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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by damnthislife on August 30, 2013, at 8:19:55
Time for another journal to document my progress in anti-depressants. My failed trial on Emsam 6mgs (4weeks), 9mgs (3.5 weeks) has been documented and can be found by searching my name.
My doctor has agreed to a trial of Parnate since the most severe symptom of my depression (Hypersomnia, Excessive Tiredness) hasn't been resolved with any medication thus far. Emsam did great when it came to helping with my binge eating/carb cravins that come along with Atypical Depression.
I will document every few days or day to day depending on my reaction/response. I will report side effects, positive effects and over all well being.
Fingers crossed that this is the medication that will help get me back on track to this thing called "life", which has been extremely crappy for the past 8 years with my symptoms.
Posted by Phillipa on August 30, 2013, at 10:08:07
In reply to Starting Parnate (10mg 3x D), posted by damnthislife on August 30, 2013, at 8:19:55
Best of luck I so thought the Emsam would work. Phillipa
Posted by damnthislife on August 30, 2013, at 10:36:17
In reply to Re: Starting Parnate (10mg 3x D) » damnthislife, posted by Phillipa on August 30, 2013, at 10:08:07
I was too, buddy. But, some meds aren't for everyone. If this doesn't work after going up to another dosage, I'm throwing in the towel and just accepting this is how my life will be. It's the constant let down of going from doctor to doctor, drug to drug, month to month of trials that have really gotten to me. I would rather accept this is my life, then have a that piece of hope when going to a new doctor or starting a new med that it will work out, just to be let down. It makes things so much worse.
But, we will see.
Posted by Phillipa on August 30, 2013, at 20:39:50
In reply to Re: Starting Parnate (10mg 3x D) » Phillipa, posted by damnthislife on August 30, 2013, at 10:36:17
I agree which is why I just don't change meds anymore. Phillipa
Posted by damnthislife on September 1, 2013, at 8:04:56
In reply to Re: Starting Parnate (10mg 3x D) » damnthislife, posted by Phillipa on August 30, 2013, at 20:39:50
Day 1 brought entry level of side effects, as I was expecting. 2 hours after each dose, I felt fatigue brought on that last for about 2-3 hours. It is going to be an adjustment trying to remember to take my afternoon dose. I didn't forget, it just slipped my mind for about 30 minutes.
Appetite suppression was there, which again with Emsam is very much welcomed. I lost 12 lbs while on Emsam due to removal of carbs/sugar cravings and it appears that I too may have that on Parnate.
I have a busy day today, as well as tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how well I fair with the starting side effects of fatigue, with this.
Posted by damnthislife on September 2, 2013, at 16:20:25
In reply to Day 1 ( Parnate 10mg 3x D), posted by damnthislife on September 1, 2013, at 8:04:56
The stimulating effect of Parnate is pretty strong. I do notice about 30-45 mins after taking, I do tend to have some shallow breathing, but this goes away. The fatigue is still there but hoping these onset side effects will so go away.
Posted by damnthislife on September 3, 2013, at 6:09:45
In reply to Starting Parnate (10mg 3x D), posted by damnthislife on August 30, 2013, at 8:19:55
Day 3 brought great concern. I noticed 30-45 minutes after taking the medication my breath became shallow and my heart rate slowed and this continues to last for 3 hours or so, then fades. I decided to go to Walgreens and pick up a home blood pressure monitor. Now, my BP at doctors offices is usually 120/80-122-78. My first test was in the afternoon, about 4 hours after my 2nd does for the day. My BP at that time was 128/83.
Took my evening does of Parnate. Again, like clock work, with in 30 minutes the symptoms returned. I waited about 10 minutes then took my BP. 166/90, Heart rate 60BPM (my normal is around 75-80)
I am discontinuing use of Parnate until I talk with my doctor today. My speculation is that I am experiencing Serotonin Syndrome. I stopped Emsam (9 mgs) prior to starting Parnate (30mgs daily). I was on Emsam for 2 months. My doctor told me it would be fine to discontinue use, and start parnate right away. I'm starting to wonder if this was a good idea.
Either I started Parnate too soon, and I'm having bad reactions with left over Emsam when taking Parnate, or Parnate is giving my hypertension when taking.
Ugh... always something. Cannot catch a freaking Break. BTW, I have been following the diet to a T!
Posted by damnthislife on September 3, 2013, at 14:25:21
In reply to Starting Parnate (10mg 3x D), posted by damnthislife on August 30, 2013, at 8:19:55
I have a call into my Pdoc. Still waiting to hear back. My BP has been normal all day, no side effects or issues to report today since not taking parnate today.
Pretty upset about the issues I have been having and I'm hoping that this is just left over Emsam in my system and I'm getting too much Serotonin when taking Parnate. Either way, I will follow my doctors instructions.
Post back when I have more info.
