Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 269730

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How long before MAOIs start to work ?

Posted by don_bristol on October 15, 2003, at 16:16:15

I have heard that MAOIs are said to work faster than standard antidepressants such as prozac.

However some people have posted to say that their MAOI did not kick in until after 4 or 6 or so weeks. That seems like the sort of timeframe which is usually needed for standard antidepressants to work (although I have heard that a good thorough trial of standard antidepressants might take 8 to 10 weeks) and does not seem so quick.

Can anyone comment or the relative time it takes for MAOIs to work when compared to standard. I would be very interested to know about this.

Thank you.

Don

 

For me the first day

Posted by Cruz on October 15, 2003, at 19:06:49

In reply to How long before MAOIs start to work ?, posted by don_bristol on October 15, 2003, at 16:16:15

Parnate works emediatley for me. On the downside it poops out after 3 months. For about 10 years I have used it every spring it allways is effective right away. I think it effects my endocrine system, then after 3 months my body gets accostomed to Parnate and goes back to the circadian rythmn of depression.

> I have heard that MAOIs are said to work faster than standard antidepressants such as prozac.
>
> However some people have posted to say that their MAOI did not kick in until after 4 or 6 or so weeks. That seems like the sort of timeframe which is usually needed for standard antidepressants to work (although I have heard that a good thorough trial of standard antidepressants might take 8 to 10 weeks) and does not seem so quick.
>
> Can anyone comment or the relative time it takes for MAOIs to work when compared to standard. I would be very interested to know about this.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Don

 

Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ?

Posted by Liligoth on October 15, 2003, at 20:07:59

In reply to How long before MAOIs start to work ?, posted by don_bristol on October 15, 2003, at 16:16:15

parnate had an immediate & very strong activating effect that lasted a couple of weeks then subsided. the antidepressant effect doesnt kick in until then or later & is slow to build up. parnate can be good in that way if you are really not functioning it will give you a big kick, almost make you high really. just dont think it has stopped working when the high wears off.

 

Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ?

Posted by cubbybear on October 16, 2003, at 6:21:28

In reply to Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ?, posted by Liligoth on October 15, 2003, at 20:07:59

I'm always skeptical about people who claim that they felt benefits from Parnate or Nardil after a day or two, then say that it pooped out. I don't think there's an AD in existence that can work that fast.
My experience with Parnate has always seen a kick-in period ranging from as little as 18 days to 27 days, with 3 weeks being the average. That probably is a bit faster than the SSRIs such as Zoloft, where you're told that full benefits might not be felt for 4-6 weeks or longer.

 

Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ?

Posted by ace on October 17, 2003, at 3:18:46

In reply to How long before MAOIs start to work ?, posted by don_bristol on October 15, 2003, at 16:16:15

Usually between 2-6 weeks. However, reports of response before 2 weeks are sometimes reported, especially with Parnate. Also, sometimes the drug might take 8 weeks. They usually, within a few days start helping a little, but the big effects take time- this is my experience. With Nardil the wait is worth it!

Ace.

 

Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ? » ace

Posted by don_bristol on October 17, 2003, at 3:53:27

In reply to Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ?, posted by ace on October 17, 2003, at 3:18:46

> Usually between 2-6 weeks. However, reports of response before 2 weeks are sometimes reported, especially with Parnate. Also, sometimes the drug might take 8 weeks. They usually, within a few days start helping a little, but the big effects take time- this is my experience. With Nardil the wait is worth it!
>
> Ace.

I get the impression from your pos that you rate Nardil more highly than Parnate. Is this correct?

 

Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ?

