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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bobbiedobbs on October 27, 2008, at 0:53:01
Temporarily getting off MAOIs for trip to Europe. My doc has given me a ramp down period where I get to only 15 mg, then stop completely 1 week before departure. I've heard a longer period is warranted. Opinions?
Posted by Phoenix1 on October 27, 2008, at 10:37:29
In reply to nardil food washout period, posted by bobbiedobbs on October 27, 2008, at 0:53:01
> Temporarily getting off MAOIs for trip to Europe. My doc has given me a ramp down period where I get to only 15 mg, then stop completely 1 week before departure. I've heard a longer period is warranted. Opinions?
>The standard Nardil washout is 14 days. Apparently that's how long it takes the body to regenerate MAO. You might be OK after one week, but 2 weeks is safer. I wouldn't ramp down too fast. I had hallucinations from stopping cold turkey, and this is listed as a withdrawal side effect in the drug monograph.
Take care,
Phoenix
Phoenix
Posted by azalea on October 28, 2008, at 21:12:19
In reply to nardil food washout period, posted by bobbiedobbs on October 27, 2008, at 0:53:01
Will you be replacing the MAOI with another medication?
> Temporarily getting off MAOIs for trip to Europe. My doc has given me a ramp down period where I get to only 15 mg, then stop completely 1 week before departure. I've heard a longer period is warranted. Opinions?
>
Posted by bobbiedobbs on November 1, 2008, at 15:08:04
In reply to Re: nardil food washout period » bobbiedobbs, posted by azalea on October 28, 2008, at 21:12:19
> Will you be replacing the MAOI with another medication?
>No, I will be getting back on Nardil on my return.
> > Temporarily getting off MAOIs for trip to Europe. My doc has given me a ramp down period where I get to only 15 mg, then stop completely 1 week before departure. I've heard a longer period is warranted. Opinions?
> >
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Posted by azalea on November 1, 2008, at 18:57:54
In reply to Re: nardil food washout period, posted by bobbiedobbs on November 1, 2008, at 15:08:04
There is a risk for relapse when discontinuing an antidepressant, especially is you discontinue rapidly. I can't say I have an idea for an alternative. Just something to consider when looking at the risks and benefits.
> > Will you be replacing the MAOI with another medication?
>
> No, I will be getting back on Nardil on my return.
>
> > > Temporarily getting off MAOIs for trip to Europe. My doc has given me a ramp down period where I get to only 15 mg, then stop completely 1 week before departure. I've heard a longer period is warranted. Opinions?
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Posted by Questionmark on November 2, 2008, at 22:07:34
In reply to Re: nardil food washout period, posted by bobbiedobbs on November 1, 2008, at 15:08:04
An important question is how long will you be over there? Please, heed what i am saying. I have gone through Nardil withdrawal. I am talking *severe* depression. If you will be gone for more than a week, or two at the max.-- i would highly urge you to consider staying on the Nardil and just avoid any risky foods and see if you can bring some nifedipine or chlorpromazine with you as an emergency back-up. My personal opinion is that as long as you avoid any aged cheese, and maybe tap beer, you should be fine. The tap beer avoidance would probably be hard there esp though, but i can say that i have *never* had any kind of hypertensive reaction from draft beer with Nardil, although the maximum dose i was ever on was 60mg and i've never had draft beer in Europe (which they SAY is more risky for some reason, but i am somewhat skeptical of that).
Listen though. If your reaction to a Nardil discontinuation is anything like mine, the serious withdrawal and depression will not hit right away (even w/ a cold turkey stop), there will be some changes, etc., and maybe even some bad depression-- but after about 3 or 4 weeks from reducing your dose or, especially, discontinuing, a serious, severe, unspeakable depression can quite possibly result.
I hate to be discouraging, but i'd rather you be aware beforehand so as not to ruin your entire trip.
But Good luck with whatever decision you and your dr make. And have a great trip!
> > Will you be replacing the MAOI with another medication?
> >
>
> No, I will be getting back on Nardil on my return.
>
> > > Temporarily getting off MAOIs for trip to Europe. My doc has given me a ramp down period where I get to only 15 mg, then stop completely 1 week before departure. I've heard a longer period is warranted. Opinions?
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Posted by phoenix1 on November 5, 2008, at 11:16:24
In reply to Re: nardil food washout period » bobbiedobbs, posted by Questionmark on November 2, 2008, at 22:07:34
A near cold turkey stop of Nardil gave me auditory and visual hallucinations, paranoia, and extreme anxiety and then, later, a vicious return of my depression. Be careful!
> An important question is how long will you be over there? Please, heed what i am saying. I have gone through Nardil withdrawal. I am talking *severe* depression. If you will be gone for more than a week, or two at the max.-- i would highly urge you to consider staying on the Nardil and just avoid any risky foods and see if you can bring some nifedipine or chlorpromazine with you as an emergency back-up. My personal opinion is that as long as you avoid any aged cheese, and maybe tap beer, you should be fine. The tap beer avoidance would probably be hard there esp though, but i can say that i have *never* had any kind of hypertensive reaction from draft beer with Nardil, although the maximum dose i was ever on was 60mg and i've never had draft beer in Europe (which they SAY is more risky for some reason, but i am somewhat skeptical of that).
> Listen though. If your reaction to a Nardil discontinuation is anything like mine, the serious withdrawal and depression will not hit right away (even w/ a cold turkey stop), there will be some changes, etc., and maybe even some bad depression-- but after about 3 or 4 weeks from reducing your dose or, especially, discontinuing, a serious, severe, unspeakable depression can quite possibly result.
> I hate to be discouraging, but i'd rather you be aware beforehand so as not to ruin your entire trip.
> But Good luck with whatever decision you and your dr make. And have a great trip!
>
>
> > > Will you be replacing the MAOI with another medication?
> > >
> >
> > No, I will be getting back on Nardil on my return.
> >
> > > > Temporarily getting off MAOIs for trip to Europe. My doc has given me a ramp down period where I get to only 15 mg, then stop completely 1 week before departure. I've heard a longer period is warranted. Opinions?
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This is the end of the thread.
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