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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Vincent_QC on December 29, 2008, at 10:28:25
JadeKelly, you were so right about the fact that I have to take my time and do at least 2 weeks at the same dose, I should listen to you better!
What I big mistake I do yesterday. I was thinking that I was ready to go for a next step and add 10mg on my 30mg of Parnate, since I was feeling good OMG what a mistake I do!!!
Yesterday, at my usual 10mg dose at 5PM, I decided to add another 10mg for a total of 40mg Parnate for the day.
I had a supper at the restaurant with one of my friend and it was planning from a long time. I had to take my shower before, stop at the drug store to get my pills refill and I had to get ready fast because I was too lazy to do this during the day...
After the shower I begin to feel really stimulated, maybe 30 minutes after the 20mg I take at 5PM. Over stimulated to the point that I begin to be feel a headache but just on the left side of my head that radiate frontally, palpitations, I was unable to take a decision, which clothes I put and things like that. I begin to paranoid on my heart beat, it was really slow and I begin to feel a warm wave on my two ears, cold arms and I had to go to the bathroom several times to pee (Sorry for the word).
A bell ring in my head (expression here), it was telling me that I had hypertension again, so I climb the stairs to go to the kitchen at a speed I never do before, wait 5 minutes sit on the chair to not false my blood pressure result test and I take my blood pressure with my digital blood pressure monitor.
What a surprise, I was already at 180/85 I said to myself, wait a little bit, dont take your Nifedipine already (drug to treat the hypertensive crisis), maybe it will not stay high for a long time.
I finally succeed to get dress, lock the door of the house, start the car and go to the drug store, but I was really in a panic mood, it was dangerous to drive my car like this.
I ask to talk with the gentle pharmacist there. She takes me in her office, I sit and I explain the situation. She take my blood pressure and it was now at 195/95 She said, you will not die, its high but normally at the hospital they do nothing before the blood pressure is up to 205/90I said okI was not in panic anymore but I was able to see my heart racing under my shirt and see my skin move where my heart is, She said to wait that I reach that magic number of 205 before I take my pill (Nifedipine).
So, I go to the restaurant, I felt very bad all night long, my blood pressure never get down, my heart was doing a race inside me, I feel it beating so hard, it was really disturbing me. At 11PM, I decide that it was time to take my blood pressure again (yeah, at the restaurant!!! lol). I was at 210/100 I pop up a Nifedipine pill, take a bite in it, since its a gel cap with liquid inside and I didnt want to take the full 10mg, I swallow half of its content and I drink a full glass of water with it and I continue my supper with my friendWe leave the restaurant at 12AM, my blood pressure was still high, I drive him home, and return to my house, take my blood pressure again and it was now at 150/85, I said its perfect, my blood pressure return to the normal state, I can go sleep and forget all about this atrocious night.
I wake up at 2:30, after only 2 hours of sleep. I get on my feet to go to the bathroom and I open the light!!!! Photophobia, photophobia, photophobia, the pain I had for a couple of days behind my eyes I think it was photophobia.anyway I has to close the light, I was unable to keep open my eyes. It was crazy as hell. Lights was so hard on my eyes, I was not able to see anything... My head begin to spin, so I sit on my bed, take the blood pressure machine and make another blood pressure testI was now at 60/45with a pulse of 120
I succeed to reach the salt shakers in the kitchen but I had to climb the stairsI do it step by step, it took maybe 20 minutes before I reach the salt shaker I had to keep my eyes close because all sources of light was hard on my eyes (even looking at the hour on the microwave) and my head was spinning too much. I take 2 big tablespoons of salt with a full glass of water, try to go outside take fresh air, I light up a cigarette, my god, the flame of my lighters almost make me crazy, finally I was not able to smoke at all, it was worst...So I return in my bed room, downstairs, wait in the dark for 10 minutes, take another blood test and it was now at 65/60I lie down again on my bed, and I fall asleep fast.
I wake up only at 8AM, strange cause my mom had to get up early this morning and she usually do a lot of noise, but this time I heard nothing. I get up on my feet to go to the bathroom and I forget that I had high and low blood pressure the night before. I was not able to stay on my feet, so I lie down again on my bed until my blood pressure return to normal. I stay like this 20 minutes, shout to my mom to bring the salt shakers in my room, I take another 2 tablespoons of salt, wait 10 minutes and take my blood pressure, it was only at 75/55...after another 10 minutes I was able to get up, photophobia was less hard on my eyes, but I was not able to stay under a big source of light or look outside (snow everywherewith bright sunthats hard for the eyes), my head continue to spin a little bit and I had the usual tinnitus symptom...but it was less pronounced than last night. It take maybe 30 minutes before I was feeling ok...and by ok I mean just ok...able to stay on my feets and eat something, go to the bathroom, things like that. My eyes burns a lot also, photophobia probably...
Finally, the salt make is effect and my blood pressure return to a 90/60but when I go outside to smoke a cigarette, I cant keep my eyes open because of the photophobia. Thats too hard
I take my usual 10mg dose of Parnate this morning, but NOW I KNOW that I have to STAY at 30mg for two weeks, maybe more.
I found it strange that I do at the high blood pressure when I up my dosage, and after low blood pressure like I do.
The Nifedipine dose I take last night was small, I take only half of the pill (5 mg), and normally it dont low the blood pressure like this. A 20mg pill of Nifedipine is more likely to cause a severe drop of blood pressure like I had not 5mg. The Nifedipine instant release doesnt stay in the blood for a long time and have a half-life of 2 hours in the blood. I still wonder why it low my blood pressure so much, at a very low dose like the one I take?
Now, I wonder if one of these day, I will be able to up my dosage to more than 30mg of Parnate, or it will be the maximum I cant reach?
I can do another conclusion, Parnate seem to be 3 times stronger than Nardil, it increase the general anxiety but at the same time is very good for social phobia and anxiety, since I start it, I can do a lot more of things alone, i'm able to go to the drug store alone and speak with the pharmacist, in fact I speak a lot more to people I don't know and i'm less shy... The 3 times stronger conclusion I do is base in the fact that on Nardil, I never expected hypertension... but I had several hypotension problems at a dose of 90mg only so 30mg Parnate = 90mg Nardilfor me...maybe not for everyone...
Now its 11:15 AM, I just took my blood pressure again, Im at 107/53 and a pulse of 64 I take my Parnate 3 hours ago, so its supposed to make its effect now
I also eliminated all sources of a possibilities of a hypertensive crisis caused by food last night, I eat a salad at the restaurant with fresh chicken inside, no salad dressing or things like that and for my lunch time, I had only fresh steak, buy yesterday morning, with some safe and fresh vegetables. The cause of the hyper crisis is not the food.
I can also conclude that Parnate act as a stimulant in my system by increasing my blood pressure and after his half-life of 4.4 to 8 hours, tend to low my blood pressure by causing sever hypotension. Mean that I will have to take it easy and SLOWno more weekly increase of my dose.
In the official PRESCRIBING INFORMATION from Glasko Company, they write that people with hypertension tend to do more orthostatic hypotension or hypotension with the Parnate. Thats really confusing me cause I have a normal blood pressure reading of 110/60-70 (Not high) since a lot of years, sometimes I can reach 120/60-70 or maybe a little bit higher when I do a panic attack but nothing like I experienced since the last week or last night in particularly.
