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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jms600 on March 4, 2010, at 16:09:18
Well, after going through all the SSRIs, most SNRIs, most atypical antipsychotics, some typical antipsychotics, amitriptyline, lithium, buspirone, pregabablin, and now agomelatine, I think I'm gonna have to look at something else for severe anxiety GAD, panic disorder/attacks, anticipatory anxiety and moderate melancholic unipolar depression. Everything I have tried so far has been largely ineffective.
Even high doses of benzos fail to fully control the anxiety - and I can't take them daily anyway as my doctor will only give me limited amounts of Valium.
I don't want to start MAO inhibitors, but I don't think I've got any choice left.
Is there anything else out there to try before trying to persuade my doctor for an MAO inhibitor?
I've heard that phenelzine (Nardil) is good for severe anxiety, but it has a poor side effect profile. Should I consider either Parnate or Marplan for anxiety instead??Or am I jumping the gun here - are there other options before heading to the side effect hell that is Nardil???
Any advice gratefully appreciated!
Posted by bleauberry on March 4, 2010, at 19:29:04
In reply to Is an MAO Inhibitor all I have left???, posted by jms600 on March 4, 2010, at 16:09:18
You certainly qualify for a journey into MAOIs. That journey disappoints sometimes, but not nearly as often as the other meds. So the odds are in your favor.
My only experience is with Parnate. It had definite anti-anxiety socially comfortable kind of stuff after just a couple days at a tiny dose. We're all different. I don't think it is helpful to say, hey, part of it works like a stimulant, or Nardil is supposedly better, or whatever. You just gotta try it and see. You are well experienced at that.
Parnate has the easier side effect profile. If for some reason that doesn't work out, Nardil would be next.
I often put a plug in for low dose Savella. None of the meds you've taken come anywhere close to doing what Savella does. Maybe you've already tried it? If not, it is worthy of being on your short list.
Posted by conundrum on March 4, 2010, at 22:12:30
In reply to Is an MAO Inhibitor all I have left???, posted by jms600 on March 4, 2010, at 16:09:18
My Grandmom takes Nardil and she has told me many times it changed her life. Totally destroyed the phobias, anxiety, and depression she suffered from. She said she never had any side effects either.
Just because some people one some forums have side effects doesn't mean it will happen to you. The people who feel better generally aren't posting online about their experience. Those are the people from which you would benefit to hear.
Posted by Phillipa on March 4, 2010, at 22:17:25
In reply to Re: Is an MAO Inhibitor all I have left??? » jms600, posted by conundrum on March 4, 2010, at 22:12:30
Excellent post and nardil is supposed to be the med for anxiety. Phillipa
Posted by evenintherain on March 5, 2010, at 13:18:38
In reply to Is an MAO Inhibitor all I have left???, posted by jms600 on March 4, 2010, at 16:09:18
i agree that maybe you're making too many assumptions about the side effects of MAOI's. SSRI's and SNRI's have tons of unpleasant side effects. i don't think MAOI's are really known for having any more, it's just they have two rare and very serious side effects (hypertensive crisis and serotonin syndrome). luckily, both tend to be avoidable (via low tyramine diet and avoiding any counter-indicated drugs. though spontaneous hypertensive crisis does happen, it is very rare).
unfortunately, when you are expecting a lot of side effects, you are more likely to notice things that you otherwise may not have. so, if you do decide to try an MAOI (and it seems like that would be a good option for you at this point), try to do so w/an open mind and hope for the best!
Posted by henryo on March 10, 2010, at 5:07:03
In reply to Re: Is an MAO Inhibitor all I have left???, posted by evenintherain on March 5, 2010, at 13:18:38
look into this- Emsam (Selegiline) MAOI patch
This is the end of the thread.
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