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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by SuziG on January 2, 2003, at 12:50:24
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by cosis on January 2, 2003, at 12:46:30
Besides the recall. There has been a producrion stop as well. I will se if I can find the article and I can send it to you. The only e-mail I have is my work. SG
Posted by cosis on January 2, 2003, at 13:34:51
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by SuziG on January 2, 2003, at 12:50:24
Oh, I haven't heard of this... Phizer told me the stock would be replenished at the end of Jan. Maybe another company is taking over production
Posted by SuziG on January 2, 2003, at 13:38:03
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by cosis on January 2, 2003, at 13:34:51
do you have the # or e-mail to Phizer. I need to find out!! Thanks SG
Posted by petercamp on January 2, 2003, at 15:01:17
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by SuziG on January 2, 2003, at 13:38:03
> do you have the # or e-mail to Phizer. I need to find out!! Thanks SG
i called phizer and they assured me they are not stopping making nardil and they have remedied the shortage, although only one drug store in my town had it
Posted by SuziG on January 2, 2003, at 15:03:43
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by petercamp on January 2, 2003, at 15:01:17
can I have their #?
Posted by petercamp on January 2, 2003, at 15:14:16
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by SuziG on January 2, 2003, at 15:03:43
phizer= 800-533-4535
petercampusa@110.net
Posted by SuziG on January 2, 2003, at 15:17:41
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by petercamp on January 2, 2003, at 15:14:16
Thank you sooooo much. Its always nice to be able to talk to someone yourself. SG
Posted by petercamp on January 2, 2003, at 15:22:21
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by SuziG on January 2, 2003, at 15:17:41
quite alright if you care to contact me at my email feel free
petercampusa@110.net
Posted by cosis on January 2, 2003, at 16:13:30
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by SuziG on January 2, 2003, at 15:17:41
From what I understand they will not take calls from consumers at 1-800-533-4535
Maybe they do?
Try Main number: 1-800-223-0432
Explain your inquiry to the phone operator and he will transfer you to the
product service representative.They were out of it at all pharmacies and I called Phizer and then requested a "drop shipment" from my pharmacy.. I received 200 pills 3-4 day's later
Posted by djmmm on January 2, 2003, at 18:45:52
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by cosis on January 2, 2003, at 16:13:30
It seems like Warner-Lambert has a history of production/quality problems when it comes to Nardilhttp://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/NEW00430.html
Posted by cosis on January 2, 2003, at 20:30:40
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by djmmm on January 2, 2003, at 18:45:52
Wow that is sad to see....
Posted by ace on January 2, 2003, at 21:12:12
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by cosis on January 2, 2003, at 20:30:40
With regards to the weight gain I can't say too much. I have been on it for just over a month and I think it's starting to kick in.
The Production Stop -- Once again I probably can't help too much, but I live in Australia. Here there is only 500 people on it. To get on it I had to go through a special government procedure called the "Special Access Scheme" I had to have individual approval. This is stupid, since it kills the SSRIs. I already feel better than on Zoloft, and it still hasn't kicked in fully!
I think Pfizer has sold it out to Park Davis??
But this might just be a division of Pfizer?To get it here I we have to get it from the UK, some company called Link Medical Products.
To keep it alive I recommend we all send emails to the FDA! ( would these guys have much to do with keeping it around?) Tell them to keep it. I have.
Posted by clay on January 3, 2003, at 0:46:38
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by ace on January 2, 2003, at 21:12:12
I agree we should contact FDA and also contact Pfizer at 800 223-0432 and state the importance of Nardil.
I have been on it for 18 years and the benefits have been tremendous.
I personally believe it could help many more people but is not prescribed as much because of the PR of newer drugs by the drug companies.
Posted by ace on January 3, 2003, at 2:20:01
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by clay on January 3, 2003, at 0:46:38
> I agree we should contact FDA and also contact Pfizer at 800 223-0432 and state the importance of Nardil.
> I have been on it for 18 years and the benefits have been tremendous.
