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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jakejohnson007 on November 10, 2008, at 2:46:16
I've started Nardil and been on ~45mg for ~1 month. It drys out my eyes a lot, to the point where there are dark circles and wrinkles under my eyes. It dries out my skin and gives my face a red, dry look rather than a healthy glow. I look haggard, it's bad.
Other side effects worry me as well. I notice increases pressure in the back of my neck and some mild but persistant headaches. Worse, I feel constantly fatigued and I feel my mind is slowed down - I can't think as quickly or wrap my head around difficult problems. My memory also seems worse. Insomnia is worsening.
I notice the drug is kicking in and starting to provide some good relief from social anxiety and depression. However, these side effects are terrible. Can I expect these to go away - they are just getting worse so far. Does anyone else have these?
I can't expect to keep my job or be satisfied with my appearance if these side effects continue. If they only go away partially, that's not good enough, these sides are bad enough for me to quit Nardil.
Posted by Justherself54 on November 10, 2008, at 10:51:10
In reply to Nardil - Dry Eyes + Dry Skin, posted by jakejohnson007 on November 10, 2008, at 2:46:16
I don't recall having dry eyes or skin. Perhaps some eye drops (check with the pharmacist first) would be helpful for that. I know when I was on Nardil I had a terrible time with transposing words and letters when I was typing and was constantly proofreading everything I typed. The insomnia got really bad and I had to double the sleep meds I normally take at night.
As for the headaches, you may want to think of getting a home BP monitor and keeping tabs on your BP
It was a great drug for socializing and depression. Unfortunately, it came with 2 other side effects which made my pdoc stop it.
My side effects did not decrease, but that's just me. We all react differently to meds.
If it is working and giving you relief, try to see if if you and your doctor can manage the side effects.
Good luck and keep posting!
Posted by FredPotter on November 10, 2008, at 14:17:45
In reply to Nardil - Dry Eyes + Dry Skin, posted by jakejohnson007 on November 10, 2008, at 2:46:16
I get dry eyes and skin but I thought it was the kava I drink
Posted by desolationrower on November 10, 2008, at 17:00:42
In reply to Re: Nardil - Dry Eyes + Dry Skin » jakejohnson007, posted by FredPotter on November 10, 2008, at 14:17:45
Hm, I wonder if it is vitamine b6 deficiency; phenelzine can destroy this vitamin. I'd suggest getting a b-vitamin complex with plenty of b-6. While you are at it make sure you get a multivitamin and some fish oil.
-D/R
Posted by jakejohnson007 on November 12, 2008, at 5:03:10
In reply to Re: Nardil - Dry Eyes + Dry Skin, posted by desolationrower on November 10, 2008, at 17:00:42
Thanks for the replies. I'm stopping Nardil temporarily to see if my dry/inflammed skin will heal up and if the dark circles & wrinkles under my eyes will go away. I'm hoping to see sebum production increase back to where it was before Nardil.
It's possible that using Provigil and having caffiene along with Nardil were the greater culprits than the Nardil itself. Therefore, I'm going to try and heal my skin and eyes with a med holiday and plenty of vitamins/rest/exercise. Then, I'd like to go back on Nardil and see if it dries out my eyes and skin the same way again or not. For this trial, I would avoid provigil & caffiene.
Posted by desolationrower on November 13, 2008, at 7:48:05
In reply to Re: Nardil - Dry Eyes + Dry Skin, posted by jakejohnson007 on November 12, 2008, at 5:03:10
you may have already started, but i would add the vitamins/rest first, before you try going off of the antidepressant. Going off and on can precipitate relapse.
-d/r
Posted by Justherself54 on November 13, 2008, at 8:50:02
In reply to Re: Nardil - Dry Eyes + Dry Skin, posted by desolationrower on November 13, 2008, at 7:48:05
If it's working well for you I'd see your doctor and get his opinion. There always is a chance it won't work again for you. Parnate did not work for me the second time around.
Posted by NewQuestions on November 13, 2008, at 13:15:52
In reply to Re: Nardil - Dry Eyes + Dry Skin, posted by Justherself54 on November 13, 2008, at 8:50:02
I think it is the Nardil. I am on Parnate and have dry eyes and dry mouth and my hair is dry and brittle.
