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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ace on May 25, 2003, at 0:53:56
Really don't have much to say, but boy am I happy!
Also, unlike before on Nardil (I'm back on it now ofcourse), I've had some periods where OCD (the rumination on a past 'bad' thought...blah, blah, blah) has been 100% gone...breathtaking. I'm at 60mg, and probably will stay there for a while.
3 days ago it took me around 4 hours to walk a 5min distance due to extreme phobic anxiety of derealization attacks...it took me 8 mins today!
My jaw is on the ground!...completely in awe.
Love you all,
Ace, The Nardil Heavyweight champ forever!, 60mg.
Posted by justyourlaugh on May 25, 2003, at 1:17:58
In reply to Nardil: A miracle!, posted by ace on May 25, 2003, at 0:53:56
ace,
you didnt answer me....
i am having such troubles leaving the house...
200 zoloft
plus lorazepam 3 times a day....
i feel i am bipolar and these meds have little effect..thats why i crave the alcohol...
can you offer advice for me ace?
j
Posted by ace on May 25, 2003, at 1:25:49
In reply to Re: Nardil: A miracle! ?ace, posted by justyourlaugh on May 25, 2003, at 1:17:58
> ace,
> you didnt answer me....
> i am having such troubles leaving the house...
> 200 zoloft
> plus lorazepam 3 times a day....
> i feel i am bipolar and these meds have little effect..thats why i crave the alcohol...
> can you offer advice for me ace?
> jYes, take Nardil!!! More advice soon...I have to leave....my uni library is closing.
Also, what is your official diagnosis...I'll see what I can come up with. But if you have bad anxiety Nardil is a brilliant med (need I say that!)
Take Care!
Ace.
Posted by Ron Hill on May 25, 2003, at 1:59:36
In reply to Re: Nardil: A miracle! » ace, posted by justyourlaugh on May 25, 2003, at 1:17:58
> ace,
> you didnt answer me....
> i am having such troubles leaving the house...
> 200 zoloft
> plus lorazepam 3 times a day....
> i feel i am bipolar and these meds have little effect..thats why i crave the alcohol...
> can you offer advice for me ace?
> j
JYL (Shannon, right?),I'm not as good looking nor as sweet as Ace, but may I jump in for a moment? If you're bipolar, why don't you have a moodstabilizer in your cocktail?
With regard to alcohol consumption, I'm bipolar and if I allow myself even one drink, I'm depressed for the next couple of days. I really miss the 3-beer effect, but I've come to the conclusion that I must not drink. Do you feel that alcohol consumption worsens your depression?
I was reading yesterday that when people drink regularly (i.e., excessively) they need supplemental niacin (nicotinic acid). Maybe try taking 500 mg/day of niacin to see if it helps you. Niacin will cause a flush (red skin and tingly all over) but it shouldn't hurt you and it will subside in an hour or so.
How's things over at Jay's site?
Best wishes.
-- Ron
Posted by Carlos on May 25, 2003, at 3:19:53
In reply to Re: Nardil: A miracle! » ace, posted by justyourlaugh on May 25, 2003, at 1:17:58
> ace,
> you didnt answer me....
> i am having such troubles leaving the house...
> 200 zoloft
> plus lorazepam 3 times a day....
> i feel i am bipolar and these meds have little effect..thats why i crave the alcohol...
> can you offer advice for me ace?
> jI'm with ace, drop the Z and Lorazepam (xanax?). Give Nardil a try.
I was on Zoloft before (200mg is a high dose BTW, probably not even thearapeutic) and have less side-effects on Nardil and eat whatever I want.
New anti-depressants can not TOUCH MAOI's effectivnes. It'll probably one of the best decisions you'll make in your life. Best wishes.
-Carlos
Posted by justyourlaugh on May 25, 2003, at 10:55:37
In reply to Re: Bipolar disorder and alcohol consumption » justyourlaugh, posted by Ron Hill on May 25, 2003, at 1:59:36
thanks for the response,,
i have not been to "jay's" in months...
i was on topamax but it made me much worse...
the zoloft is really slowing me down,i almost feel level...
i get horrible depressed the next day from drinking,,so i usually drink some more...
?
im am screwing everything up again
Posted by Ron Hill on May 25, 2003, at 13:15:43
In reply to Re: Bipolar disorder and alcohol consumption » Ron Hill, posted by justyourlaugh on May 25, 2003, at 10:55:37
Shannon Sweetie,
> thanks for the response,,
Sure, happy to do so.
