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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Haddock on October 28, 2009, at 23:21:26
Hi all you cool folks out in babble-land! I'm a very long time lurker that decided that it's time for me to start posting.
I've been taking Parnate for about 8 months and I began at 30 mg, then moved to 60 mg about five months ago, where I remain. I'm also taking a little bit of Klonopin ( <1.5mg/day) and a small amount of Adderall ( <15 mg /day), under a doctor's care of course.
Well, I was kind of hoping that the Parnate would help me more on the social end of things, being less shy and afraid of people and such. I've been going to school and, although my mood is surely better with Parnate (not ideal, but better than baseline, and more stable), my social anxiety remains a huge pain in the butt that is helped more by the adderall than the Parnate it seems.
Now, I'm fat and tall, which means about 280 lbs and 6-5. I read somewhere that there was an ideal dosage range for parnate of 0.8 mg/ kg, which I assume would be for one's ideal weight, and that would put me just at 90 mg per day. I've also read that there was a study in which the optimal range of treatment was 90 to 130 mg per day. I forget where, it may have been referenced here.
Does anyone with experience know if:
-Brain fog increases or decreases with dose?
-If taking 90 to 130 per day might help me feel better and deal with the stress of school better?
-If that dose can offer robust relief and be sustained?
Thank you so much for any information you may have. I am really grateful for it.
Posted by Girlnterrupted78 on October 29, 2009, at 1:45:54
In reply to Yet ANOTHER Partnate story... LOL :), posted by Haddock on October 28, 2009, at 23:21:26
Hi there,
I've been on Parnate for a lot less than you, and I also suffer from social anxiety.
I noticed a big improvement in my overall depression, including social anxiety, when I hit 60mgs. I don't know if height, weight and gender have a lot to do with dosages, but I'm a female, and my height/weight are 5'7, 120lbs and I've already been on 80mgs.
When my dose was raised to 60mgs on the second week (I believe,) I became very pleasant to be around and not shy at all. I could smile effortlessly and talked and joked around more.
However, you will see my new thread a few posts below yours:
'Parnate losing effectiveness, why? help please" http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091021/msgs/923267.html
Apparently the great effects didn't last too long. I mean, it didn't lose ALL its effectiveness, but it's not the way it was when it first started working.
Seems like you'd benefit from a higher dose, I suppose.
I'm probably not the best person to 'advice' you since I'm here asking for advice myself now that the effectiveness of Parnate has diminished. The only thing I can tell you is that it seems like I'm significantly smaller than you and my dose is higher (80mgs), so you might need to go up.
Other than that, I wish you luck and I'm sure one of the more experienced posters/Parnate users will come along to advice you (and hopefully me!) on this.
Best of luck
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 31, 2009, at 12:01:52
In reply to Re: Yet ANOTHER Partnate story... LOL :) » Haddock, posted by Girlnterrupted78 on October 29, 2009, at 1:45:54
I have very little social anxiety anymore. What a relief that is!!
I think it has to do with taking Nortriptyline with the Parnate. I can't tell you why, but I do think they are synergistic like my pdoc said. I think it keeps me from having sleep problems, too. I've had issues with insomnia all my life but I don't have any at all now. Amazing!
I take 70mg Parnate and 25-50mg Nortrip. and 100mgProvigil.
Good luck,
Gayle
Posted by bulldog2 on October 31, 2009, at 13:10:46
In reply to Re: Yet ANOTHER Partnate story... LOL :), posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 31, 2009, at 12:01:52
> I have very little social anxiety anymore. What a relief that is!!
>
> I think it has to do with taking Nortriptyline with the Parnate. I can't tell you why, but I do think they are synergistic like my pdoc said. I think it keeps me from having sleep problems, too. I've had issues with insomnia all my life but I don't have any at all now. Amazing!
>
> I take 70mg Parnate and 25-50mg Nortrip. and 100mgProvigil.
>
> Good luck,
>
> GayleI have found that dose of nortriptyline to be constipating. Have you had that problem?
Posted by Maxime on October 31, 2009, at 16:46:10
In reply to Yet ANOTHER Partnate story... LOL :), posted by Haddock on October 28, 2009, at 23:21:26
I think that you need to increase the dose (maybe not to 130) to get the FULL antidepressant effect. Right now you are not getting and it's a shame.
