Posted by Optimist on December 1, 2004, at 20:53:08
In reply to Re: MAOi's vs Wellbutrin + SSRI, posted by Emily Elizabeth on December 1, 2004, at 19:51:16
> Have you considered a tricyclic antidepressant first? Like desipramine mentioned by King Vultan? I just suggest it b/c they are supposed to have fewer side effects and don't have the dietary restrictions. I myself recently started on Desipramine and have never done an MAOI. Desipramine seems okay, but don't think that I have had a complete response. Might be worth asking about.
>
> EENo, I haven't really considered a tricyclic. I haven't been at this med thing very long. Just a little over a year but I don't want to be searching for the next 10 trying to find the "magic" pill either. I'd rather just bring the big guns out and try a squash this thing as quick as I can.
My impression of Parnate from reading people's experiences on this board is that the side effects aren't really that bad. Nardil is worse, but I think that would be a second line treatment if the Parnate didn't work out. I seem to have more atypical features to my depression and I'm not so convinced the tricyclics are that useful in that regard. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm also very meticulous with my diet as it is, so the diet restrictions shouldn't be a problem in my case. The drug interactions aren't that big a deal either since I'm a pretty healthy person physically and don't need prescription meds very often.
The drugs I've been on so far are:
1. Effexor 75mg(Made me feel like a zombie)
2. Wellbutrin 450mg(Best so far, but is not breaking through
3. Moclobemide 1200mg(Felt like a placebo)
4. Lamictal 100mg(Made me a complete space head, with headaches and poor memory)
5. Adderall 5mg(Not bad but is seeming to reduce it's effectiveness)
6. Prozac 40mg(Activating but no response as of yet)
7. St. John's Wort 2700mg(Seemed ok but not very strong even at 3 times the recommended dose)The substances that have made me feel the greatest are caffeine and Vitex. Vitex is a weak dopamine agonist similar to Bromocriptine. You can buy it at the health food store for 10 bucks a bottle here in Canada. I usually get a response in about 3 days that is quite robust, but the effect is fleeting. It tends to poop out after a month so it has to be cycled. It's not a viable long term solution it seems. Vitex seems to help me most with energy, sociability, humour, fun, personality, and confidence. I feel like I'm acting like the person I should be, the real me.
I recently just started the Vitex again after a few month layoff last week and the response blows away the wellbutrin, prozac, and adderall I'm currently on. The great response has made me believe that there's got to me an AD that is better than what I'm currently on that works over the long term. Considering Parnate's dopaminergic abilities and impressive track record I thought I'd give that a shot.
I've found that even though Wellbutrin and Adderall are dopaminergic they fail in comparison to Vitex. And for a 10 dollar months supply it's definitely cost effective as well.
poster:Optimist
thread:422508
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041201/msgs/423128.html