Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 349435

Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds

Posted by PhoenixGirl on May 21, 2004, at 22:31:49

I'm really scared because I'm about to transition to Parnate, an MAOI. The scary thing is that I have to reduce my current meds for one week, then go two weeks WITHOUT antidepressants!
I'm 26 and have been on antidepressants since I was 13. My depression has been severe, chronic rather than episodic, and often suicidal. I've required ECT a couple of years ago as well. Since I have tried almost every antidepressant there is without recovering from the depression, I'm about to try Parnate, because the MAOI drugs are the only kind I haven't tried.
When I've tried to reduce my meds in the past, I get really really REALLY depressed. It will probably get to the point that I can't go to work. But I really have to get through this period so I can start the Parnate. An MAOI is my last hope. I am just so afraid that the brutal agony of my depression will lead me to go back on my current meds too soon, so that I couldn't try the Parnate. There is also the horrible possibility that Parnate either won't work or will have intolerable side effects, in which case I have to wait ANOTHER 2 weeks for it to wash out so I can start my old meds again.
Going through this would be easier if I had family or friends for support. But I have no friends, my twin sister doesn't talk to me, my dad is depressed, and my mother is seriously manic depressive. I will be facing this alone. I've faced almost everything in life alone, in fact, and I can't believe I'm still alive.
I'm just so afraid. It is crucial that I survive the next several weeks until I'm on the Parnate and it starts working.

 

Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » PhoenixGirl

Posted by chemist on May 21, 2004, at 22:40:13

In reply to Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds, posted by PhoenixGirl on May 21, 2004, at 22:31:49

> I'm really scared because I'm about to transition to Parnate, an MAOI. The scary thing is that I have to reduce my current meds for one week, then go two weeks WITHOUT antidepressants!
> I'm 26 and have been on antidepressants since I was 13. My depression has been severe, chronic rather than episodic, and often suicidal. I've required ECT a couple of years ago as well. Since I have tried almost every antidepressant there is without recovering from the depression, I'm about to try Parnate, because the MAOI drugs are the only kind I haven't tried.
> When I've tried to reduce my meds in the past, I get really really REALLY depressed. It will probably get to the point that I can't go to work. But I really have to get through this period so I can start the Parnate. An MAOI is my last hope. I am just so afraid that the brutal agony of my depression will lead me to go back on my current meds too soon, so that I couldn't try the Parnate. There is also the horrible possibility that Parnate either won't work or will have intolerable side effects, in which case I have to wait ANOTHER 2 weeks for it to wash out so I can start my old meds again.
> Going through this would be easier if I had family or friends for support. But I have no friends, my twin sister doesn't talk to me, my dad is depressed, and my mother is seriously manic depressive. I will be facing this alone. I've faced almost everything in life alone, in fact, and I can't believe I'm still alive.
> I'm just so afraid. It is crucial that I survive the next several weeks until I'm on the Parnate and it starts working.

hello there, phoenixgirl, from chemist...i had a wonderful run with parnate, literally kicked in the day after i started taking it. i empathize with your concerns about being off all meds for 2 weeks or so, but it sounds as if you have braved the course over the last 12 years or so, and in my opinion, you will come through just fine. you will find on this board many, many posts concerning parnate and nardil, the latter seeming to come off as superior to parnate, from what i have read. in that my experience with parnate was very positive - and that most posts concerning nardil appear to be supportive - it is worth the wait, in my opinion. be strong, and do keep us posted...all the best, chemist

 

Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds

Posted by Impermanence on May 21, 2004, at 22:43:43

In reply to Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds, posted by PhoenixGirl on May 21, 2004, at 22:31:49

You're not alone, I've just read your post and I am with you my friend, as much as you might not believe that. Be very careful on the MAOI's, they are an old and dangerous drug. You are never alone, there is so many of us out there suffering, everyone here understands how you feel in some way.
Take care xxxx

 

Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » chemist

Posted by ace on May 21, 2004, at 23:36:26

In reply to Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » PhoenixGirl, posted by chemist on May 21, 2004, at 22:40:13