Posted by Maxime on October 31, 2009, at 16:47:39
In reply to Re: Yet ANOTHER Partnate story... LOL :) » ColoradoSnowflake, posted by bulldog2 on October 31, 2009, at 13:10:46
> I have found that dose of nortriptyline to be constipating. Have you had that problem?Yes, all TCAs are. But if it works, it's a small price to pay. :)
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on November 1, 2009, at 0:58:03
In reply to Re: Yet ANOTHER Partnate story... LOL :) » bulldog2, posted by Maxime on October 31, 2009, at 16:47:39
Bulldog and Maxie:
I had I.B.S. for quite a few years. About 4 years ago my gyno had me take FOUR LARGE HEAPING tablespoons of psyllium husk in water...lots of water lots and lots of water..EVERY NIGHT. I hate it so much. I b*tch and moan and gag, but take it. It's been a miracle drug for me. No more constipation or diareah. It works and I'm not kidding. If I forget to take it,
I'll get up at 3 or 4 in the morning to take it.
I'm dedicated.
I bet my innards are scrubbed clean by that psyllium husk action. You can buy bags of it at a health food store.
You have to start small and work up to taking so much.
Boy, we sure get personal around here sometimes!
"Inquiring minds want to know"!Good luck and happy endings1
Gayle
Posted by bulldog2 on November 1, 2009, at 11:32:57
In reply to Re: Yet ANOTHER Partnate story... LOL :), posted by ColoradoSnowflake on November 1, 2009, at 0:58:03
> Bulldog and Maxie:
>
> I had I.B.S. for quite a few years. About 4 years ago my gyno had me take FOUR LARGE HEAPING tablespoons of psyllium husk in water...lots of water lots and lots of water..EVERY NIGHT. I hate it so much. I b*tch and moan and gag, but take it. It's been a miracle drug for me. No more constipation or diareah. It works and I'm not kidding. If I forget to take it,
> I'll get up at 3 or 4 in the morning to take it.
> I'm dedicated.
> I bet my innards are scrubbed clean by that psyllium husk action. You can buy bags of it at a health food store.
> You have to start small and work up to taking so much.
> Boy, we sure get personal around here sometimes!
> "Inquiring minds want to know"!
>
> Good luck and happy endings1
>
> Gayle
>
>
>Great for diets. Take a heaping glass before a meal....washes the calories away
Posted by Haddock on November 1, 2009, at 22:16:43
In reply to Re: Yet ANOTHER Partnate story... LOL :) » Haddock, posted by Girlnterrupted78 on October 29, 2009, at 1:45:54
> Hi there,
>
> I've been on Parnate for a lot less than you, and I also suffer from social anxiety.
>
> I noticed a big improvement in my overall depression, including social anxiety, when I hit 60mgs. I don't know if height, weight and gender have a lot to do with dosages, but I'm a female, and my height/weight are 5'7, 120lbs and I've already been on 80mgs.
>
> When my dose was raised to 60mgs on the second week (I believe,) I became very pleasant to be around and not shy at all. I could smile effortlessly and talked and joked around more.
>
> However, you will see my new thread a few posts below yours:
>
> 'Parnate losing effectiveness, why? help please" http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091021/msgs/923267.html
>
> Apparently the great effects didn't last too long. I mean, it didn't lose ALL its effectiveness, but it's not the way it was when it first started working.
>
> Seems like you'd benefit from a higher dose, I suppose.
>
> I'm probably not the best person to 'advice' you since I'm here asking for advice myself now that the effectiveness of Parnate has diminished. The only thing I can tell you is that it seems like I'm significantly smaller than you and my dose is higher (80mgs), so you might need to go up.
>
> Other than that, I wish you luck and I'm sure one of the more experienced posters/Parnate users will come along to advice you (and hopefully me!) on this.
>
> Best of luckSorry I've taken so long to get back to you, I've just been super busy.
I noticed the same thing when I began on 30mg for the period of a few months, and then that stim effect kind of faded away. I didn't find that it correlated with the AD effect, however.
I should say that I do take stims and a little bit of Klonopin along with the Parnate.
I just wonder if increasing the dose is going to increase or lessen brain fog. I'm in college and I need all the mental focus I can get.
Have you noticed any more or less forgetfulness on Parnate compared to before you started taking it?
Posted by Haddock on November 1, 2009, at 22:27:11
In reply to Re: Yet ANOTHER Partnate story... LOL :), posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 31, 2009, at 12:01:52
> I have very little social anxiety anymore. What a relief that is!!
>
> I think it has to do with taking Nortriptyline with the Parnate. I can't tell you why, but I do think they are synergistic like my pdoc said. I think it keeps me from having sleep problems, too. I've had issues with insomnia all my life but I don't have any at all now. Amazing!
>
> I take 70mg Parnate and 25-50mg Nortrip. and 100mgProvigil.