Thats strange because each time I take a MAOI, my blood pressure tend to be not stable, and Im not supposed to be a good candidate for blood pressure problems on them since Im ok normally. I suppose that Im sensible with all the drugs who acts on epinephrine or dopamine.
Well, thats was another part of my story. I learn my lesson now, and its for real30mg maximum for weeks and weeksuntil I have to official OK from my family doctor to increase it again.
So for JadeKelly, I Was wondering if you had a lot of hypotension problems on the Parnate at first, and if so, how many times it stay like this when you upped your dosage by 10mg each time??? You think its normal to have suddenly hypertension after up the dosage by 10 mg, like I do yesterday?
Since its Christmas vacation for my 2 doctors, I try to reach someone who can answer to my question but I cantSometimes, just read advice by others people like you can help, just to be reassured
For Scoot, Im wondering if you also had blood pressure problems with the Parnate or you never experienced hypertension or hypotension blood pressure on the Parnate?
Well, thanks everyoneJust write all of these help me to cope with the stress and the bad experience I had last night and this morning alsoI will continue to monitor my blood pressure all the day, just in casefor now it's low...I will probably return sleep a little bit this afternoon since when I lying in my bed, I feel less the hypotension effetcs.
IF something goes wrong again, I will post a message here! A nice day for everyone!!! ;-)
With all that stres and problems, I completly forget to take my valiums pills since yesterday afternoon!!! That surprise me cause normally, when I begin to panic and I feel weird, the first thing I do is to pop up a 5mg of Valium...But wonder why, I don't do it last night and this morning!!! That's maybe another good point there...mean that I will maybe forget the association of the Valium pill to the good feeling I can have...!!! That's a good point...In every bad experience we have, we can find a little positive effect or at least a positive lesson...
Posted by Phillipa on December 29, 2008, at 11:08:00
In reply to Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot..., posted by Vincent_QC on December 29, 2008, at 10:28:25
I'm not any of them but wow had to read it and what a horrible experience. I do hope one of the others you called for sees this and can help. Don't hesitate to go to hospital ok? Love Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on December 29, 2008, at 12:09:20
In reply to Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot..., posted by Vincent_QC on December 29, 2008, at 10:28:25
Hi there. That was quite the experience you had with Parnate. I hope you start to feel much better soon.
I had a similar experience with Parnate. I used to take from 90 mg to 110 mg for almost 2 years. Then I stopped taking it because it was wasn't work any more. When I tried it again, I could never get past 10 mg and had the same symptoms as you. The sensitivity to light and the headache were the worst pains I had ever felt. I was never able to get past the 10 mg so I had to abandon my attempt to try Parnate again.
I really hope you can increase up to 40 mg in a couple of weeks without any side effects.
Take care of yourself.
Maxime
Posted by SLS on December 29, 2008, at 19:13:27
In reply to Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot..., posted by Vincent_QC on December 29, 2008, at 10:28:25
> For Scoot, Im wondering if you also had blood pressure problems with the Parnate or you never experienced hypertension or hypotension blood pressure on the Parnate?
You are the ONLY person who I will allow to call me Scoot! I like it.
I experience hypertension only when I eat the wrong things. Actually, it happened only once and was the result of eating pepperoni. I am pretty good about watching what I eat.
It is not impossible to establish a therapeutic dosage of Parnate in the event spontaneous hypertension occurs. Just back off the dosage and rechallenge the system at a more gradual rate.
- Scott
Posted by JadeKelly on December 29, 2008, at 21:03:18
In reply to Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot..., posted by Vincent_QC on December 29, 2008, at 10:28:25
> JadeKelly, you were so right about the fact that I have to take my time and do at least 2 weeks at the same dose, I should listen to you better!
>
> What I big mistake I do yesterday. I was thinking that I was ready to go for a next step and add 10mg on my 30mg of Parnate, since I was feeling good OMG what a mistake I do!!!
Hi Vincent,Some questions for you: how long this time on 30mg? Did you switch directly from Nardil? How long in between Nardil & Parnate?
>
> Yesterday, at my usual 10mg dose at 5PM, I decided to add another 10mg for a total of 40mg Parnate for the day.
>
> I had a supper at the restaurant with one of my friend and it was planning from a long time. I had to take my shower before, stop at the drug store to get my pills refill and I had to get ready fast because I was too lazy to do this during the day...
>
> After the shower I begin to feel really stimulated, maybe 30 minutes after the 20mg I take at 5PM. Over stimulated to the point that I begin to be feel a headache but just on the left side of my head that radiate frontally, palpitations, I was unable to take a decision, which clothes I put and things like that. I begin to paranoid on my heart beat, it was really slow and I begin to feel a warm wave on my two ears, cold arms and I had to go to the bathroom several times to pee (Sorry for the word).Did you ever have headache (during this episode) that was almost unbearable, mainly in back of neck?
>
> A bell ring in my head (expression here), it was telling me that I had hypertension again, so I climb the stairs to go to the kitchen at a speed I never do before, wait 5 minutes sit on the chair to not false my blood pressure result test and I take my blood pressure with my digital blood pressure monitor.
>
> What a surprise, I was already at 180/85 I said to myself, wait a little bit, dont take your Nifedipine already (drug to treat the hypertensive crisis), maybe it will not stay high for a long time.
Maybe, maybe not. When I had my hypertensive problem, it happenend fast. There is a point where its safer not to take the nifedipine, but I think thats for really high, you were getting there. Shoulda gone to emergency, Vincent!!!
>
> I finally succeed to get dress, lock the door of the house, start the car and go to the drug store, but I was really in a panic mood, it was dangerous to drive my car like this.
>
> I ask to talk with the gentle pharmacist there. She takes me in her office, I sit and I explain the situation. She take my blood pressure and it was now at 195/95 She said, you will not die, its high but normally at the hospital they do nothing before the blood pressure is up to 205/90I said okI was not in panic anymore but I was able to see my heart racing under my shirt and see my skin move where my heart is, She said to wait that I reach that magic number of 205 before I take my pill (Nifedipine).I don't think she's qulified Vincent to make that decision! 205 is dangerously high!!
>
> So, I go to the restaurant, I felt very bad all night long, my blood pressure never get down, my heart was doing a race inside me, I feel it beating so hard, it was really disturbing me. At 11PM, I decide that it was time to take my blood pressure again (yeah, at the restaurant!!! lol). I was at 210/100 I pop up a Nifedipine pill, take a bite in it, since its a gel cap with liquid inside and I didnt want to take the full 10mg, I swallow half of its content and I drink a full glass of water with it and I continue my supper with my friendWe leave the restaurant at 12AM, my blood pressure was still high, I drive him home, and return to my house, take my blood pressure again and it was now at 150/85, I said its perfect, my blood pressure return to the normal state, I can go sleep and forget all about this atrocious night.
