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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by krystee on March 30, 2006, at 13:07:47
I was considering stopping my Prozac so that by the next time I see my pdoc I can ask for the Parnate or maybe try emsam. I was reading that you had to stop taking your SSRI's for two weeks to start an MAOI...then I read that there have been several deaths reported when people began Parnate after taking Prozac even if they waited two weeks. Because of that, it is recommended that you discontinue Prozac for at least 5 weeks before beginning an MAOI.
Has anyone else heard of this? Is 5 weeks long enough without the Prozac?? Reading this has really freaked me out.
Posted by TylerJ on March 30, 2006, at 14:41:40
In reply to Death by Parnate?!, posted by krystee on March 30, 2006, at 13:07:47
> I was considering stopping my Prozac so that by the next time I see my pdoc I can ask for the Parnate or maybe try emsam. I was reading that you had to stop taking your SSRI's for two weeks to start an MAOI...then I read that there have been several deaths reported when people began Parnate after taking Prozac even if they waited two weeks. Because of that, it is recommended that you discontinue Prozac for at least 5 weeks before beginning an MAOI.
> Has anyone else heard of this? Is 5 weeks long enough without the Prozac?? Reading this has really freaked me out.
>Yes, 5 wks is long enough. What can happen if you don't wait long enough is serotonin syndrome. Prozac has a long half life, therefore most docs require 5 weeks off before starting an MAOI. 5 wks is on the conservative side...so you'll be fine. I waited 5 wks and didn't have a problem. Don't worry, if it makes you feel better go 6 wks. Best wishes.
Tyler
Posted by Maxime on March 30, 2006, at 16:04:54
In reply to Death by Parnate?!, posted by krystee on March 30, 2006, at 13:07:47
My PDOC who is in 80's said that 5 weeks is just a guideline. He wanted me to start the Parnate 2 weeks after stopping it. Turns out I wanted to be off the Trileptal as well so I haven't started it. Plus I have a nasty Ephedra habit that I have to kick before I start the Parnate. I already feel like I am going to have a heart attack from the stuff.
So anyway, I think 2 weeks is enough, but if you want to cautious wait 5 weeks.
Maxie
> I was considering stopping my Prozac so that by the next time I see my pdoc I can ask for the Parnate or maybe try emsam. I was reading that you had to stop taking your SSRI's for two weeks to start an MAOI...then I read that there have been several deaths reported when people began Parnate after taking Prozac even if they waited two weeks. Because of that, it is recommended that you discontinue Prozac for at least 5 weeks before beginning an MAOI.
> Has anyone else heard of this? Is 5 weeks long enough without the Prozac?? Reading this has really freaked me out.
>
Posted by MARTY on March 30, 2006, at 17:27:16
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?!, posted by Maxime on March 30, 2006, at 16:04:54
I have to disagree with you Maxime. I'm not usually mr.cautious but in this case I would not play it cool. There have been too much deaths with the '2 weeks witdrawal' to say that it is OK to only do 2 weeks or to say that 5 weeks is JUST A GUIDELINE(?). I wonder what is not a guideline to your PDoc ;) I mean what could be less a guideline that a well accepted and respected FDA prescription that has been put in place because of many deaths ?Anyone choosing to do the prozac 'only 2 weeks witdrawal' before taking a MAOI is willing to potentially loose their life just to save 3 weeks of it.
I like to imagine your 80's PDoc angry upon your grave, fist in the air shouting "Damned Guideliiiiiiiiiineeeee !!!" ;)
Live long
Marty
> My PDOC who is in 80's said that 5 weeks is just a guideline. He wanted me to start the Parnate 2 weeks after stopping it. Turns out I wanted to be off the Trileptal as well so I haven't started it. Plus I have a nasty Ephedra habit that I have to kick before I start the Parnate. I already feel like I am going to have a heart attack from the stuff.
>
> So anyway, I think 2 weeks is enough, but if you want to cautious wait 5 weeks.
>
> Maxie
>
>
> > I was considering stopping my Prozac so that by the next time I see my pdoc I can ask for the Parnate or maybe try emsam. I was reading that you had to stop taking your SSRI's for two weeks to start an MAOI...then I read that there have been several deaths reported when people began Parnate after taking Prozac even if they waited two weeks. Because of that, it is recommended that you discontinue Prozac for at least 5 weeks before beginning an MAOI.
> > Has anyone else heard of this? Is 5 weeks long enough without the Prozac?? Reading this has really freaked me out.
> >
>
>
Posted by willyee on March 30, 2006, at 17:35:07
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?! » Maxime, posted by MARTY on March 30, 2006, at 17:27:16
You are both right....although the data sheets read this and many other things,a lot of people dare i say MOST wont have these problems on the drug.
