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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Peter Gibbons on July 26, 2013, at 18:06:26
Hi,
I just started 60mg of Nardil 2 weeks ago (began the medication altogether 3 weeks ago, for the first week at 45mg) and today I am feeling rather euphoric -- I feel really calm and in control, I've been happy and actually giggling for no real logical reason (lol) and negative thoughts are virtually nonexistant right now.. also, I had a cup of coffee earlier and it made me particularly energized and lifted my bad Nardil fatigue, and I think it's still having lingering (positive) effects on that one side effect.. is it bad to drink coffee on Nardil?? It felt so great I would like to keep having it every day but I read a thread on here relating to a negative correlation between coffee/caffeine and Nardil's dopaminergic effects and efficacy. If it's not safe, what's a good way to combat the fatigue? (Basically my only side effect so far apart from some insomnia and slight difficulty urinating).
What I'm wondering is, is this the therapeutic effect of Nardil beginning to work or probably just some short-lived kind of hypomania that will fade? I just want to know what to expect, in case this feeling fades and I am left puzzled as to whether Nardil pooped out on me.. and if it is just hypomania, when can I expect to see & feel the REAL results?
(P.S., what is the best sleep aid for Nardil that won't make the fatigue side-effect worse? I've heard Melatonin, Diphenhydramine ((benadryl)), Doxylamine Succinate ((Unisom)), etc)(One last thing lol, will drinking Vodka at this point in my Nardil journey mess up my progress? Like screw up the process of neurotransmitter downregulation, etc.. not just "will I get a hangover" haha)
Posted by Tomatheus on July 26, 2013, at 18:58:26
In reply to Nardil!, posted by Peter Gibbons on July 26, 2013, at 18:06:26
Peter,
First, welcome to Psycho-Babble. I think that you bring up some interesting questions that those taking Nardil tend to commonly ask, and I'll try to address at least some of them.
I took Nardil for several months back from 2005 to 2006, and I think that I consumed at least a little bit of caffeine for the duration of the time that I spent taking the medication. Like you, I found caffeine to have a synergy of sorts with Nardil, and I also found it helpful in combating the drowsiness that I sometimes experienced on Nardil. Whether or not caffeine is completely safe in everybody and whether it might interfere with the effectiveness of Nardil aren't questions that I have a definitive answer to. I know that I've seen caffeinated beverages listed as one "food" to limit when taking MAOIs. The extent to which it should be limited, as far as I can tell, seems unclear. I don't think that I'd advise anyone to consume large quantities of caffeine while taking an MAOI, but it does seem that some individuals can consume small to moderate amounts of the stuff without any noticeable problems. But then again, maybe some of those who've consumed caffeine while taking Nardil have experienced problems without really knowing that they were due to the combination of the Nardil and the caffeine, so I guess I can't say for sure that caffeine with Nardil might not be problematic for some individuals.
Your question concerning whether you're experiencing temporary feelings of hypomania that will eventually fade is one that I think has come up on these forums several times in the past. I think that without question, at least a good percentage of those taking Nardil experience an initial boost that fades after some time. My own personal opinion on this is that the initial boost can feel like (and be) hypomania or mania in some individuals, but might also be closer to euthymia (a "normal" affective state without any significant feelings of depression or mania/hypomania) for other individuals. Regardless, I do think that the initial Nardil boost does fade in a lot of individuals who take the medication, based on the reports that I've read from patients who've taken Nardil. I will say that I don't think I've come across any mention of an initial Nardil boost in the scientific literature that I've read about the medication, so what I'm saying is based on the anecdotal reports that I've read. I'm not sure exactly how common it is to notice a temporary boost on Nardil, but I do know that a lot of those on this board who've taken Nardil have reported experiencing such a boost.
As far as your question about whether or not you'll ever notice "real" results from Nardil is concerned, I think that my response might disappoint you, but I think you'll only get the answer to your question after you've waited to see how the medication will affect you in the longer run. I didn't personally find the way that Nardil affected me after the initial boost wore off to be the least bit energizing or therapeutic, but there have been individuals on this board who've said that the "real" Nardil effect for them is the effect that they feel after the initial boost fades. So, as much as I'd like to tell you in advance whether or not you're going to experience any therapeutic benefits from Nardil in the long run, I don't think that I can do that because different individuals have different experiences with the medication. For better or for worse, you're just going to have to gauge for yourself whether or not the way you feel on Nardil a few months in is an improvement over the way you feel at baseline.
I have a feeling that I might not have answered your questions in a manner that you'll find to be quite satisfactory (I know that I didn't address them all, because I don't think that I have the knowledge to address all of them), but I do hope that your experience with Nardil will be a positive one -- especially in the long run -- and I wish you luck in your journeys with the medication. Take care, and the best of luck to you.
T.
Posted by atypical on July 29, 2013, at 5:51:07
In reply to Nardil!, posted by Peter Gibbons on July 26, 2013, at 18:06:26
The hypomanic feeling is a typical side effect. I felt that too. It goes away after a few days. Nardil might take a few months at the right dose have its maximum effects. I would suggest in the meantime limiting alcohol to a minimal amount per week for a few months. To stay awake, try tea or half caf coffee. Even after many years on Nardil I limit myself to one regular coffee a day. Otherwise it feels too much for my body. Also, the daytime sleepiness dies get better, but it takes time.
Posted by Peter Gibbons on July 29, 2013, at 23:25:06
In reply to Re: Nardil!, posted by atypical on July 29, 2013, at 5:51:07
Have you experienced any issues with tolerance on in your years on Nardil? And what doseage/how long did it take for it to kick in? I started out one week on 45mg, last 2 weeks on 60mg and just today my pdoc upped the dose to 75mg (so I've spent about 22 days on Nardil now), and so far I'm not sure if I've experienced any effects, hypomania or otherwise, plus no hypotension so I'm thinking maybe 60mg wasn't an effective dose... hope 75 is the sweet spot! :)
Posted by Lamdage22 on July 30, 2013, at 15:01:05
In reply to Re: Nardil!, posted by Peter Gibbons on July 29, 2013, at 23:25:06
The lethargy will pass, as will the euphoria..
Youll probably feel life is a fair bit more worth living in the long term though.
Personally i drank coffee like an addict at 90mg Nardil.
Two reasons i did this: I started out with very little and slowly worked my way up AND i had nifedipine handy at all times, which i needed sometimes.
With the nifedipine, its a good idea to pour it on the back of your hand and not take all at once or you will be lying horizontally for couple hours;) Its a good idea to prevent needing it in the first place.
If i took like 8 pills at once, it kicked the BP off, if i hate something wrong... i dont even remember if that ever kicked my BP off.. But certainly overdoses of certain supplements did.
I would never tell this my doctor though. lol
You should be alright to drink normal amounts of coffee. Just start out carefully and have some nifedipine.
This is the end of the thread.
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