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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by atypical on August 11, 2009, at 17:11:30
How have people dealt with (or, more specifically, lessened) Nardil sedation? Coffee doesn't do anything for it for me. I am sleepy almost ALL day at work and it is a real problem. I can't focus, have lost my drive, and, of course, I'm SO sleepy. I'm taking 60mg and it's been two weeks at this dose.
Posted by stargazer2 on August 11, 2009, at 18:22:06
In reply to Dealing with Nardil Sedation, posted by atypical on August 11, 2009, at 17:11:30
i took a bit of an amphetamine (generic adderall) with it,5 MG, which worked rather well. the biggest problem is most pdocs will not prescribe any stims with maos, so there is the dilemma. i took this for awhile but then came up with the idea of combining wellbutrin XR 150. that is what i am currently on with nardil, but again it was only sanctioned based on research that i provided to my pdoc.
P.s. i only take nardil 30 right now, so i think my sedation is much less than when i was on higher doses. i also had a side effect of swollen feet at once time on nardil, that has gone away. i think i've been on nardil for at least a 1.5 years this time.
Posted by malcolm6491 on August 11, 2009, at 20:58:03
In reply to Dealing with Nardil Sedation, posted by atypical on August 11, 2009, at 17:11:30
>>How have people dealt with (or, more specifically, lessened) Nardil sedation? Coffee doesn't do anything for it for me. I am sleepy almost ALL day at work and it is a real problem. I can't focus, have lost my drive, and, of course, I'm SO sleepy. I'm taking 60mg and it's been two weeks at this dose.>>
Well I was on Nardil about three years ago and the sleepiness was a constant problem in the beginning. Just be careful about the "euphoric" effect that commonly occurs when the med first kicks in, esp if you're prone to reckless behavior. The euphoria won't last, eventually it peters out as your body adjusts to the med.
But I have to say that the month when the Nardil kicked in was one of the happiest times in my life. For about 3-4 weeks I lived in a state of bliss. I'm warning you about this, b/c if you experience this, just realize the euphoria is a side effect, and not the intended effect of the drug. I made the mistake of thinking it was proof the med was working. Again, it's not.
In fact, I switched to Parnate when the Nardil seemed to stop working, and yes, in the beginning there was incredible daytime sleepiness, and nighttime insomnia. But it's a side effect that does get better as your body adjusts to being on the theraputic dose.
BTW, I never experienced the euphoric reaction from the Parnate again. It was a one-shot deal.
Posted by atypical on August 12, 2009, at 10:41:36
In reply to Re: Dealing with Nardil Sedation, posted by malcolm6491 on August 11, 2009, at 20:58:03
Oh I've been through the euphoria! It was a good week for sure. I pray for this sedation to pass soon! It really feels as if my whole body physiology is slowed down by the sedation. I can see why people gain weight. I do feel a little more padding in my abdomen area. I do exercise a few times a week and notice that my energy level is low. But I won't stop exercising, that's for sure!
Posted by pedr on August 13, 2009, at 15:02:34
In reply to Re: Dealing with Nardil Sedation, posted by malcolm6491 on August 11, 2009, at 20:58:03
> Well I was on Nardil about three years ago and the sleepiness was a constant problem in the beginning. Just be careful about the "euphoric" effect that commonly occurs when the med first kicks in, esp if you're prone to reckless behavior. The euphoria won't last, eventually it peters out as your body adjusts to the med.
>
> But I have to say that the month when the Nardil kicked in was one of the happiest times in my life. For about 3-4 weeks I lived in a state of bliss. I'm warning you about this, b/c if you experience this, just realize the euphoria is a side effect, and not the intended effect of the drug. I made the mistake of thinking it was proof the med was working. Again, it's not.I have just been through that euphoric phase and it was amazing. It was like being on low-dose Ativan with an anti-depressant effect. I was laughing with friends, confident in my own abilities at work, effective, motivated and everything in life seemed so easy.
It's absolutely gutting that it doesn't last. I'd give my life savings to feel like that.So what happened to the Nardil? Did it ever really 'work' for you? And how is the Parnate going?
Thanks,
Pete
Posted by Ron Hill on August 15, 2009, at 23:15:36
In reply to Dealing with Nardil Sedation, posted by atypical on August 11, 2009, at 17:11:30
> How have people dealt with (or, more specifically, lessened) Nardil sedation?