> hello there, phoenixgirl, from chemist...i had a wonderful run with parnate, literally kicked in the day after i started taking it. i empathize with your concerns about being off all meds for 2 weeks or so, but it sounds as if you have braved the course over the last 12 years or so, and in my opinion, you will come through just fine. you will find on this board many, many posts concerning parnate and nardil, the latter seeming to come off as superior to parnate, from what i have read. in that my experience with parnate was very positive - and that most posts concerning nardil appear to be supportive - it is worth the wait, in my opinion. be strong, and do keep us posted...all the best, chemist
>


hey chemist!

It's great to hear Parnate had such a great effect for you....I have a feeling that Reboxetine would be good for you too.

However, Parnate induced a terrible depression in me...I believe it is more noradrenergic and dopaminergic than Nardil, and has no effect on GABA....could u confirm this??

Thanks mate,
Ace

 

Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » ace

Posted by chemist on May 21, 2004, at 23:51:50

In reply to Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » chemist, posted by ace on May 21, 2004, at 23:36:26

>
> > hello there, phoenixgirl, from chemist...i had a wonderful run with parnate, literally kicked in the day after i started taking it. i empathize with your concerns about being off all meds for 2 weeks or so, but it sounds as if you have braved the course over the last 12 years or so, and in my opinion, you will come through just fine. you will find on this board many, many posts concerning parnate and nardil, the latter seeming to come off as superior to parnate, from what i have read. in that my experience with parnate was very positive - and that most posts concerning nardil appear to be supportive - it is worth the wait, in my opinion. be strong, and do keep us posted...all the best, chemist
> >
>
>
> hey chemist!
>
> It's great to hear Parnate had such a great effect for you....I have a feeling that Reboxetine would be good for you too.
>
> However, Parnate induced a terrible depression in me...I believe it is more noradrenergic and dopaminergic than Nardil, and has no effect on GABA....could u confirm this??
>
> Thanks mate,
> Ace

hey ace, my recollection is that you are spot-on, i recall epinephrine, NE, and dopamine degradation being inhibited....don't recall if serotonin was/is involved, but given the danger signs for MAOI + SSRI, i should think so...as for GABA, it is a monoamine (primary), and i would expect that parnate blocks (to an extent) deamination of GABA...but i cannot find any literature supporting the GABA business. i spent quite a while combing the literature about 3 years ago looking for positives of metabolites in the phenethylamine class (amphetamine, to be precise, if you can cleave the 3-membered ring) but came up empty. it was quite stimulating for me, but to my detriment, as it pushed me into hypomanic/manic behaviour. let me know if this is in concert with what you have found, or if i'm off......thanks much, and all the best, chemist

 

Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » chemist

Posted by Sad Panda on May 22, 2004, at 1:32:08

In reply to Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » ace, posted by chemist on May 21, 2004, at 23:51:50

> >
> > > hello there, phoenixgirl, from chemist...i had a wonderful run with parnate, literally kicked in the day after i started taking it. i empathize with your concerns about being off all meds for 2 weeks or so, but it sounds as if you have braved the course over the last 12 years or so, and in my opinion, you will come through just fine. you will find on this board many, many posts concerning parnate and nardil, the latter seeming to come off as superior to parnate, from what i have read. in that my experience with parnate was very positive - and that most posts concerning nardil appear to be supportive - it is worth the wait, in my opinion. be strong, and do keep us posted...all the best, chemist
> > >
> >
> >
> > hey chemist!
> >
> > It's great to hear Parnate had such a great effect for you....I have a feeling that Reboxetine would be good for you too.
> >
> > However, Parnate induced a terrible depression in me...I believe it is more noradrenergic and dopaminergic than Nardil, and has no effect on GABA....could u confirm this??
> >
> > Thanks mate,
> > Ace
>
> hey ace, my recollection is that you are spot-on, i recall epinephrine, NE, and dopamine degradation being inhibited....don't recall if serotonin was/is involved, but given the danger signs for MAOI + SSRI, i should think so...as for GABA, it is a monoamine (primary), and i would expect that parnate blocks (to an extent) deamination of GABA...but i cannot find any literature supporting the GABA business. i spent quite a while combing the literature about 3 years ago looking for positives of metabolites in the phenethylamine class (amphetamine, to be precise, if you can cleave the 3-membered ring) but came up empty. it was quite stimulating for me, but to my detriment, as it pushed me into hypomanic/manic behaviour. let me know if this is in concert with what you have found, or if i'm off......thanks much, and all the best, chemist
>
>
>

