Posted by Peace2U on November 26, 2005, at 1:14:40
In reply to When the options are gone?, posted by Bob on November 17, 2005, at 16:31:29
Hi Bob,
I did not have an opportunity to read all the subsequent posts but would like to add my 2 cents to the MAOI debate.
I was fortunate to find a psychiatrist at a major university in 1982 who started me on Parnate and klonopin. After 10 years of major depression and those awful tricyclics, I never felt more alive. After my Doc left for another position in a different city, I had a difficult time finding another psychiatrist who would presecribe an MAOI. This was during the 'revolutionary' era of Prozac and other SSRIs. After trying Wellbutrin. Prozac, Zoloft, et al, I would finally get a script for Parnate. As new meds came out I was taken off Parnate and given Remeron, Serzone, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor etc with poor results. Too many doctors have a fear of MAOIs and don't think the patient can read or follow instructions to avoid certain foods/meds.
I did not find the diet restrictions difficult to adhere to and they are not as complicated as people think. I lost a lot of weight which I think was a combination of feeling good and not being allowed to eat pounds of cheese a day (I love pizza)! The doc also gave me a script for Thorazine "just in case." But I could follow the diet and never needed to use them. I also wore a med alert bracelet in case of emergency so no ER doc would accidently give me a shot of Demerol.
I also found I had more energy and the only side effect I had was orthostatic hypotension. I felt that was a small price to pay to have relief from the debilitating depression. I had no problems weaning off Parnate and it took only a short period of time. I have been off ADs for over two years and although I am struggling, I am hoping the selegeline (sp?) patch will be available soon if I need to go back on. For whatever reason the Parnate no longer is effective for me. May be chemical changes or postmenopausal stuff, who knows.
This has been my experience and I am so grateful for the good years I did have (not that they are over). I do know how hopeless you are feeling and I just wanted to share my experience with you so you might give MAOIs some consideration. I have never had ECT so I think your depression is more severe than mine. It is hard to know, we are all different.
I just did not want fear to stop you from trying something that may be of benefit for you. Now, ECT scares the hell out of me. Oh, one more thing. I felt better within two weeks of starting the Parnate.
Take care of yourself and be well. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best.
Peace
poster:Peace2U
thread:579730
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051119/msgs/582280.html