Posted by Tomatheus on September 3, 2013, at 16:39:28
In reply to Day 4 (Discontinued Use), posted by damnthislife on September 3, 2013, at 14:25:21
Damnthislife,
I just wanted to say that I'm sorry to hear that you had to discontinue Parnate, at least for the time being, due to shortness of breath and issues with heart rate and blood pressure. I think that it made sense for you to stop the medication for now and to contact your doctor for further instructions. It must be frustrating to have to have to suspend your trial with a medication that you might benefit from, but I hope that somehow you'll get a chance to take Parnate again and that you won't have the same reaction to it that you've been having. I also hope that somehow, something will work out for you in the long run. Take care, and feel free to keep us posted on what happens.
T.
Posted by damnthislife on September 3, 2013, at 22:57:28
In reply to Re: Day 4 (Discontinued Use) » damnthislife, posted by Tomatheus on September 3, 2013, at 16:39:28
Talked with my doctor tonight. She would like me to discontinue use for 1 week, then try again with One 10 mgs tablet and see how I feel. She thinks that it's possible that I'm having a bad reaction to the medication, rather than lack of Serotonin Syndrome since you can normally without an issue.
I'm going to give it a little longer. I will restart Parnate next Friday (13th). Yes, that's technically a bad date to start a new med (lol) but whatever! That would def rule out if it's an issue with Emsam and see if Parnate is giving me an issue. I will restart Parnate then and continue this journal then.
My doctor said if this doesn't work, we will move to Nardil or Marplan. She currently has not heard of the reaction that I have had with Parnate.
Posted by Phillipa on September 3, 2013, at 23:43:46
In reply to Re: Day 4 (Discontinued Use), posted by damnthislife on September 3, 2013, at 22:57:28
I'm sorry. But so glad you had stopped the parnate. Phillipa
Posted by damnthislife on September 4, 2013, at 14:58:36
In reply to Re: Day 4 (Discontinued Use) » damnthislife, posted by Phillipa on September 3, 2013, at 23:43:46
Thanks for you support, guys!
I'm going to take a week off from Parnate, maybe even 10 days and then try one more dose. I noticed that when I took Parnate at night and also took my Klonopin with it, my reaction didn't happen. I thought this was odd... until I read that most times when a person is having a reaction to a drug and it's suspected as a Serotin Syndrome, they give a Benzo. This might explain why when I took the Klonopin with my night time dose of Parnate, I didn't have these symptoms.
My Pdoc was very happy that I contacted her and kept her informed on how I was feeling, instead of just rolling with it or stopping use without letting her know. Gotta keep the doc happy!
Posted by damnthislife on September 9, 2013, at 8:07:17
In reply to Re: Day 4 (Discontinued Use), posted by damnthislife on September 4, 2013, at 14:58:36
Following Pdoc orders, I will be starting Parnate again Wednesday (the 11th). I will take my first dose and if all is well, I will follow with my 2nd in the afternoon and hold at just 20mgs starting until after 1 week, then move up to 30mgs.
My current BP is hanging around 115/72 (which is great!)
I'll post back on Wednesday with my response to the meds and BP.
Posted by damnthislife on September 11, 2013, at 7:51:24
In reply to Starting Parnate (10mg 3x D), posted by damnthislife on August 30, 2013, at 8:19:55
Today I started Parnate again. It has been 2 weeks since my last dose of Emsam, and now 8 days since my last dose of Parnate (10mgs).
Currently, I am experienceing no issues/side effects or anything that occured over a week and a half ago.
I took my 10mgs dose at 630am and at 7am I took my BP. 115/75. I then had breakfast and coffee, grabbed a shower and got ready. Before leaving for work I took my BP again. 122/78 (perfectly normal). Pulse is also where it should be for me.
Hopefully, this will continue. I will take my 2nd dose of 10mgs around 2:30pm today and leave it at that. After a week, if everything is still good I will bump up to 30mgs daily.
I will write back later on my 2nd dose.
Posted by damnthislife on September 11, 2013, at 14:33:01
In reply to Restarting Parnate, posted by damnthislife on September 11, 2013, at 7:51:24
I have had no problems all day with my medication. I took my 2nd dose of 10mgs 1 hour ago and while I do not have my BP monitor here, I'm showing/having no symptoms/signs like I was before. My pulse is normal, no shallow breathing and I'm not flushed. I don't want to speak too soon, but I believe I was experiencing a reaction from lack of washout from the 9mg patch of Emsam and the starting of Parnate. I will continue to update in the days forward on my progress. If all goes well for the next few days, this will turn back into a daily report on my symptoms of depression as opposed to the reactions of the medication.
Posted by cadett on September 11, 2013, at 20:08:04
In reply to Re: Restarting Parnate (2nd dose update), posted by damnthislife on September 11, 2013, at 14:33:01
Best of luck been on Parnate about 3 months here.