If they both affect MAO-A & MAO-B rather than the amines themselves, would that not mean that both would be pretty similiar in their effects 5-HT, NE & DA?

My rough understanding of them is that Nardil itself & metabolites directly affect GABA, while Paranate & it's metabolites are very similiar to amphetamines.

Cheers,
Panda.


 

Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » chemist

Posted by ace on May 22, 2004, at 1:53:13

In reply to Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » ace, posted by chemist on May 21, 2004, at 23:51:50

> >
> > > hello there, phoenixgirl, from chemist...i had a wonderful run with parnate, literally kicked in the day after i started taking it. i empathize with your concerns about being off all meds for 2 weeks or so, but it sounds as if you have braved the course over the last 12 years or so, and in my opinion, you will come through just fine. you will find on this board many, many posts concerning parnate and nardil, the latter seeming to come off as superior to parnate, from what i have read. in that my experience with parnate was very positive - and that most posts concerning nardil appear to be supportive - it is worth the wait, in my opinion. be strong, and do keep us posted...all the best, chemist
> > >
> >
> >
> > hey chemist!
> >
> > It's great to hear Parnate had such a great effect for you....I have a feeling that Reboxetine would be good for you too.
> >
> > However, Parnate induced a terrible depression in me...I believe it is more noradrenergic and dopaminergic than Nardil, and has no effect on GABA....could u confirm this??
> >
> > Thanks mate,
> > Ace
>
> hey ace, my recollection is that you are spot-on, i recall epinephrine, NE, and dopamine degradation being inhibited....don't recall if serotonin was/is involved, but given the danger signs for MAOI + SSRI, i should think so...as for GABA, it is a monoamine (primary), and i would expect that parnate blocks (to an extent) deamination of GABA...but i cannot find any literature supporting the GABA business. i spent quite a while combing the literature about 3 years ago looking for positives of metabolites in the phenethylamine class (amphetamine, to be precise, if you can cleave the 3-membered ring) but came up empty. it was quite stimulating for me, but to my detriment, as it pushed me into hypomanic/manic behaviour. let me know if this is in concert with what you have found, or if i'm off......thanks much, and all the best, chemist
>

Hey Chemist,
Guess what I'm studying now....Bioenergetics in the living cell! Dude, it annoys me!!!! But I have only to pass a few more units then its Medical school!!!

With regards to Parnate Vs Nardil, I believe that Parnate does indeed have less serotonergic effect....but to what degree, I do not know....

Have you ever tried Nardil??? Man, its a treat!!

Take Care Chemist, and keep working hard on your scholarly projects! Rest assured I am! ( I should be studying NOW!!)

Ace

 

Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » Sad Panda

Posted by chemist on May 22, 2004, at 1:54:30

In reply to Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » chemist, posted by Sad Panda on May 22, 2004, at 1:32:08

