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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Steeler Tookahn on July 31, 2000, at 5:59:29
Years ago I took Parnate for depression and it worked well for about 8 years before pooping out. Since then I have tried just about every combination of meds with no real success. Several weeks ago I returned to Parnate and have been on 60mg for about 5 days. It hasn't done anything yet. The next step if Parnate doesn't work is ECT. Unfortunately, the doctor said I can't be on an MAOI because of the interaction with the anesthesia. My question. How long of a trial should we give the Parnate before abandoning it? I can't remember how long it took to before it became effective last time. I'd appreciate any input.
Steeler
Posted by Steeler Tookahn on July 31, 2000, at 7:49:49
In reply to Parnate trail and ECT, posted by Steeler Tookahn on July 31, 2000, at 5:59:29
> Years ago I took Parnate for depression and it worked well for about 8 years before pooping out. Since then I have tried just about every combination of meds with no real success. Several weeks ago I returned to Parnate and have been on 60mg for about 5 days. It hasn't done anything yet. The next step if Parnate doesn't work is ECT. Unfortunately, the doctor said I can't be on an MAOI because of the interaction with the anesthesia. My question. How long of a trial should we give the Parnate before abandoning it? I can't remember how long it took to before it became effective last time. I'd appreciate any input.
>
> SteelerAlthough I am indeed on the Parnate trail, I really meant Parnate trial. eesshh.
Posted by shellie on July 31, 2000, at 8:21:20
In reply to Re: Parnate trail and ECT, posted by Steeler Tookahn on July 31, 2000, at 7:49:49
Steeler, have you tried lamictal, pindolol, and ritalin to boost the MAOI? I'm just checking--it would be a shame to do ECT if your doctor hasn't covered all the bases. The first time for me on Nardil it took 5 weeks to work--I don't know if that's relevant for a second try on an MAOI. shellie
Posted by Steeler Tookahn on July 31, 2000, at 8:31:38
In reply to Re: Parnate trail and ECT » Steeler Tookahn, posted by shellie on July 31, 2000, at 8:21:20
> Steeler, have you tried lamictal, pindolol, and ritalin to boost the MAOI? I'm just checking--it would be a shame to do ECT if your doctor hasn't covered all the bases. The first time for me on Nardil it took 5 weeks to work--I don't know if that's relevant for a second try on an MAOI. shellie
Shellie,
When the Parnate started to poop out years ago we tried augmenting it with Lamictal, Depakote, Tegretol, Lithium and even dexedrine. Also have tried fish oils and Synthroid (which I continue to take).
That is not to say that one of these augmenting agents might not work now, but I am hesitant to go down that road again.Thanks for your input
Steeler
Posted by Ant-Rock on July 31, 2000, at 13:38:06
In reply to Parnate trail and ECT, posted by Steeler Tookahn on July 31, 2000, at 5:59:29
Steeler,
I agree with Shellie. I would give other augmentors a try before I jumped into ECT. This is just my opinion, but I am not comfortable with the safety of ECT.
As far as parnate goes, you may need a higher dose your 2nd or 3rd time on it, at least that is how I found it to be. I also would give parnate a full 3-4 weeks to experience full effectiveness.
Just my 2 cents.
Good luck,
Anthony
Posted by Stephanie L. on August 4, 2000, at 18:51:38
In reply to Re: Parnate trail and ECT » Steeler Tookahn, posted by Ant-Rock on July 31, 2000, at 13:38:06
> Steeler,
> I agree with Shellie. I would give other augmentors a try before I jumped into ECT. This is just my opinion, but I am not comfortable with the safety of ECT.
> As far as parnate goes, you may need a higher dose your 2nd or 3rd time on it, at least that is how I found it to be. I also would give parnate a full 3-4 weeks to experience full effectiveness.
> Just my 2 cents.
> Good luck,
> Anthony
Steeler: I had an experience very similar to yours. My longtime MAO antidepressant, Nardil, stopped working after l2 years. Like you, I augmented it with lamictal, depakote, lithium, etc. etc.
None of them helped. (I had also unsuccessly tried several of the newer ADs - I got off Nardil to do this.) I also tried a course of ECT, which did nothing. What ended up working was adding to the Nardil Wellbutrin and Vivactil (a tricyclate that is more energizing than other TCAs.)This combination is supposed to be very dangerous because of the way Nardil interacts with other meds. However, I have a doctor who is very experienced, and I also did a consult with an out-of-state psychopharmgist (I had read one of his books in which he talked positively about combining MAOIs with other ADs) I have been on this combination for 2 years with no side effects.
Posted by Steeler Tookahn on August 5, 2000, at 6:07:06
In reply to Re: Parnate trail and ECT, posted by Stephanie L. on August 4, 2000, at 18:51:38
> Steeler: I had an experience very similar to yours. My longtime MAO antidepressant, Nardil, stopped working after l2 years. Like you, I augmented it with lamictal, depakote, lithium, etc. etc.
> None of them helped. (I had also unsuccessly tried several of the newer ADs - I got off Nardil to do this.) I also tried a course of ECT, which did nothing. What ended up working was adding to the Nardil Wellbutrin and Vivactil (a tricyclate that is more energizing than other TCAs.)This combination is supposed to be very dangerous because of the way Nardil interacts with other meds. However, I have a doctor who is very experienced, and I also did a consult with an out-of-state psychopharmgist (I had read one of his books in which he talked positively about combining MAOIs with other ADs) I have been on this combination for 2 years with no side effects.Stephanie,
Thanks for your input. I tried Wellbutrin alone but never thought of it in conjunction with an MAOI. My Pdoc is very experienced and has put some patients on a TCA/MAOI combo -so that may be an option. I have had success with some TCAs in the past: like all the meds I've taken, they poop out after a while. I have never tried Vivactil.
Posted by Ant-Rock on August 8, 2000, at 11:35:04
In reply to Re: Parnate trail and ECT, posted by Stephanie L. on August 4, 2000, at 18:51:38
> > Steeler,
> > I agree with Shellie. I would give other augmentors a try before I jumped into ECT. This is just my opinion, but I am not comfortable with the safety of ECT.
> > As far as parnate goes, you may need a higher dose your 2nd or 3rd time on it, at least that is how I found it to be. I also would give parnate a full 3-4 weeks to experience full effectiveness.
> > Just my 2 cents.
> > Good luck,
> > Anthony
>
>
> Steeler: I had an experience very similar to yours. My longtime MAO antidepressant, Nardil, stopped working after l2 years. Like you, I augmented it with lamictal, depakote, lithium, etc. etc.
> None of them helped. (I had also unsuccessly tried several of the newer ADs - I got off Nardil to do this.) I also tried a course of ECT, which did nothing. What ended up working was adding to the Nardil Wellbutrin and Vivactil (a tricyclate that is more energizing than other TCAs.)This combination is supposed to be very dangerous because of the way Nardil interacts with other meds. However, I have a doctor who is very experienced, and I also did a consult with an out-of-state psychopharmgist (I had read one of his books in which he talked positively about combining MAOIs with other ADs) I have been on this combination for 2 years with no side effects.Stephanie,
Would it be possible to let me know the name of the book that describes combining MAOIs with other ADs. This info would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Anthony
This is the end of the thread.
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