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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jackford on August 16, 2010, at 21:51:09
I've read a bunch of the posts here about Parnate, but just want to get general input from as many people (patients, physicians) as I can about the medicine.
I'm about to start Parnate, after having little or no response to many medications of various classes. I know MAOIs are powerful, but I've stayed away because of the dietary restrictions. Profoundly anhedonic, I do enjoy a few foods and drinks; unfortunately, most of these (many meats and cheeses, beer, wine) are proscribed with MAOIs.
So, before I undertake this, I'd appreciate hearing about any experiences.
Was/is it helpful? What are the side effects - insomnia, weight gain, etc.? How much of a problem are the dietary restrictions, and what happens if you accidentally (or intentionally) go off the reservation?
Thanks very much in advance for any and all input. Reading of people's struggles here is very hard. Though my history is in many ways comparable, I'm just sorry so many folks suffer, and for so long.
Best,
Jack
Posted by angels78 on August 16, 2010, at 22:01:29
In reply to Parnate experiences, posted by jackford on August 16, 2010, at 21:51:09
This could just be hearsay, but I've heard Parnate is subject to a hypertensive crisis if the MAOI diet is not followed to a "T" more than Nardil. So you might want to be extra careful what you consume.
js
Goodluck :)
Posted by shasling on August 16, 2010, at 22:50:33
In reply to Parnate experiences, posted by jackford on August 16, 2010, at 21:51:09
CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF,BUT ITS OVER EXGERATED.iM A BIG DUDE AND DONT MISS MANY MEALS.
jUST IF YOU DRINK FORGET ABOUT PARNATE.iN MY OPIONON PARNATE IS THE MOST ROBUST MED THERE IS.GOODLUCL
> I've read a bunch of the posts here about Parnate, but just want to get general input from as many people (patients, physicians) as I can about the medicine.
>
> I'm about to start Parnate, after having little or no response to many medications of various classes. I know MAOIs are powerful, but I've stayed away because of the dietary restrictions. Profoundly anhedonic, I do enjoy a few foods and drinks; unfortunately, most of these (many meats and cheeses, beer, wine) are proscribed with MAOIs.
>
> So, before I undertake this, I'd appreciate hearing about any experiences.
>
> Was/is it helpful? What are the side effects - insomnia, weight gain, etc.? How much of a problem are the dietary restrictions, and what happens if you accidentally (or intentionally) go off the reservation?
>
> Thanks very much in advance for any and all input. Reading of people's struggles here is very hard. Though my history is in many ways comparable, I'm just sorry so many folks suffer, and for so long.
>
> Best,
>
> Jack
Posted by sigismund on August 17, 2010, at 17:28:07
In reply to Re: Parnate experiences, posted by shasling on August 16, 2010, at 22:50:33
The main side effect for me was insomnia (to which I am prone anyway). Most people seem to get it.
The only other one that I was alert to as a possibility was the spontaneous hypertensive crisis thing, and my blood pressure did feel a bit more unstable than usual (could have been the whiskey).Speaking of whiskey, I wonder why no alcohol with Parnate?
Makes it less effective?
Posted by Maxime on August 17, 2010, at 21:49:22
In reply to Parnate experiences, posted by jackford on August 16, 2010, at 21:51:09
I don't have any side effects from Parnate now. But when I first started it I had a lot of insomia, but that went away with time.
I can't really comment on the food restriction part because I am anorexic and I restrict my food to just a few items.
I did have a hypertensive crisis from home made wine but I took 100 mg of Thorazine and that made it go away.
I certainly wouldn't demise Parnate just because of the food restrictions. There are ways to get around them.
Posted by JackFord on August 18, 2010, at 20:00:31
In reply to Re: Parnate experiences » jackford, posted by Maxime on August 17, 2010, at 21:49:22
Hi Maxime,
Thanks for your message. What are the ways of getting around them?
By the way, you mentioned Thorazine for your hypertensive crisis. What medicines are typically used as a "rescue" in such situations?
Best,
Jack
> I don't have any side effects from Parnate now. But when I first started it I had a lot of insomia, but that went away with time.
>
> I can't really comment on the food restriction part because I am anorexic and I restrict my food to just a few items.
>
> I did have a hypertensive crisis from home made wine but I took 100 mg of Thorazine and that made it go away.
>
> I certainly wouldn't demise Parnate just because of the food restrictions. There are ways to get around them.
Posted by emmanuel98 on August 18, 2010, at 20:37:57
In reply to Parnate experiences, posted by jackford on August 16, 2010, at 21:51:09
You can drink white wine on parnate and bottled beer -- not draft. I do. I've found that I can eat small amounts of cheese -- an ounce say. I nver eat dried meats anyway. I miss soy sauce with sushi, but that's about it. Parnate does not cause weight gain, but nardil does. I refused nardil for that reason. I had already gained nearly 40 pounds on AAPs. I've been able to diet and lose weight with parnate. It can cause insomnia --- really bad. My p-doc wanted to try trazadone, which is contra-indicated, but I haven't had a problem with it and it helps the insomnia, along with 2mg ativan at bedtime.
I also take perphenazine, an old AP, because I've had probelms with psychotic depression and responded well to AAPs (except for weight gain).
The combination is keeping me reasonably stable. I need therapy and DBT to keep me completely stable. Meds are not a complete solution, usually. They deal with the biological component of depression, but not the negative thoughts and fears that we ruminate on when depressed.
Posted by texasgal on August 21, 2010, at 17:02:34
In reply to Parnate experiences, posted by jackford on August 16, 2010, at 21:51:09
I'm on my only on my third week of Parnate. (After 20 years of unsuccessful trials of every "newer" AD and then only one year of success with EMSAM- even with augmentation meds.) But this is what has happened so far (but apparently these things vary significantly from person to person):
I felt VERY positive effects on day 3 but that only lasted 3 days- cheerful, awake and low appetite.
Then there were TERRIBLE side effects at first- could not stay awake, extreme dizziness and weakness, horrible constipation, odd sensitivity to cold (i usually LOVE cold AC in the summer), profuse sweating and chills, having to pee constantly but with a lot of difficulty initiating stream. I spent two weekends in a row sleeping except to go to the bathroom- couldn't hardly stay awake if I tried.
Now the bad side effects are gone for the most part but I'm still waiting for some good effects to come back. I hear it can take quite awhile of being on it and fiddling with the dose and time of day you take the dose (depending on whether you find it energizing or sedating).
DO follow the MAOI diet- what you may "get away with" you may not the next time as apparently there can be a cumulative effect. However, many of the diet lists are old and too restrictive. Look for a newer list.
I wear a med alert bracelet because it would suck to survive a car or motorcycle crash just to be killed by EMS or surgery due to drug reaction with pain meds or anesthesia.
I hope it works for you with as little side effects as possible!!
Jennifer
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