> > >
> > > > hello there, phoenixgirl, from chemist...i had a wonderful run with parnate, literally kicked in the day after i started taking it. i empathize with your concerns about being off all meds for 2 weeks or so, but it sounds as if you have braved the course over the last 12 years or so, and in my opinion, you will come through just fine. you will find on this board many, many posts concerning parnate and nardil, the latter seeming to come off as superior to parnate, from what i have read. in that my experience with parnate was very positive - and that most posts concerning nardil appear to be supportive - it is worth the wait, in my opinion. be strong, and do keep us posted...all the best, chemist
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > hey chemist!
> > >
> > > It's great to hear Parnate had such a great effect for you....I have a feeling that Reboxetine would be good for you too.
> > >
> > > However, Parnate induced a terrible depression in me...I believe it is more noradrenergic and dopaminergic than Nardil, and has no effect on GABA....could u confirm this??
> > >
> > > Thanks mate,
> > > Ace
> >
> > hey ace, my recollection is that you are spot-on, i recall epinephrine, NE, and dopamine degradation being inhibited....don't recall if serotonin was/is involved, but given the danger signs for MAOI + SSRI, i should think so...as for GABA, it is a monoamine (primary), and i would expect that parnate blocks (to an extent) deamination of GABA...but i cannot find any literature supporting the GABA business. i spent quite a while combing the literature about 3 years ago looking for positives of metabolites in the phenethylamine class (amphetamine, to be precise, if you can cleave the 3-membered ring) but came up empty. it was quite stimulating for me, but to my detriment, as it pushed me into hypomanic/manic behaviour. let me know if this is in concert with what you have found, or if i'm off......thanks much, and all the best, chemist
> >
> >
> >
>
> If they both affect MAO-A & MAO-B rather than the amines themselves, would that not mean that both would be pretty similiar in their effects 5-HT, NE & DA?
>
> My rough understanding of them is that Nardil itself & metabolites directly affect GABA, while Paranate & it's metabolites are very similiar to amphetamines.
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>
>
>
hi panda, right you are...the lit. confirms your assertion in re: GABAnergic activity with phenelzine (and active metabolites)...the forum remains open as to whether tranylcypromine is metabolized to amphetamine, in which case we would be looking at dopamine, NE, and not GABA...thanks for the info, and i stand corrected...all the best, and thanks much! chemist

 

Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » ace

Posted by chemist on May 22, 2004, at 2:11:26

In reply to Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » chemist, posted by ace on May 22, 2004, at 1:53:13

> > >
> > > > hello there, phoenixgirl, from chemist...i had a wonderful run with parnate, literally kicked in the day after i started taking it. i empathize with your concerns about being off all meds for 2 weeks or so, but it sounds as if you have braved the course over the last 12 years or so, and in my opinion, you will come through just fine. you will find on this board many, many posts concerning parnate and nardil, the latter seeming to come off as superior to parnate, from what i have read. in that my experience with parnate was very positive - and that most posts concerning nardil appear to be supportive - it is worth the wait, in my opinion. be strong, and do keep us posted...all the best, chemist
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > hey chemist!
> > >
> > > It's great to hear Parnate had such a great effect for you....I have a feeling that Reboxetine would be good for you too.
> > >
> > > However, Parnate induced a terrible depression in me...I believe it is more noradrenergic and dopaminergic than Nardil, and has no effect on GABA....could u confirm this??
> > >
> > > Thanks mate,
> > > Ace
> >
> > hey ace, my recollection is that you are spot-on, i recall epinephrine, NE, and dopamine degradation being inhibited....don't recall if serotonin was/is involved, but given the danger signs for MAOI + SSRI, i should think so...as for GABA, it is a monoamine (primary), and i would expect that parnate blocks (to an extent) deamination of GABA...but i cannot find any literature supporting the GABA business. i spent quite a while combing the literature about 3 years ago looking for positives of metabolites in the phenethylamine class (amphetamine, to be precise, if you can cleave the 3-membered ring) but came up empty. it was quite stimulating for me, but to my detriment, as it pushed me into hypomanic/manic behaviour. let me know if this is in concert with what you have found, or if i'm off......thanks much, and all the best, chemist
> >
>
> Hey Chemist,
> Guess what I'm studying now....Bioenergetics in the living cell! Dude, it annoys me!!!! But I have only to pass a few more units then its Medical school!!!
>
> With regards to Parnate Vs Nardil, I believe that Parnate does indeed have less serotonergic effect....but to what degree, I do not know....
>
> Have you ever tried Nardil??? Man, its a treat!!
>
> Take Care Chemist, and keep working hard on your scholarly projects! Rest assured I am! ( I should be studying NOW!!)
>
> Ace

thanks, ace! you're coming along nicely, from what you report, and thanks for the scoop in re: nardil/parnate....but you've got ion channels, the krebs cycle, and other fun stuff to worry about!!!! be well, chemist p.s. don't neglect our friend debye!

