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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by laima on January 4, 2007, at 16:10:10
Can anyone describe how parnate compares to selegeline (Emsam or oral) and how it compares to stimulants (such as ritalin, adderall)?
I'm at a point where my doctor wants to discuss whether or not Emsam is doing enough for me- and I really don't know. It's "ok" and sometimes a bit better than ok- but only when augmented with a stimulant. Otherwise I am very deflated, lethargic, and unmotivated. Low blood pressure, attention issues. When I went up on Emsam, my blood pressure sank to untolerably low levels, and my dose was quickly brought down. Even with a low dose of a stimulant- I vary and am not unfamiliar with these sorts of symptoms, in particular the unmotivation. I either need to go up on stimulants (and I don't know how high I can do that in conjunction with an MAOI), or try a new strategy, and parnate has come up before as a possibility. Official diagnosis includes atypical depression, attention deficit.
Thanks for any input.
Posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:18:57
In reply to How does parnate compare?, posted by laima on January 4, 2007, at 16:10:10
For me, Parnate was a much stronger antidepressant, but the side effects (particularly the insomnia, and severe afternoon fatigue) were too much to continue with the drug. EMSAM really didn't do much of anything for me, and i was on the Max. dose..but everyone's different.
-Monte
Posted by laima on January 4, 2007, at 21:54:09
In reply to Re: How does parnate compare? » laima, posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:18:57
Thanks, Monte.It gave you afternoon fatigue AND insomnia though?
I've actually heard that selegeline is overall kind of weak as an antidepressent. How strange that they chose IT to develop into a patch.
> For me, Parnate was a much stronger antidepressant, but the side effects (particularly the insomnia, and severe afternoon fatigue) were too much to continue with the drug. EMSAM really didn't do much of anything for me, and i was on the Max. dose..but everyone's different.
>
> -Monte
Posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2007, at 21:55:22
In reply to Re: How does parnate compare? » laima, posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:18:57
I know one babbler on max dose that is doing fabulously on EMSAM. Doesn't post much. Maybe she's reading and will answer. Don't think ADD is a problem though. Love Phillipa
Posted by laima on January 4, 2007, at 22:01:08
In reply to Re: How does parnate compare?, posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2007, at 21:55:22
Thanks Phillipa- I wish I could tolerate a higher dose to try myself. But I see my doctor tomorrow, I'll see what he says. Though what- up the Emsam, keep upping stimulants to compensate for lowering blood pressure? That seems odd. (What if it's just the stimulants I'm responding to?!) And I wish it was a bit more potent as an antidepressent- I remember when I first took prozac how dramatically potent that was. When I first tried ritalin, how potent of a mood improver it was. It seems I deserve better than "ho-hum" with occasional "ok"s or dips.
> I know one babbler on max dose that is doing fabulously on EMSAM. Doesn't post much. Maybe she's reading and will answer. Don't think ADD is a problem though. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2007, at 23:05:11
In reply to Re: How does parnate compare? » Phillipa, posted by laima on January 4, 2007, at 22:01:08
Well maybe then another ad? Love Phillipa post what the doc says tomorrow.
Posted by NYCguy on January 5, 2007, at 9:09:59
In reply to Re: How does parnate compare? » laima, posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:18:57
How long was your run on Parnate and did you get any relief from the depressionwhile you were taking it? Did is cause weight gain?
> For me, Parnate was a much stronger antidepressant, but the side effects (particularly the insomnia, and severe afternoon fatigue) were too much to continue with the drug. EMSAM really didn't do much of anything for me, and i was on the Max. dose..but everyone's different.
>
> -Monte
Posted by Crazy Horse on January 5, 2007, at 10:43:03
In reply to Re: How does parnate compare? » Crazy Horse, posted by NYCguy on January 5, 2007, at 9:09:59
> How long was your run on Parnate and did you get any relief from the depressionwhile you were taking it? Did is cause weight gain?
>
>I was on Parnate for 4 mos. Yes, it did relieve my Depression, but the insomnia and SEVERE debilitating afternoon fatigue was ruining my life, it was just too much, so i went off. It's too bad, because as far as relieving the depression, for me nothing has been better, however, so far, this light therapy is just as good (for me) and without any side effects.
-Monte
Posted by Quintal on January 5, 2007, at 19:26:01
In reply to How does parnate compare?, posted by laima on January 4, 2007, at 16:10:10
>Can anyone describe how parnate compares to selegeline (Emsam or oral) and how it compares to stimulants (such as ritalin, adderall)?
Parnate was a much stronger stimulant than oral selegiline for me. Selegiline made me feel 'raw' and overexposed somehow but, at high doses (80-120mg) Parnate gave me a euphoric high similar to cocaine.
Blood pressure usually increases after each dose and drops as it wears off. This seemed to be one of the factors in the notorious 'afternoon slump' in my case. You can avoid the this by taking another dose around 3:00PM. Parnate did not aggravate my insomnia, but I was also taking 4mg Klonopin with it and the sedation from that seemed to help me sleep at night once the stimulant effect of Parnate wore off. An upper/downer combo.
There is info on the possible amphetamine metabolites which may help the ADHD on this thread as you may have seen:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070101/msgs/719159.htmlQ
Posted by laima on January 5, 2007, at 22:59:12
In reply to Re: How does parnate compare? » laima, posted by Quintal on January 5, 2007, at 19:26:01
Thanks Quintal and everyone. I won't be switching to parnate right now, as it turns out- but it does still seem to be a possibility for the future. I told my doctor today that I am unsure if Emsam is helping so much anymore, and he said, "It might not be doing as much anymore- you've been on selegeline for a year". I mentioned that I felt like adderall was what was keeping me most afloat, so he increased it. That was today's one change. (One change at a time.) To be continued.
