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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by maoi_wowee on January 19, 2009, at 1:35:05
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by bulldog2 on January 18, 2009, at 17:53:24
>
> Is only available in brand name and has to be ordered but is available. With my health insurance would be the highest tier payment of $50 so I assume it would be costly. I also have bp issues and also weight gain issues so I'm think Marplan might be a good choice and is an overlooked drug.
There's your answer. Probably is expensive as I also have the really high $50 copay.
Posted by maoi_wowee on January 19, 2009, at 1:38:39
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by Cseagraves on January 18, 2009, at 19:50:12
>
> So, did it really make a difference as far as you could tell?
>
> Sorry so many questions, but desperately want something to work.
>
> CourtneyYes, Marplan DEFINITELY makes a difference. Trust me, it's no placebo. It keeps me in a really even, depression-free state. And I've had a few things happen since being on Marplan that would have caused me to sink into a terrible depression other times, but on Marplan, I NEVER hit those really low depressed states. Which is not to say that it numbs me either, I just don't hit those lows.
Posted by bulldog2 on January 19, 2009, at 9:23:16
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by maoi_wowee on January 19, 2009, at 1:38:39
> >
> > So, did it really make a difference as far as you could tell?
> >
> > Sorry so many questions, but desperately want something to work.
> >
> > Courtney
>
> Yes, Marplan DEFINITELY makes a difference. Trust me, it's no placebo. It keeps me in a really even, depression-free state. And I've had a few things happen since being on Marplan that would have caused me to sink into a terrible depression other times, but on Marplan, I NEVER hit those really low depressed states. Which is not to say that it numbs me either, I just don't hit those lows.How does it effect your appetite? Does it make you ravenous or is it appetite neutral?
Posted by diego on January 19, 2009, at 11:53:27
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by maoi_wowee on January 18, 2009, at 12:18:31
Maoi-
Thanks for the organized and detailed description of Marplan's effects vs. Parnate and Nardil.
Glad it's working so well for you.
Posted by psychobot5000 on January 19, 2009, at 12:05:14
In reply to Marplan is GREAT!, posted by maoi_wowee on January 17, 2009, at 10:46:04
> After 6+ months on Marplan, I'm wondering why more people aren't trying this drug...
>
>
> So, my question is, why aren't more people giving it a shot?For what it's worth, from what I remember reading about it, it's always been considered the most hepatoxic of the MAOIs (besides iproniazid, of course, which has been gone for decades). It's apparently considered a more serious risk than with Nardil. So that's one reason why it's been unpopular. Glad it seems to be working so well, though, and so low on side-effects. Those can be tough with MAOis.
I assume you're getting liver-function tests while you take it?
Posted by Cseagraves on January 19, 2009, at 17:00:45
In reply to Marplan is GREAT!, posted by maoi_wowee on January 17, 2009, at 10:46:04
Maoi,
Hi there again!!
Sorry, but here come the questions.
How long did it take you to start feeling effects? (days, weeks?). How long before you started feeling consistantly level?
Were you tired in the beginning? If so, how long did it take for your energy level to come back up?
Do you feel like it gives you extra energy?
Did you have any BP problems?
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.)
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.
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 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 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).
I apologize for bombarding you like this, but there is not alot info out there on marplan.
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
Posted by maoi_wowee on January 21, 2009, at 12:48:47
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by bulldog2 on January 19, 2009, at 9:23:16
hmmm, I'd call it appetite neutral, or, at the very least it certainly doesn't make me ravenous. I'm on a diet now and not having any difficulty cutting back on food.
> How does it effect your appetite? Does it make you ravenous or is it appetite neutral?
Posted by maoi_wowee on January 21, 2009, at 12:52:01
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT! » maoi_wowee, posted by psychobot5000 on January 19, 2009, at 12:05:14
I haven't been getting liver-function tests directly related to my taking Marplan, but I did just get a thorough body of physical tests for a recent surgery and everything checked out..no liver issues.
Take this with a grain of salt as I haven't researched hepatoxicity of Marplan, but I've always found these warnings about potential physical complications from taking MAOIs to be way overblown.
> I assume you're getting liver-function tests while you take it?
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
>
Posted by Cseagraves on January 21, 2009, at 14:21:38
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT! » Cseagraves, posted by maoi_wowee on January 21, 2009, at 13:11:56
Maio,
Thanks so much for your responses. Your answers have helped me make this decision alot easier as I think I am going with Marplan.
