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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Nohope on July 10, 2004, at 18:36:03
Hi everyone.
My pdoc wants me to go on Parnate for atypical depression and (severe) panic disorder. We've tried about every med under the sun and ECT too (which failed). I've been highly reluctant to try an MAOI because of the side effect profile. But what else can I take now? Nothing it seems. This has been going on for nearly 15 years now and I want some peace. Here are the side effects I hate the most (not in any particular order)
- Insomnia
- Sexual dysfunction
- 'Brain fog'
- Fatigue/apathyCould experienced Parnate users describe their experiences in terms of these side effects? I would be most appreciative.
Nohope
Posted by PhoenixGirl on July 10, 2004, at 22:40:18
In reply to Experienced Parnate Users, posted by Nohope on July 10, 2004, at 18:36:03
Hi there. I *totally* relate to everything you've said. I'm 26, and have had major depression and anxiety since I was 12 years old, which is 14 years. I've tried everything under the sun, including ECT, which helped temporarily.
I started Parnate about 3 weeks ago I think. I had to wean off my other stuff before starting Parnate. I've been on the *full* 30mg dose of Parnate for only about 2 weeks, and I increased the dose to 40mg less than a week ago. It can take time for stuff to take full effect.
Anyway, what I am experiencience SO FAR is a somewhat decrease in depression and anxiety. I take Klonopin to sleep and decrease anxiety, which I've been taking since before ever starting Parnate. It helps. Parnate is somewhat activating, but I think that for me, Wellbutrin helped me stay awake more. I had to stop taking it in order to take Parnate. However, I have been taking Lamictal too, which has caused me sleepiness. I just very recently stopped taking it, so I have to wait and see how my alertness is affected.
In my experience, Parnate doesn't cause apathy. I don't know what it's like to be a healthy person, so I can only compare Parnate to the times when I've been depressed and on other drugs.
The same can be said in regards to sexual dysfunction. However, I noticed that I can still have a self-induced orgasm while taking Parnate. I actually feel a little hornier in the hours after taking Parnate. My physical feeling is *somewhat* blunted since beginning Parnate, so it takes more time to have a self-induced orgasm. When I do have an orgasm, it seems like *more* of an orgasm than before. I know that I have more sexual response when I'm with a partner, and a lot depends on what I think of that partner. I have not had a sexual partner since taking Parnate, it's just been me and my fantasies.
So these are my experiences so far on Parnate. It's been sort of a short time that I've been on it, so I guess it'll take a few more weeks to find out what the long-standing effects will be. It could even get better. We'll see. Just hang in there!
> Hi everyone.
>
> My pdoc wants me to go on Parnate for atypical depression and (severe) panic disorder. We've tried about every med under the sun and ECT too (which failed). I've been highly reluctant to try an MAOI because of the side effect profile. But what else can I take now? Nothing it seems. This has been going on for nearly 15 years now and I want some peace. Here are the side effects I hate the most (not in any particular order)
>
> - Insomnia
> - Sexual dysfunction
> - 'Brain fog'
> - Fatigue/apathy
>
> Could experienced Parnate users describe their experiences in terms of these side effects? I would be most appreciative.
>
> Nohope
>
>
Posted by chemist on July 11, 2004, at 0:42:08
In reply to Experienced Parnate Users, posted by Nohope on July 10, 2004, at 18:36:03
> Hi everyone.
>
> My pdoc wants me to go on Parnate for atypical depression and (severe) panic disorder. We've tried about every med under the sun and ECT too (which failed). I've been highly reluctant to try an MAOI because of the side effect profile. But what else can I take now? Nothing it seems. This has been going on for nearly 15 years now and I want some peace. Here are the side effects I hate the most (not in any particular order)
>
> - Insomnia
> - Sexual dysfunction
> - 'Brain fog'
> - Fatigue/apathy
>
> Could experienced Parnate users describe their experiences in terms of these side effects? I would be most appreciative.
