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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JadeKelly on March 14, 2009, at 13:14:37
~I've been on Parnate for 5 months and finally feel confident to say I am, and have been, in full remission from MDD for a month or more. It gave me my life back and I can say I am myself again and am happy most of the time.
That said, I had to figure many things out along the way, or I would not have stayed with it.
My advice to anyone starting an MAOI:
1. Do not assume that you will react to Parnate the same way another person did. Everyone is different. It took forever for me to respond, others do so in weeks.
2. Do not bother with an MAOI unless you'd go through any side effect to be well. Its a rocky road to recovery, but it works.
3. From what I've seen and experienced (I had to fire my PDoc) its unlikely you will be sucessful in this "venture" unless you have an excellent PDoc who is experienced in using MAOI'S, and has no problem augmenting when needed with certain stims/tca's/etc.
4. I now see my PDoc every 2 weeks for 1/2 hour, and he referred me to a therapist who I see every week for 1 hour. I am well, have confidence finally that I will stay that way, and I know they are there to catch me should I fall.
Current meds: 80MG Parnate per day
60MG Ritalin per day1.5mg Klonopin per day
(down from 3mg/no withdrawal)Good luck to anyone trying an MAOI, find a great PDoc with the right qualifications (I found mine on line), make a decision, then be a patient patient.
~Jade
Posted by Phillipa on March 14, 2009, at 13:47:29
In reply to Jade Kelly Parnate Update, posted by JadeKelly on March 14, 2009, at 13:14:37
Congratulations great to hear when someone does well. Phillipa
Posted by desolationrower on March 14, 2009, at 22:12:08
In reply to Jade Kelly Parnate Update, posted by JadeKelly on March 14, 2009, at 13:14:37
hey
how you doing with side effects and all? sounds like you're back to normal stuff now
-dr/
Posted by shasling on March 15, 2009, at 0:16:55
In reply to Jade Kelly Parnate Update, posted by JadeKelly on March 14, 2009, at 13:14:37
I first congrulate,and also agree.In slightly different words id say dont use a Maoi if you are and no INSULT INTENDED one who freaks out during side effects of a med,maoi will be a tight uncomfortable sitting,but once you sit,it usualy keeps you in its class of meds since it seems to offer some of the most roboust reliafs.
Im currently on Parnate/Wellbutrin with klonopin and parnate would or other maoi would not be a primary med option unless i seen some really intense responses.Any hoo CHEERS ON YOUR SUCCESS!!
> ~I've been on Parnate for 5 months and finally feel confident to say I am, and have been, in full remission from MDD for a month or more. It gave me my life back and I can say I am myself again and am happy most of the time.
>
> That said, I had to figure many things out along the way, or I would not have stayed with it.
>
> My advice to anyone starting an MAOI:
>
> 1. Do not assume that you will react to Parnate the same way another person did. Everyone is different. It took forever for me to respond, others do so in weeks.
>
> 2. Do not bother with an MAOI unless you'd go through any side effect to be well. Its a rocky road to recovery, but it works.
>
> 3. From what I've seen and experienced (I had to fire my PDoc) its unlikely you will be sucessful in this "venture" unless you have an excellent PDoc who is experienced in using MAOI'S, and has no problem augmenting when needed with certain stims/tca's/etc.
>
> 4. I now see my PDoc every 2 weeks for 1/2 hour, and he referred me to a therapist who I see every week for 1 hour. I am well, have confidence finally that I will stay that way, and I know they are there to catch me should I fall.
>
> Current meds: 80MG Parnate per day
> 60MG Ritalin per day
>
> 1.5mg Klonopin per day
> (down from 3mg/no withdrawal)
>
> Good luck to anyone trying an MAOI, find a great PDoc with the right qualifications (I found mine on line), make a decision, then be a patient patient.
>
> ~Jade
Posted by JadeKelly on March 15, 2009, at 0:37:09
In reply to Re: Jade Kelly Parnate Update, posted by desolationrower on March 14, 2009, at 22:12:08
> hey
>
> how you doing with side effects and all? sounds like you're back to normal stuff now
>
> -dr/Hey to you,
I'm unbelievably myself again. Its almost wierd to be happy again after a couple years of MDD. I'm out gettin a life again, turns out after 2 years you need a little therapy to show you the way!
Side effects, none, unless I don't take my meds on time. Like I said, its a tricky med, different for everyone on the ride there, in the end tho it works, at least from what I've seen.
Currently:
80mg Parnate
60mg Ritalin1.5 klonopin
(just tapered down from 3mg)So, I geuss as you can see, I take advantage on the weekends,lol, gtg, church in the morning. I hope you are well and responding to Parnate as I have.
Your friend,
~Jade
Posted by JadeKelly on March 15, 2009, at 0:56:29
In reply to Re: Jade Kelly Parnate Update, posted by shasling on March 15, 2009, at 0:16:55
> I first congrulate,and also agree.In slightly different words id say dont use a Maoi if you are and no INSULT INTENDED one who freaks out during side effects of a med,maoi will be a tight uncomfortable sitting,but once you sit,it usualy keeps you in its class of meds since it seems to offer some of the most roboust reliafs.
>
> Im currently on Parnate/Wellbutrin with klonopin and parnate would or other maoi would not be a primary med option unless i seen some really intense responses.Any hoo CHEERS ON YOUR SUCCESS!!
>
>
>
>
> > ~I've been on Parnate for 5 months and finally feel confident to say I am, and have been, in full remission from MDD for a month or more. It gave me my life back and I can say I am myself again and am happy most of the time.
> >
> > That said, I had to figure many things out along the way, or I would not have stayed with it.