>
> I wake up at 2:30, after only 2 hours of sleep. I get on my feet to go to the bathroom and I open the light!!!! Photophobia, photophobia, photophobia, the pain I had for a couple of days behind my eyes I think it was photophobia.anyway I has to close the light, I was unable to keep open my eyes. It was crazy as hell. Lights was so hard on my eyes, I was not able to see anything... My head begin to spin, so I sit on my bed, take the blood pressure machine and make another blood pressure testI was now at 60/45with a pulse of 120
>
> I succeed to reach the salt shakers in the kitchen but I had to climb the stairsI do it step by step, it took maybe 20 minutes before I reach the salt shaker I had to keep my eyes close because all sources of light was hard on my eyes (even looking at the hour on the microwave) and my head was spinning too much. I take 2 big tablespoons of salt with a full glass of water, try to go outside take fresh air, I light up a cigarette, my god, the flame of my lighters almost make me crazy, finally I was not able to smoke at all, it was worst...So I return in my bed room, downstairs, wait in the dark for 10 minutes, take another blood test and it was now at 65/60I lie down again on my bed, and I fall asleep fast.I never had that light sensitivity people talk about.
>
>
I wake up only at 8AM, strange cause my mom had to get up early this morning and she usually do a lot of noise, but this time I heard nothing. I get up on my feet to go to the bathroom and I forget that I had high and low blood pressure the night before. I was not able to stay on my feet, so I lie down again on my bed until my blood pressure return to normal. I stay like this 20 minutes, shout to my mom to bring the salt shakers in my room, I take another 2 tablespoons of salt, wait 10 minutes and take my blood pressure, it was only at 75/55...after another 10 minutes I was able to get up, photophobia was less hard on my eyes, but I was not able to stay under a big source of light or look outside (snow everywherewith bright sunthats hard for the eyes), my head continue to spin a little bit and I had the usual tinnitus symptom...but it was less pronounced than last night. It take maybe 30 minutes before I was feeling ok...and by ok I mean just ok...able to stay on my feets and eat something, go to the bathroom, things like that. My eyes burns a lot also, photophobia probably...
>
> Finally, the salt make is effect and my blood pressure return to a 90/60but when I go outside to smoke a cigarette, I cant keep my eyes open because of the photophobia. Thats too hardI'm curious, does nicotine raise, lower or is it neutral in relation to your blood pressure? Might want to find that out. If any benefit, you could carry the gum with you.
>
> I take my usual 10mg dose of Parnate this morning, but NOW I KNOW that I have to STAY at 30mg for two weeks, maybe more.
>
> I found it strange that I do at the high blood pressure when I up my dosage, and after low blood pressure like I do.
Thats not strange to me! My blood pressure was all over the place for a while! Its learning to control it as best you can until it calms down. I have low blood sugar, and while I was typing this felt very weak (no, hadn't eaten) took BP, it was 84/54. I think low blood sugar may contribute to low blood BP in some way. I just took two salt tablets and ate and feel much better. This RARELY happens to me now tho. Especially the high BP, almost never.>
> The Nifedipine dose I take last night was small, I take only half of the pill (5 mg), and normally it dont low the blood pressure like this. A 20mg pill of Nifedipine is more likely to cause a severe drop of blood pressure like I had not 5mg. The Nifedipine instant release doesnt stay in the blood for a long time and have a half-life of 2 hours in the blood. I still wonder why it low my blood pressure so much, at a very low dose like the one I take?That dose was the worst for me! At 30mg, I had hypertensive problem and had to go to hospital. I woke up and for no reason I could find, my BP was 90(sys) and rising fast. I had a headache that I can only describe as a 10 on a 1-10 scale. My nephew called the ER and they said it was an emergency they were on their way. I asked if they would have antidote, "yes they will". No antidote so I had to go to Hosp. Its not good to self-treat when heading towards 200 or over. You can cause a heart attack etc if BP not lowered correctly. Please go next time?! Anyway, for me this was the worst time, 30mg. So expect it and be ready!
>
> Now, I wonder if one of these day, I will be able to up my dosage to more than 30mg of Parnate, or it will be the maximum I cant reach?
Yes! you will be able to increase! I stayed at 30mg for 6 weeks(the worst for side effects!), then aprox 1 1/2 weeks to 40mg, 1 1/2 weeks to 50m, 1 1/2 weeks to 60mg. Approx 10 days into 60mg. I was in remission. 100%. No euphoria, just myself.>
> I can do another conclusion, Parnate seem to be 3 times stronger than Nardil, it increase the general anxiety but at the same time is very good for social phobia and anxiety, since I start it, I can do a lot more of things alone, i'm able to go to the drug store alone and speak with the pharmacist, in fact I speak a lot more to people I don't know and i'm less shy... The 3 times stronger conclusion I do is base in the fact that on Nardil, I never expected hypertension... but I had several hypotension problems at a dose of 90mg only so 30mg Parnate = 90mg Nardilfor me...maybe not for everyone...
>
> Now its 11:15 AM, I just took my blood pressure again, Im at 107/53 and a pulse of 64 I take my Parnate 3 hours ago, so its supposed to make its effect now
>
> I also eliminated all sources of a possibilities of a hypertensive crisis caused by food last night, I eat a salad at the restaurant with fresh chicken inside, no salad dressing or things like that and for my lunch time, I had only fresh steak, buy yesterday morning, with some safe and fresh vegetables. The cause of the hyper crisis is not the food.Mine wasn't either.
Vincent, I was the only one I'd heard of with spontanious hypertension except an old poster, Elizabeth, some, not many, have spontanious HT on Parnate as your body adjusts. I had it for 3 nights in a row. I was so desperate to finish my trial (plus PDoc was about to take me off) that I took Nifedipine for 10 days in a row till I saw him next. It was hell. Pure lethergy, weakness, depression. Boy was I glad to be off that. Some people take more of a beating on this med than others. But in my experience, its in the beginning.
>
> I can also conclude that Parnate act as a stimulant in my system by increasing my blood pressure and after his half-life of 4.4 to 8 hours, tend to low my blood pressure by causing sever hypotension. Mean that I will have to take it easy and SLOWno more weekly increase of my dose.
>
> In the official PRESCRIBING INFORMATION from Glasko Company, they write that people with hypertension tend to do more orthostatic hypotension or hypotension with the Parnate. Thats really confusing me cause I have a normal blood pressure reading of 110/60-70 (Not high) since a lot of years, sometimes I can reach 120/60-70 or maybe a little bit higher when I do a panic attack but nothing like I experienced since the last week or last night in particularly.
>
> Thats strange because each time I take a MAOI, my blood pressure tend to be not stable, and Im not supposed to be a good candidate for blood pressure problems on them since Im ok normally. I suppose that Im sensible with all the drugs who acts on epinephrine or dopamine.Mine was absolutely normal.
>
> Well, thats was another part of my story. I learn my lesson now, and its for real30mg maximum for weeks and weeksuntil I have to official OK from my family doctor to increase it again.
>
> So for JadeKelly, I Was wondering if you had a lot of hypotension problems on the Parnate at first, and if so, how many times it stay like this when you upped your dosage by 10mg each time???At first, yes. Stayed in bed. Then less and less with each dose incease, no idea why!
You think its normal to have suddenly hypertension after up the dosage by 10 mg, like I do yesterday?