Posted by willyee on January 6, 2007, at 9:22:52
In reply to How does parnate compare?, posted by laima on January 4, 2007, at 16:10:10
> Can anyone describe how parnate compares to selegeline (Emsam or oral) and how it compares to stimulants (such as ritalin, adderall)?
>
> I'm at a point where my doctor wants to discuss whether or not Emsam is doing enough for me- and I really don't know. It's "ok" and sometimes a bit better than ok- but only when augmented with a stimulant. Otherwise I am very deflated, lethargic, and unmotivated. Low blood pressure, attention issues. When I went up on Emsam, my blood pressure sank to untolerably low levels, and my dose was quickly brought down. Even with a low dose of a stimulant- I vary and am not unfamiliar with these sorts of symptoms, in particular the unmotivation. I either need to go up on stimulants (and I don't know how high I can do that in conjunction with an MAOI), or try a new strategy, and parnate has come up before as a possibility. Official diagnosis includes atypical depression, attention deficit.
>
> Thanks for any input.Parnate was the only drug i responded after 6 years of not a single remission period on all srris and tca`s tried.
I had immediate stimulant response on it in 48 hrs,and for the first year the effect was robust.
Now many years later,much bigger in both height and weight,and a suspicion of the meds quiality it is not the same i remeber,however its the only one that i had and still have remission days on,so its either no drugs and be at a stand still,ssris and get worse,or parnate and work with it as for me its very forgiving in augmenting.
Im still waiting on a overseas product to arrive as i suspct,and at least hope it provided a similiar effect to the parnate i started with years ago.
I would however still definatly keep it in the OPTION box if u continue to have no luck with drugs.Its def worth a shot to try,and not many are lucky to even have there doc give it to them actualy.
Posted by naughtypuppy on January 6, 2007, at 10:28:31
In reply to Re: How does parnate compare? » laima, posted by Quintal on January 5, 2007, at 19:26:01
Just curious. Has anyone who works a graveyard shift used Parnate? If so do the periods of sleepyness and insomnia follow your schedule. I was thinking it might alter the circadian rythm.
Posted by Quintal on January 6, 2007, at 13:29:02
In reply to Re: How does parnate compare?, posted by naughtypuppy on January 6, 2007, at 10:28:31
I worked night shift in a glass factory for a short while when I was taking Parnate. I took my doses of Parnate through the night just as I would have done during the day. I had no trouble with insomnia while I was doing this but I always perform better on night shift. It suits my natural circadian rhythm better. I would think the stimulant effect would help keep most people awake during the shift.
Q
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on January 6, 2007, at 16:34:15
In reply to Re: How does parnate compare?, posted by willyee on January 6, 2007, at 9:22:52
How long did it work for you? Still taking it?
Posted by halcyondaze on January 6, 2007, at 19:33:48
In reply to Re: How does parnate compare?, posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2007, at 21:55:22
I fondly call Parnate: "Adderall Lite."
Posted by willyee on January 7, 2007, at 0:21:47
In reply to Willyee, you still taking Parnate?, posted by UgottaHaveHope on January 6, 2007, at 16:34:15
> How long did it work for you? Still taking it?
Yess i am,however i am augmenting to all hell lol.
I would move on,i cant complain i used it 5 years and remember a day sitting at a new job and getting this enormous sensation of pride since i was able to do that,the ssris had me in a locked room till then,on parnate i was in a new job within 30 days.
That said,at its most stimulating,id have to say i could never compare it in any way to a amphetamine.
REASON,for me there is no actual HARD crash from parnate,i used two hard amphet both ritalin,and dexadrine,the latter even more so id experiance a very ugly hard chrash,even when it dident stimulate i still felt the chrash.
This could very well be because i used them as possable augments and never had a reason to believe i was adhd and needed them,so for that purpose perhaps the crash is non-exsisent?
Lastly,funny i am in this post,as i just recieved my parnate today,feel ok as we speak,slightly stimulated,the need to do drugs is not there,however im nervous this effect wont re produce itself tommorrow,well wish me luck.p.s the other parnate i speak of is GOLDSHIELD parnate brand.
Posted by Quintal on January 7, 2007, at 0:40:20
In reply to Re: Willyee, you still taking Parnate?, posted by willyee on January 7, 2007, at 0:21:47
>p.s the other parnate i speak of is GOLDSHIELD parnate brand.
That's the one I get from my pharmacy in the UK, but it's generic tranylcypromine manufactured by the pharmaceutical firm Goldshield. Parnate isn't written on it anywhere. It comes in reddish boxes containing a small white tube of tablets with the same logo. Where do you import it from?
Q
Posted by halcyondaze on January 7, 2007, at 1:11:27
In reply to Re: Willyee, you still taking Parnate? » willyee, posted by Quintal on January 7, 2007, at 0:40:20
>p.s the other parnate i speak of is GOLDSHIELD parnate brand.
Why are you buying this brand instead of Glaxo Smith Klein's original? Have you noticed positive differences in the generic made by that company that are absent in the original by GSK?
Posted by laima on January 7, 2007, at 9:49:21
In reply to Re: How does parnate compare?, posted by willyee on January 6, 2007, at 9:22:52
Thank you, willye and everyone. Parnate is definately on my list of options for the future, and I feel pretty good about it after reading what everyone has written. Meanwhile, waiting to see how I do with the latest tweaks to my current regimine.
> > Can anyone describe how parnate compares to selegeline (
> I would however still definatly keep it in the OPTION box if u continue to have no luck with drugs.
>
> Its def worth a shot to try,and not many are lucky to even have there doc give it to them actualy.
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