 

Parnate? Amphetamine? » chemist

Posted by btnd on May 22, 2004, at 2:58:47

In reply to Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » ace, posted by chemist on May 22, 2004, at 2:11:26

Wow, never heard of Parnate being metabolized to amph? Where did you guys hear about it??

 

Re: Parnate? Amphetamine? » btnd

Posted by Sad Panda on May 22, 2004, at 7:10:25

In reply to Parnate? Amphetamine? » chemist, posted by btnd on May 22, 2004, at 2:58:47

> Wow, never heard of Parnate being metabolized to amph? Where did you guys hear about it??
>
>

It's not. :) Selegiline does however. I believe the substances that Parnate metabilizes into are amphetamine like, but not actual amphetamines as they are both said to be very similar when used.

Cheers,
Panda.

 

Re: Terrified...nardil vs parnate vs patch-chemist

Posted by ravenstorm on May 22, 2004, at 9:38:30

In reply to Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds » Sad Panda, posted by chemist on May 22, 2004, at 1:54:30

Phoenixgirl, is there some kind of depression group you could join in your area? I have found a lot of help in "self help" groups in the past.

As to the discussion of the different effects of parnate vs nardil: where will the selegeline patch fit in with this? Will it be more like parnate or nardil?

 

A pitch for Marplan

Posted by Ilene on May 22, 2004, at 10:59:03

In reply to Re: Terrified...nardil vs parnate vs patch-chemist, posted by ravenstorm on May 22, 2004, at 9:38:30

Nearly all the discussions of MAOIs focus on Parnate vs. Nardil. I'd like to remind folks that Marplan is available in the US. It's side effect profile is between that of Parnate and Nardil. The only side I've had is low blood pressure and dizziness. No weight gain, no anxiety. I have GAD, so anxiety is a big problem for me, and I'm also overweight.

I've also read that hypertensive crises are more common with Parnate.

Marplan by itself didn't do much for me, but I've added Cytomel (T3) and I'm doing much better.

I.

 

Re: Parnate? Amphetamine? » btnd

Posted by chemist on May 22, 2004, at 11:24:02

In reply to Parnate? Amphetamine? » chemist, posted by btnd on May 22, 2004, at 2:58:47

> Wow, never heard of Parnate being metabolized to amph? Where did you guys hear about it??

hello there, chemist here...it's been in the literature for a while, yet to the best of my knowledge - and i'm a little outdated here - researchers have failed to find it. if you look at the structure of tranylcypromine, you see that if you cleave one bond (an C-C sp3) in the 3-membered ring, you get something that *looks* similar to amphetamine, but not quite. the amino group is off from the chiral center by an extra carbon, and the there would be a methyl group where a hydrogen should be....all the best, chemist

 

Re: Parnate? Amphetamine? » Sad Panda

Posted by chemist on May 22, 2004, at 11:26:08

In reply to Re: Parnate? Amphetamine? » btnd, posted by Sad Panda on May 22, 2004, at 7:10:25

> > Wow, never heard of Parnate being metabolized to amph? Where did you guys hear about it??
> >
> >
>
> It's not. :) Selegiline does however. I believe the substances that Parnate metabilizes into are amphetamine like, but not actual amphetamines as they are both said to be very similar when used.
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>
>
hey, fortunately i responded before reading panda's post: no bias on the amphetamine issue....best to all, chemist

 

Re: Parnate? Amphetamine?

Posted by ravenstorm on May 22, 2004, at 15:25:25

In reply to Re: Parnate? Amphetamine? » Sad Panda, posted by chemist on May 22, 2004, at 11:26:08

Thanks for the heads up on marplan, Ilene. If remeron continues to affect my blood sugar dramatically, I may have to go on an MAOI. Good to know there is a third choice in the US.