Please keep me up to date as to how you are feeling or any issues you run into. Do you remember what your starting dose was?
Thanks,
Courtney
Posted by bulldog2 on January 21, 2009, at 15:39:54
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by Cseagraves on January 21, 2009, at 14:21:38
> Maio,
>
> Thanks so much for your responses. Your answers have helped me make this decision alot easier as I think I am going with Marplan.
>
> Please keep me up to date as to how you are feeling or any issues you run into. Do you remember what your starting dose was?
>
> Thanks,
>
> CourtneyYes thank you for all your responses. What is the dosage range and how quickly did you titrate to your current dose.
Thanks
bulldog2
Posted by maoi_wowee on January 22, 2009, at 15:01:04
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by Cseagraves on January 21, 2009, at 14:21:38
feeling or any issues you run into. Do you remember what your starting dose was?
>I ramped my dose up to 70mg a day pretty quickly (over 2 weeks), and eventually felt things out to get to what I believe is my optimal dose of 55mg/day (I have found with all MAOIs that I am best taking a single morning dose).
Your pdoc may want to adjust your dose up slower (or faster) than I did. I think that's fine, the one thing I'd make sure of is that you don't give up on the drug before giving it adequate time at at least 60mg/day (or a lower dose if it works for you).
Good luck and keep us posted!
I'll keep you posted on my progress, but again, it's such a stable drug that I don't anticipate any real changes.
Posted by bulldog2 on January 22, 2009, at 16:49:18
In reply to Marplan is GREAT!, posted by maoi_wowee on January 17, 2009, at 10:46:04
> After 6+ months on Marplan, I'm wondering why more people aren't trying this drug...
>
> I spent multiple years on Parnate and gave Nardil a long trial; I'm finding Marplan to be the most stable, reliable and (in some ways) most effective of the three (and it certainly has the fewest side-effects).
>
> So, my question is, why aren't more people giving it a shot?
Do you eat out at all? If you do what precautions do you take?
Posted by psychobot5000 on January 22, 2009, at 22:12:13
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT! » psychobot5000, posted by maoi_wowee on January 21, 2009, at 12:52:01
> Take this with a grain of salt as I haven't researched hepatoxicity of Marplan, but I've always found these warnings about potential physical complications from taking MAOIs to be way overblown.
>
> >Yeah, I tend to agree. Nothing 'bad' ever happened to me when I took MAOIs--never ran into any hypotensive crises or anything, and the medical community's warnings always seemed a little hysterical to me concerning that and related issues (though I understand no doctor wants an unnecessary death on their hands). Still, I get the impression that the liver risks with Marplan are somewhat serious--I figure a simple blood-test every few months to keep an eye on it is probably a reasonable thing to do, and not really very inconvenient--just a thought.
Best,
Psychbot
Posted by maoi_wowee on January 22, 2009, at 23:53:59
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by bulldog2 on January 22, 2009, at 16:49:18
I eat out almost exclusively and I don't really take any precautions besides avoiding aged cheeses, which I never liked anyway. In my roughly 4 years now on Parnate, Nardil and Marplan I've never done more than avoid aged cheese and I've never come close to having any issues.
> Do you eat out at all? If you do what precautions do you take?
>
Posted by maoi_wowee on January 22, 2009, at 23:55:55
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT! » maoi_wowee, posted by psychobot5000 on January 22, 2009, at 22:12:13
Well, I'll definitely make a note of having my primary care doc run the blood tests next time I'm in. Thanks for the advice on that.
>I figure a simple blood-test every few months to keep an eye on it is probably a reasonable thing to do, and not really very inconvenient--just a thought.
>
> Best,
> Psychbot
Posted by desolationrower on January 23, 2009, at 12:42:35
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by maoi_wowee on January 18, 2009, at 12:18:31
So what does it do for your anxiety, you said you still have some avoidance, which you didn't on nardil? But better than parnate?
-d/r
Posted by bulldog2 on January 23, 2009, at 16:17:21
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT! » maoi_wowee, posted by psychobot5000 on January 22, 2009, at 22:12:13
> > Take this with a grain of salt as I haven't researched hepatoxicity of Marplan, but I've always found these warnings about potential physical complications from taking MAOIs to be way overblown.
