![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tygereyes on April 5, 2006, at 10:39:10
Now that I've been on Parnate, life is not the same without it.
I've tried to stop taking this medication at least three times in the past two month, and every time I try to stop it, I start it right back up again.
No one tells you that MAOI withdrawal and its after-effects are worse than SSRI withdrawal. No one tells you that you will no longer be able to distinguish between your baseline, the alleviation of depressive symptoms, and the "high" that the drug causes. No one tells you about the impulses you will have to self-medicate, to push the dose as high as it can go, to feel better than you can ever imagine having felt on an antidepressant, of all things.
I mean, we're not talking illegal drugs here! We're talking about PARNATE! Why can't I just stop taking this medication and stay off of it???
Posted by MARTY on April 5, 2006, at 11:50:58
In reply to Impossible to ever get off MAOIs?, posted by tygereyes on April 5, 2006, at 10:39:10
Hi Tygereyes --Sorry for not having any answer to you. I'm sure others will answer you soon.
Just a word to tell you that I wasn't aware of withdrawal problem associated with MAOI and that I find what you say to be scary when you say that you find it to be worst than SSRI.
I will have to stop Nardil soon to be able to try Parnate. And if Parnate doesn't work I will have to withdraw from it to go back to Nardil. 2 withdraw in less than approximatly 3 months. After having live many SSRI withdrawal, including 2 of the infamous Paxil, let me say that what you are telling us is not a good news to me.
I'm looking forward with great interest the answers you will get.
Marty
> Now that I've been on Parnate, life is not the same without it.
>
> I've tried to stop taking this medication at least three times in the past two month, and every time I try to stop it, I start it right back up again.
>
> No one tells you that MAOI withdrawal and its after-effects are worse than SSRI withdrawal. No one tells you that you will no longer be able to distinguish between your baseline, the alleviation of depressive symptoms, and the "high" that the drug causes. No one tells you about the impulses you will have to self-medicate, to push the dose as high as it can go, to feel better than you can ever imagine having felt on an antidepressant, of all things.
>
> I mean, we're not talking illegal drugs here! We're talking about PARNATE! Why can't I just stop taking this medication and stay off of it???
Posted by JaclinHyde on April 7, 2006, at 17:37:27
In reply to Re: Impossible to ever get off MAOIs? » tygereyes, posted by MARTY on April 5, 2006, at 11:50:58
I think you are talking more addiction than pure withdrawal. If you don't mind me asking why do you want to stop at all? And as for SSRI withdrawal it ain't pretty. I'll never forget trying to get off of Paxil. My lord what hell. I would sit perfectly still while these zap like feelings went through my head. I was confused, disoriented and just plain sick. And I was stopping it because it wasn't working. It is hard to stop a drug that works and makes you feel good.
JH
Posted by tygereyes on April 7, 2006, at 21:01:29
In reply to Re: Impossible to ever get off MAOIs?, posted by JaclinHyde on April 7, 2006, at 17:37:27
> I think you are talking more addiction than pure withdrawal. If you don't mind me asking why do you want to stop at all?
Because it doesn't work for my depression once the amphetamine-like feeling wears off. It's like I'm euphoric for weeks and then BOOM! The ground goes out from under me and I'm back at baseline. I've already pushed the dose to 80 mgs and the acne is HORRIFIC. I already have Body Dysmorphic Disorder and this has made it a million times worse.
Posted by cecilia on April 9, 2006, at 5:11:11
In reply to Re: Impossible to ever get off MAOIs?, posted by JaclinHyde on April 7, 2006, at 17:37:27
I don't know. I've never had any problem getting OFF meds. Usually the side effects are so horrible that the relief of being off them overwhelmingly outweighs any withdrawal effect. Cecilia
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.