Posted by cybercafe on October 17, 2003, at 4:23:42

In reply to Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ?, posted by cubbybear on October 16, 2003, at 6:21:28

> I'm always skeptical about people who claim that they felt benefits from Parnate or Nardil after a day or two, then say that it pooped out. I don't think there's an AD in existence that can work that fast.
> My experience with Parnate has always seen a kick-in period ranging from as little as 18 days to 27 days, with 3 weeks being the average. That probably is a bit faster than the SSRIs such as Zoloft, where you're told that full benefits might not be felt for 4-6 weeks or longer.


i think it's because parnate feels a little like speed, works fast, works early, then you get a tolerance..... :)

 

Re How long before MAOIs start to work - RITALIN » cybercafe

Posted by don_bristol on October 17, 2003, at 4:58:59

In reply to Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ?, posted by cybercafe on October 17, 2003, at 4:23:42

>> i think it's because parnate feels a little like speed, works fast, works early, then you get a tolerance..... :) <<

I once tried Moclobemide and got what seems to be a similar reponse. However this initial stimulation it was very therapeutic and it made me just get on with important things I had left untouched for many years. It was a major breakout for me from being very stuck in my life and not looking for a job or anything.

I am begining to think that what I really need is a stimulant as much as or perhaps more than I need an antidepressant (for dysthymia). But I live in the UK and it is almost unheard of to prescribe meds like ritalin to adults here. My GP and p-doc are quite adament they simply can not possibly prescribe such a thing as ritalin for me with my condition which maybe they presume is some simple mood disorder.

Maybe I need to source the ritalin myself but there comes the danger that it is seen by the authorities as a drug of abuse (if taken in sufficiently large quantities) and it will probably be priced accordingly too even if I try to order it from some overseas pharmacy.

Maybe I can get some friends in the US to get it prescribed and then to let me have it. At least that way it will not be cut with some contaminant.

Does anyone know what ritalin costs to get from the pharmacy in the US? Thanks for any info.

Don

 

Re: Re How long before MAOIs start to work - RITAL

Posted by cybercafe on October 17, 2003, at 6:14:56

In reply to Re How long before MAOIs start to work - RITALIN » cybercafe, posted by don_bristol on October 17, 2003, at 4:58:59

> I am begining to think that what I really need is a stimulant as much as or perhaps more than I need an antidepressant (for dysthymia). But I live in the UK and it is almost unheard of to prescribe meds like ritalin to adults here. My GP and p-doc are quite adament they simply can not possibly prescribe such a thing as ritalin for me with my condition which maybe they presume is some simple mood disorder.

i called my old pdoc from london and he mentioned putting me on concerta (ritalin) like it was no big deal ..... of course he was a private pdoc, so i'm sure he'd do anything to keep you happy :)

if you are in teh area i could give you his info



> Maybe I need to source the ritalin myself but there comes the danger that it is seen by the authorities as a drug of abuse (if taken in sufficiently large quantities) and it will probably be priced accordingly too even if I try to order it from some overseas pharmacy.

yeah i don't think dr. bob allows us to talk about such things so i won't comment except to say that i hope you make sure it isn't contraindicated first


> Maybe I can get some friends in the US to get it prescribed and then to let me have it. At least that way it will not be cut with some contaminant.

sounds like a lot of hassle.... i'm sure you can find a doc in the UK to perscribe you some ritalin dude

 

Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ? » don_bristol

Posted by ace on October 18, 2003, at 0:02:30

In reply to Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ? » ace, posted by don_bristol on October 17, 2003, at 3:53:27


>
> I get the impression from your pos that you rate Nardil more highly than Parnate. Is this correct?

Absolutely! Not just from from wonderful experience with it, but from clinical trials and anecdotes. BUT Parnate can be a real winner too, in the right person.

When I'm on Nardil, life is a rainbow and I am the pot of gold!

Ace.

 

Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ? » don_bristol

Posted by ACAC on October 18, 2003, at 22:44:02

In reply to Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ? » don_bristol, posted by ace on October 18, 2003, at 0:02:30

I've been on Nardil about 5 wks. I have some calming, or drowsy, effect, but doesn't seem like it is really "kicking in." I'm getting concerned that Nardil might not be for me. Quite many people here mentioned Nardil actually kicked in and had wonderful experiences. Could you please tell me what kind of mood/behavioral change have you experienced? Is that obviously noticeable? I've had several medications before, but they never kicked in. So I cannot imagine how it is like.