I solved my Nardil-induced sedation problem by adjusting my dose timing. I get up at 6 am, but I do not take my first dose until noon. I take my second dose at bedtime. It works for me, but everyone is different. So, your mileage may vary.
I currently take 90 mg/day, so I take 45 mg at noon, and 45 mg at bedtime.
-- Ron
dx: Bipolar II with ultra rapid cycling and mild OCPD
600 mg/day Trileptal
200 mg/day Lamictal
500 mg/day Keppra
90 mg/day Nardil
Posted by atypical on August 20, 2009, at 20:57:30
In reply to Re: Dealing with Nardil Sedation » atypical, posted by Ron Hill on August 15, 2009, at 23:15:36
Thanks for the great suggestion. I now split my dose 30mg around noon and 30mg in the evening. So far after two days I feel like it's putting less of a load on my system as opposed taking it all at once. I can even feel my heartbeat during/after exercise.
> > How have people dealt with (or, more specifically, lessened) Nardil sedation?
>
> I solved my Nardil-induced sedation problem by adjusting my dose timing. I get up at 6 am, but I do not take my first dose until noon. I take my second dose at bedtime. It works for me, but everyone is different. So, your mileage may vary.
>
> I currently take 90 mg/day, so I take 45 mg at noon, and 45 mg at bedtime.
>
> -- Ron
>
> dx: Bipolar II with ultra rapid cycling and mild OCPD
> 600 mg/day Trileptal
> 200 mg/day Lamictal
> 500 mg/day Keppra
> 90 mg/day Nardil
>
>
>
>
Posted by Ron Hill on August 21, 2009, at 1:21:27
In reply to Re: Dealing with Nardil Sedation, posted by atypical on August 20, 2009, at 20:57:30
Atypical,
Cool! I hope the dosing schedule will continue to minimize your Nardil-induced daytime sleepiness.
I commend you for your exercise schedule. As you know, exercise is a key component in establishing and maintaining good mental health. Further, since Nardil is notorious for causing weight gain, exercise and a healthy diet are extremely important.
Be well, my friend.
-- Ron
----------------------------------------------
> Thanks for the great suggestion. I now split my dose 30mg around noon and 30mg in the evening. So far after two days I feel like it's putting less of a load on my system as opposed taking it all at once. I can even feel my heartbeat during/after exercise.
> > > How have people dealt with (or, more specifically, lessened) Nardil sedation?
> > I solved my Nardil-induced sedation problem by adjusting my dose timing. I get up at 6 am, but I do not take my first dose until noon. I take my second dose at bedtime. It works for me, but everyone is different. So, your mileage may vary.
> > I currently take 90 mg/day, so I take 45 mg at noon, and 45 mg at bedtime.
> > -- Ron
> > dx: Bipolar II with ultra rapid cycling and mild OCPD
> > 600 mg/day Trileptal
> > 200 mg/day Lamictal
> > 500 mg/day Keppra
> > 90 mg/day Nardil
Posted by atypical on August 21, 2009, at 10:19:24
In reply to Re: Dealing with Nardil Sedation » atypical, posted by Ron Hill on August 21, 2009, at 1:21:27
Thanks Ron. What's interesting in doing exercise while on Nardil seems like it's almost the same as not doing exercise. My heart rate was slow, my weight still stayed the same, and I didn't need to drink much water. Really strange. It's as if the Nardil slows down the physiology as a whole. Anyway, perhaps that was due to having the 60mg all at once which was to much to handle. Last night's 1-hr. bike ride was great. When I came back I felt my heart beating fast and strong and I drank two glasses of water!
> Cool! I hope the dosing schedule will continue to minimize your Nardil-induced daytime sleepiness.
>
> I commend you for your exercise schedule. As you know, exercise is a key component in establishing and maintaining good mental health. Further, since Nardil is notorious for causing weight gain, exercise and a healthy diet are extremely important.
>
> Be well, my friend.
>
> -- Ron
>
> ----------------------------------------------
>
> > Thanks for the great suggestion. I now split my dose 30mg around noon and 30mg in the evening. So far after two days I feel like it's putting less of a load on my system as opposed taking it all at once. I can even feel my heartbeat during/after exercise.
>
>
> > > > How have people dealt with (or, more specifically, lessened) Nardil sedation?
