Posted by maoi_wowee on January 21, 2009, at 13:11:56
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by Cseagraves on January 19, 2009, at 17:00:45
Good questions. Let me try to answer them all as best as I can:
>
> How long did it take you to start feeling effects? (days, weeks?). How long before you started feeling consistantly level?
>I started feeling the lifting of depression almost immediately (just a couple of days) after starting Marplan. It was probably another few weeks to a month before everything really settled in and the consistant levelness kicked in.
> Were you tired in the beginning? If so, how long did it take for your energy level to come back up?
I haven't noticed specific fatigue issues with this drug. Perhaps it makes me a little tired in the afternoons (I'm not so attuned to this kind of thing). At any rate, there is definitely no major fatigue, nor is it energizing.
> Do you feel like it gives you extra energy?
Nope. (see above)
> Did you have any BP problems?
No. My BP does not spike at all (like on Parnate) and it doesn't get so low that I nearly pass out (like on Nardil), though it does get pretty low sometimes (nothing dangerous though).
> Do you have to take something to help you sleep? If so what? (Have tried every med to help with sleep. Nothing helps except a bunch of zanax.)Zero sleep issues here (unlike Parnate, which gave me the most unbelievable insomnia). If anything, it helps me sleep a bit better than usual.
> Did you need to or did you ever take a benzo as backup? I am hoping to be able not to take zanax's if I don't need to.
No, no benzo. I find a mild (not major, certainly not like Nardil) benefit for social anxiety from the drug. But if you do have major anxiety issues, I suppose you may need to take a benzo as well (not sure).
> Since I am a female (I am assuming you are a male), was wondering how it effects libido? Understand if you can't answer that one.
I don't think there are significant libido issues with this drug. Parnate boosted my sex drive, Nardil killed my ability to orgasm. Marplan does neither in any significant way.
> I am 5'2 and weigh 125 lbs. Do you feel like it's one of those drugs that I can keep the weight down with exercise and diet or do you feel like you gain weight regardless of what you do?
I do think it is possible to keep the weight down on this drug with diet and exercise. I am dieting now and not having a problem losing weight while on Marplan. This is very different than my Nardil experience, where I packed on major major weight, despite exercising regularly and watching my food intake.
> I am seeing the pdoc on Feb. 5th and need to choose between parnate or marplan. Am strongly leaning towards the marplan because of BP issues and because I read that parnate can make you more anxietal sometimes. (which I don't need).
Sounds like Marplan could be the right choice for you. If you do have major BP concerns, Parnate probably isn't right for you (I had major BP fluctuations on Parnate). Parnate also did not help (and did make worse) my anxiety and obsessiveness issues. It was very good for depression itself, but anxiety was an issue.
> I apologize for bombarding you like this, but there is not alot info out there on marplan.
Happy to help. Keep the questions coming. I'm definitely one to do a ton of research b/f taking anything new, but there is only so much one can find out about Marplan as so little info exists as far as people's direct personal experiences with the drug.
> I talked to my pharmacist today and he said at regular starting dosage, it would probably cost me about $150.00 per month. Not to bad as I have had to pay alot more for other meds.
>
>
> Can you tell I am desperate for something to work? LOL!!!!
>
> I truly appreciate any responses that you might have. If you can think of anyrhing to tell me that I did not ask, please let me know. I JUST WANT MY ENERGY, MOTIVATION AND LIFE BACK!!!
>
> Thanks, Courtney
>
poster:maoi_wowee
thread:874502
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/875297.html