However a lot of people who dont,also dont know what it is to HAVE one,and its kinda like a car accident,it takes someone unfrotunatly being i a wreck to respect the road more and drive more cautiously.Although the chances are high youll be fine,just know that maoi interactions are real,and when they happen u cant turn back the clock,and its quite scary.
Mainly because at that point ur screwed,anything u take when ur in one will likly only worsen how u feel,and a possable cranieal hemorage,u know bleeding in the brain suddenly becomes a big worry as ur head pounds from a violent migraine.
At this point knowledagble people need to step in and determine if ur having hypotension or hypertension,and carefully treat that,this is something many facilites dont know and wont know when u come in with a maoi reaction.
Lets not forget it can happen,i know a lot of positive posts of maois,including me,and yess they are generaly safe and in my opinion safe enough to outweigh the risk when severe depression is a factor,good luck.
Posted by Maxime on March 30, 2006, at 17:48:49
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?! » Maxime, posted by MARTY on March 30, 2006, at 17:27:16
LOL, I have to admit that the image of my pdoc on my grave yelling "damned guideline!" was very Monty Python (and my pdoc is British). But at the same time he has been working with these meds for years. Anyhow, by the time I start the Parnate it will be about 4 weeks since I stopped the Prozac. Good enough for me!
Maxime
> I have to disagree with you Maxime. I'm not usually mr.cautious but in this case I would not play it cool. There have been too much deaths with the '2 weeks witdrawal' to say that it is OK to only do 2 weeks or to say that 5 weeks is JUST A GUIDELINE(?). I wonder what is not a guideline to your PDoc ;) I mean what could be less a guideline that a well accepted and respected FDA prescription that has been put in place because of many deaths ?
>
> Anyone choosing to do the prozac 'only 2 weeks witdrawal' before taking a MAOI is willing to potentially loose their life just to save 3 weeks of it.
>
> I like to imagine your 80's PDoc angry upon your grave, fist in the air shouting "Damned Guideliiiiiiiiiineeeee !!!" ;)
>
> Live long
> Marty
>
>
> > My PDOC who is in 80's said that 5 weeks is just a guideline. He wanted me to start the Parnate 2 weeks after stopping it. Turns out I wanted to be off the Trileptal as well so I haven't started it. Plus I have a nasty Ephedra habit that I have to kick before I start the Parnate. I already feel like I am going to have a heart attack from the stuff.
> >
> > So anyway, I think 2 weeks is enough, but if you want to cautious wait 5 weeks.
> >
> > Maxie
> >
> >
> > > I was considering stopping my Prozac so that by the next time I see my pdoc I can ask for the Parnate or maybe try emsam. I was reading that you had to stop taking your SSRI's for two weeks to start an MAOI...then I read that there have been several deaths reported when people began Parnate after taking Prozac even if they waited two weeks. Because of that, it is recommended that you discontinue Prozac for at least 5 weeks before beginning an MAOI.
> > > Has anyone else heard of this? Is 5 weeks long enough without the Prozac?? Reading this has really freaked me out.
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by JaclinHyde on March 30, 2006, at 19:30:27
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?! » MARTY, posted by Maxime on March 30, 2006, at 17:48:49
What I googled varies from 2-5 weeks. However what I read in one place makes sense. Because of Prozac's long half life it is recommended you wait at least 5 weeks. If you were going from Parnate to Prozac the wait would be 2 weeks because Parnate has a very short half life (around 6 hours.) Also, and I quote "Be especially cautious if you have been taking Prozac in high doses or for a long time" so if you haven't been on it all that long and/or not too high a dose you 'might' get away with 3 weeks between them. YMMV of course.
Either way welcome to the Parnate crowd...now get ready to get crucified by all the 'MAOI's are bad' crowd ;-) LOL!
JH
Posted by TylerJ on March 30, 2006, at 19:36:36
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?!, posted by JaclinHyde on March 30, 2006, at 19:30:27
> What I googled varies from 2-5 weeks. However what I read in one place makes sense. Because of Prozac's long half life it is recommended you wait at least 5 weeks. If you were going from Parnate to Prozac the wait would be 2 weeks because Parnate has a very short half life (around 6 hours.) Also, and I quote "Be especially cautious if you have been taking Prozac in high doses or for a long time" so if you haven't been on it all that long and/or not too high a dose you 'might' get away with 3 weeks between them. YMMV of course.
>
> Either way welcome to the Parnate crowd...now get ready to get crucified by all the 'MAOI's are bad' crowd ;-) LOL!
>
> JH
>
>I love that last part...it's so true! :) But, we be laughin' behind their backs cuz we be HAPPY!!
