Posted by jedi on June 14, 2006, at 3:51:23
In reply to What does Nardil feel like?, posted by Rocket Jackson on June 13, 2006, at 9:36:40
> After unsuccessful trials with parnate, neurontin, zoloft, gabitril, and topamax for social anxiety, I think I'm finally willing to take the plunge and give nardil a try. I refer to it as a "plunge" because I've been reluctant for years to try it (despite overwhelming evidence of its effectiveness) in light of the prevalent weight gain and sexual side effects. Frustrated with my search for effective treatment, I've decided to give it its due chance and see for myself.
Hi Rocket,
I've tried more than 35 different combinations of medications. The only combo that has worked on my major atypical depression and social anxiety has been Nardil with clonazepam.
> I also need to state that I am currently taking Klonopin 1mg bid, and have been for about two months. Though somewhat effective, it has lost its once appealing "bang" I would notice when taking it once or twice per week before anticipated social situations. This was my regimen for about three years up through a couple of months back when I decided to go daily. I now feel I no longer have my beloved Klonopin "rescue," which is why I continue to look for a daily med that can be supplemented on an as needed basis by Klonopin.So are you taking a total of 2mg of clonazepam daily? I take 1mg daily to augment my 90mg of Nardil(sometimes 105mg). I have lost the somnolence side effect and the "sigh" of relief that I got from taking clonazepam PRN(as needed). But the benefit for my chronic social anxiety is still there.
> So my question is, what does nardil "feel" like when it kicks in for social anxiety? Is it similar to Klonopin in being anxiolytic but not necessarily pro-social, or is there also a pro-social component that some notice?
Nardil plus clonazepam is definately the most pro-social combination of meds that I have ever taken. For me the Nardil takes four to six weeks to kick in after I have titrated up to an effective dosage. So obviously there is an investment in time just like any other AD trial. You do not get the almost immediate relief like when taking a benzo PRN. Sometimes, when Nardil does kick in, it is unlike any other medication I have taken. The first couple of times I took Nardil it was like "seeing the light", when it kicked in. One day I was in hopeless despair. The next day the answers to my problems were so obvious, I could not believe that I din't see them before.
>Is excessive daytime sleepiness a common side effect? This is a problem with daily Klonopin that hasn't abated, and was even worse for me with the parnate.
Right now I am getting some pretty extensive daytime solomnence with Nardil. This latest trial, I titrated up to 90mg fairly quickly. Probably in just a couple of weeks. I really wanted to get to that effective dosage as fast as possible. I paid the price with some more intense side effects than in the past. I know from experience that the daytime sleepiness will lessen over time. Clonazepam has a long half life. If your daytime solomnence is bad on clonazepam, I would suggest taking your whole dose in the evening. Again this sleepiness side effect should dissipate over time.
>Do the sexual side effects usually wane with time?
For me the sexual side effects consist mainly of delayed ejaculation. For most guys, that's not all bad. I have never had a problem with arousal on the medication. A few times the delayed ejaculation turned into an inability to ejaculate, this was short lived for me.
>What about the weight gain? For the latter I'm not sure I'll necessarily have a problem with it, as I've always been on the slim side and continue to exercise. I also wonder if Nardil contributes to weight gain through some biochemical/pharmacological mechanism regardless of diet or exercise, or if it is mostly a result of the strong sugar craving many speak of, thus resulting in weight purely from the excess caloric intake.
The weight gain has been my main problem while on Nardil. The only way I've been able to contol it is with intense exercise most every day. I have lost weight while on Nardil, but it really takes a concentrated effort. I think for me the weight gain is mostly a result of the intense carbohydrate cravings.
Just my experiences,
Jedi
poster:jedi
thread:656389
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060610/msgs/656744.html