Normal? for most no. For some like you and I? Unfortunately, yes. But it passes quickly, especially the unexplained high BP.>
> Since its Christmas vacation for my 2 doctors, I try to reach someone who can answer to my question but I cantSometimes, just read advice by others people like you can help, just to be reassured.
I don't know if I said this or someone else did: This medication is not for he faint hearted. But its the only one thats ever worked for me. One more thing, I take klonopin (benzo) 3xday, and Parnate for some reason makes me forget to take it alot. Wierd, you to, huh? Wonder what effect that has on our BP?? When we forget? Did you?Keep me posted!
~jade
PS-Get used to getting a lot of rest!!
>
> For Scoot, Im wondering if you also had blood pressure problems with the Parnate or you never experienced hypertension or hypotension blood pressure on the Parnate?
>
> Well, thanks everyoneJust write all of these help me to cope with the stress and the bad experience I had last night and this morning alsoI will continue to monitor my blood pressure all the day, just in casefor now it's low...I will probably return sleep a little bit this afternoon since when I lying in my bed, I feel less the hypotension effetcs.
>
> IF something goes wrong again, I will post a message here! A nice day for everyone!!! ;-)
>
> With all that stres and problems, I completly forget to take my valiums pills since yesterday afternoon!!! That surprise me cause normally, when I begin to panic and I feel weird, the first thing I do is to pop up a 5mg of Valium...But wonder why, I don't do it last night and this morning!!! That's maybe another good point there...mean that I will maybe forget the association of the Valium pill to the good feeling I can have...!!! That's a good point...In every bad experience we have, we can find a little positive effect or at least a positive lesson...
>
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by JadeKelly on December 29, 2008, at 21:10:16
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot... » Vincent_QC, posted by SLS on December 29, 2008, at 19:13:27
Could forgetting benzo for long time user cause increase in BP?
Posted by Incubusfan on December 30, 2008, at 8:31:06
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot... » Vincent_QC, posted by JadeKelly on December 29, 2008, at 21:03:18
Are you still in remission after beginning Parnate? How long have you been taking it? What is your diagnosis?
Thanks!
Posted by Vincent_QC on December 30, 2008, at 9:19:04
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot... » Vincent_QC, posted by Maxime on December 29, 2008, at 12:09:20
> Hi there. That was quite the experience you had with Parnate. I hope you start to feel much better soon.
>
> I had a similar experience with Parnate. I used to take from 90 mg to 110 mg for almost 2 years. Then I stopped taking it because it was wasn't work any more. When I tried it again, I could never get past 10 mg and had the same symptoms as you. The sensitivity to light and the headache were the worst pains I had ever felt. I was never able to get past the 10 mg so I had to abandon my attempt to try Parnate again.
>
> I really hope you can increase up to 40 mg in a couple of weeks without any side effects.
>
> Take care of yourself.
>
> MaximeHi Maxime,
Humm well, thanks for your support. It's seem to get more normal now, I was able to take 35mg yesterday but I had a little bit of orthostatic hypotension and a big migraine at night...So I kept monitoring my BP and it do the same thing than the night before, hypertension after 1 hour of the last dose I take, and low BP at night. Before I got to the bed, I take a 0.1mg pill of Florinef to help with orthostatic hypotension and take a lot of salt...and leave a glass of water with the salt near my bed...lol Just in case... I know that I wake up 1 time to go to the bathroom and I didn't have orthostatic hypotension but I was sensible to the light...Even if I had a terrible experience at 40mg and I was a lot tired yesterday with a "great" migraine (that continue today...)im safe now, well I think...My blood pressure is low this morning, wonder why, it was high last night...
You know, I was used to have hypotension on Nardil, but I had never both (Hypertension and Hypotension) on the Nardil...my BP was always low with it. The Parnate seem to stimulate the heart for a couple of hours and after to make the reverse effect by lower the BP...
That's strange the fact that you are not able to tolerate the Parnate again, after the high doses you taked before. Maybe something change in your system?
That's scary a lot to see that such dangerous side-effects can happen when you just increase the dose a little bit like I do. The main key will be to go slowly...and try to deal with the disconfort cause by the side-effets at each step increase...but I really think that if I don'T improve on 40mg, I will maybe not be able to tolerate another increase of 10mg...Side-effects like the ones I experience 2 nights ago are not safe at all. I'm not in a great shape and I don't want to have a heart attack or something like this...and variations of BP like the ones I have are not good for the heart...
On other hands, for now I see little improvements, things that I don't see before or recognize as improvements before yesterday..."the valium reduction, I can go to the drugstore alone and talk to the pharmacist, I can go buy a pack of cigarettes alone...", it seems that the side-effects take too much place in my life now and i'm not focusing on my social phobia...or it seem to be the real effect of the Parnate...who know...I will see with time and stay at the same dose for a couple of weeks now...
Anyway, thanks for your support ;-)
I hope everything is fine with you as well ;-)
Posted by Vincent_QC on December 30, 2008, at 9:22:56
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot... » Vincent_QC, posted by Phillipa on December 29, 2008, at 11:08:00
> I'm not any of them but wow had to read it and what a horrible experience. I do hope one of the others you called for sees this and can help. Don't hesitate to go to hospital ok? Love Phillipa
Thanks Phillipa,
Don't worry, next time I go to the emergency for sure...at least, i'm more vigileant now...I monitor more often my blood pressure and I think I will be more slow on the dose increasement ;-) IT was the second times I was experiencing things like that in less than one week...now I know the dangerous potential of this drug and will be a lot more carefull in my global approach...Thanks for your support ;-)
Posted by Vincent_QC on December 30, 2008, at 10:43:52
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot... » Vincent_QC, posted by JadeKelly on December 29, 2008, at 21:03:18
>
>Hi Vincent,
Some questions for you: how long this time on 30mg? Did you switch directly from Nardil? How long in between Nardil & Parnate? >
>Hi JadeKelly, No, in November, I ask my new psychiatrist to try the Parnate. I begin at 20mg for 1 week but I was feeling a lot overstress on it. The week after, I had another appointment with him, I told him about my anxiety and the stress so we decide to return to the Nardil again. I was only on 15mg day.
In the same week, I continue to feel a lot anxious and I had another appointment with my family doctor (not the psychiatrist). He remember me that I had already do 3 months on the Nardil at 90mg/day and that I didnt had improve, I Was just able to reduce my Rivotril intake at the time on the NardilSo he said why you dont want to try the Parnate, Im sure the stress and anxiety you experienced at week 1 on 20mg was not from the Parnate himself but just your general anxiety I said yeah, ok, I will tryThe week after I had another appointment with my psychiatrist and I ask to return to the ParnateHe said yes but this time dont take more than 10mg at week one and go slow on the increase
>
>Did you ever have headache (during this episode) that was almost unbearable, mainly in back of neck? >
>No, I had a regular headachetemporal (above my ears) and in the front, its like in the middle of my head, sometimes I have just an headache on the left side, other time its on the right side, sometimes the 2 sides togetherbut never in the back of my neckI always have headaches or migraines, Im like this since Im a child.
>
>Maybe, maybe not. When I had my hypertensive problem, it happenend fast. There is a point where its safer not to take the nifedipine, but I think thats for really high, you were getting there. Shoulda gone to emergency, Vincent!!!
