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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tried them all on October 10, 2003, at 11:55:24
Over the past 10 years, I have tried every AD, category by category and suffered side effects, the rarer the more they occur. SSRI's in particular, but also those with norepinephrine effects as well. Pdoc wants me back on serzone, which I took several years ago and it was no miracle drug and now has the black box warning, or an MAOI and I am scared of the MAOI side effects and restrictions but in the depths of the worst depression in years. Dx also includes GAD and Bipolar II. Have also tried all the mood stabilizers and GABA-types make me hell on wheels. What can you tell me about your experiences, I am at the edge of the cliff and hanging on with my fingertips.
Posted by wsj on October 10, 2003, at 13:17:05
In reply to MAOI is all that is left and I am scared, posted by tried them all on October 10, 2003, at 11:55:24
....What can you tell me about your experiences, I am at the edge of the cliff and hanging on with my fingertips....
im also thinking of going the maio route. but if you are as you say above what have you got to loose? try an maio!
wsj
Posted by loolot on October 10, 2003, at 13:40:03
In reply to MAOI is all that is left and I am scared, posted by tried them all on October 10, 2003, at 11:55:24
> Over the past 10 years, I have tried every AD, category by category and suffered side effects, the rarer the more they occur. SSRI's in particular, but also those with norepinephrine effects as well. Pdoc wants me back on serzone, which I took several years ago and it was no miracle drug and now has the black box warning, or an MAOI and I am scared of the MAOI side effects and restrictions but in the depths of the worst depression in years. >>
You poor thing. I can totally relate about the cliff. I am right there too.
I WANT to take an MAOI. My doc still wants to exhaust a few possibilities, but according to this board, these drugs are lifesavers to many people in this position. Go for it. It seems like Parnate is more stimulating while nardil is a little more sedating. Not sure about that, but that seems to be the case
Posted by Penny on October 10, 2003, at 14:23:05
In reply to MAOI is all that is left and I am scared, posted by tried them all on October 10, 2003, at 11:55:24
I know this will probably not be a popular response, but seeing as how you've tried nearly everything - have you had ECT? I've known a couple of people who have had FANTASTIC results from ECT treatment. Just a thought.
P
Posted by cybercafe on October 10, 2003, at 14:34:39
In reply to Re: MAOI is all that is left and I am scared, posted by loolot on October 10, 2003, at 13:40:03
i was seeing a very prestigious (i.e. competent/smart) doc and after a failure with one SSRI he went the MAOI route..... it's not such a big deal! .... god i mean there are no side effects for me with parnate except orthostatic hypotension for 2 or 3 weeks (then gone ! ) and the diet restrictions which are no big deal at all when you are HAPPY ! like you don't even think about them it just becomes second nature to avoid certain foods....
try an MAOI... they are great drugs and require minimal diet restrictions (of course it's very important to follow those few restrictions, but they are minimal)
and i wouldn't worry about them not working.... many people have tried various SSRIs (myself included), tricyclics etc etc and found nothing to work only to find an MAOI work.......... they are the number one medication for treatment resistant depression, period.
Posted by tried them all on October 10, 2003, at 15:08:09
In reply to Re: MAOI is all that is left and I am scared, posted by cybercafe on October 10, 2003, at 14:34:39
I posted a thank you to you all, but I haven't figured out how this system works. Parnate sounds like the answer to my prayers, but after being one who has such rare side effects, I still hold off. Pdoc also recommended ECT but that absolutely has research backing up serious memory issues.
Posted by cosis on October 10, 2003, at 15:10:13
In reply to MAOI is all that is left and I am scared, posted by tried them all on October 10, 2003, at 11:55:24
> Over the past 10 years, I have tried every AD, category by category and suffered side effects, the rarer the more they occur. SSRI's in particular, but also those with norepinephrine effects as well. Pdoc wants me back on serzone, which I took several years ago and it was no miracle drug and now has the black box warning, or an MAOI and I am scared of the MAOI side effects and restrictions but in the depths of the worst depression in years. Dx also includes GAD and Bipolar II. Have also tried all the mood stabilizers and GABA-types make me hell on wheels. What can you tell me about your experiences, I am at the edge of the cliff and hanging on with my fingertips.
MAOI's rule!!!!!!!!!!! kicked my depression and anxiety away
Posted by cybercafe on October 10, 2003, at 16:35:13
In reply to Re: MAOI is all that is left and I am scared » cybercafe, posted by tried them all on October 10, 2003, at 15:08:09
> I posted a thank you to you all, but I haven't figured out how this system works. Parnate sounds like the answer to my prayers, but after being one who has such rare side effects, I still hold off. Pdoc also recommended ECT but that absolutely has research backing up serious memory issues.
for me, i think it's got to be better than depression itself
Posted by Robert Fairburn on October 10, 2003, at 17:36:42
In reply to Re: MAOI is all that is left and I am scared » tried them all, posted by Penny on October 10, 2003, at 14:23:05
I have to admit that I know someone who has ECT and it was a life saver. Its not as bad as people say and the success rate is a lot higher than AD drugsRobert
> I know this will probably not be a popular response, but seeing as how you've tried nearly everything - have you had ECT? I've known a couple of people who have had FANTASTIC results from ECT treatment. Just a thought.