>
> Nohope
>
>
hello there, chemist here....i had a very, very pleasant and productive run on parnate, a 30 mg qd dose. my diet does not include many of the restricted items - many of which are not so dangerous in reality, but caveat emptor - and highly recommend the drug. i felt a change immediately, and would gladly take it should situations call for it. just my story, you'll hear all kinds.....in the end, it's up to you to give it a shot or not.....all the best, chemist
Posted by cubbybear on July 12, 2004, at 12:23:51
In reply to Experienced Parnate Users, posted by Nohope on July 10, 2004, at 18:36:03
> Here are the side effects I hate the most (not in any particular order)
>
> - Insomnia
> - Sexual dysfunction
> - 'Brain fog'
> - Fatigue/apathy
>
> Could experienced Parnate users describe their experiences in terms of these side effects? I would be most appreciative.
>
> NohopeHi,
I'm glad I found your post, as I haven't been as active on this board as I used to be. I've been taking Parnate for 20 years! As for the side-effects you mentioned, here are my experiences:Sexual dysfunction--NONE
Fatigue/apathy--NONE
Brain fog--NONE
Insomnia-- I've had it, but more in the lines of what I call 'reduced need for sleep." You might have to deal with this, maybe not.But this drug has been a life-saver to me for so long, and the side effects were always tolerable.
Good luck. Post back to me if you have any other questions.
cubbybear
>
>
Posted by chemist on July 12, 2004, at 14:52:44
In reply to Re: Experienced Parnate Users » Nohope, posted by cubbybear on July 12, 2004, at 12:23:51
> > Here are the side effects I hate the most (not in any particular order)
> >
> > - Insomnia
> > - Sexual dysfunction
> > - 'Brain fog'
> > - Fatigue/apathy
> >
> > Could experienced Parnate users describe their experiences in terms of these side effects? I would be most appreciative.
> >
> > Nohope
>
> Hi,
> I'm glad I found your post, as I haven't been as active on this board as I used to be. I've been taking Parnate for 20 years! As for the side-effects you mentioned, here are my experiences:
>
> Sexual dysfunction--NONE
> Fatigue/apathy--NONE
> Brain fog--NONE
> Insomnia-- I've had it, but more in the lines of what I call 'reduced need for sleep." You might have to deal with this, maybe not.
>
> But this drug has been a life-saver to me for so long, and the side effects were always tolerable.
> Good luck. Post back to me if you have any other questions.
> cubbybear
> >
> >
>
>
hello there, chemist here....i can say that my 2 year evaluation of parnate (30 mg/day) mirrors that of cubbybear's, to the letter. i think it was/is truly a wonderful drug.....all the best, and best to you, cubbybear, i am heartened to hear that long-term use has proven to be a success should i need to go back......chemist
Posted by cubbybear on July 13, 2004, at 1:56:28
In reply to Re: Experienced Parnate Users » Nohope » cubbybear, posted by chemist on July 12, 2004, at 14:52:44
> hello there, chemist here....i can say that my 2 year evaluation of parnate (30 mg/day) mirrors that of cubbybear's, to the letter. i think it was/is truly a wonderful drug.....all the best, and best to you, cubbybear, i am heartened to hear that long-term use has proven to be a success should i need to go back......chemistJust want to add as an afterthought, I'm only praying that this medication will always be available, there will be a sufficient number of doctors who are willing to prescribe it, and that the infamous GlaxoSmithKline does not do another price hike anywhere near what they did this year (40%).
Posted by King Vultan on July 13, 2004, at 16:44:21
In reply to Re: Experienced Parnate Users » chemist, posted by cubbybear on July 13, 2004, at 1:56:28
>
> Just want to add as an afterthought, I'm only praying that this medication will always be available, there will be a sufficient number of doctors who are willing to prescribe it, and that the infamous GlaxoSmithKline does not do another price hike anywhere near what they did this year (40%).
>
>I looked at the Walgreen's site, and it does appear that Parnate has gone up in price based on what I can recollect. Nardil is also relatively expensive. The cash price at the Walgreen's I go to for 6 x 30 = 180 pills of Nardil is $125 (their website indicates it should be about $115). Their site shows a similar quantity of Parnate costing about $158. In both cases, these are the maximum recommended doses of each drug (6 pills/day).
