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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by YoungTurtle on January 28, 2012, at 15:41:58
Hi,
I've been on Parnate for 2 weeks. 4 days 10 mg, 4 days 20 mg, and now 5 days 30 mg.
Ever since I bumped it up to 30, I've been having issues with fatigue and hypotension. I just feel exhausted, slow, and weak. I can't think as clearly. On the plus side, it's been improving my depression already, so at least I'm interested in sedentary stuff--reading and writing, watching movies. But I also have to go to work in this state, and I was noticeably off. I was so exhausted and dumb, and I kept slipping up. My supervisor told me that I looked like I was bringing emotional baggage to work, and that I should take Monday off....
Also having issues with orthostatic hypotension. I had to stay in last night because I couldn't walk without having a dizzy spell.
So I wanted to know, have you ever experienced fatigue or hypotension on Parnate? How long did it take for it to resolve? Have you done anything (e.g., vitamins, diet) to combat it? Because as much as I feel I'm benefiting from the medication, I don't know if I'll be able to live like this in the long run.
Thanks!
Posted by emmanuel98 on January 28, 2012, at 19:25:41
In reply to Parnate Side effects, posted by YoungTurtle on January 28, 2012, at 15:41:58
For me, fatigue was never an issue. Parnate made me speedy, like I had just had two cups of coffee. Couldn't sleep and still need sleep meds after two-and-a-half years. But everyone's different, so maybe someone else will speak up who's experienced what you are experiencing.
The orthostatic hypotension got better and better. By a few months, I only had it at night and in the morning when I rose from a lying position. Eventually (can't recall how long -- several months, maybe) that went away.
A couple of months ago, I couldn't remember if I took my morning dose or not (take 20mg in AM, 10mg in afternoon) and took a dose just in case. I must have taken a double dose, because I had orthostatic hypotension again, which I hadn't had in a long time. It went away by the end of the day.
Posted by bleauberry on January 29, 2012, at 7:49:55
In reply to Parnate Side effects, posted by YoungTurtle on January 28, 2012, at 15:41:58
If it were me I would go back down to 20mg and stay there a while. Your body and nervous system need more time to adjust, probably weeks not days. The difficulty you are having is, in my opinion, too high of a dose too soon. Maybe someone else could titrate upward on dosage with the same schedule you did and be fine with it, but you are not someone else. You are you. And you are unique from everyone else. So don't follow a predetermined titration schedule, but instead follow your instincts. In this case, my instincts tell me that parnate is already showing hints it could be good for you, but that the dose went too high too soon. Get back down to 20mg, and then later try to go back up to 30mg. Or customize your dose and try 25mg.
Vitamins and supplements are not going to overcome the power of parnate. Ones that might are probably not safe with parnate.
So in the meantime, your biggest enemy will be the depression while you patiently wait for more time to pass. Or, you could stay at 30mg where you biggest enemy would be the side effects. The risk there is that you might give up out of frustration and exhaustion, leaving behind a potentially wonderful med. So basically I'm saying back off a little bit, tighten the seat belt because the journey might be a little longer than desired, and give things some time. Just my opinion and that's what I would do if it were myself. I mean, it's a juggling act, ok? Right? You have to keep your job. That might be at risk if you stay at 30mg. A year from now you might be at 60mg with no problem. But right now at this time in history, 30mg looks to be too much too soon. IMO
Posted by ed_uk2010 on January 31, 2012, at 10:48:58
In reply to Re: Parnate Side effects, posted by bleauberry on January 29, 2012, at 7:49:55
Blueberry is right. You need go decrease back down to 20mg for now and give your body chance to adjust to the medication. You can increase the dose in a few weeks time, if necessary.
Posted by YoungTurtle on January 31, 2012, at 14:38:11
In reply to Re: Parnate Side effects, posted by ed_uk2010 on January 31, 2012, at 10:48:58
> Blueberry is right. You need go decrease back down to 20mg for now and give your body chance to adjust to the medication. You can increase the dose in a few weeks time, if necessary.
Thanks guys. Yeah, you both hit the nail on the head, as my Dr. confirmed....so I ended up decreasing to 20 for the past few days. Much better. Feels like I just got over a flu. Had no idea I could be so sensitive to side effects. And yeah, I'll feel like crap anyway on 30 so I may as well wait it out for some time on 20, which actually feels kind of good!
Posted by ed_uk2010 on February 1, 2012, at 12:11:21
In reply to Re: Parnate Side effects, posted by YoungTurtle on January 31, 2012, at 14:38:11
>I may as well wait it out for some time on 20mg, which actually feels kind of good!
Excellent. 20mg may turn out to be sufficient. If not, you will probably be able to increase without too much trouble in the future once your body has become accustomed to Parnate.
Posted by MrAnderson on February 6, 2012, at 22:12:16
In reply to Parnate Side effects, posted by YoungTurtle on January 28, 2012, at 15:41:58
You might try spacing out the dosage over the day, that worked for me. I used to have dizzy spells whenever I stood up for a week or so after increasing the dose.
This is the end of the thread.
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