 

Marplan ??? » ravenstorm

Posted by btnd on May 22, 2004, at 16:10:03

In reply to Re: Parnate? Amphetamine?, posted by ravenstorm on May 22, 2004, at 15:25:25

> Thanks for the heads up on marplan, Ilene. If remeron continues to affect my blood sugar dramatically, I may have to go on an MAOI. Good to know there is a third choice in the US.


It's the first time I've heard about Marplan. What is it used for mostly? GAD, depression, social-anxiety?

 

Re: Marplan ???

Posted by Ilene on May 22, 2004, at 16:39:51

In reply to Marplan ??? » ravenstorm, posted by btnd on May 22, 2004, at 16:10:03

> It's the first time I've heard about Marplan. What is it used for mostly? GAD, depression, social-anxiety?

Marplan is a MAOI AD. Here's a link to the monograph from the distributor:

http://www.oxfordpharm.com/Healthcare.htm

 

Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off

Posted by Maxime on May 24, 2004, at 12:21:39

In reply to Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds, posted by PhoenixGirl on May 21, 2004, at 22:31:49

I'm sure you are scared. I haven't read the responses to your initial post so if I am being redundant I am sorry.

You might want to consider going into the hospital for the med change. I too have gone through everything alone when it comes to my mental health. We are stronger than we think.

Parnate was my last hope as well. But remember, there is also Nardil to try. Many people who do not respond well to Parnate respond very well to Nardil. And you can switch from one to the other without much of a washout.

Your situation sounds a lot like me actually except I am bipolar, but more depressed than manic.

Ask your doctor about putting you on dexadrine until you start the MAOI. It might help keep you going until it's time to start the Parnate.

Keep posting.

Hugs,
Maxime

I'm really scared because I'm about to transition to Parnate, an MAOI. The scary thing is that I have to reduce my current meds for one week, then go two weeks WITHOUT antidepressants!
> I'm 26 and have been on antidepressants since I was 13. My depression has been severe, chronic rather than episodic, and often suicidal. I've required ECT a couple of years ago as well. Since I have tried almost every antidepressant there is without recovering from the depression, I'm about to try Parnate, because the MAOI drugs are the only kind I haven't tried.
> When I've tried to reduce my meds in the past, I get really really REALLY depressed. It will probably get to the point that I can't go to work. But I really have to get through this period so I can start the Parnate. An MAOI is my last hope. I am just so afraid that the brutal agony of my depression will lead me to go back on my current meds too soon, so that I couldn't try the Parnate. There is also the horrible possibility that Parnate either won't work or will have intolerable side effects, in which case I have to wait ANOTHER 2 weeks for it to wash out so I can start my old meds again.
> Going through this would be easier if I had family or friends for support. But I have no friends, my twin sister doesn't talk to me, my dad is depressed, and my mother is seriously manic depressive. I will be facing this alone. I've faced almost everything in life alone, in fact, and I can't believe I'm still alive.
> I'm just so afraid. It is crucial that I survive the next several weeks until I'm on the Parnate and it starts working.

 

Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off » PhoenixGirl

Posted by Questionmark on May 25, 2004, at 0:08:01

In reply to Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off meds, posted by PhoenixGirl on May 21, 2004, at 22:31:49

Hey. My sympathies are with you. Just remember that it will most likely get better soon.
Two questions:
What med were you just/last taking?
What is your depression like? (E.g., amotivated, lethargic, & anhedonic, or anxious &/or over-emotional?)