> I personally believe it could help many more people but is not prescribed as much because of the PR of newer drugs by the drug companies.Clay -- you said it very well. Bring on the Paxil commercials - the SSRI cashcows don't have to prove themselves like Nardil had to. This is because Nardil had no where near the same PR as the SSRIs. It had to prove itself. And boy it has. The drug companies bring on the SSRI circus, disregarding their lack of efficacy and discontinuation syndromes (which I suffered). Never mind the fact that no SSRI will ever compare to Nardil.
So we should all ring Pfizer, FDA. Even our presidents and Prime Ministers if necessary!!!!!
Posted by SuziG on January 3, 2003, at 6:48:40
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by ace on January 3, 2003, at 2:20:01
I spoke with Phizor yesterday they said they are not stopping production. She said they have come up with an emergency supply of the drug but it has a short shelf life. They will use that until they can produce the regular life pill again. If anyone is having trouble finding nardil in their town they can have their pharmacy call Phizor at 800-553-4535 and they can get them some of the emergency supply.
Not to change the subject but I have mixed feelings about Nardil. It has made my life functionable. This has kept me on it. However I sometimes think I am too carefree. Almost like I live in my own world. I still really have no hobbies or things I can say I love to do. I still suffer from the lack of liking anything. However I am not depressed about it. I sometimes I feel like I just float through life. Any similar feelings?
Posted by ZeeZee on January 3, 2003, at 13:49:44
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by clay on January 3, 2003, at 0:46:38
Hi Clay,
I too found Nardil highly effective but stopped because of side effects. One troublesome one for me was carb/sweet cravings and weight gain. Have you had experience with this side effect and if so have you found an antedote?
Thanks
Posted by ace on January 3, 2003, at 20:22:47
In reply to Re: Nardil, Production Stop, Feeling too carefree?, posted by SuziG on January 3, 2003, at 6:48:40
> I spoke with Phizor yesterday they said they are not stopping production. She said they have come up with an emergency supply of the drug but it has a short shelf life. They will use that until they can produce the regular life pill again. If anyone is having trouble finding nardil in their town they can have their pharmacy call Phizor at 800-553-4535 and they can get them some of the emergency supply.
> Not to change the subject but I have mixed feelings about Nardil. It has made my life functionable. This has kept me on it. However I sometimes think I am too carefree. Almost like I live in my own world. I still really have no hobbies or things I can say I love to do. I still suffer from the lack of liking anything. However I am not depressed about it. I sometimes I feel like I just float through life. Any similar feelings?Hey!
When you say "life pill" i assum you mean a pill with a late expiry date?With regards to your other comment, i'm preety new to Nardil, but I think I've had a taste of the carefree feeling you mean. I like it! Probably cause i have always suffered intense anxiety.
Maybe you might benifit starting a hobby (tennis, reading, playing a musical instrument etc) and, even in spite of any initial boredom or resistance, to keep going. I have noticed things I do not enjoy at first, when I push myself, I like later -- sometimes love!
I think Nardil will help with this.
Good luck!
Posted by clay on January 4, 2003, at 19:20:40
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop » clay, posted by ZeeZee on January 3, 2003, at 13:49:44
> Hi Clay,
> I too found Nardil highly effective but stopped because of side effects. One troublesome one for me was carb/sweet cravings and weight gain. Have you had experience with this side effect and if so have you found an antedote?
> ThanksZeeZee
I have been on Nardil for a long time (18 years & I'm 43 ). I do have a "sweet tooth" but do not know if it is from Nardil or just a normal thing.
I keep my weight normal by exercising on a regular, consistant basis.
Posted by Jumpy on January 4, 2003, at 20:32:28
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN,Production Stop, posted by clay on January 4, 2003, at 19:20:40
> > Hi Clay,
> > I too found Nardil highly effective but stopped because of side effects. One troublesome one for me was carb/sweet cravings and weight gain. Have you had experience with this side effect and if so have you found an antedote?
> > Thanks
>
> ZeeZee
> I have been on Nardil for a long time (18 years & I'm 43 ). I do have a "sweet tooth" but do not know if it is from Nardil or just a normal thing.
> I keep my weight normal by exercising on a regular, consistant basis.