>
> > > I solved my Nardil-induced sedation problem by adjusting my dose timing. I get up at 6 am, but I do not take my first dose until noon. I take my second dose at bedtime. It works for me, but everyone is different. So, your mileage may vary.
>
> > > I currently take 90 mg/day, so I take 45 mg at noon, and 45 mg at bedtime.
>
> > > -- Ron
>
> > > dx: Bipolar II with ultra rapid cycling and mild OCPD
> > > 600 mg/day Trileptal
> > > 200 mg/day Lamictal
> > > 500 mg/day Keppra
> > > 90 mg/day Nardil
>
Posted by Ron Hill on August 21, 2009, at 15:06:11
In reply to Re: Dealing with Nardil Sedation, posted by atypical on August 21, 2009, at 10:19:24
Atypical,
Quick questions:
How long have you been taking Nardil, and what other meds are you currently taking? Forgive me if I'm asking you to repeat information that you have previously posted.
What is your dx?
-- Ron
dx: Bipolar II and mild OCPD
600 mg/day Trileptal
200 mg/day Lamictal
500 mg/day Keppra
90 mg/day Nardil
Posted by atypical on August 21, 2009, at 15:31:40
In reply to Re: Dealing with Nardil Sedation » atypical, posted by Ron Hill on August 21, 2009, at 15:06:11
I've been taking Nardil for almost 2 months now. Dx is depression (my own self-diagnosis is atypical depression or depression NOS). I take 600mg of Lithium as well.
I have previously taken about 12 other meds in various combination over the past 12 years. Some have worked well, others have not.
> How long have you been taking Nardil, and what other meds are you currently taking? Forgive me if I'm asking you to repeat information that you have previously posted.
>
> What is your dx?
>
> -- Ron
>
> dx: Bipolar II and mild OCPD
>
> 600 mg/day Trileptal
> 200 mg/day Lamictal
> 500 mg/day Keppra
> 90 mg/day Nardil
>
>
>
>
Posted by Ron Hill on August 21, 2009, at 16:07:51
In reply to Re: Dealing with Nardil Sedation, posted by atypical on August 21, 2009, at 15:31:40
What's the lithium for? Antidepressant augmentation or moodstablizer?
Atypical, given that you have atypical depression, please humor me by taking the following screening tests. Don't peak at the scoring procedures prior to filling in the tests.
Please print and complete the screening tests provided below BEFORE looking at the grading criteria:
http://i.cmpnet.com/CME/pt/PDF/MDQ_Quest.pdfGrading criteria:
http://i.cmpnet.com/CME/pt/PDF/MDQ_Instructs.pdfHere's the published paper discussing the above test:
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/157/11/1873maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=1&andorexacttitle=and&andorexacttitleabs=and&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&volume=157&firstpage=1873&resourcetype=HWCIT#A1Here is another screening test. Please print and complete this screening test BEFORE looking at the scoring instructions below:
http://imaging.cmpmedica.com/CME/pt/PDF/BSDSScale.pdfScoring instructions:
http://imaging.cmpmedica.com/CME/pt/PDF/BSDSScoring.pdfThank you, friend. Please tell me your scores.
-- Ron----------------------------------------
> I've been taking Nardil for almost 2 months now. Dx is depression (my own self-diagnosis is atypical depression or depression NOS). I take 600mg of Lithium as well.> I have previously taken about 12 other meds in various combination over the past 12 years. Some have worked well, others have not.
> > How long have you been taking Nardil, and what other meds are you currently taking? Forgive me if I'm asking you to repeat information that you have previously posted.
> > What is your dx?
> > -- Ron
> > dx: Bipolar II and mild OCPD
> > 600 mg/day Trileptal
> > 200 mg/day Lamictal
> > 500 mg/day Keppra
> > 90 mg/day Nardil
Posted by atypical on August 21, 2009, at 19:22:08
In reply to Re: Dealing with Nardil Sedation » atypical, posted by Ron Hill on August 21, 2009, at 16:07:51
I've been taking those tests for years already! No more for me! I take Lithium as an augmenter. I had taken it before the Nardil, so it is a holdover. I probably don't need to be on it anymore.
Posted by Ron Hill on August 21, 2009, at 20:33:43
In reply to Re: Dealing with Nardil Sedation, posted by atypical on August 21, 2009, at 19:22:08
> I've been taking those tests for years already! No more for me!
Okay. No offense intended, as I'm sure you know.
-- Ron
This is the end of the thread.
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