Posted by superman on July 2, 2005, at 5:25:06
In reply to Re: another parnate question... fatigue » superman, posted by laurenjb on July 1, 2005, at 5:05:02
Hello again Lauren. You sound much like how I felt the first few weeks on parnate. I took 20mg the first week, and have been taking 30mg ever since. From about weeks 3-5 I hardly slept at all. And oh yea, I started parnate right after going through that horrible effexor withdrawl as well.
Hmmmm. I think parnate is an excellent drug for stimulating and increasing motivation. That's what I noticed. I used to be a hypersomniac depressive, who would lie in bed all day and dwell on sadness. This is where parnate helped I think. I'm not sure if it neccissarily helps my mood directly, but the fact I wouldn't sleep all day and that I'd actually start doing a few things helped with my depression, although not perfectly.
I'm sorry you're feeling down. Yea, you'll have to try playing with the dose. I read a study where extremely high doses (about 120mg) were found most effective for refractory depression. Of course a lot of guides suggest 30 or 40mg is all thats needed if there is to be any effect from parnate. It seems most people on this board take quite a bit more than that tho. It's interesting to note that relatively little MAO inhibition actually occurs at a 30mg dose( http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/psychiatry/CPS/17Figure2.html ), so if that is its mechanism of action, something closer to the 120mg would probably make some sense (or perhaps just 50-80mg). I'm going to hold steady at 30mg for a while, since I'm fairly sure I am at least somewhat more optimistic, motivated, and energetic in everyday life with it, compared to the pessimistic, apathetic, reactive person I was. Does this sound a little like you?? If it does, perhaps you just need some time for the drug to translate into some improvement in mood. Or perhaps you're feeling down goes a little deeper, and you would benefit from a higher dose. I think parnate has a tendency to have dramatically different effects at a higher dose. But 3 weeks isn't very long anyway is it?? so maybe you do just need some more time.
Anyway, I know insomnia is no fun. But I do think that's something that gets better with time. I had an incredible sleep last night, without any meds. I hope you find something that helps tho. Hey, thanks for sharing Lauren, and good luck.
T
> Hi T: Thanks for the link and your response. I get that overwhelming fatigue during the day, too, though I think mine might have more to do with the insomnia. I try not to sleep during the day so I can sleep at night but it doesn't seem to matter. I'm also feeling pretty down, but it's all relative -- I feel better than 6 weeks ago when I was going through Effexor withdrawal. I am hoping the Parnate just needs some more time to kick in or that I need the dose increased. What dose are you on?
>
> As for Lunesta, tonight is the first time I've taken it. I slept for about an hour and it's now 3am and I'm wide awake and have the NASTIEST taste in my mouth. Of course, this doesn't mean it won't work for you -- I truly hope it or something else does -- let me know! Lauren
>
poster:superman
thread:521418
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050702/msgs/522440.html