>
>The Nifedipine is apparently safe if take with a high blood pressure above 205 I was not aware that it will low my blood pressure like it do
>
>I don't think she's qualified Vincent to make that decision! 205 is dangerously high!! >
>My best friend is a nurse and it was the one who go to the restaurant with me that night and he confirm what she told methey do nothing before 205 at the hospital and they use the same kind of drug to reduce the blood pressure but its I.V so act more fast than Nifedipine. Sure they monitor you, and if something happen, they can do something faster than if you stay at home Sure, I think next time hospital will be safer, Nifedipine seem to be not safe for hypertension
>
> I never had that light sensitivity people talk about.>
>Photophobia.its very commonI had this often but not just in an orthostatic hypotension crisis Your eyes begin to burn if you open themyou see like strange colors and circles everywhere, thats really hard to supportand Im sure even someone without a panic disorder or anxiety problem will find this really freaking out!!! IT give you also a big headache...
>
>I'm curious, does nicotine raise, lower or is it neutral in relation to your blood pressure? Might want to find that out. If any benefit, you could carry the gum with you. >
>I read somewhere that nicotine also inhibit MAOI enzymes of the type A I remember a study about where they put nicotine patch on depressive people and they improve more well than the people in the group without the nicotine patch. But smoke a cigarette, Im not sure, since it contain more than just the nicotine insideit high the BP Im sure
>
>
Thats not strange to me! My blood pressure was all over the place for a while! Its learning to control it as best you can until it calms down. I have low blood sugar, and while I was typing this felt very weak (no, hadn't eaten) took BP, it was 84/54. I think low blood sugar may contribute to low blood BP in some way. I just took two salt tablets and ate and feel much better. This RARELY happens to me now tho. Especially the high BP, almost never.
>Good to know, maybe it will became more stable on me also with time I have to check it out for the sugar in the blood. My mom is diabetic and has a machine for blood sugar testing I dont know if its related or not. I have to admit that I dont eat a lot since Im taking the Parnate, even if I gain weight on it. I have to force myself to eat something. Its why I take salt, to high a little bit my high blood pressure if I dont eat a lot the Florinef amplify the effect of salt in the body fluidits suppose to be good to reduce the hypotension problems. Since I take it, I don't see a difference...
> >
>That dose was the worst for me! At 30mg, I had hypertensive problem and had to go to hospital. I woke up and for no reason I could find, my BP was 90(sys) and rising fast. I had a headache that I can only describe as a 10 on a 1-10 scale. My nephew called the ER and they said it was an emergency they were on their way. I asked if they would have antidote, "yes they will". No antidote so I had to go to Hosp. Its not good to self-treat when heading towards 200 or over. You can cause a heart attack etc if BP not lowered correctly. Please go next time?! Anyway, for me this was the worst time, 30mg. So expect it and be ready! >
>>
>Hummm.well, like I write before, I know its dangerous, Im a lot preoccupied with hypertension, a lot more than with hypotension in factcause with hypotension you can always take salt and it high the BP in a couple of minutes but lowered the high blood pressure is more hard, I admit itNifedipine act too much slowlynext time I will have to go to the emergency I think, I dont trust the Nifedipine nowI will continue to keep the "Antidote" in my pocket, just in case...
>
> Yes! you will be able to increase! I stayed at 30mg for 6 weeks(the worst for side effects!), then aprox 1 1/2 weeks to 40mg, 1 1/2 weeks to 50m, 1 1/2 weeks to 60mg. Approx 10 days into 60mg. I was in remission. 100%. No euphoria, just myself. >
>Okstrange, the 30mg stage for me was hard, but I think I wanted again to go more fastI was not ready for the 40mg stageI hope I will react like you do, I mean the 30-40mg step will be the hardest And for the EuphoriaI think its not the goal to reach no? IF I want some Euphoria, I will go buy some alcohol and drink itlol ;-) I just want to be able to live my life again, go outside, finish my school, find a job, be able to live in this society without being always overstress because of the others people around meSocial anxiety is hard to explain if you dont experience it
>
> Mine wasn't either. >
>
Parnate seem to provoke more spontaneous hypertensive crisis than the Nardil for sure, like I was writing on another message, Nardil never give to me high blood pressure, I was always on low blood pressure. Anyway, I dont eat a lot, so I dont see why it can be a cheese reaction Its probably the stimulant action on the cardio vascular system>
>Vincent, I was the only one I'd heard of with spontanious hypertension except an old poster, Elizabeth, some, not many, have spontaneous HT on Parnate as your body adjusts. I had it for 3 nights in a row. I was so desperate to finish my trial (plus PDoc was about to take me off) that I took Nifedipine for 10 days in a row till I saw him next. It was hell. Pure lethergy, weakness, depression. Boy was I glad to be off that. Some people take more of a beating on this med than others. But in my experience, its in the beginning.
>
>
You are not lucky, its a good thing everything is fine now with you!!!!
I probably experience a spontaneous hypertension crisis, like you do Now I monitor more my blood pressure, every 2 hours in fact, and I note all of this on paper. I will show this to my family doctor the 7th January and he will know what to do with this. One thing is sure, if I experience another spontaneous hypertension crisis like the one I had 2 nights ago, I go to the emergency, since the Nifedipine seem to be a weak drug to reduce the blood pressure Yeah, some lucky people never have problems with MAOI's...it's like people who take their first SSRI and improve fast on their first try...I think we are not lucky on that...but that's life...>
> Mine was absolutely normal. >
>You mean before Parnate???
>
> At first, yes. Stayed in bed. Then less and less with each dose incease, no idea why!Normal? for most no. For some like you and I? Unfortunately, yes. But it passes quickly, especially the unexplained high BP. >
>
Hummm okYeah, I was more often in my bed at first alsoNow I begin to have a more normal life, mean that I tend to return only in my bed for a small nap in the afternoon, 1 hour maximum. The main problem is that I dont have energy at daytime to take my shower and do something, I just open my laptop, or watch the TV
>
> I don't know if I said this or someone else did: This medication is not for he faint hearted. But its the only one thats ever worked for me. One more thing, I take klonopin (benzo) 3xday, and Parnate for some reason makes me forget to take it alot. Wierd, you to, huh? Wonder what effect that has on our BP?? When we forget? Did you? >
>>
>
I think it probably increase the blood pressure. Since, before the Parnate, I was feeling the craving for the Valium. Last night, I go to my friend house, around 10PM I begin to have a more big headache (Temporal one) and I suddenly remember that I had only take 5mg of Valium in the morning I take my blood pressure and I was at 156/83 I take the 5mg Valium and take my blood pressure 1 hour after and it was lower135/80and at bedtime (1AM) it was normal122/70 So I dont know really if it affect the blood pressure or notMaybe a little bit>
> Keep me posted!
~jade
PS-Get used to getting a lot of rest!! >
>>
>Dont worry; I will do for sure ;-) A lot of restIm use to stay in my bed for long time, but I dont sleep Insomnia is another problem, but that not the Parnate fault
For now, I had 35mg yesterday, I cut one pill in 2 and it was more tolerable, so maybe I will be able to up to the 40mg and stay there for a long time and wait to see if I improve more or not.
