Posted by cubbybear on November 15, 2002, at 2:59:18
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by LyndaK on November 14, 2002, at 23:04:46
Hi Lynda,
Well, you asked for it! Here's my long-winded story.I had my first depressive episode in 1984. Back then, there was no Prozac or any of the other SSRIs. Depression was generally treated either with the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or with the MAOIs. I had limited experience with the TCAs; they have rotten side effects and are hardly used anymore.
My former psychiatrist realized then that he'd better get me onto something potent. He chose Parnate, an MAOI. In about 3-1/2 weeks, I was feeling fine again. For about 18 years, I continued taking Parnate. Sometimes I tried taking a break from it, but the depression would return within a few months (Typical relapses). But the Parnate itself never pooped out.
You asked why I switched to Remeron if the Parnate was working. Good question!! It was the dream of my life to leave the U.S. and live in a foreign country. In 1997, I moved to Thailand (and am still there) but Parnate is NOT available here!! What to do? Well, every spring, I would travel back to the U.S., and get a sufficient supply of Parnate to take back to Thailand. (no legal problems doing that)
Earlier this year, I decided for several reasons, that even though the Parnate was great, maybe I could try one of the newer anti-depressants such as Remeron. (Big mistake!!) So I started with the Remeron HERE and all was fine for a while. I took my annual trip to the U.S. in April but didn't purchase any Parnate since the Remeron was looking good. I returned to Thailand and continued taking it. All was fine for a while. BUT at the end of May, I lost my job, contracted that awful intestinal infection, lost weight and crashed into the worst depression of my life. The crowning touch came when the Remeron pooped out and I had no Parnate here to fall back upon.
I think you already know the rest. . .my doctor told me to quit taking the Remeron and start with Zoloft. My reactions to it are mixed. It's nowhere as good as Parnate was for me. It's OK, but I decided to quit it. I took my last dose of Zoloft last night.
So, now you might be wondering, what am I going to do now? (Here's where things can get a little confusing, so just bear with me.) The MAOIs first came out in the early 60s, I think, but developed a bad, (but undeserved) reputation as being dangerous. The MAOIs that are now available in the U.S., such as Parnate and Nardil, require you to NOT eat certain foods, and NOT take certain other medications (e.g. sinus and cold remedies). Yet, since the original guidelines were written, it has been found that these drugs are nowhere as problematic as the "experts" warned, and if you work closely with your doctor and adhere to the re-written guidelines, you should have no problems.
What patients in the U.S. don't know, is that there is now a new generation of MAOI that is even safer.( No diet restrictions.) The obstacle is that this new MAOI, called Aurorix, (Moclobemide) is NOT available in the U.S.!! The situation is a sham and an injustice to patients-- thanks to the dominance of Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil, + the questionable actions of the FDA, + the POWER of these huge drug companies to keep out the competition from abroad. So, even though I can't purchase Parnate in Thailand, I CAN purchase Aurorix and hope to start with it in 2 weeks.Hopefully, it will work out well. If it doesn't, I think I'll tear my hair out!
I hope that you've been able to follow all of this. If you're ever interested in starting with an MAOI, then do your Internet homework. I'm assuming that you live in the U.S., so obviously I'd recommend Parnate. (By the way, where DO you live?) Learn more about the MAOIs now, IN CASE you ever decide to switch. Don't get scared off by the food and other restrictions. Hopefully the Remeron will continue helping you and you won't have to deal with this decision after all.
Steve
poster:cubbybear
thread:127039
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021108/msgs/127723.html