> I'm really scared because I'm about to transition to Parnate, an MAOI. The scary thing is that I have to reduce my current meds for one week, then go two weeks WITHOUT antidepressants!
> I'm 26 and have been on antidepressants since I was 13. My depression has been severe, chronic rather than episodic, and often suicidal. I've required ECT a couple of years ago as well. Since I have tried almost every antidepressant there is without recovering from the depression, I'm about to try Parnate, because the MAOI drugs are the only kind I haven't tried.
> When I've tried to reduce my meds in the past, I get really really REALLY depressed. It will probably get to the point that I can't go to work. But I really have to get through this period so I can start the Parnate. An MAOI is my last hope. I am just so afraid that the brutal agony of my depression will lead me to go back on my current meds too soon, so that I couldn't try the Parnate. There is also the horrible possibility that Parnate either won't work or will have intolerable side effects, in which case I have to wait ANOTHER 2 weeks for it to wash out so I can start my old meds again.
> Going through this would be easier if I had family or friends for support. But I have no friends, my twin sister doesn't talk to me, my dad is depressed, and my mother is seriously manic depressive. I will be facing this alone. I've faced almost everything in life alone, in fact, and I can't believe I'm still alive.
> I'm just so afraid. It is crucial that I survive the next several weeks until I'm on the Parnate and it starts working.

 

Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off

Posted by PhoenixGirl on May 26, 2004, at 0:30:14

In reply to Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off » PhoenixGirl, posted by Questionmark on May 25, 2004, at 0:08:01

I'm weaning off of Strattera (used in place of desipramine, because it has fewer side effects), and Wellbutrin SR. I'm still taking Lamictal, with some Klonopin at night.
I'm not sure exactly how to classify my depression. It has usually been that I could sleep forever...Wellbutrin has stimulating properties that help me stay awake enough to function. When I'm pretty badly depressed, which is most of the time, I eat to make myself feel better, but when I get severely depressed, my appetite is gone.
My depression takes away my sex drive and makes me disinterested in things in general. I want to avoid people (I have social phobia, and depression worsens it). I feel rejected a lot, like atypical depressives are known to feel, but I was rejected and humiliated a lot throughout life. I have anxiety in general, too. But my depression causes a "flatness" in the way I come off.
I guess it's hard to classify me. It is possible for me to feel good, but only in reaction to some specific event. Mainly when I feel that someone likes me, because I have very few relationships of any kind.
Though I have not been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, my mother is very bipolar, so her bipolar chemistry is surely a strong factor in my depressive chemistry.
Maybe all that info gives you an idea of my kind of depression? Well, right now I'm going to go to sleep, because I'm weaning off the Wellbutrin and the major lethargy is creeping back.

> Hey. My sympathies are with you. Just remember that it will most likely get better soon.
> Two questions:
> What med were you just/last taking?
> What is your depression like? (E.g., amotivated, lethargic, & anhedonic, or anxious &/or over-emotional?)
>
> > I'm really scared because I'm about to transition to Parnate, an MAOI. The scary thing is that I have to reduce my current meds for one week, then go two weeks WITHOUT antidepressants!
> > I'm 26 and have been on antidepressants since I was 13. My depression has been severe, chronic rather than episodic, and often suicidal. I've required ECT a couple of years ago as well. Since I have tried almost every antidepressant there is without recovering from the depression, I'm about to try Parnate, because the MAOI drugs are the only kind I haven't tried.
> > When I've tried to reduce my meds in the past, I get really really REALLY depressed. It will probably get to the point that I can't go to work. But I really have to get through this period so I can start the Parnate. An MAOI is my last hope. I am just so afraid that the brutal agony of my depression will lead me to go back on my current meds too soon, so that I couldn't try the Parnate. There is also the horrible possibility that Parnate either won't work or will have intolerable side effects, in which case I have to wait ANOTHER 2 weeks for it to wash out so I can start my old meds again.
> > Going through this would be easier if I had family or friends for support. But I have no friends, my twin sister doesn't talk to me, my dad is depressed, and my mother is seriously manic depressive. I will be facing this alone. I've faced almost everything in life alone, in fact, and I can't believe I'm still alive.
> > I'm just so afraid. It is crucial that I survive the next several weeks until I'm on the Parnate and it starts working.
>
>

 

Update on my A/D tapering before I start an MAOI

Posted by PhoenixGirl on May 26, 2004, at 14:17:34

In reply to Re: Terrified....Transitioning to MAOI, going off, posted by PhoenixGirl on May 26, 2004, at 0:30:14