I will keep posting about the orthostatic hypotension and the hypertensive crisis alsoI hope everything will be ok this time and fade away with time
So another time, thanks for you help ;-) You are very nice!!!
Bye!Vince;-)
Posted by Vincent_QC on December 30, 2008, at 17:15:12
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot... » Vincent_QC, posted by SLS on December 29, 2008, at 19:13:27
> > For Scoot, Im wondering if you also had blood pressure problems with the Parnate or you never experienced hypertension or hypotension blood pressure on the Parnate?
>
> You are the ONLY person who I will allow to call me Scoot! I like it.
>
> I experience hypertension only when I eat the wrong things. Actually, it happened only once and was the result of eating pepperoni. I am pretty good about watching what I eat.
>
> It is not impossible to establish a therapeutic dosage of Parnate in the event spontaneous hypertension occurs. Just back off the dosage and rechallenge the system at a more gradual rate.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
>Hi Scott! Sorry for the Scoooooot! lol ;-)I Was totally pass out yesterday...;-) So forgive me!
Ok you're the lucky one...I mean to not experience hypertension without eating anything wrong like I do...
Today, I up to 40mg again, 20 at 8AM, 10mg at 12PM and 10mg at 3PM...
I experience high blood pressure since noon I think, but never go more up than 160/95 until now...That's more high than my usual range of normal BP, but that's not what we can call an hypertensive crisis no?
I try to figure out what I do wrong. Today I don't drink coffee...I wanted to see the difference...but I see no difference at all...The Valium seem to not be the problem like I was saying last week, I eat just fresh food, no leftover in the fridge...I don't eat eggs or chocolate or things like that...nothing on the list of food to avoid in fact, as usual...but it seem that my BP is high, enough high to feel my heart racing right now...but if I change my minds that's ok...I don't feel it racing...but I still know it's high cause I have this strange sensation of "freezing" all over my body...
I wanted to return to 30mg yesterday...but what it will give to do a step back now?... I will see, in one week I see my family doc, I write all my blood pressure test on a paper, all the side effects I have or experience, he will look at them and see if it's dangerous or not...I don't think a week at 160/90 will kill me...that's not good, but that's ok...Some people do high BP since a lot of years without being advise of it...That's not for nothing they call these disease "The silent disease"...
I know what I do for now...I just didn't want to experience another "hypotension crisis" like I had 2 nights ago...it was terrible...I still get some orthostatic hypotension, even with a high blood pressure that I find suspicious and weird...normally hypotension go with itrhostatic hypotension, not high BP...But I continu to take my Florinef before bedtime...so 0.1mg of Florinef, salt, water and up to the bed...it work well last night so I hope it will be the same for tonight...
I really think my body have to take some time to adjust to the stimulant effect of the Parnate...with time, the high BP will fade away.
Well, next time, no more Nifepidine if i'm going above 205 in the blood pressure....emergency directly...
So that's all for now...I'm ok..that's the important... So thanks another time for your help !!! That's really welcome ;-)
Have a nice evening! ;-)
Posted by Phillipa on December 30, 2008, at 20:01:36
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot... » SLS, posted by Vincent_QC on December 30, 2008, at 17:15:12
Vincent googled this for you. Phillipa
Posted by JadeKelly on December 30, 2008, at 21:45:06
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot... » Vincent_QC, posted by JadeKelly on December 29, 2008, at 21:03:18
Vince, you said you cut a 10mg Parnate in half? You might want to check with your friend (nurse) or the pharmacist, some medications that can be dangerous. I'm sure you probably already know, but just in case! Want you to feel well!
Good luck and keep me posted! Go to the hospital if you need to!!!
~Jade
Posted by JadeKelly on December 30, 2008, at 21:58:32
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot..., posted by Incubusfan on December 30, 2008, at 8:31:06
Hello,
I am (in remission) as long as I take my doses right on time. That part is confusing to me (the why part). I've been sick and woke up really late and missed my morning dose and felt depressed. I must say tho, I was warned by a few on this board: TAKE YOUR DOSE AND TAKE IT ON TIME. haha. Geuss thats what I get. Diagnosis: TR/MDD: Major Depression. I've been taking it for almost 11-12 weeks. Went into remission my 10th? day into 60mg dose.
Hope that helps-
~Jade
Posted by Vincent_QC on December 31, 2008, at 8:57:10
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot... » Vincent_QC, posted by Phillipa on December 30, 2008, at 20:01:36
> Vincent googled this for you. Phillipa
>
> http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/758544-overviewHi Phillipa ;-)
I just finish the reading of your web likns about hypertensive emergencies. If I put what they read in my case (Hummm sorry, bad english again...lol), I don't belong in the Prehypertension since i'm normally at 110/60-70 ... before I start my Parnate treatment.I experience an augmentation of my blood pressure since the parnate augmentation to 20mg dose. My blood pressure is ok in the morning, 120/60-70...tend to increase around 2P.M. above 130/70...and reach a peak around 7-9P.M. as high as 160-170/80... with palpitations...but decrease around 12A.M. and return to a normal state 120-110/60-70...
I have a lot of things to get verified by my family doctor, dose adjustement of Florinef(fludrocortisone acetate : Adrenocorticoid who acts on renal distal tubule, increasing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion preventing orthostatic hypotension), since my orthostatic problem it's more present at night and in the morning, I take the 0,1mg dose of Florinef at 12AM, before bedtime. I try this since 2 days, since it can increase the blood pressure, It's maybe why I experienced more hypertension at daytime.
Maybe I will need a small dose of Nifedipine at daytime, the one who act fast on the body, not the extend release. They have it in 5mg pills. Since I monitor and write all my blood pressure test, my doctor will be able to do a schedule on the intake of it and how many MG I will have to take at daytime and also avoid late afternoon or evening intake of a dose of it to prevent another hypotension orthostatic crisis at night like the one I experience 3 nights ago.
I have also to ask for a check up of my blood...Iron, potassium and sodium...and everything else...
I want also to have a head check up...(Electroencephalography), I do a lot of migraines since i'm a child...and I want to be sure I don't have something wrong with that...
So my next doctor appointment will be long...as usual...
For now, a little bit of hypertension will not kill me, I think...not for 1 week, since I think i'm not predisposed to do it normally. The nurse I call at the psychiatrist hospital 2 days ago told me it was not dangerous for now, if my blood pressure don't up to 200 and more...The pharmacist told me the same, and my friend who is a nurse also told me the same... IF I had a predisposition to a do a CVA (stroke), I Will already do one with the hypertension crisis I had 3 days ago...
The second number in my pressure result never reach 90, that's another sign that i'm not predisposed to hypertension...
That's just what I think...but well thanks for the good website link...I learn something interresting at least and I know that I don'T have to mess up around my blood pressure...and it's why I monitor and write all my results, to show them to my doctor, he will be the one to tell me what to do...Reduction of the Parnate dose or addition of small dose of Nifedipine in the morning of afternoon for a couple of days, or an augmention or diminution of my Florinef intake...
So again, thanks ;-) And if we don't talk each other before the end of the day, I wish you a Happy new year ;-)!!!
Bye!
