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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brynb on March 22, 2013, at 15:35:11
Anyone have remission or success on either Nardil (the "new" formula) or Parnate? Long enough where you were productive, healthy, outside and not bogged down with SE's?
I feel like I need to make a change as everything's beginning to poop out on me again.
Current meds:
Lexapro 20 mg
Valium 20 mg
Ketamine injectionsI don't know if it's daylight savings, hormones or really stubborn depression, but something's gotta give.
Thanks.
Posted by AMB on March 22, 2013, at 16:16:50
In reply to Nardil or Parnate Success Stories, posted by brynb on March 22, 2013, at 15:35:11
> Anyone have remission or success on either Nardil (the "new" formula) or Parnate? Long enough where you were productive, healthy, outside and not bogged down with SE's?
>
> I feel like I need to make a change as everything's beginning to poop out on me again.
>
> Current meds:
>
> Lexapro 20 mg
> Valium 20 mg
> Ketamine injections
>
> I don't know if it's daylight savings, hormones or really stubborn depression, but something's gotta give.
>
> Thanks.
>I had great success with both Nardil and Parnate, more so with Nardil. Unfortunately, the side effects were too much for me and I had to switch off completely. But as for the depression my experiences were great.
If you have social anxiety, then Nardil would be the better choice. It is less activating than Parnate and really gives a boost that I had never had with any other meds (I've been on meds for 30 years: SSRI's, SNRI's, TCA's, stimulants...). Parnate was also effective. It helped a little less with the anxiety but was excellent at lifting the depression.
As for side effects, weight gain was an issue for both meds. For some reason, my blood sugar skyrocketed while I was on Nardil. My doctor initially thought it was due to the weight gain. and switched me to Parnate. On Parnate, my blood sugar returned to normal, but I gained even more weight. I also had a hypertensive crisis from cheese, so I ultimately stopped taking it.
Your mileage may vary, so it may be worth a try. My dad took Nardil for years and although he did gain some weight, never had a blood sugar problem. And I've heard that many people don't gain as much weight as I did with Parnate.
Since all medications have side effects, it's really a trial and error to see what works best with your personal chemistry. So long as you're aware of the potential for weight gain and aren't put off by the dietary restrictions I would recommend giving MAO's a try.
Posted by atypical on March 23, 2013, at 15:15:53
In reply to Nardil or Parnate Success Stories, posted by brynb on March 22, 2013, at 15:35:11
Nardil brought me back and has kept me there. I will say the first six months are difficult because of side effects, and there are many side effects. But they all virtually subsided. Weight gain is an issue. I have gained weight since starting Nardil, but for me it has reached a point of stability. I look healthy and strong. Been in psychotherapy throughout, which is worth mentioning.
Posted by cassandracomplex on March 24, 2013, at 16:27:14
In reply to Nardil or Parnate Success Stories, posted by brynb on March 22, 2013, at 15:35:11
I've been on and off Parnate since about 2005.
It has done what every other antidepressant I've tried (Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor, Cymbalta, Luvox, Wellbutrin, desipramine, nortriptyline) + various augmentation strategies and even ECT failed to do: it made me happy. Actually happy. Appreciating a beautiful day, becoming more social, enjoying writing again, even traveling on my own internationally.
Unfortunately, there are side effects. Sleep issues are a major one (please see post at the bottom regarding Parnate and circadian rhythms) but the trade-off is worth it. I feel like Parnate makes me into the person I was meant to be, the person I was before I ever had my first major depressive episode. I think it's a shame that these drugs are used so infrequently and have such stigma attached to them.
I have a friend who feels similarly about Nardil - after years of ECT and being a "frequent flier" in hospitals and suicide attempts, she is now working on getting her PhD and thanked me for suggesting she try a MAOI because it didn't only save her life ... it gave her a life to live.
That's how I feel about Parnate.
Posted by brynb on April 5, 2013, at 8:44:23
In reply to Nardil or Parnate Success Stories, posted by brynb on March 22, 2013, at 15:35:11
Thanks all for the feedback. The only MAOIs I've tried were Emsam and Macoblemide, both of which weren't successful. I'd like to try Nardil but my pdoc has been giving me a tough time about it. I plan on trying TMS next in combo with my current meds, so hopefully I'll have some success with that.
I'd still like to try Nardil, though. I'm pretty tired of the polypharmacy merry-go-round.
Thanks again--much appreciated.
-b
Posted by brynb on April 7, 2013, at 7:39:54
In reply to Re: Nardil or Parnate Success Stories » brynb, posted by brynb on April 5, 2013, at 8:44:23
Posted by jedi on April 15, 2013, at 4:59:04
In reply to Re: Nardil or Parnate Success Stories » brynb, posted by brynb on April 5, 2013, at 8:44:23
Here are just a few of my posts about phenezine sulfate. It is a powerful medication for social anxiety and atypical depression. This med has been around for over 50 years. Some will say it is a dirty med for all of the neurotransmitters it affects. Some of us need that. This med will often work when countless others fail.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110914/msgs/996929.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080105/msgs/805651.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100731/msgs/958216.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110630/msgs/990182.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080915/msgs/854080.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/magazine/18fob-Medium-t.html?_r=0
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070808/msgs/775380.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050803/msgs/538602.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110728/msgs/992371.html
Good Luck and be Well,
Jedi
Posted by brynb on April 15, 2013, at 5:49:34
In reply to Re: Nardil or Parnate Success Stories » brynb, posted by jedi on April 15, 2013, at 4:59:04
Jedi-
Thank you so much! After a lot of thought and consideration, I'm sticking to an SRI at the moment plus Ativan. This is due to the fact that I'm starting TMS soon and don't want too many variables (is it the TMS, or the Nardil?) thrown in the picture.
Now I'm really hoping, especially due to cost, that TMS is a success. I'll find out soon. That said, my pdoc and I decided if I'm still not well, Nardil is my back-up plan.
Thanks again, I really appreciate it.
-b
This is the end of the thread.
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