Tyler
Posted by JaclinHyde on March 30, 2006, at 20:18:24
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?! » JaclinHyde, posted by TylerJ on March 30, 2006, at 19:36:36
I know! If they found out tomorrow that MAOI's cause you to die young (which looks like the opposite of what they really do!) I would never take back the past 25 years of my life. Because if it wasn't for the MAOI's I would have done myself in all a loooooong time ago. I have 3 kids to thank for it. 'Nuff said :-)
Here's to inhibition of monoamine oxidase!! Power to the neurotransmitters!
JH
Posted by med_empowered on March 30, 2006, at 21:57:11
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?! Tyler, posted by JaclinHyde on March 30, 2006, at 20:18:24
I'd wait 5 weeks. Prozac lasts FOREVER which is why for a long time we were all told it doesn't cause withdrawal--at lower doses, the long half=life makes it a sort of self-tapering med (that isn't always the case, though).
Posted by Phillipa on March 30, 2006, at 22:18:25
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?! Tyler, posted by med_empowered on March 30, 2006, at 21:57:11
Maxie I know how miserable you are an anxious to start the parnate but 80mg of prozac is a lot please wait and stop the ephedra. Love Phillipa
Posted by Caedmon on March 30, 2006, at 22:22:19
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?! » JaclinHyde, posted by TylerJ on March 30, 2006, at 19:36:36
I read somewhere that Parnate can follow fluoxetine treatment after only a 2-week washout, but this was under close medical supervision (e.g. hospitalization). Personally I wouldn't risk it.
BTW the switch from an MAOI back to something like an SSRI is 10-14 days, not because of halflife but because that's how long it takes for MAO enzymes to accumulate to pretreatment levels.
> >
> > Either way welcome to the Parnate crowd...now get ready to get crucified by all the 'MAOI's are bad' crowd ;-) LOL!
> >
> > JH
> >
> >
>
> I love that last part...it's so true! :) But, we be laughin' behind their backs cuz we be HAPPY!!
>
> TylerI'm joining the Parnate club in April. Hoping that what you wrote is true, and that it's worth it...
- C
Posted by gibber on March 31, 2006, at 1:04:31
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?!, posted by Caedmon on March 30, 2006, at 22:22:19
I waited 5 weeks going from prozac to nardil. Prozac was the only drug that I didn't get any withdrawal from, so yes it lasts a LONG time in your system. It sucks to wait to try the next med but its better than being dead.
Posted by Maxime on March 31, 2006, at 14:20:16
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?! Tyler, posted by Phillipa on March 30, 2006, at 22:18:25
> Maxie I know how miserable you are an anxious to start the parnate but 80mg of prozac is a lot please wait and stop the ephedra. Love Phillipa
Don't worry, I don't plan on taking the ephedra with the Parnate. And I am not worried about waiting the whole 5 weeks. If I can survive a 4.5 gram overdose of Parnate, I can survive anything.
Maxime
Posted by krystee on April 1, 2006, at 0:27:02
In reply to Death by Parnate?!, posted by krystee on March 30, 2006, at 13:07:47
Well I do hope to be trying the Parnate or maybe even EMSAM in Early May...figure if I came off the Risperdal then coming off Prozac shouldn't be too hard...my pdoc may say try another ssri but I have only tried wellbutrin, paxil, prozac, zoloft, lexapro, effexor and then I tried elavil and remeron from the tricyclic family so hopefully I'll be able to get it! Don't think they have too many options left!
Posted by JaclinHyde on April 1, 2006, at 2:18:28
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?!, posted by krystee on April 1, 2006, at 0:27:02
Welcome to the Parnate club (I know it's a bit early but what the hell.)
::The Parnate Welcome Wagon::
JH
Posted by krystee on April 1, 2006, at 21:59:15
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?!, posted by JaclinHyde on April 1, 2006, at 2:18:28
> Welcome to the Parnate club (I know it's a bit early but what the hell.)
>
> ::The Parnate Welcome Wagon::
>
> JHThanx, can't wait to join y'all :)
Posted by TylerJ on April 2, 2006, at 11:54:52
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?!, posted by krystee on April 1, 2006, at 21:59:15
> > Welcome to the Parnate club (I know it's a bit early but what the hell.)
> >
> > ::The Parnate Welcome Wagon::
> >
> > JH
>
> Thanx, can't wait to join y'all :)Krystee,
I would also like to welcome you to the "Magical Mystery Ride" of Parnate. :)
I hope it helps you as much as it has JH and myself!Tyler
Posted by krystee on April 2, 2006, at 20:30:12
In reply to Re: Death by Parnate?! » krystee, posted by TylerJ on April 2, 2006, at 11:54:52
This is the end of the thread.
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