Posted by Jedi on May 2, 2007, at 1:14:51
In reply to How common is hypomania on MAOI's?, posted by malcolm64 on May 1, 2007, at 19:07:35
> I'm just wondering how many people here have experienced hypomania as a result of being on an MAOI?
>
> I'm not talking about a crazy kind of reaction, I'm referring to just a wonderful feeling of being super-relaxed and super-confident (which is the entire reason for taking an MAOI, b/c nothing else has worked).
>
> I did a year ago on Nardil. I first noticed the effect at about 45 mgs after about three weeks. But it slowly diminished to the point where the med wasn't having that effect anymore. So I stopped it (I went up as high as 90 mgs).
>
> Now I'm on Parnate (I'm on 20 mgs, but go up to 30 mgs later this week). I'm hoping that it replicates some of the superconfidence I felt while the Nardil was having its peak effect. But hopefully, it won't poop out on me like the Nardil did.
>
> I guess I'm experiencing anxiety alone just from waiting to see if the damn med is going to work.
>
> MalcolmHi Malcom,
Our pattern and reaction to MAOIs are very similar. My major depression started about ten years ago. Before that I went through about 25 years of dysthymia and social anxiety. After several unsuccessful trials I had a PDOC at the time who was smart enough to recognize my atypical depression with social anxiety and try Nardil. When it kicked in after about a month, the feeling was so good! I didn't care if it was hypomania, after being depressed for so long, it felt great. The feeling lasted for a couple of months but then was gone. But, the major depression was gone too.Over the past ten year perioid I quit Nardil about four times because of reduced effectiveness, side effects(weight gain/insomnia), and the desire to see if any of the newer meds would work. They all failed and the major depression returned until back on Nardil each time. I even had a failed trial on Parnate. I don't think the dosage was pushed to a high enough level. Also, we didn't try augmentation with lithium and stimulants. I really believe that modafinil would be a really good fit with Parnate. It's on my highest copay tier and I have to convince my MD, but for something that may just work, I will do what I have to. Sometimes I feel like a walking pharmacy. But, I think we all know that there are not many things worse than treatment resistant major depression. The term "Living Hell" comes to mind.
I've kind of given up on recapturing the initial reaction I had with Nardil. I just want to be able to live somewhat normally and be able to lose a large portion of the weight I gained while on Nardil and other ADs. I want to be able to talk to people without a feeling of intense anxiety. I raised my clonazepam to 2mg from 1mg when I switched to Parnate. Nardil has an effect on GABA that when combined with clonazepam makes a great social anxiety med.
Good Luck and Be Well,
Jedi
poster:Jedi
thread:755025
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070426/msgs/755078.html