 

Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ? » ACAC

Posted by don_bristol on October 19, 2003, at 4:52:25

In reply to Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ? » don_bristol, posted by ACAC on October 18, 2003, at 22:44:02

> I've been on Nardil about 5 wks. I have some calming, or drowsy, effect,
> but doesn't seem like it is really "kicking in." I'm getting concerned
> that Nardil might not be for me. Quite many people here mentioned Nardil
> actually kicked in and had wonderful experiences. Could you please tell me
> what kind of mood/behavioral change have you experienced? Is that obviously
> noticeable? I've had several medications before, but they never kicked in. So
> I cannot imagine how it is like.


Hello ACAC, I would guess that your question is aimed not at just me but at anyone else who can answer. In fact I would be very interested in knowing what other have to say about your question.

In my case I feel a bit like you. The Nardil side effects are no fun abut once they have largely settled down (and in my case I had to drop the dose to 45mg) then I am left wondering what exactly I am supposed to be getting.

I should mention that I am taking Nardil for dysthymia/atypical depression rather than for a depressive episode. I noticed I am quite definitely less anxious. for example when I drive my car I don't get anything like so tense as I used to before. I wasn't bad before but with Nardil it is easy.

My mood is very slightly better too.

The key measure I have for my own meds is whether they help me get on with things that I am putting off. I am certainly doing that now but there have been very many big changes in my life too (the lease on my apartment was badly messed up and is close to getting fixed, my girlfriend had moved in and there is a chance I may get some work) so maybe these are as responsible as Nardil for my changed attitude and improved approach to getting things done.

All in all, I have not found Nardil to be "transforming" in the way that some people seem to. I have had a reply here saying it is early days and it is a bit confusing for me as some people and some textbooks say that the MAOIs kick in very quickly while others seem to find that they don't get a benefit until after 6 or 8 weeks. Well I am at the 6 week mark and it still doesn't seem to be happening.

Having said all that, I saw my pdoc last week and she mentioned and I agreed that I was far more chilled out in our consultation, so I guess maybe something is happening for the better. Or is it those life changes I mentioned before?

 

Re: Re How long before MAOIs start to work - RITAL » cybercafe

Posted by don_bristol on October 19, 2003, at 4:55:17

In reply to Re: Re How long before MAOIs start to work - RITAL, posted by cybercafe on October 17, 2003, at 6:14:56

Don wrote:
>> Maybe I need to source the ritalin myself but there comes the danger
>> that it is seen by the authorities as a drug of abuse (if taken in
>> sufficiently large quantities) and it will probably be priced
>> accordingly too even if I try to order it from some overseas pharmacy.


Cybercafe wrote:
>
> yeah i don't think dr. bob allows us to talk about such things so i won't
> comment except to say that i hope you make sure it isn't contraindicated first

I think it would be ok as Bob opened up a new board a month ago called "Psycho-Babble Substance Use" at http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/ and some of the posts are very frank.

 

Re: Re How long before MAOIs start to work - RITALIN » don_bristol

Posted by Francesco on October 20, 2003, at 17:33:56

In reply to Re How long before MAOIs start to work - RITALIN » cybercafe, posted by don_bristol on October 17, 2003, at 4:58:59

Hi Don my problem is very similar to yours because I live in Italy and I wanted to try the Ritalin. I managed to get it in a barely legal way. I went on Google and I look for phychiatrists who work in my area who had written something about "adult adhd". Then I contact them explaining my problem (by e-mail). One of those helped me to get the Ritalin (after an appointment of course). My undestanding of the situation is that it's legal if a psychiatrist prescribes it (I have the script) and that they know how to get it ... 'cause they give it to children. I don't know what's the situation in UK but here in Italy Ritalin is not on the market but it's used with children anyway. The price I got was dirty cheap (20 * 10 mg tablet = 8 euros). If you have problems with psychiatrist look for pediatrists experienced in ADHD. Maybe they can help you. Hope this helps, and let me know.

