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Re: Atypical Depression

Posted by jsarirose on March 11, 2002, at 17:36:24

In reply to Re: Atypical Depression » jsarirose, posted by Automated Lady on March 11, 2002, at 12:11:43

> Okay, thanks Jessica. What about other side effects? Are they really that much worse than SSRIs?

Well, the worst is of course the diet restrictions that are the same for any MAOI. Other than that, I don't find the side effects any different than various SSRI's really. Every drug seems to have it's slight side effects and some are more tolerable than others. With Parnate, I get slightly dry mouth (but tolerable, not as bad as some drugs I've been on). I do have to take it at the same time every day or I start feeling bad. It's hard to describe bad, but physically I feel tired, shaky, and generally bad (sorry I can't be more descriptive). Because I take a higher than normal dose (90mg) I split it into two doses per day. It's just the first dose (50mg) that needs to be around the same time every day. I've varied the second dose (40mg) up to an hour or more (when I forget) and I still feel okay. Another side effect is that it makes it difficult to sleep. My doctor prescribed clorazepam for this (an anti-convulsant) and I take an extremely low dose (about .75mg/night) before I go to bed and sleep normally. No side effects from this med. And there are others that you can take to help sleep too.

The only other thing about Parnate (and I think all MAOIs) is that you need to watch your blood pressure. In general, it lowers your blood pressure and you don't want it too low. I get a reading every two weeks, standing and sitting. Once in a while I get dizzy when I stand quickly, especially if I was bending over. In general, I don't notice though. And I've never had a blood pressure problem in the past and it's still at an acceptable level. The paradox is, if you err with the diet your blood pressure can shoot way up and you can have extreme adverse effects. Your doctor will probably give you an emergency pill to counteract that effect or you have to call 911. I have had to take my pill before. I've heard people get different things prescribed, but my doctor gave me thorazine which lowers my blood pressure if necessary, but not so low that if I take it when I'm not elevated that it will harm me. I really should have a blood pressure cuff at home, but I don't yet. I've only had to take the thorazine once and it basically knocked me out and I just slept for a couple days. (Thorazine has a bad reputation, but it you aren't taking it on a regular basis it won't turn you into a walking mummy like the movies always portray.)

With Parnate, the books and company recommend a dose no higher than 60mg. However, more recent research has shown that people with treatment resistent depression (which I have) have had success with higher doses. Most information states you can go up to 130mg, although I've read of isolated cases where people go much higher. I wouldn't recommend going past the 130mg though. Since it only comes in 10mg increments, it's best to start with that anyway. And like I said, I take 90mg. I found 100mg makes me too dizzy.

Hope that helps. In general, it's really helped me. I don't quite feel perfectly normal, but it's helped more than anything else I've tried in years.

-Jessica


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