Posted by Geezer on December 12, 2002, at 11:53:18
In reply to Re: Parnate to SSRI After ECT??? » Geezer, posted by jay on December 11, 2002, at 20:10:53
> > Has anyone made a successful transition from Parnate to an SSRI following ECT treatments? I completed a series of 11 ECT treatments one week ago. I have been taking Parnate (currently 40mg. in divided doses) for the past six weeks. I just can't tolerate the Parnate - it makes me so tired I fall asleep in the afternoon. It is my understanding I would have to be off the Parnate completely for two weeks before starting an SSRI and continue to follow the MAOI diet for one month. Prozac is the only drug that ever gave me any relief (prior to poop-out after 18 months)......I am thinking of going back to Prozac and possibly adding pstims. I am DEFINITELY trying to live with TRD and just about at the end of my rope. The constant tired feeling is more than I can tolerate - I am not going to spend the rest of my life in bed. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks.
>
>
> Hi:
>
> I feel in a similar boat, as my doctor, after 10 years of little good response to meds, has suggested ECT. Effexor is similar to me as Parnate is to you. I have gotten off it because of the fatigue and memory block.
>
> If Prozac did the trick for you before, you may want to try either a higher dose or augmentation. Have you considered even augmenting with things like thryoid, and tricyclics? How about a good daily dose of a benzo? I think a med like Xanax can release enough tension so that we don't feel
> so tired and overwhelmed. I'd say even try just a tricyclic with Xanax, especially the ones that act on norepinephrine, like Nortriptyline. I have also read of some excellent responses to the old 'gold' standard, Imipramine.
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> If your doctor is willing, take advantage of it and try some very different combinations and routes. Good luck...
>
> JayJay,
Thank you for your post. I think your suggestion to augment will be my first attempt. Pdocs in my part of the country are not too creative (three have given up on me as hopeless in the past 2 years....I have been fighting the battle for over 30 years) so it's a struggle.
Geezer
poster:Geezer
thread:131335
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021210/msgs/131494.html