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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 chug on December 2, 2008, at 8:42:28
My Primary Doc says I have high sodium and wants me to stop Nardil to see if it is the cause. I have been on Nardil for 25 years and I have never heard of Nardil causing high sodium. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Chug
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 2, 2008, at 11:41:42
In reply to Nardil and High sodium, posted by chug on December 2, 2008, at 8:42:28
> My Primary Doc says I have high sodium and wants me to stop Nardil to see if it is the cause. I have been on Nardil for 25 years and I have never heard of Nardil causing high sodium. Does anyone have any experience with this?
>
> ChugWelcome, Chug.
I just did a search of the medical literature, and I can't find any connection between Nardil and serum sodium levels. Some fairly recent studies in rats have connected sodium excretion rates to the dopamine-metabolizing enzyme COMT, but that enzyme is not affected by phenelzine. In those same studies, phenelzine was shown to have no effect on sodium retention.
Particularly after 25 years, I can't fathom a connection.
Here's a simple overview of blood sodium results, and some potential causes/treatments for high values: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003481.htm
Lar
Posted by Phillipa on December 2, 2008, at 12:31:09
In reply to Re: Nardil and High sodium » chug, posted by Larry Hoover on December 2, 2008, at 11:41:42
Lar interesting as mine is always slightly low. Would the poster eating a diet high in sodium affect the results or would homeostatsis compensate by upping or lowering other electrolytes. Humm at one time they thought I had Cushings and mother died of Addisons. But they are also autoimmune diseases. Could that affect posters sodium levels? Seems strange after 25 years . Body chemistry change? Phillipa
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 3, 2008, at 9:32:24
In reply to Re: Nardil and High sodium » Larry Hoover, posted by Phillipa on December 2, 2008, at 12:31:09
> Lar interesting as mine is always slightly low. Would the poster eating a diet high in sodium affect the results or would homeostatsis compensate by upping or lowering other electrolytes. Humm at one time they thought I had Cushings and mother died of Addisons. But they are also autoimmune diseases. Could that affect posters sodium levels? Seems strange after 25 years . Body chemistry change? Phillipa
The first place I'd look would be for changes in kidney function, then hormonal changes. Assuming this is a new finding, diet would only become an issue in management going forward, absent evidence of organic causes. Nardil withdrawal would be way down the list, IMHO, falling even below dietary management as a strategy.
Lar
Posted by Phillipa on December 3, 2008, at 12:23:10
In reply to Re: Nardil and High sodium » Phillipa, posted by Larry Hoover on December 3, 2008, at 9:32:24
What would cause the change kidney function? There was another poster who craved salt. Disappeared. And low creatinine is loss of muscle tissue right? as mine is always slightly low also. But internist considers normal. So much to learn. Thanks Phillipa
Posted by softheprairie on December 4, 2008, at 4:49:50
In reply to Nardil and High sodium, posted by chug on December 2, 2008, at 8:42:28
I'm sorry I can't speak to the sodium part, but your mentioning being on Nardil for a long time reminded me of another long-time Nardil user who regretted going off of it. The author David Foster Wallace was on it for around 20 years, was feeling better and had side effects, decided to go off of it, then got worse, tried other meds to no avail, tried going back to Nardil, but it didn't work the next time, and he ended up committing suicide. So I'm hoping the primary care doctor is not being too quick to recommend stopping the Nardil.
Posted by gardenergirl on December 4, 2008, at 7:51:12
In reply to Re: Nardil and High sodium; warning: trigger » chug, posted by softheprairie on December 4, 2008, at 4:49:50
What about stopping Nardil temporarily due to upcoming surgery? Any idea if that negatively affects its efficacy once it's resumed?
gg
Posted by softheprairie on December 4, 2008, at 8:12:36
In reply to Re: Nardil and High sodium; warning: trigger » softheprairie, posted by gardenergirl on December 4, 2008, at 7:51:12
I'm sorry, I don't know the answer to that. I wish I did know. Anyone else know?
Posted by desolationrower on December 4, 2008, at 13:52:35
In reply to Re: Nardil and High sodium; warning: trigger » gardenergirl, posted by softheprairie on December 4, 2008, at 8:12:36
It is quite possible to be safely aenesthetised while on an MAOI. It is ridiculous for a person treated for psychiatric disease to be forced to accomdate the anesthesiologist, rather than the otehr way round. If your anesthesiologist is too incompotent to know this, you shoudl ask for a better one.
I find this to be immensely frustrating. It is quite clear that this is true, yet patients are routinely forced to discontinue their medicine, with possible adverse effect on psychiatric efficacy. I think it because of the common arrogance of doctors.
-d/r
Posted by softheprairie on December 4, 2008, at 17:50:15
In reply to MAOIs and surgery, posted by desolationrower on December 4, 2008, at 13:52:35
Thank you for answering.
Posted by azalea on December 4, 2008, at 19:05:06
In reply to Nardil and High sodium, posted by chug on December 2, 2008, at 8:42:28
How high was your sodium?
Are you taking any other medication besides Nardil?> My Primary Doc says I have high sodium and wants me to stop Nardil to see if it is the cause. I have been on Nardil for 25 years and I have never heard of Nardil causing high sodium. Does anyone have any experience with this?
>
> Chug
This is the end of the thread.
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