Posted by Judy on July 17, 1999, at 10:22:13
In reply to Re: Marplan Side Effects, posted by Robin on July 17, 1999, at 9:26:21
Robin,
It really is too soon to tell you anything. My doctor is making me start Marplan really slowly. One (10 mg) pill for two days, then two pills for two days and finally three per day (30 mg per day should be my maintenance dose).
Have you taken an MAOI before? I know you asked about Marplan's similarities to Parnate. I suspect the Marplan will kick in very quickly for me - when I get up to 30 mg. One of the beautiful things about an MAOI is that you can feel benefits within 1 - 2 weeks *IF* it's going to work for you. I've been on Nardil four different times over the past 12 years and it is a true wonder drug as far as my depression goes. Unfortunately, the side effects (urinary difficulties, constipation plus, NO sexual response whatsoever - pretty basically I am 'dead' from the waist down on Nardil even though my brain is at its best) always cause me to discontinue it.
I too have suffered the drugged/dopey/zombie side effects of every other AD I've ever tried. Definitely NOT a problem with Nardil and, I suspect, it won't be with Marplan. I have experienced some "jiggyness" everytime I've started Nardil (too soon to tell with Marplan), but it goes away within a week or less. My doctor allows .25 - .50 mg Xanax if I need it during this stage. Just the opposite of feeling drugged, I always had trouble falling asleep at night on Nardil, but .50 mg Xanax works perfectly (within a half hour at bedtime) and I would sleep pretty well for about 5 hours and awaken refreshed and ready to take on the world. (I personally love not wasting my life sleeping, so this was a great side effect for me!)
As I said - too soon to tell with the Marplan, but I'll sure keep you posted. What I'm hoping for from Marplan is a "kinder and gentler" Nardil as far as side effects go. MA's post to me above is a very good sign in that he/she expressed a feeling of well-being/contentment on Marplan. I'll definitely be in touch.
Judy
P.S. If this is your first go-round with an MAOI - make sure you get all the facts about the dietary restrictions (never was a big deal for me to stick with, although I sometimes would have killed for a pizza loaded with cheese and pepperoni; but the benefits of the drug far outweighed the loss of pizza from my life!)
poster:Judy
thread:8673
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990628/msgs/8832.html