat processed cheese commonly found in mcdonalds burgers etc? Or would this be too risky? Is it possible to carry around a med that lowers blood pressure, to use as an "antidote" should a hypertensive crisis occur?I ignore all restrictions, but i'm a bad boy. Nifedipine or Thorazine are both antidotes. The restrictions make me laugh!
>
> I feel as though i've tried everything, so i'm hoping if I tried this it will work. What are my chances?Very very very good. But treat it with respect- take it same time every day, and nebver ever miss a dose. be mature. And ask me more if need be!
Ace
Posted by ace on October 20, 2005, at 3:02:56
In reply to Re: Should I try nardil? some questions » quiet_one, posted by tecknohed on October 19, 2005, at 10:24:09
> Hi
>
> > I have been thinking about trying nardil for a while now. I also have social phobia, so I thought nardil would be best in treatment resistant depression + social phobia. However, being as sensitive as I am to drugs, am I likely to suffer bad side effects from it? Is insomnia usually one of them, or is that more common in parnate?
>
> You are indeed likely to experience side effects to a certain extent on Nardil. These can include sexual problems (anorgasmia), dizzeness from hypotension, tiredness (esp. with ongoing treatment), constipation & urine retention.
> Insomnia is less common than with Parnate but can happen in some, esp at start of treatment.
> The trick is to start Nardil low (15mg) and increase very slowly, that way the side effects will also appear gradually making it easier to adjust to them.
>
> > I am from australia and i'm unsure if its still on the PBS? Anyone here from australia on it and know?
>
> One poster here called ACE is from Australia and also on Nardil. Heres a recent post of his (hope you dont mind ACE!):I'll forgive you this time, he he!!!! Just kidding bro!
Ace
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051017/msgs/568751.html
>
> >Whats this I hear about the "new" nardil? Is there a choice between going on the "old" or "new" nardil, or is it all the new one now? If so is it just as effective as the old one?
>
> Dont think this applies to Australia (?)
>
> > I heard that it works quicker than the SSRI's, is this true?
>
> No hard fast rule - varies between individuals.
>
> > Finally, how bad are the food restrictions? Can you eat processed cheese commonly found in mcdonalds burgers etc? Or would this be too risky?
>
> Personally, I find the food restrictions insignificant compared to its great theraputic power. SP & Depression, or give up the cheese? - not a hard decision really! Saying that, 'processed' cheese is said to be ok.
>
> >Is it possible to carry around a med that lowers blood pressure, to use as an "antidote" should a hypertensive crisis occur?
>
> Yes, nifedipine. There are a few others too I think. Dont know if there are any risks invoved.
>
> > I feel as though i've tried everything, so i'm hoping if I tried this it will work. What are my chances?
>
> Good I would say! Like you, I've tried most other AD meds without success. I've been on Nardil 2 years for SP/Depression/OCD and it works great. It does have problems but these can be worked around. Most of Nardil's side effects fade away with time - any that are either too troublesome, or that dont fade away can be zapped with additional meds (I take modafinil for my 'Nardil induced' tiredness and it works great!). Decreased efficiacy can be dealt with through dose adjustment/augmentation.
>
> There may still be other meds/combos that you could still try before going the MAOI route. Otherwise I would say its worth a try - go for it!
>
> teck.
Posted by quiet_one on October 20, 2005, at 6:24:49
In reply to Re: Should I try nardil? some questions » quiet_one, posted by ace on October 20, 2005, at 3:02:00
So how long did nardil take to work for you? What dose did you start on and for how long? Given my current sensitivity to meds I think i'll only start on 15mg for a while.
Originally how bad were the side effects to tolerate at first? What side effects did you experience?
I find it strange how the price of nardil isn't subsidised by the PBS unless you have a healthcare card. So the difference is $4.60 or something like $50 - 60 for a bottle of 100.
I am rather scared of taking it so i'm starting to think twice. I have heard you are the "nardil king" so maybe you could inspire me of your success?
Posted by CK1 on October 22, 2005, at 18:06:42
In reply to Re: Should I try nardil? some questions, posted by quiet_one on October 20, 2005, at 6:24:49
Hey,
Yea, start at 15mg for a week then go to 30 for a week then 45 and so on.
Seriously, the side effects are not bad at all. Even less than SSRI's for me, which is kind of strange! The first few days, you'll notice you'll be a little dizzy at times. When you bump up to 30mg, you might get tired or feel slightly nauseous for little 5 minute periods and then it goes away. Sex drive will go down, but you can't complain about this since all of these meds effect it.
The diet is very easy. No pickled herring, aged cheese (swiss or cheddar), red wine, tap beer. I wouldn't worry about hypertensive crisis *too* much.
What are you scared of? The side effects? Weight gain? Risk of HC?You'll be fine...don't put too much thought into it. Start low and slow......and go :)
This board is full or Nardil users who will be happy to give you advice. Babble Tecknohed -- he's a Nardil user and a cool guy with great advice. He loves to help out us Nardil newbies!
This is the end of the thread.
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