Posted by Phillipa on September 11, 2013, at 22:56:54
In reply to Re: Restarting Parnate (2nd dose update), posted by cadett on September 11, 2013, at 20:08:04
Doing well? Phillipa
Posted by damnthislife on September 12, 2013, at 8:39:10
In reply to Re: Restarting Parnate (2nd dose update) » cadett, posted by Phillipa on September 11, 2013, at 22:56:54
Well, about 90 minutes after my 2nd dose I had my side effects, again. I didn't have my BP monitor on me so I had no way of telling, but I felt the same things as the weeks prior. Shortness of breath, flushed, slow pulse.
The only thing I can think is either I'm having a bad reaction to the medication itself, or it's the daily ammount of caffeine I'm consuming. I had about 7 cups yesterday which is a lot. I've read that parnate and caffeine do not mix. Right after taking my 2nd dose yesterday, I grabed a cup of joe and the problem started.
Today, I have had no coffee what so ever. It's a stuggle, but I need to rule out if this is a medication issue, or I'm taking something with it that is causing it.
So far, my first dose I have been fine. BP is steady at 117/78 at first reading and 120/79 on the 2nd. Pulse is normal, around 80bpm. No issues so far. I will write back later after I take my 2nd dose. If it happens again, I will call this med a fail and contact my doctor for the next one.
Posted by damnthislife on September 12, 2013, at 14:34:13
In reply to Re: Restarting Parnate (2nd dose update), posted by damnthislife on September 12, 2013, at 8:39:10
Caffeine appears to be having very bad effects on me when taking parnate. I have not had coffee or any caffeine all day and I have been fine. It is now 2 hours after my 2nd 10mgs dose and I have have had zero symptoms. I have taken my BP 3 times in the past two hours. All were around 115/78.
I will not take another dose today, and will continue on 20 Mgs until after a week to get to my theraputic doseage. Hopefully tomorrow will be just like today (no issues).
Coffee was the one thing that I wasn't keeping an eye on. I'm usually a good pot a day kinda guy. It really doesn't do much for me, minus appetite supression, but I love the taste. I was drinking a lot of it during Parnate and there are articles and findings online that say it is not good to combine caffeine in large amounts when taking Parnate. I will continue staying off coffee for the next fews days to confirm this. I will slowly introduce my morning cup back in and stick with that, after I feel I'm doing ok. I will not have anything more than that.
Hopefully, it's smooth sailing from here on out.
Posted by Tomatheus on September 12, 2013, at 16:12:50
In reply to Culprit Found..., posted by damnthislife on September 12, 2013, at 14:34:13
> Hopefully, it's smooth sailing from here on out.
That's my hope, as well. Hopefully not only will you be free of the problems that you were experiencing when taking Parnate with large amounts of caffeine, but you'll also notice some lasting benefits from taking Parnate.
Good luck,
T.
Posted by Damnthislife on September 12, 2013, at 16:16:06
In reply to Re: Culprit Found... » damnthislife, posted by Tomatheus on September 12, 2013, at 16:12:50
I hope so as well, my friend!
Still doing fine, no issues to report. BP is still perfectly normal along with heart rate
Posted by damnthislife on September 12, 2013, at 22:55:07
In reply to Re: Culprit Found..., posted by Damnthislife on September 12, 2013, at 16:16:06
Well, for some reason unknown to me or my doctor, the symptoms came back about 4 hours after I took my 2nd dose. I hadn't ate in almost 5 hours, and drank nothing but water. I can only assume that my body does not agree with parnate, or whatever is used in its fillers. Very disappointing. I couldn't even get past a few days. Sucks!
I talked to my doctor tonight. I left her a voicemail at work and she called me from home. She is moving me onto Nardil. She already called the medication in for me and I will pick it up in a few days. I'm going give it about 3-4 days before starting Nardil. She said it shouldn't be an issue moving from MAOI to MAOI, but I'm going to wait. I really wasn't on Parnate for long... days, really.
She is starting me on 15mgs in the morning, and 15mgs in the afternoon. She said if I do well and have no issues, I can move to another 15mgs for a total of 45mgs.
Ugh... I hope this one works. Sick and tired of taking my BP and wondering if I'm going to have an issue, when I'm following the diet and MAOI protocol.
This is my last post here. I will start a new Nardil journal when I begin.
Posted by Tomatheus on September 12, 2013, at 23:18:04
In reply to NO MORE PARNATE, posted by damnthislife on September 12, 2013, at 22:55:07
Hi Damnthislife,
I just wanted to say that I'm sorry to hear that your symptoms returned, even without the coffee. It sounds like Parnate isn't a good match for you. I hope that you find Nardil to be more tolerable, and I look forward to reading your Nardil journal once you start it.
T.
Posted by damnthislife on September 12, 2013, at 23:34:32
In reply to Re: NO MORE PARNATE » damnthislife, posted by Tomatheus on September 12, 2013, at 23:18:04
Thanks for your post, buddy! I hope so, too. Starting to wonder if I will ever see the light at the end of this tunnel.
Posted by Phillipa on September 13, 2013, at 19:16:45
In reply to Re: NO MORE PARNATE, posted by damnthislife on September 12, 2013, at 23:34:32
Hoping you do!!!! Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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