Posted by ace on November 2, 2009, at 0:06:06
In reply to Dosage of nardil/Add-ons for ADD/Ace, posted by stargazer2 on November 1, 2009, at 16:56:20
> Ace, I'm on nardil 30 mg and also take Wellbutrin 150 XL (contraindicated) but need something besides Nardil to give me focus and energy.
Hmmmm....at first site I would say drop the Wellbutrin and raise the Nardil....better read the rest of the thread but!
I also had taken a tad of the generic Adderall to supplement Nardil at one time.What sort of response did you get?
> I took the original version of Nardil many moons ago and was on 15 BID with excellent results.That's a low dose! I am suprised you neeeded so little.
As a matter of fact, this was pre-SSRI's and it was only the 2nd AD tried on me and the results were immediate (?),like a key opening a lock. No other medication since than, 25 years ago, ever worked like that, with the exception of Marplan.
Your response is very common. Nardil is the bomb!Parnate never worked for me, go figure.
Parnate is a great med, but I don't think it works for as many as Nardil. I have certain suspicions as to why....after my own bad experience with it.
> Obviously with the change in the current formulation,With the regards to the change in the formulation I was informed that this problem was rectified. It only actually involved the incipients....furthermore this was only confined to certain parts of the world.
the response I had after years of SSRI/"all other AD's known to man" merry go round, the current response was never as robust as the original version of Nardil. I did go up to 60 mg once, but never higher.That could be to a myriad of biochemical factors...and it would not be strange to assume that after your Nardil 'break' you needed a higher dose.
>
> I guess my fear was the side effects that kicked in a higher doses, leg swelling and constipationConstipation is treatable, but is a common long-term effect. Edema (leg swelling) is less common, I have heard of some folk using natural methods to help this.
and lack of effect on my energy level and ADD symptoms (Never offically diagnosed but my biggest obstacle to date).
You did not feel any rise in energy level? at 30mg, describe to me exactly what you felt, in terms of Nardil's effect.
>
> Do you have an opinion on adding things for ADD to Nardil? My pdoc agreed to adding Wellbutrin XL only after I presented a paper to him that it had been safely given by a group of Harvard trained pdocs at Mclean Hosp. in Boston.Yes Low dose ( I emphasise LOW) stimulants are fine with Nardil (even thought contrainidicated).
Be careful.Also I have heard of Clonidine used with Nardil for OCD and ADD. Also Remeron I know has been used for ADD (suprising) with Nardil. There is many more, but I would have to get to my records at home.
If it is not ADD, and rather an anxiety problem (I see this a lot) a benzo would be ideal. And the higher dose of Nardil would help if it was an anxiety disorder. It has to be higer but- Nardil's effect on GABA is dose-dependent.
If Wellbutrin is doing much, I would give it the sack!
>
> Do you think Nardil at higher doses is associated with improving focus, energy and concentration.Absolutely 100%!!! Improved energy is one of Nardil's big benefits! It used to get those depressed cancer patients out of bed jumping around as happy as can be!
Focus and concentration- this Is a little harder to assess. i would certainly say it does not impede either, but if you are suffering from bona-fide ADD, loosening of associations, or something a little different that anxiety/depression, you could well need an additional med.
> I wasn't sure if you had any knowledge if this occurring at higher doses.
>
> I am most afraid of side effects that will destabalize or make mee worse. You have to believe me when I say I have tried every med and have had every side effect, including suicidality associated with Effexor. I have also had a very poor history of pushing higher doses of medications.That's all OK friend, please just take it slow, and be cautious. If something is too much, lower the dose immediately. Also, I would advise you get a blood pressure machine (cheap at some places) and have Nifedipine on add (in case of problems) I have had Nifedipine on hand for years and years, and used it twice! I am not trying to scare you, but I don't want you to feel worried about raising doses. This is why I am urging caution so much. Id you are cautious, their is nothing to worry about!
> Right now, I's able to work and my personal life is relatively stable, so I just wanted your opinion, to use if it becomes necessary. Right now we are not looking for improvement, although there is certainly room for it, but the risk is too great to mess with the status quo.My personal philosophy is thus: If you are not getting great benefit from a particular psychiatric drug- change it until you are!
> Thanks for your contributions, it is always good to hear other success stories. I had almost given up many many times, but thankfully never did.
Good on you! Stay fighting!
> Like you, MAO's have been the only meds that have saved my life. My biggest crash followed the discontinuation of Marplan in 1993 (crashed and burned) and Nardil. I had ZERO side effcts on the original drugs and the doses were very low. Too bad the drug companies only market meds that make lots of money for them (brand names), not the generics.Don't get me started on this!!!
And the generic are never as good as the real stuff. I think we all agree on that.
>
> Stargazer
All the very best my friend!Ace:)
poster:ace
thread:923748
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091029/msgs/924008.html