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Re: ENSAM Patch, parnate or nardil? » Phillipa

Posted by RobertDavid on April 20, 2006, at 14:26:20

In reply to ENSAM Patch, parnate or nardil?, posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2006, at 0:25:39

Jan:

I so know how you feel. I too have dealt with fear and anxiety. I hate trying new meds, I've had so many side effects without benefits. I've postponed trying an MAOI for 15 years because they just plain scared me. Instead, I wasted a lot of time and put myself through hell trying meds that just didn't work for me.

Everyone here has good points with MAOI's and CBT therapy (which can be good with or without meds in my opinion).

That said, since you're not satisfied with how your doing now and since you haven't had much luck with SSRI's or SNRI's I would say it would make sense and give an MAOI a try.

So assuming you decide to try one, the tough part is picking one, they all work differently for different people. I made my choice based on my doctors recomdation (he knows me well after 15 years). Since I typically feel every side effect he thought EMSAM should be my first try. He felt the side effects would be less than that of SSRI's and possibly other MAOI's, that it could help my problem areas such as lack of energy, motivation, poor moods as well as anxiety SAD and GAD.

And as you know I'm having a terrific response. I just feel better overall, like I'm "normal" for the first time. Perhaps I'd feel the same way if I was on either Parnate or Nardil.

My doc seemed to think that if I was going to try an MAOI and then decide later to switch to another MAOI it would be best to start with EMSAM. For some reason he felt that would be an easier transition than from Nardil to EMSAM or Parnate to EMSAM. That was part of my decision to try EMSAM first. Otherwise he recomended Nardil before Parnate (he uses Parnate with other patients, but for some reason thought for me Nardil would be the better of the two as a first try).

So as you know I chose EMSAM, it was my doctors recomendation and I felt most comfortable with it. I have to say the lack of food restrictions, once a day patch and potential for lack of other negative side effects such as as weight gain and decreased libido (Nardil) entered into my decision. It just seemed to make sense to me.

Sleep is an issue for me, I know it is for you as well. I think staying on valium (I'm on klonopin) will help with that and possibly other initial side effects regardless of your choice. Perhaps in time neither of us will need a benzo blend (which I'm hoping for)if were on the right MAOI. I noticed a few nights during the first week where I slept less, but not insomnia. As time goes on (2 weeks now) I'm sleeping fine.

Those that take Parnate could answer this better than I but it's my understanding Parnate is very activating and good for those with depression, but can cause some insomnia. That Nardil works best for those with anxiety disorters like SAD, but again, I'd defer that to those that take Nardil.

Regardless, If I do fail for some reason on EMSAM, I'd exchange side effects for quality of life now that I've had a taste of it. I'd try all three if I fail on any individual one. Hopefully that won't be the case and EMSAM will continue to be my answer. I certainly know it won't be for everyone and can only post my experience.

I know how stressed you are, confussed what to try, been there done that. Since you seem to have the best comfort level with EMSAM I'd recomend trying it. You're the consumer and if your doctor thinks it's okay, I'd go with it. Even if it's not for you ultimately I doubt you will have any where near the side effects you've probably been through on other meds and as you say you can just take the patch off.

Regarless, I know both of us have read countless stories from others that wish they tried an MAOI years before. Life is passing by fast and I wish it didn't take 49 years for me to try one.

Just my 2 cents worth Jan. I'm thinking about you and hope you give one a try. Like others have suggested, if it doesn't work, you can just stop taking it, but if you don't try you may always wonder. I'd go for it! I think you have something to look forward to......


Rob


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