>
> Good luck,
>
> GayleWow! Very little social anxiety? That's fantastic! :)
You think that it's the synergy of the Parnate and the nortriptyline? Does this combo make one a little bit foggy in the head? The reason I ask is because I sometimes feel like going from 30 to 60 mg or Parnate somehow increased my ADHD tendencies. I wonder if going higher or adding another AD would have the same effect...
BTW, how long have you been on the parnate + nortriptyline combo?
Thanks!
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on November 2, 2009, at 13:04:38
In reply to Re: Yet ANOTHER Partnate story... LOL :) » ColoradoSnowflake, posted by Haddock on November 1, 2009, at 22:27:11
>
> You think that it's the synergy of the Parnate and the nortriptyline? Does this combo make one a little bit foggy in the head? The reason I ask is because I sometimes feel like going from 30 to 60 mg or Parnate somehow increased my ADHD tendencies. I wonder if going higher or adding another AD would have the same effect...
>
> BTW, how long have you been on the parnate + nortriptyline combo?
>
> Thanks!
>
>
Hi!
I've been on Panate for 6 months now. Yes, I do think the synergy of Nortrip and Parnate makes it what I call "The Bomb". I don't have any fogginess at all on Parnate!! I have to take a little Provigil also. I have the female version of ADHD and the Provigil helps with that and the little fatigue that I still have from the Parnate. I just have to be careful not to take too much.
I am now sleeping wonderfully well, having good dreams about issues that used to give me "anxiety, you're no good" dreams!
I am clearer mentally/emotionally than I have been for 15 years!
I feel like I could easily go back to work or back to school . But I'm retired and I love it and the things I get to do, and the wonderful freedom I have.I got all dressed up in an elaborate witch costume for my grandson this year. I haven't done that for YEARS! and it was FUN! Unbelievable.
I love Parnate. If you're feeling foggy I don't think it's the Parnate. I can't remember what else you are taking. I'll look back and see.
If you're in school I can't think of a better AD than Parnate! It took me a few months to get the rough edges off the Parnate, but now it's great. Give it time. I would be careful about adding anything. That's probably where your fogginess is coming from.
Good luck,
Gayle
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on November 2, 2009, at 13:24:39
In reply to Re: Yet ANOTHER Partnate story... LOL :), posted by ColoradoSnowflake on November 2, 2009, at 13:04:38
Hi:
I just read through this thread again.I think your dose is probably too small for a big person. I'm a female, a little bigger than GirlInterrupted, and I take 70mg. I would increase your dose of Parnate, definitely.
I'd add nortriptyline!! I think it boosts the good of the Parnate and takes away the rough edges, and really makes you feel better. I only take 25mg at early bedtime and that it plenty for me. Then I think you'd feel better.
I'd forget the Klonipin. I hate that stuff. It makes me foggy, lazy' tired and terribly depressed. I don't think you'd need it at all with the Nortriptyline and more Parnate. If Parnate makes you a little tired like me, you might up your Adderall a little.
I get horrible social anxiety where I can't leave the house or even talk to anyone but my family on the phone etc. That is ALL GONE. It's amazing to me!
I'll bet you are not too far from feeling really good with NO fogginess...
Good luck!
Gayle
Posted by Haddock on November 4, 2009, at 23:35:36
In reply to Re: Yet ANOTHER Partnate story... LOL :), posted by ColoradoSnowflake on November 2, 2009, at 13:24:39
Thanks, Gayle.
I can really tell that you are feeling well just by the way that you post. It's so full of joy and positivity! :)
I think I will try upping the Parnate first before I try combining it with nortrip. I know the Klonopin is not great for mood or memory or even social anxiety, but I feel like it levels out my moods.
Can I ask if you would say you had any mood swings as part of your depression, or was it just basically feeling down all the time?
Also, how many mg's of Parnate were you on and how was it when you decided to add Nortriptyline you your regimen?
Thanks so much! (again) :D
> Hi:
> I just read through this thread again.
>
> I think your dose is probably too small for a big person. I'm a female, a little bigger than GirlInterrupted, and I take 70mg. I would increase your dose of Parnate, definitely.
>
> I'd add nortriptyline!! I think it boosts the good of the Parnate and takes away the rough edges, and really makes you feel better. I only take 25mg at early bedtime and that it plenty for me. Then I think you'd feel better.
>
> I'd forget the Klonipin. I hate that stuff. It makes me foggy, lazy' tired and terribly depressed. I don't think you'd need it at all with the Nortriptyline and more Parnate. If Parnate makes you a little tired like me, you might up your Adderall a little.
>
> I get horrible social anxiety where I can't leave the house or even talk to anyone but my family on the phone etc. That is ALL GONE. It's amazing to me!
>
> I'll bet you are not too far from feeling really good with NO fogginess...
>
> Good luck!
>
> Gayle
>
>
>
>
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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