>Wow, that is amazing. I use to take 60mg per day and gained 25 to 30 lbs. despite jogging 3 to 4 times a week. Some of the weight was water retention .. I notice I get swelling in the ankles and my shoes get tight. But alot of it is just plain old fat .... I get severe carbohydrate craving which might be due to the fact that nardil drops my blood sugar below normal. My blood sugar is routinely around 70 to 75 with nardil (so studies have shown this occurs, might be due to excessive insulin from the antidepressant).
So between the 30 lbs weight gain, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, memory disturbance, possibility of hypertensive crisis ... life can be tough. All those things make it hard to lead even a "half normal" life. But I guess depression is worse.
Jumpy
Posted by Jumpy on January 4, 2003, at 20:50:48
In reply to Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN, posted by Jumpy on January 4, 2003, at 20:32:28
Hey Clay,
Just alittle more. I usually don't complain about side effects. I used Lithium/Imipramine for 1 year with mild weight gain, tremor, dry mouth, sedation, constipation, etc. and didn't complain. But nardil makes being a 20 or 30 year old soooo difficult. A typical night for me is meet friends, refuse tap beer that someone bought me (hypertensive crisis), suck in my gut all night, meet women but have no interest because of the lack of libdo, call everyone "hey" because I forget peoples names, run to the corner deli for some junk food because my blood sugar has dropped, stay out late and need to stay over friends house- toss and turn all night because of the insomnia. Stop by the emergency room periodically to get my blood pressure checked to make sure I am not having a hypertensive crisis. And forget when I have a girlfriend .... try to explain the impotence, weight gain, insomnia ... that is impossible. I have had 3 relationships break up because of all the side effects of nardil.
So how did you make it through your 20's and 30's on nardil? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jumpy
Posted by clay on January 4, 2003, at 20:51:06
In reply to Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN, posted by Jumpy on January 4, 2003, at 20:32:28
> > > Hi Clay,
> > > I too found Nardil highly effective but stopped because of side effects. One troublesome one for me was carb/sweet cravings and weight gain. Have you had experience with this side effect and if so have you found an antedote?
> > > Thanks
> >
> > ZeeZee
> > I have been on Nardil for a long time (18 years & I'm 43 ). I do have a "sweet tooth" but do not know if it is from Nardil or just a normal thing.
> > I keep my weight normal by exercising on a regular, consistant basis.
> >
>
> Wow, that is amazing. I use to take 60mg per day and gained 25 to 30 lbs. despite jogging 3 to 4 times a week. Some of the weight was water retention .. I notice I get swelling in the ankles and my shoes get tight. But alot of it is just plain old fat .... I get severe carbohydrate craving which might be due to the fact that nardil drops my blood sugar below normal. My blood sugar is routinely around 70 to 75 with nardil (so studies have shown this occurs, might be due to excessive insulin from the antidepressant).
>
> So between the 30 lbs weight gain, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, memory disturbance, possibility of hypertensive crisis ... life can be tough. All those things make it hard to lead even a "half normal" life. But I guess depression is worse.
>
> JumpyJumpy,
I'm curious as to how long you stayed on the 60mg and what happened when you cut back to 45mg?
I tapered back from 45mg per day to 30mg 2yrs ago. After about 3 months, my anxiety and depressive feelings returned srongly so I kicked it up to 60mg/day and started feeling normal within about 2 to 3 weeks, however for the first time I noticed no sexual desire and about 5lb weight gain. After a couple of months, staying on 60mg/day, the side effects left.
I actually think the weight gain was from feeling better and having a better appetite. Who knows, but Nardil has been very effective for me. 45 to 60mg per day, works well for me.
Posted by Jumpy on January 4, 2003, at 21:02:21
In reply to Re: Nardil and WEIGHT GAIN, posted by clay on January 4, 2003, at 20:51:06
> I'm curious as to how long you stayed on the 60mg and what happened when you cut back to 45mg?