As for the ethics of this kind of pricing, in the defense of the drug companies, I have to believe that the volume is so small on each of these that they are entitled to charge a somewhat higher price than on their regular offerings. The truth is that the volume is so low that none of the generic companies even want to bother with these drugs because there just is no money in it. To me, though, a sudden 40% increase in the price of a product that has been manufactured for decades and is a lifesaver for many is an action that I would tend to view as excessively greedy and rather lacking in basic concern and regard for the customer.
Todd
Posted by Nohope on July 16, 2004, at 21:17:18
In reply to Re: Experienced Parnate Users, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 10, 2004, at 22:40:18
Dear PhoenixGirl,
Thank you very much for your reply. Please keep me informed of your progress. I still don't know whether to try Parnate yet. We seem to have had pretty similar histories - unfortunately for both of us - so if you respond well to Parnate I would be more willing to try.
Best wishes - hopefully this is the breakthrough you've been looking for.Nohope
> Hi there. I *totally* relate to everything you've said. I'm 26, and have had major depression and anxiety since I was 12 years old, which is 14 years. I've tried everything under the sun, including ECT, which helped temporarily.
> I started Parnate about 3 weeks ago I think. I had to wean off my other stuff before starting Parnate. I've been on the *full* 30mg dose of Parnate for only about 2 weeks, and I increased the dose to 40mg less than a week ago. It can take time for stuff to take full effect.
> Anyway, what I am experiencience SO FAR is a somewhat decrease in depression and anxiety. I take Klonopin to sleep and decrease anxiety, which I've been taking since before ever starting Parnate. It helps. Parnate is somewhat activating, but I think that for me, Wellbutrin helped me stay awake more. I had to stop taking it in order to take Parnate. However, I have been taking Lamictal too, which has caused me sleepiness. I just very recently stopped taking it, so I have to wait and see how my alertness is affected.
> In my experience, Parnate doesn't cause apathy. I don't know what it's like to be a healthy person, so I can only compare Parnate to the times when I've been depressed and on other drugs.
> The same can be said in regards to sexual dysfunction. However, I noticed that I can still have a self-induced orgasm while taking Parnate. I actually feel a little hornier in the hours after taking Parnate. My physical feeling is *somewhat* blunted since beginning Parnate, so it takes more time to have a self-induced orgasm. When I do have an orgasm, it seems like *more* of an orgasm than before. I know that I have more sexual response when I'm with a partner, and a lot depends on what I think of that partner. I have not had a sexual partner since taking Parnate, it's just been me and my fantasies.
> So these are my experiences so far on Parnate. It's been sort of a short time that I've been on it, so I guess it'll take a few more weeks to find out what the long-standing effects will be. It could even get better. We'll see. Just hang in there!
>
Posted by karen m. on July 17, 2004, at 0:49:42
In reply to Re: Parnate/Nardil pricing » cubbybear, posted by King Vultan on July 13, 2004, at 16:44:21
i took parnate at one point in my quest for the perfect pill. it worked quite well but then i had an allergic reaction to something and if i recall correctly they couldn't treat me with whatever drug they usually use in an emergency allergy situation because parnate didn't mix well with it. hope that makes sense. anyway, since i have a lot of allergies in general anyway i decided to go off when i found this out.
Posted by cubbybear on July 17, 2004, at 11:18:28
In reply to Re: Parnate/Nardil pricing, posted by karen m. on July 17, 2004, at 0:49:42
> i took parnate at one point in my quest for the perfect pill. it worked quite well but then i had an allergic reaction to something and if i recall correctly they couldn't treat me with whatever drug they usually use in an emergency allergy situation because parnate didn't mix well with it. hope that makes sense. anyway, since i have a lot of allergies in general anyway i decided to go off when i found this out.
I'm no doctor, but I'd imagine that if you had a severe allergic reaction of the magnitude of anaphylactic shock, you would probably have needed adrenalin, which is surely contraindicated with Parnate. For milder allergic reactions, such as skin rashes, benadryl is OK with Parnate. It's too bad that you decided to quit this drug. Maybe if you know what caused your allergy and can stay away from it, you can resume the Parnate again.