> i was on topamax but it made me much worse...
Have you ever tried any other moodstabilizers? Topamax may be a good med for some, but it is not a first-line moodstabilizer (when used as the sole moodstabilizer) for bipolar disorder. Specifically what leads you to believe that your are bipolar? What dx does your pdoc assign to your condition?
> the zoloft is really slowing me down,i almost feel level...
If you are bipolar, an SSRI without a moodstabilizer is not recommended. Please read this:
http://www.psycheducation.org/bipolar/controversy.htm
> i get horrible depressed the next day from drinking,,so i usually drink some more...
Yeah, that's what I thought. Buy some 500 mg tablets of niacin and try it. It might help a little.
> im am screwing everything up again
You're okay Shannon (am I spelling your name correctly?). You can get this figured out and solved (but ya gotta wanna). Is there an AA program available locally that could help you overcome your alcohol addition? It is very common for bipolar patients to self-medicate with alcohol, but there are safer treatment options available with much higher efficacy.
It seems to me that job-one should be to get your dx nailed down. Then invest the time required on the net to research treatment options for your particular disorder. Start this process by spending the ten bucks required to take this on-line diagnosis screening test. The results will likely be insightful and well worth your time and money.
http://www.mentalhealth.com/p71.html
If the ten bucks is too hard to come up with right now, then take this free bipolar questionnaire:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/MDQ.htm
JYL, I’m not speculating that you are, but if it turns out that you are bipolar, then a good place to start your research is by looking at the following document. Don’t be intimidated by the size of the document; just read bits and pieces of it. In particular, begin by scanning the sections that addresses treatment/medication recommendations. Lithium and Depakote are the first-line moodstabilizers recommended in the document.
http://www.psych.org/clin_res/bipolar_revisebook_index.cfm
If you need help, we’re here for you. Problems are just solutions waiting to be found. You’re a bright gal; go find some possible solutions to your issues.
-- Ron
Posted by Angel1 on May 25, 2003, at 14:27:36
In reply to Re: Nardil: A miracle!, posted by Carlos on May 25, 2003, at 3:19:53
HI Carlos,
what dosage are you on, and does Nardil make you gain weight?
thanks, Angel1
Posted by Dragonslayer on May 25, 2003, at 14:45:51
In reply to Nardil: A miracle!, posted by ace on May 25, 2003, at 0:53:56
Posted by Carlos on May 25, 2003, at 17:12:07
In reply to Re: Nardil: A miracle! ATTN: CARLOS, posted by Angel1 on May 25, 2003, at 14:27:36
> HI Carlos,
>
> what dosage are you on, and does Nardil make you gain weight?
> thanks, Angel1Hi Angel!
I'm up to 60mg almost week 4 and it's been working since day 2 or 3 believe it or not. I haven't gained any weight yet, but unlike most anti-depresants if you do gain weight on Nardil, it can be worked off or kept in check. Unlike something like weight gained on Paxil it's near impossible to keep in check or loose.
Posted by temoigneur on May 26, 2003, at 1:34:44
In reply to Nardil: A miracle!, posted by ace on May 25, 2003, at 0:53:56
Hi Ace, am I right in concluding that your back on Nardil and it's working for you again, from the snippett of a posting I read. If you so wonderful.
Ace my pdoc started me on 15 mg nardil last tues. and has me up to 45 now, during the day I'm so depressed, I seem to remember you mentioning something about depression too. My main question is how long should I stay at 60 mg before going up to ninety; should I just go up to ninety at a steady rate or is there reason to hope that 60mg might do the trick, and stay on that dose for a few weeks? My pdoc acknowledges that MAOI's are unique to ssri's in important ways, and says that for some, they're the only drugs that work, but I don't think he has much experience with them. Also in your case, how long were you depressed before the nardil kicked in, at what dose. Any suggestion you could give would be great
Cheers
Ben
Posted by ace on May 26, 2003, at 3:27:13
In reply to Re: Nardil: A miracle! » ace, posted by temoigneur on May 26, 2003, at 1:34:44
> Hi Ace, am I right in concluding that your back on Nardil and it's working for you again, from the snippett of a posting I read.
It's working is an understatement! This is the happiest period of my life....check out post I will do below.
If you so wonderful.
>
> Ace my pdoc started me on 15 mg nardil last tues. and has me up to 45 now, during the day I'm so depressed, I seem to remember you mentioning something about depression too.