Vincent ;-)
Posted by Vincent_QC on December 31, 2008, at 9:39:08
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot... » JadeKelly, posted by JadeKelly on December 30, 2008, at 21:45:06
> Vince, you said you cut a 10mg Parnate in half? You might want to check with your friend (nurse) or the pharmacist, some medications that can be dangerous. I'm sure you probably already know, but just in case! Want you to feel well!
>
> Good luck and keep me posted! Go to the hospital if you need to!!!
>
> ~JadeHi again Jade !!! ;-)
What you mean by dangerous? To cut a pill and take half of it???
I don't think Parnate pill will be less effective or dangerous if I cut it in two and take half of it, since it's not anymore a film coated pill , like the old Parnate or the old Nardil formulation...
I do it only monday...35mg...I take the whole 40mg yesterday and I only had hypertension at the end of the afternoon and at night...with a little bit of palpitations and heart racing feeling inside my chest and a strange sensation in my head, in the middle of the head not from the neck... Yesterday, my highest blood pressure was 156/95 - 60 ... Yeah that's HIGH, but from all the peoples I ask and the informations I receive, that's not dangerous to the point I need to stop the Parnate and go to the Emergency...Something like 190-200 and more will be dangerous to the point I go to the emergency or pop-up another "Nefepidine" pill (but I don'T want to...just if my doctor will advise me to take it like you do, on a regular basis for a couple of days, until my blood pressure will be stable)...
The strange sentation inside my head is probably come from the effect on the DO, NE or SE, since I experience it before on other AD drugs... The fact that I have general anxiety make me also an easy candidate to high myself (just with my think) the blood pressure, since I have a fixation on it and on all the physicals symptoms I feel inside me...that's not helping...We call this "Hypervigilance" ...very common for a person who have general anxiety and panic disorder ... "Hypervigilance is an enhanced state of sensory sensitivity accompanied by an exaggerated intensity of behaviors whose purpose is to detect threats. Hypervigilance is also accompanied by a state of increased anxiety which can cause exhaustion. Other symptoms include: abnormally increased arousal, a high responsiveness to stimuli and a constant scanning of the environment for threats. Hypervigilance is a symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder, general anxiety and panic disorder..."
I'm sure, my next appointment in 1 week with the doctor will rassure me and I will feel more well soon with a blood pressure stabilized at a normal state...Well I hope! ;-)
For now, I wish you an happy new year, if we don't chat here before tomorrow !!! ;-) I wish you for the next year everything you want the most, health, joy and hapiness for you and all your family!!! ;-)
Bye!
Vincent ;-)
Posted by Phillipa on December 31, 2008, at 19:04:29
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot... » Phillipa, posted by Vincent_QC on December 31, 2008, at 8:57:10
Vincent same to you glad I posted something that taught you a bit. Happy New Year to you also. Love Phillipa
Posted by shasling on January 3, 2009, at 0:41:42
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot..., posted by Vincent_QC on December 31, 2008, at 9:39:08
> > Vince, you said you cut a 10mg Parnate in half? You might want to check with your friend (nurse) or the pharmacist, some medications that can be dangerous. I'm sure you probably already know, but just in case! Want you to feel well!
> >
> > Good luck and keep me posted! Go to the hospital if you need to!!!
> >
> > ~Jade
>
> Hi again Jade !!! ;-)
>
> What you mean by dangerous? To cut a pill and take half of it???
>
> I don't think Parnate pill will be less effective or dangerous if I cut it in two and take half of it, since it's not anymore a film coated pill , like the old Parnate or the old Nardil formulation...
>
> I do it only monday...35mg...I take the whole 40mg yesterday and I only had hypertension at the end of the afternoon and at night...with a little bit of palpitations and heart racing feeling inside my chest and a strange sensation in my head, in the middle of the head not from the neck... Yesterday, my highest blood pressure was 156/95 - 60 ... Yeah that's HIGH, but from all the peoples I ask and the informations I receive, that's not dangerous to the point I need to stop the Parnate and go to the Emergency...Something like 190-200 and more will be dangerous to the point I go to the emergency or pop-up another "Nefepidine" pill (but I don'T want to...just if my doctor will advise me to take it like you do, on a regular basis for a couple of days, until my blood pressure will be stable)...
>
> The strange sentation inside my head is probably come from the effect on the DO, NE or SE, since I experience it before on other AD drugs... The fact that I have general anxiety make me also an easy candidate to high myself (just with my think) the blood pressure, since I have a fixation on it and on all the physicals symptoms I feel inside me...that's not helping...We call this "Hypervigilance" ...very common for a person who have general anxiety and panic disorder ... "Hypervigilance is an enhanced state of sensory sensitivity accompanied by an exaggerated intensity of behaviors whose purpose is to detect threats. Hypervigilance is also accompanied by a state of increased anxiety which can cause exhaustion. Other symptoms include: abnormally increased arousal, a high responsiveness to stimuli and a constant scanning of the environment for threats. Hypervigilance is a symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder, general anxiety and panic disorder..."
>
> I'm sure, my next appointment in 1 week with the doctor will rassure me and I will feel more well soon with a blood pressure stabilized at a normal state...Well I hope! ;-)
>
> For now, I wish you an happy new year, if we don't chat here before tomorrow !!! ;-) I wish you for the next year everything you want the most, health, joy and hapiness for you and all your family!!! ;-)
>
> Bye!
>
> Vincent ;-)Actualy i believe you might be mistaken,of course this is my opinion.
Capsules,powdered tablets usualy can be opened emptied to a degree or split in powdered versions.
Whole tablest however,coated ones usualy have a delivery system about them as to how long they dissolver and well they do.I always found breaking parnate tablets apart seemed to ruin the entire pill,but on the brighter side i dont believe there is any danger and hey if it works is what counts,but like you i love tabs like gabaentin who im a big fan of using partial amouints from the powdered pill by breaking,however encetric or headache pills or the like i usualy just leave be.cheers!
Posted by Vincent_QC on January 3, 2009, at 8:22:17
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot..., posted by shasling on January 3, 2009, at 0:41:42
>
> Actualy i believe you might be mistaken,of course this is my opinion.
>
> Capsules,powdered tablets usualy can be opened emptied to a degree or split in powdered versions.
>
>
> Whole tablest however,coated ones usualy have a delivery system about them as to how long they dissolver and well they do.
>
> I always found breaking parnate tablets apart seemed to ruin the entire pill,but on the brighter side i dont believe there is any danger and hey if it works is what counts,but like you i love tabs like gabaentin who im a big fan of using partial amouints from the powdered pill by breaking,however encetric or headache pills or the like i usualy just leave be.cheers!Hi ;-)
Thanks for your advise...I don't know a lot of things about film coated pills...But I know more things about XR or SR capsules...and they don't work on me for sure...small intestine so I don't absorb all the drugs in my blood stream.For what I see, Parnate is not film coated. IF you cut it, the pill is just cover by a really slim red colored film coated, look a lot like an Aspirin pill. Nothing to compare to hard coated pills...so my guess is the Parnate will not loose his power if you cut it, since it's seem to be just a regular film coated pill who will disolve quickly in the stomach and intestine.