Hey Clay,
I tapered to 45mg for 4 weeks and fell back into the deep depression. Many of the side effect resolved thou. I then tried 52.5mg for 4 weeks, but still was in a deep depression. I then tried adding 100mg of lamictal to the 45mg of nardil. That worked okay ... I felt like 65 to 70% and had just moderate side effects (mild sexual dysfunction, weight gain of only 15 lbs, mild insomnia, etc). I though I found the solution finally. On some routine blood work, it turned out my liver enzymes were elevated. They stayed elevated for an entire year ... so I finally decided to stop the lamictal to avoid liver cirrhosis. So then I went back to 60mg ... all the benefits and all the side effects.
I recently got so desparate I tried ECT. It worked for a short period ... but I would need maintainance ECT to have the benefits persist. I wouldn't be able to work with the cognitive effects of ECT, so I decide against that.
So now I am back to nardil or maybe lithium/pamelor or maybe lithium/lamictal.
Thanks,
Jumpy
Posted by clay on January 4, 2003, at 21:07:17
In reply to Clay, some advice needed, posted by Jumpy on January 4, 2003, at 20:50:48
> Hey Clay,
>
> Just alittle more. I usually don't complain about side effects. I used Lithium/Imipramine for 1 year with mild weight gain, tremor, dry mouth, sedation, constipation, etc. and didn't complain. But nardil makes being a 20 or 30 year old soooo difficult. A typical night for me is meet friends, refuse tap beer that someone bought me (hypertensive crisis), suck in my gut all night, meet women but have no interest because of the lack of libdo, call everyone "hey" because I forget peoples names, run to the corner deli for some junk food because my blood sugar has dropped, stay out late and need to stay over friends house- toss and turn all night because of the insomnia. Stop by the emergency room periodically to get my blood pressure checked to make sure I am not having a hypertensive crisis. And forget when I have a girlfriend .... try to explain the impotence, weight gain, insomnia ... that is impossible. I have had 3 relationships break up because of all the side effects of nardil.
>
> So how did you make it through your 20's and 30's on nardil? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> JumpyJumpy,
First, I learned that I had to play with the cards that were dealt me. I had no problem not drinking because I just told my friends the truth as to why I couldn't drink (On some medication....) If they didn't like it, tough.
As far as sucking in the gut, most peolple do that that aren't on Nardil.
Blood sugar dropping. Learned when I needed to eat, and kept a snack close by if necessary. Over time, the less I thought about it, the less I noticed my blood sugar dropping feeling seemed to hit.
Remembering names. I couldn't remember names before I started on Nardil.
Hypertensive crisis. Been on it for 18 years and never had one that I know of.
Fortunately, I never had the sexual impotence until last year (I mentioned in the previous email when I increased the dose, but that side effect went away over time.
Hang in there,
Clay
Posted by Jumpy on January 4, 2003, at 21:26:55
In reply to Re: Clay, some advice needed, posted by clay on January 4, 2003, at 21:07:17
Hey Clay,
Thank you so much. You have some great points there. I guess I still haven't accepted my disease/the cards God dealt me. Having my heart broken several times was very difficult as well.
Once again, thank you so much for your time and advise. I think I will save you post and print it out. Enjoy the weekend.
Sincerely,
Jumpy
Posted by SuziG on January 6, 2003, at 5:55:42
In reply to Re: Clay, some advice needed » clay, posted by Jumpy on January 4, 2003, at 21:26:55
I have been on Nardil for 6-7 yrs. I take 45mg alon g with Lamacial and Risperdal. I take the risperdal at night to help with the insominia. It works pretty well. It helps me settle down and stay asleep for the entire night. I have the carbo cravings and I have a binge-anorexia problem so my weight fluxuates a lot!! Any where from 105 - 165. I am only 5ft so 165 si hefty. I have the memory problem. I can't remember events or names, phone #'s. Sometimes I will forget my own # or even age. Uusally if someone gives me a little refresher memory it comes back. The sexual dysfunction is off and on. I to have tried ECT and it was unsucessful. I find that even with all the side effects Nardil makes me be able to function and lead a somewhat normal life. Yes I am different than everone I know but my friends except me for me. I often want to stop the nardil and say heck with it but I think the benifits are greater than the side effects.
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