> >
> > >
>
> Yeah, I tend to agree. Nothing 'bad' ever happened to me when I took MAOIs--never ran into any hypotensive crises or anything, and the medical community's warnings always seemed a little hysterical to me concerning that and related issues (though I understand no doctor wants an unnecessary death on their hands). Still, I get the impression that the liver risks with Marplan are somewhat serious--I figure a simple blood-test every few months to keep an eye on it is probably a reasonable thing to do, and not really very inconvenient--just a thought.
>
> Best,
> PsychbotI cut and pasted this which is about liver protection.
There are a couple of things you could try. I took milk thistle (helps protect the liver against drugs) and for a while also took L-methionine (also protects the liver). I have heard that N-acetylcysteine also protects the liver but have never actually used that one since it's only available in health food places and not all of them at that. It's harder to find. But if you start on the milk thistle and L-Methionine, that should help
Posted by bulldog2 on January 23, 2009, at 16:40:37
In reply to Marplan is GREAT!, posted by maoi_wowee on January 17, 2009, at 10:46:04
> After 6+ months on Marplan, I'm wondering why more people aren't trying this drug...
>
> I spent multiple years on Parnate and gave Nardil a long trial; I'm finding Marplan to be the most stable, reliable and (in some ways) most effective of the three (and it certainly has the fewest side-effects).
>
> So, my question is, why aren't more people giving it a shot?With all the med bashing that goes on this post is a breath of fresh air!
Posted by maoi_wowee on January 23, 2009, at 18:53:57
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by desolationrower on January 23, 2009, at 12:42:35
I definitely still have some social avoidance, but much much much less of this and all anxiety issues than I had on Parnate.
Nardil was absolutely miraculous at first, but over a few months, the positive effects (like elimination of anxiety) began to decrease substantially, so it's a bit hard to compare where I am now with the long-term use of Nardil.
> So what does it do for your anxiety, you said you still have some avoidance, which you didn't on nardil? But better than parnate?
>
> -d/r
Posted by Cseagraves on January 23, 2009, at 20:27:30
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by bulldog2 on January 23, 2009, at 16:17:21
That's cool. I already take milk thistle and have for years.
Thanks again Maoi, you've been a great help. Now if I can only make it until Feb. 5 without meds, except I have zanax on hand.
Courtney :-)
Posted by bulldog2 on January 24, 2009, at 8:00:45
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by Cseagraves on January 23, 2009, at 20:27:30
> That's cool. I already take milk thistle and have for years.
>
> Thanks again Maoi, you've been a great help. Now if I can only make it until Feb. 5 without meds, except I have zanax on hand.
>
> Courtney :-)You might want to add nac or low dose sam-e for extra insurance. Avoid liver unfriendly foods and stick with a liver friendly diet.
Posted by maoi_wowee on January 24, 2009, at 16:35:57
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT!, posted by bulldog2 on January 24, 2009, at 8:00:45
Let me add something that I've realized very clearly over the past couple of days. Marplan definitely does NOT prevent orgasm/ejaculation like Nardil did (though that Nardil side effect began to ease a little bit several months into taking the drug). If anything, Marplan may do the opposite, causing a bit of premature ejaculation/orgasm.
Posted by bulldog2 on January 24, 2009, at 18:12:04
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT! (sexual side-effects), posted by maoi_wowee on January 24, 2009, at 16:35:57
> Let me add something that I've realized very clearly over the past couple of days. Marplan definitely does NOT prevent orgasm/ejaculation like Nardil did (though that Nardil side effect began to ease a little bit several months into taking the drug). If anything, Marplan may do the opposite, causing a bit of premature ejaculation/orgasm.
I believe that nardil is serotonin dominant while parnate is dopamine and ne dominant. The sexual side you desribe points to marplan having less impact on serotonin than nardil..
By the way do you eat any lunch meats,,,steak sandwichdes or burger in restaurants???I know you avoid cheese..
Posted by maoi_wowee on January 25, 2009, at 18:40:44
In reply to Re: Marplan is GREAT! (sexual side-effects), posted by bulldog2 on January 24, 2009, at 18:12:04
> By the way do you eat any lunch meats,,,steak sandwichdes or burger in restaurants???I know you avoid cheese..
>Yes, no problems at all with any lunch meats, steak sandwiches, burgers, peperoni on pizza, etc. Some people seem to be more sensitive than others to the tyramine in food thing, but I believe the items you mentioned above are pretty much on everyone's safe lists.
Don't expect your pdoc to give you accurate information about what foods to avoid (search this board instead!).
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