If you search on google, you can find the old Nardil version compare to the newer version...you will see the difference. The old version was a hard coated pill, and the new one is just a regular coated pill with color on it. It's why a lot of people complaints about the fact the newer Nardil was inneffective since they remove the hard coated film on it...
I'm not sure, but I think the Parnate in Canada is not made from the same compagny than in the States... I see some pictures of the Parnate pills you have in the States and the writing on it's in Black ink...the ones I have is not like this...and the pill don't look as brillant than the ones in the States also. So maybe in Canada we have a version not made with hard sugar coated film...
I think I see a studie about this. Parnate USA version VS Parnate Canada version. They was talking about the differences in the coated of the pill, hard coated film pill in the States and regular film coated pill in Canada and the results from the study show a similar rate of peak plasma or effect of the Canadian Parnate over the American version, so it's seem that the Parnate pills, cut or not, have the same effect...
That's too bad, I lost the link of that studies but it was a PDF document...I know some results for the Canadian version of the Parnate was lower, but not a lot lower, not to be consider like a "chepear" or worse good version of the Parnate.
I'm also convince that a lot of pills canno't be cut in 2...normally, all the XR or SR version tend to not working correctly if they are cut. They lost a lot of the powerfull effects but regular coated pills, i'm not sure...SR version sometimes are ok if cut into smaller pieces, but not XR...Anyway a lot of XR pills are made with gelatine caps with small granular pieces inside, so you can't cut pills, you can open it, but try to chew some Effexor-XR pieces , you will see, that's taste so disgusting, you will never do it again! lol
That's just my point of view...i'm not a professionnal or anything else, just a regular guy, who lost a lot of times on the Internet looking for essentials informations to recover from is problems... ;-)
Well, thanks for your advise and your answer ;-) Have a nice day!!!
Posted by Cseagraves on January 7, 2009, at 11:20:49
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot..., posted by Vincent_QC on January 3, 2009, at 8:22:17
Hi there! My name is Courtney an I'm new here. My pdoc wants to start me on Parnate in a couple of weeks after trying every other SSRI out there. Have read through tons of stuff on the internet and on your posts about MAOIs and its starting to sound scary. Not so much worried about my diet. I'm a vegetarian, so I will have to make some adjustments. Never ate soy products much anyway, but am a chocoholic, but am willing to give that up. My major concern after reading everyones posts is about high blood pressure. If I already have high blood pressure, does that mean that I don't take BP meds while on parnate. Even with my BP meds, it still runs around 120/80. The BP med that I take is Benazapril, which is on the list of no-no's. So I'm confused. Is it while taking parnate you don't need BP meds? Is this something that I will need to just monitor daily while taking the parnate? Also, I don't understand what you mean by having hypertension and hypotension at the same time. Does it really go up and down that much during the day? Also too, when you get a cold, all I have been able to find is info on what you can't take. Could someone tell me what you are allowed to take thats safe?
Thanks so much for any advice!
Courtney
Posted by JadeKelly on January 7, 2009, at 12:18:34
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot..., posted by Cseagraves on January 7, 2009, at 11:20:49
> Hi there! My name is Courtney an I'm new here. My pdoc wants to start me on Parnate in a couple of weeks after trying every other SSRI out there. Have read through tons of stuff on the internet and on your posts about MAOIs and its starting to sound scary. Not so much worried about my diet. I'm a vegetarian, so I will have to make some adjustments. Never ate soy products much anyway, but am a chocoholic, but am willing to give that up. My major concern after reading everyones posts is about high blood pressure. If I already have high blood pressure, does that mean that I don't take BP meds while on parnate. Even with my BP meds, it still runs around 120/80. The BP med that I take is Benazapril, which is on the list of no-no's. So I'm confused. Is it while taking parnate you don't need BP meds? Is this something that I will need to just monitor daily while taking the parnate? Also, I don't understand what you mean by having hypertension and hypotension at the same time. Does it really go up and down that much during the day? Also too, when you get a cold, all I have been able to find is info on what you can't take. Could someone tell me what you are allowed to take thats safe?
>
> Thanks so much for any advice!
>
> CourtneyHi Courtney!
Welcome to Babble.I would be happy to answer some of your general questions, but I am not qualified to advise you in any medical capacity regarding your high BP. You CAN have chocolate, so that emergency is solved! As far as cold remedies, you would just take your list of meds that off the list, go to your pharmacy, and have the pharmacist help you the first time, I would even go as far as checking with your PDoc 1st, just to be sure.
And yes, especially in the beginning, you may have high and low BP with in short periods of time as your body adjusts to dosing, etc. You don't generally take a BP medication with it, unless you have a problem. Its a good idea however to have on hand at all times Nifedipine, you are probably aware of this BP med if you have high BP. Its for emergencies for hypertension. If you have high BP, and you take a med for high BP, which is contraindicated with MAOI's, I geuss I'm confused on both counts as to how your PDoc plans to do this safely. He IS fully aware of your condition, and the med you take for it? Parnate is the least forgiving when it comes to BP stability in the beginning. Honestly, I would have another conversation with your PDoc and if he is fine with the decision, but you have reservations, as I do, run this by the Doc who treats you for High BP. Something doesn't sound right IMHO.
Let us know what you come up with!
~Jade
Posted by Cseagraves on January 7, 2009, at 18:39:33
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot... » Cseagraves, posted by JadeKelly on January 7, 2009, at 12:18:34
Jade - thanks so much for your response. I went on-line and googled My BP med (lotensin)and maoi interactions and it didn't come up as a problem with my bp med. Also talked to my family doc and he said to start monitoring my BP everyday and then in a couple of weeks (I am still weening off of lexapro)come to see him after I have been on parnate for a week. For you, could you tell me if you had any major problems with your BP when you first started taking parnate? If so, how long did it take for you to stabilize. I understand everyone is different, I just don't want to have to worry about passing out every time I stand up. LOL! Am so glad I found this website, it has been a great help. I am sure I will be bombarding everyone with questions over the next couple of weeks, so I will apologize for being a pain right from the start. I still have questions regarding diet and exercise. Like can I still go running and work out. (Is it OK to get my heart rate up or do you have to be careful) So many things I need to get straight in my head before I start this stuff or I'll be a basket case while taking it. Thanks again for for all your help!!! CS
Posted by sissy35 on January 12, 2009, at 17:26:32
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot..., posted by Cseagraves on January 7, 2009, at 18:39:33
Hello and Welcome
I am also new here and starting parnate. I found that my BP would go up and down. The high BP for me was slight, but everyone is different. I would take jade's suggestion and also monitor your BP often in the beginning until the med settles in. I have only been on parnate for 2mos but the BP is more stable already.
When I was taking nardil for some reason I had an episode of high blood pressure. My doc put me on meds for that and I didn't have any problems. Never did find out why I had that high BP episode but doc said it had nothing to do with the maoi.Best of luck
Sissy35
Posted by Cseagraves on January 13, 2009, at 17:36:05
In reply to Re: Parnate/40mg experience JadeKelly/Scoot... » Cseagraves, posted by sissy35 on January 12, 2009, at 17:26:32
Thanks alot sissy. It makes me feel better to know that BP levels off after being on parnate for a while.
Courtney
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