Posted by PhoenixGirl on July 17, 2004, at 19:29:13
In reply to Re: Experienced Parnate Users » PhoenixGirl, posted by Nohope on July 16, 2004, at 21:17:18
Hi Nohope,
Well I've started having an antidepressant effect from the Parnate. I think about death less and feel more hope. It took the drug a few weeks to start working, but it is now helping.
There are some side effect problems, but not enough to make me stop taking it. It causes me constipation, worse vision, sleeping difficulties, decreased sexual feeling. But I can work with these things. I take something to help me sleep and something for the constipation. I can have an orgasm if I spend enough time on it.
Parnate is definitely the best antidepressant I've tried. I recommend trying it. You can always stop if you want to. I'd try it though, because my suffering has decreased quite a bit!
> Dear PhoenixGirl,
>
> Thank you very much for your reply. Please keep me informed of your progress. I still don't know whether to try Parnate yet. We seem to have had pretty similar histories - unfortunately for both of us - so if you respond well to Parnate I would be more willing to try.
> Best wishes - hopefully this is the breakthrough you've been looking for.
>
> Nohope
>
> > Hi there. I *totally* relate to everything you've said. I'm 26, and have had major depression and anxiety since I was 12 years old, which is 14 years. I've tried everything under the sun, including ECT, which helped temporarily.
> > I started Parnate about 3 weeks ago I think. I had to wean off my other stuff before starting Parnate. I've been on the *full* 30mg dose of Parnate for only about 2 weeks, and I increased the dose to 40mg less than a week ago. It can take time for stuff to take full effect.
> > Anyway, what I am experiencience SO FAR is a somewhat decrease in depression and anxiety. I take Klonopin to sleep and decrease anxiety, which I've been taking since before ever starting Parnate. It helps. Parnate is somewhat activating, but I think that for me, Wellbutrin helped me stay awake more. I had to stop taking it in order to take Parnate. However, I have been taking Lamictal too, which has caused me sleepiness. I just very recently stopped taking it, so I have to wait and see how my alertness is affected.
> > In my experience, Parnate doesn't cause apathy. I don't know what it's like to be a healthy person, so I can only compare Parnate to the times when I've been depressed and on other drugs.
> > The same can be said in regards to sexual dysfunction. However, I noticed that I can still have a self-induced orgasm while taking Parnate. I actually feel a little hornier in the hours after taking Parnate. My physical feeling is *somewhat* blunted since beginning Parnate, so it takes more time to have a self-induced orgasm. When I do have an orgasm, it seems like *more* of an orgasm than before. I know that I have more sexual response when I'm with a partner, and a lot depends on what I think of that partner. I have not had a sexual partner since taking Parnate, it's just been me and my fantasies.
> > So these are my experiences so far on Parnate. It's been sort of a short time that I've been on it, so I guess it'll take a few more weeks to find out what the long-standing effects will be. It could even get better. We'll see. Just hang in there!
> >
>
Posted by karen m. on July 18, 2004, at 1:03:31
In reply to Re: allergy while on Parnate » karen m., posted by cubbybear on July 17, 2004, at 11:18:28
> > i took parnate at one point in my quest for the perfect pill. it worked quite well but then i had an allergic reaction to something and if i recall correctly they couldn't treat me with whatever drug they usually use in an emergency allergy situation because parnate didn't mix well with it. hope that makes sense. anyway, since i have a lot of allergies in general anyway i decided to go off when i found this out.
> I'm no doctor, but I'd imagine that if you had a severe allergic reaction of the magnitude of anaphylactic shock, you would probably have needed adrenalin, which is surely contraindicated with Parnate. For milder allergic reactions, such as skin rashes, benadryl is OK with Parnate. It's too bad that you decided to quit this drug. Maybe if you know what caused your allergy and can stay away from it, you can resume the Parnate again.
>
> i agree. it is mostly my own paranoia of anaphylactic shock maybe occuring that made me go off of it. my throat closed up with hives from allergies as a child. so it was not so much that this particular allergic incident was that bad, but that it might be in the future and i couldn't treat it.
This is the end of the thread.
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