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Re: Parnate "properties" :)

Posted by Elizabeth on January 9, 2000, at 5:25:13

In reply to Re: Parnate "properties" :), posted by Scott L. Schofield on January 8, 2000, at 20:35:29

> Do you discontinue MAOIs all at once or do you gradually taper off of them? I know it would protract the time necessary to wait before starting Parnate, but might not weaning prevent any disturbances that would otherwise affect function?

I try to compromise between the above-mentioned rock and hard place by tapering off but not too extremely slowly. (Quitting all at once would just be *bad*.) I've had nasty withdrawal symptoms each time I d/c'd MAOIs nonetheless.

Also, I'm under some time pressure to switch, since the new semester begins in just a few weeks.

> Anyway, I am curious as to which withdrawal phenomena bother you most. I no longer seem to experience either the REM suppression during treatment or the REM rebound of withdrawal. I do continue to have the “lightening bolt” type thing going on, though.

I never got the "lightening bolts." For me it's REM rebound (especially bad because of my sleep disorder), hypersomnia, agitation, panic attacks, and moodiness.

> The verapamil sounds pretty good, especially since it may offer some mood-stabilizing properties.

(Note: I'm not bipolar.)

> You may want to look into how ACE-inhibitors compare to CA++ channel blockers regarding their efficacy in counteracting sympathomimetics in general and amphetamines in particular.

Good plan; the ACE inhibitors also are thought not to cause depression, whereas it is believed that other antihypertensives may.

> My gut feeling is that it might be wise to continue the semester without making any major changes, the results of which, for you, are unpredictable.

They're pretty predictable, both for better and for worse. I really wonder what all this weight yo-yo-ing is doing to me.

When I was younger, and a bit more handsome, I was confronted with a similar situation. I began seeing a new doctor about a month before I was to be married. After a battery of psychometric exams (pretty cool stuff) and a detailed review of my history, he wanted to try a combination of Parnate and Norpramin. I was not receiving any treatment at the time. However, I knew that I could count on what little I had to work with to remain available and stable. The wedding went great (unfortunately, the marriage did not), and I waited until I felt the time was right to take the risk of losing some degree of function. I believe it was the right decision for me.

> If Marplan has helped you, I imagine you feel smarter because of it. It might be a good idea to use the extra smartness to ace your courses, then wait until summer to lose the extra weight.

Actually I feel smarter since decreasing the lithium to 300mg! (I'm not taking any hard classes this semester, FWIW.)

> I dunno. I sure wish I had some extra smartness to work with.

Me too.

> Good Luck !!!
> Get Well.

:) Thanks!


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Psycho-Babble Medication | Framed

poster:Elizabeth thread:17762
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000101/msgs/18458.html