Well, I started tapering off my AD's last Saturday, so it's been about 5 days. I'm feeling flu-like symptoms (achy, all-over shitty feeling), dizziness, nausea, blurry vision, major fatigue, and weepiness. These are almost the same symptoms that were mentioned in the New York Times article that someone just posted! The article is about what happens when people stop taking antidepressants.
I have not gone to work yesterday or today. Yesterday it was because I had something I had to go do, but I was having these symptoms too. Today I didn't go to work because of the symptoms. I have to go tomorrow though, I can't miss three days in a row! The good thing about my miserable government job is that you can do things like this and not get fired.
Anyway, I'm scared because starting Saturday, I will be totally off antidepressants. I have to be off of them for two straight weeks before even starting the Parnate. My doctor gave me a benzo that has mood-lifting properties, which I'm about to go take right now, then go curl up and sleep next to my cat.

 

Re: Update on my A/D tapering before I start an MAOI

Posted by ravenstorm on May 27, 2004, at 12:29:10

In reply to Update on my A/D tapering before I start an MAOI, posted by PhoenixGirl on May 26, 2004, at 14:17:34

You indicated you are weaning off of wellbutrin. According to an article by two psychopharmacologists, this may not be necessary:

"We have found all antidepressants that do not involve significant serotonin reuptake inhibition (e.g., bupropion (WELLBUTRIN), trazodone and tricyclics other than clomiprmaine) can be safely administered with MAOIs. Combination therapy is worth considering because it may be effective when other approaches have failed.."

www.currentpsychiatry.com/2002_06/06_02_maoi.asp

for the full article.

Maybe, you only have to be off of the straterra and can wean off wellbutrin while starting the MAOI?????????? I am not a doctor and have not even taken an MAOI (yet), but the article is probably at least worth showing to your doctor.

 

Re: Update on my A/D tapering before I start an MAOI

Posted by Ilene on May 27, 2004, at 13:27:24

In reply to Re: Update on my A/D tapering before I start an MAOI, posted by ravenstorm on May 27, 2004, at 12:29:10

> You indicated you are weaning off of wellbutrin. According to an article by two psychopharmacologists, this may not be necessary:
>
> "We have found all antidepressants that do not involve significant serotonin reuptake inhibition (e.g., bupropion (WELLBUTRIN), trazodone and tricyclics other than clomiprmaine) can be safely administered with MAOIs. Combination therapy is worth considering because it may be effective when other approaches have failed.."
>
> www.currentpsychiatry.com/2002_06/06_02_maoi.asp
>
> for the full article.
>
> Maybe, you only have to be off of the straterra and can wean off wellbutrin while starting the MAOI?????????? I am not a doctor and have not even taken an MAOI (yet), but the article is probably at least worth showing to your doctor.
>
>
This is interesting because I thought Wellbutrin + MAOI was a no-no.

I.

 

Re: Update on my A/D tapering before I start an MAOI » Ilene

Posted by Sad Panda on May 27, 2004, at 14:12:12

In reply to Re: Update on my A/D tapering before I start an MAOI, posted by Ilene on May 27, 2004, at 13:27:24

> > You indicated you are weaning off of wellbutrin. According to an article by two psychopharmacologists, this may not be necessary:
> >
> > "We have found all antidepressants that do not involve significant serotonin reuptake inhibition (e.g., bupropion (WELLBUTRIN), trazodone and tricyclics other than clomiprmaine) can be safely administered with MAOIs. Combination therapy is worth considering because it may be effective when other approaches have failed.."
> >
> > www.currentpsychiatry.com/2002_06/06_02_maoi.asp
> >
> > for the full article.
> >
> > Maybe, you only have to be off of the straterra and can wean off wellbutrin while starting the MAOI?????????? I am not a doctor and have not even taken an MAOI (yet), but the article is probably at least worth showing to your doctor.
> >
> >
> This is interesting because I thought Wellbutrin + MAOI was a no-no.
>
> I.
>

Hi Ilene,

It depends who you ask. :)

Generally, the only drugs that you truely can not take are the Serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Cheers,
Panda.



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