 

Re: How long before ..

Posted by Questionmark on October 21, 2003, at 0:05:06

In reply to Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ?, posted by cubbybear on October 16, 2003, at 6:21:28

Don, first off just wanted to say that if you can get generic Ritalin (methylphenidate) it should be much cheaper.
Nardil worked for me in almost the same exact time frame that Paxil did-- except that the first few days i felt nothing on Nardil. The next few days (or first few in the case of Paxil) definitely met me with considerable relief from my anxiety and severe depression (but more relief from the former). Then i experience about a week and a half of feeling somewhat worse than i normally even do. Then after this, its effectiveness began again and hasn't subsided since-- except for a little bit when i increased my dose. (i've been on 60mg for about a couple months). i have heard the same thing occur with everyone i personally know who's been on an SSRI-- the initial worsening of depression followed by therapeutic action after about a couple weeks. This comes as no surprise as it coincides with the 5-HT autoreceptor changes that take place when starting a drug that increases synaptic 5-HT levels. Thus it is not very suprising that the time frame of Nardil's action is quite similar, since it seems to be more serotonergic than anything. And i know that this doesn't mean that everyone experiences the same thing as i have. But my point is this: when people say they experience something just a few days after starting an MAOI, this should not be considered impossible. However, it will usually take 2 to 4 or so weeks for the therapeutic effects to take place and remain, because of the aforementioned reasons. So keep that in mind when starting an MAOI, or any antidep for that matter. (i assume that non-serotonergic meds work in a similar fashion).
Cubbybear, would you mind describing what your experience with Parnate feels like in the beginning of treatment, before the approximately 18 to 27 days when it starts to work? i mean do you feel anything? If so what is it like, and how does it compare and differ from when you notice it's beneficial effects start to kick in? i'm really curious, cuz i was on Parnate for a little over a month and then quit. It made me so much more emotional that the psychological pain was overwhelming. And the anxiety was worse, plus irritability, and appetite reduction, and so on. So i'm curious if that goes away to some extent after awhile. Thanks.
Ame Sans Vie, i would be totally hesitant to say this if so many things didnt suggest that what i'm gonna say might be true. But, i really think it seems like you got a bad batch of Nardil when you were on it. i mean 120mg and hardly experienced anything, even side effect-wise? That really makes me wonder.

 

Re: How long before MAOIs startdon_bristol

Posted by ACAC on October 21, 2003, at 16:12:38

In reply to Re: How long before MAOIs start to work ? » ACAC, posted by don_bristol on October 19, 2003, at 4:52:25

don_bristol,

Thank you for your information. I'm on Nardil for 5 1/2 week. I still don't feel dramatic change, but I feel my general attitude is getting more optimistic. Now I'm more confident about school work and I feel maybe I can ask for dates to a couple of girls I'm interested. I'm not sure these attitude changes are due to situational change or medication effects. Nardil makes me sort of relaxed. Maybe it is causing klonopin or alcohol like effects.

ACAC

 

Re: How long before MAOIs startdon_bristol » ACAC

Posted by don_bristol on October 22, 2003, at 3:18:10

In reply to Re: How long before MAOIs startdon_bristol, posted by ACAC on October 21, 2003, at 16:12:38

By the way, have you thought of joining the MAOI group on Yahoo?

It is relatively small but it provides a forum to air these things.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/maois

 

Ame Sans Vie- read above. (nm)

Posted by Questionmark on October 22, 2003, at 22:34:06

In reply to Re: How long before MAOIs startdon_bristol » ACAC, posted by don_bristol on October 22, 2003, at 3:18:10


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