> >
> > My advice to anyone starting an MAOI:
> >
> > 1. Do not assume that you will react to Parnate the same way another person did. Everyone is different. It took forever for me to respond, others do so in weeks.
> >
> > 2. Do not bother with an MAOI unless you'd go through any side effect to be well. Its a rocky road to recovery, but it works.
> >
> > 3. From what I've seen and experienced (I had to fire my PDoc) its unlikely you will be sucessful in this "venture" unless you have an excellent PDoc who is experienced in using MAOI'S, and has no problem augmenting when needed with certain stims/tca's/etc.
> >
> > 4. I now see my PDoc every 2 weeks for 1/2 hour, and he referred me to a therapist who I see every week for 1 hour. I am well, have confidence finally that I will stay that way, and I know they are there to catch me should I fall.
> >
> > Current meds: 80MG Parnate per day
> > 60MG Ritalin per day
> >
> > 1.5mg Klonopin per day
> > (down from 3mg/no withdrawal)
> >
> > Good luck to anyone trying an MAOI, find a great PDoc with the right qualifications (I found mine on line), make a decision, then be a patient patient.
> >
> > ~JadeWhy thank you!
As you well know some of us work dam*n hard for results, don't we? I don't think either of us means to insult anyone, its just a plain fact, if you can't stand any side effects, move on to another class of a/d's. They may be mild or, as in my case, I was pretty incapacitated. But who knows what is depression and what are s/e's. I think too that you will know if have MDD or something similar. You will do anything to get your life back.
Anyway, hope Parnate is working as well for you Shasling, and that you are well! Side effects, etc. for you btw? Let me know how things are working for you on the new augments.
~Jade ;-)
>
>
Posted by myco on March 15, 2009, at 12:30:27
In reply to Jade Kelly Parnate Update, posted by JadeKelly on March 14, 2009, at 13:14:37
Jade,
I know youve probably already covered this but i'm ready to begin this daunting search now for a maoi friendly pdoc....question is: how did you find yours? luck? referal? personal search? any advice here would be great. Only legit idea I can come up with is to either call the canadian mental health board and ask or email my old pdoc at university (only takes univ students) and ask her for directions.
thnx
myco
Posted by JadeKelly on March 15, 2009, at 18:16:02
In reply to Jade: How did you find your Pdoc? » JadeKelly, posted by myco on March 15, 2009, at 12:30:27
> Jade,
>
> I know youve probably already covered this but i'm ready to begin this daunting search now for a maoi friendly pdoc....question is: how did you find yours? luck? referal? personal search? any advice here would be great. Only legit idea I can come up with is to either call the canadian mental health board and ask or email my old pdoc at university (only takes univ students) and ask her for directions.
>
>
> thnx
> mycoHi myco,
Actually, I covered a lot of Parnate stuff during the time I was posting here regularly, finding an experienced MAOI PDoc was unfortunately for me and many others ignored. It really delayed my time to complete remission.
I'm glad you asked because its crucial to recovery. My new PDoc had me in complete remission within two weeks. I doubt I would be in remission at all if I had stayed with my other PDoc.
I found my new excellent PDoc, first because I knew what to look for. Scott (SLS) told me the "litmus test" for a qualified MAOI PDoc is that he/she is experienced, and comfortable in using augments, specifically desipramine, and I'm adding ritalin and the use of Parnate at higher doses.
Initially, I used google to search for MAOI Psychiatrists, and variations on that. I think thats when I came across an article written by my Doc 10 years ago. Even then he was lecturing about using MAOI's in higher doses, and adding augments, etc. Ironically, at that time, he worked at a top notch hospital in my area and thats where I would have gone next. He now has a private practice. I found out what I could about him and set up a consultation. My first appt. was 1 1/2 hour. He was interested, took my history, etc. From there he changed my Parnate dose and added ritalin. He gave me his pager number and a chart for my BP. If my BP #'s went out of his comfort zone I was to page him immediately. He is VERY careful. I see him for 1/2 hour every two weeks. Its cost me a fortune, as he also is making me go to weekly therapy, lol, but he's thourough, and there is no doubt in my mind he can and will keep me in full remission. I'm truly happy after a 2 year major depression, you can't put a price tag on that.
I geuss I'd start with your old PDoc at your university to get a referral, but if you don't find one there, don't stop looking till you find one. On the internet, articals written, get names from friends at the university, online searches, the library. You'll want to find out what type of search will narrow it down to sites of psych educational value, maybe find some old abstracts, articles written on the subject, then find the authors/PDocs and see if you can locate them. Not sure what limitations you have where you live, but get around them!
Hope that helps, let me know if you'd like to see the article that first led me to him.
Good Luck!
~Jade
Posted by Garnet71 on March 15, 2009, at 22:21:22
In reply to Jade Kelly Parnate Update, posted by JadeKelly on March 14, 2009, at 13:14:37
Jade-great to hear you got your life back!!!
Now go make up for lost time.
Posted by JadeKelly on March 16, 2009, at 0:50:02
In reply to Re: Jade Kelly Parnate Update » JadeKelly, posted by Garnet71 on March 15, 2009, at 22:21:22
> Jade-great to hear you got your life back!!!
>
> Now go make up for lost time.
>
>
You sure? It could get ugly...lolHope my remission gives hope, some times I just had to go on faith. I AM happy. My wish is that it spreads. Hope you are well, let me know whats up with you!
~Jade
Posted by JadeKelly on March 16, 2009, at 0:51:35
In reply to Re: Jade Kelly Parnate Update, posted by JadeKelly on March 16, 2009, at 0:50:02
This is the end of the thread.
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