>
> P
Posted by Searchlight on October 10, 2003, at 17:55:16
In reply to MAOI is all that is left and I am scared, posted by tried them all on October 10, 2003, at 11:55:24
Tried Them All,
I am in the same boat you are in with several SSRIs, trisyclics and others under my belt for fairly bad atypical depression. Celexa is helping but only Prozac really helped enough to get through the past 10 years (a pdoc reluctantly gave me imipramine to get me through college in the early 80s, and it was better than nothing at the time). My Mom is on Nardil and has been for 15+ years now. It has worked wonders for her!!! She just had dysthymia. My depression has been pretty treatment-resistent too. All my pdocs won't prescribe MAOIs anymore either (could the new drug companies be a little responsible for the push towards their own stuff?!). I am lethargic and want to try Parnate too. My Mom's pdoc says they help a lot of folks. And my Mom says the diet is no big deal- just follow what is on the list carefully and in time it will seem a tiny price to pay for what could be a major help.
I hope the best for you as it sounds like many of us are heading in that direction too!
We shall win over our problems- stay strong!
Searchlight
Posted by MelD on October 10, 2003, at 20:19:56
In reply to Re: MAOI is all that is left and I am scared, posted by Searchlight on October 10, 2003, at 17:55:16
I have been where you are - tried everything in the book, nothing worked, but scared of MAOis. Started Parnate last March and i am for the first time in my life depression free! It is truly a miracle. The only things i avoid eating is blue cheese, aged cheddar, really aged meats and food past its expiration date or anything that could have mold or spoilage. The old published diets are way too restrictive. I wear a necklace and carry a card in case i am taken into an emergency room, so they wont give me a drug that will interact badly. Simple, really, and very little in exchange for an unbelievable feeling of being glad to be alive. Please do yourself a favor and give the MAOIs a chance. You might want to check out a fantastic group on yahoo consisting of people taking or considering MAOIs - tons of info there. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/maois/
Best of luck, Melodie
Posted by tried them all on October 10, 2003, at 22:47:45
In reply to Re: MAOI is all that is left and I am scared, posted by MelD on October 10, 2003, at 20:19:56
Thanks, Melodie, for the Yahoo site about MAOI's....I am almost ready to call the doc and ask for one! You people have been wonderful and given me such hope. Right now, I am once again being started on Serzone, which I took four years ago for a while and it was the one and only AD that had any effect whatsoever in all these years. But I know, just know, that any help will be limited and short-lived and I will be back to the abyss in short time. Can you tell me about what the washout period is all about? Is it done outpatient?
Posted by MelD on October 12, 2003, at 13:29:58
In reply to Re: MAOI is all that is left and I am scared » MelD, posted by tried them all on October 10, 2003, at 22:47:45
> The washout period is because you cannot mix MAOIs with most other anti depressants. Unless you have a particular problem, you just have to tough it out at home. Depending on what you are taking, you will most likely taper off and then have a 7-14 day period with no meds. It can be rough, but try to remember that it is a limited time, and worth going through to find relief from your depression. Best of luck, Melodie
Thanks, Melodie, for the Yahoo site about MAOI's....I am almost ready to call the doc and ask for one! You people have been wonderful and given me such hope. Right now, I am once again being started on Serzone, which I took four years ago for a while and it was the one and only AD that had any effect whatsoever in all these years. But I know, just know, that any help will be limited and short-lived and I will be back to the abyss in short time. Can you tell me about what the washout period is all about? Is it done outpatient?
Posted by Ilene on October 12, 2003, at 21:01:06
In reply to MAOI is all that is left and I am scared, posted by tried them all on October 10, 2003, at 11:55:24
> Over the past 10 years, I have tried every AD, category by category and suffered side effects, the rarer the more they occur. SSRI's in particular, but also those with norepinephrine effects as well. Pdoc wants me back on serzone, which I took several years ago and it was no miracle drug and now has the black box warning, or an MAOI and I am scared of the MAOI side effects and restrictions but in the depths of the worst depression in years. Dx also includes GAD and Bipolar II. Have also tried all the mood stabilizers and GABA-types make me hell on wheels. What can you tell me about your experiences, I am at the edge of the cliff and hanging on with my fingertips.
I want to try MAOIs and my pdoc won't prescribe them. I am afraid of them, too, but I am desperate. The pdoc referred me to a psychopharmacologist who wants $650 for a consult.What are "GABA types"? The pdoc wants to give me Gabatril.
Ilene
Posted by cybercafe on October 13, 2003, at 20:11:26
In reply to Re: MAOI is all that is left and I am scared » tried them all, posted by Ilene on October 12, 2003, at 21:01:06
> > Over the past 10 years, I have tried every AD, category by category and suffered side effects, the rarer the more they occur. SSRI's in particular, but also those with norepinephrine effects as well. Pdoc wants me back on serzone, which I took several years ago and it was no miracle drug and now has the black box warning, or an MAOI and I am scared of the MAOI side effects and restrictions but in the depths of the worst depression in years. Dx also includes GAD and Bipolar II. Have also tried all the mood stabilizers and GABA-types make me hell on wheels. What can you tell me about your experiences, I am at the edge of the cliff and hanging on with my fingertips.
>
>
> I want to try MAOIs and my pdoc won't prescribe them. I am afraid of them, too, but I amdid your doc say why he/she wouldn't prescribe them?
desperate. The pdoc referred me to a psychopharmacologist who wants $650 for a consult.
>
> What are "GABA types"? The pdoc wants to give me Gabatril.
>
> Ilene
>
This is the end of the thread.
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