OK Ben, lets not worry too much about this. When I first started Nardil it caused anhedonia (if you don't know, just a fancy word for loss of enjoyment for things you used to enjoy in life). Also it worsened my derealization/anxiety quite a bit too...and later blew it's backside off! This was in the first week. I remember smoking very little cause I wasn't too happy. Also, I felt completly out of it for a while (cognitive functions all over the shop) BUT these did pass...boy did they pass!When I first started Zoloft I noticed zilch. And it turned out to be crap. In other words, and this sound strange, the fact that you are feeling worse very likely may be a good sign. But PLEASE STICK IT OUT FOR A WHILE!
Also, you have barely been on it a week....Dude, it will be sweet. But again be patient legend.
My main question is how long should I stay at 60 mg before going up to ninety; should I just go up to ninety at a steady rate or is there reason to hope that 60mg might do the trick, and stay on that dose for a few weeks?
From my experience once you hit the 60mg stage stay put for 4 weeks. It took 2 weeks on 30/45mg + 4 weeks on 60mg to kick in= ie 6 weeks altogether. I then quickly raised the dose to 90mg...this might been a mistake as you'll read in my new post soon to be posted.
I have all these records at home...after every day I took notes on s/effects and therapeutic response...tell me if you want me to dig them out.
My pdoc acknowledges that MAOI's are unique to ssri's in important ways, and says that for some, they're the only drugs that work, but I don't think he has much experience with them.
If he is a young fellow he probably doesn't. My doc is getting on. Actually MAOIs are very different to SSRIs AND TCAs. Essentially the latter are reuptake blockers - by BLOCKING reuptake of 5HT they leave excess neurotransmitter in the synapse to stimulate the post synaptic receptors. MAOIs act differently, essentially they BLOCK the monoamine oxidase ENZYME. This enzyme is responsible for chewing up excess neurotransmitters. The result of this is...you guessed it... more serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. My psychopharmacology studies are still in their infancy at the moment, so apologies if there is a mistake somewhere there!
Also in your case, how long were you depressed before the nardil kicked in, at what dose.The anhedonia, extra anxiety, and cognitive impairment lasted a couple of weeks (at 30/45mg I think) I think...maybe 2 and a half...wish I had my records on me!
Any suggestion you could give would be great
DON'T GIVE UP ON IT! I BEG OF YOU! GIVE IT A FULL 8 weeks if need be, also, screw with your dose to see what works...again see my post below about this.> Cheers
>
> BenKeep me updated!
Ace, Nardil Maniac, 60mg.
Posted by Bob on May 27, 2003, at 1:06:57
In reply to Re: Nardil: A miracle! ATTN: CARLOS » Angel1, posted by Carlos on May 25, 2003, at 17:12:07
> Hi Angel!
>
> I'm up to 60mg almost week 4 and it's been working since day 2 or 3 believe it or not. I haven't gained any weight yet, but unlike most anti-depresants if you do gain weight on Nardil, it can be worked off or kept in check. Unlike something like weight gained on Paxil it's near impossible to keep in check or loose.
>
>
Carlos:How do you know that the weight gain from Nardil is able to be worked off, while the weight gain from others is not? Is this from personal experience, or is it what the medical community is claiming?
Bob
Posted by Carlos on May 27, 2003, at 4:34:22
In reply to Re: Nardil: A miracle! ATTN: CARLOS » Carlos, posted by Bob on May 27, 2003, at 1:06:57
Posted by Bob on May 27, 2003, at 19:24:06
In reply to Re: Nardil: A miracle! ATTN: CARLOS (nm) » Bob, posted by Carlos on May 27, 2003, at 4:34:22
Huh?
Posted by Carlos on May 27, 2003, at 19:42:09
In reply to Re: Nardil: A miracle! ATTN: CARLOS » Carlos, posted by Bob on May 27, 2003, at 19:24:06
> Huh?
sorry, message got erased somehow. But I heard about the weight thing from reading about it from users on here, not pharmacuetical company claims.
Carlos
Posted by Bob on May 28, 2003, at 2:06:48
In reply to Re: Nardil: A miracle! ATTN: CARLOS, posted by Carlos on May 27, 2003, at 19:42:09
> > Huh?
>
> sorry, message got erased somehow. But I heard about the weight thing from reading about it from users on here, not pharmacuetical company claims.
>
> CarlosThanks.
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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