Posted by jakejohnson007 on November 14, 2008, at 1:21:37
In reply to Re: Nardil - Dry Eyes + Dry Skin, posted by NewQuestions on November 13, 2008, at 13:15:52
Yeah I think the MAOIs cause this. How long have you been on Parnate plus what dosage, and have you noticed a lessening of these side effects? My eyes/skin still look terrible.
Posted by NewQuestions on November 17, 2008, at 9:07:22
In reply to Re: Nardil - Dry Eyes + Dry Skin, posted by jakejohnson007 on November 14, 2008, at 1:21:37
I worked up to 20 mg of Parnate and stayed on it for over 2 months but experienced the following side effects: muscle weakness, cognitive (learning/memory), confusion, blurred vision, dry eyes and mouth (also, weird taste in mouth), extreme irritability, skin felt like spiders were crawling on it. I recently moved down to 10mg and many of these side effects subsided. Don't know whether I will stay on it or not.
FYI, I was on zoloft for 8 years, and then it pooped out, and finding another drug has been a nightmare. I have tried almost every drug on the market and none have given me relief without prohibitive side effects, even paradoxical side effects. Being on zoloft for 8 years did something to me or my receptors or something.
Posted by jakejohnson007 on November 24, 2008, at 0:22:48
In reply to Re: Nardil - Dry Eyes + Dry Skin, posted by NewQuestions on November 17, 2008, at 9:07:22
I'm sorry to hear that. I'm looking at two options right now - Paxil or Nardil.
Nardil seems like it should be more effective for social anxiety, but the dry eyes/skin and the cognitive dulling side effects REALLY scare me. If these side effects are due to the Nardil alone and not the combination of Nardil plus Caffiene or Provigil, then I guess I'll have to go with Paxil since it doesn't cause these sides in me. That will be a bummer though, since Paxil is only mildy helpful.
So are you really sure the cognitive dulling and the dry eyes/mouth can be attributed to MAOIs? Did you get these only on the MAOI and never on Zoloft?
Posted by NewQuestions on December 3, 2008, at 12:28:04
In reply to Re: Nardil - Dry Eyes + Dry Skin, posted by jakejohnson007 on November 24, 2008, at 0:22:48
Initially, I did not experience dry eyes or cognitive dulling on zoloft. However, over time, I did experience cognitive dulling and brain fog as well as muscle ache, fatigue and many other SEs. I now think I am hypersensitive to just about any AD, and can't take them without experiencing every SE in the book.
Posted by jakejohnson007 on December 11, 2008, at 1:39:59
In reply to Re: Nardil - Dry Eyes + Dry Skin, posted by NewQuestions on December 3, 2008, at 12:28:04
I'm noticing minor memory loss, cognitive dulling, and fatigue with Paxil right now. A little background. I was on and off Paxil for 3 years with no cognitive side effects. I was then on Parnate for 6 months, Lexapro for a month, and Nardil for 2 months. I took 3 weeks off and now have been on Paxil for a week. It is giving me daytime fatigue, memory problems, headaches, and slowed cognition - I never got these S/E's from Paxil before
The merry-go-round of AD's seems to have screwed up my brain - which especially sucks because that's the main thing I have going for me, especially when I'm depressed/anxious, and I have a demanding technical job. I should never have tried Parnate & Nardil, and I regret it. They seemed promising, but now I realize I was playing Russian Roulette.
I was never on more than 30 mg/day of Parnate or more than 45 mg/day of Nardil. I did touch some of the no-no MAOI items but I didn't have any severe reactions, some milder reactions only. So if it wasn't the potency, it seems that the rapid cycling of antidepressants is what is causing Paxil to have these nasty effects now.
On the plus side, it is helping my anxiety and depression almost immediately and significantly. My eyes are still pretty dry and my skin is in bad shape.
I'm debating whether or not to stay on Paxil and hope that I can achieve a good equilibrium with it, or to go off all meds. The latter is the surest route to a healthy body and physical mind, but it is a dark and mediocre path. Hopefully the bad side effects Paxil is giving me now will go away. Although not many long term studies have been done, my pdoc doubts SSRI's cause long-term damage since they aren't dopamine agonists...
Anyways, can anyone else relate? Will the bad effects of Paxil likely diminish, or will I need to quit all meds? Thanks.
Posted by JadeKelly on December 14, 2008, at 12:13:11
In reply to Re: Nardil - Dry Eyes + Dry Skin; bad cognition » NewQuestions, posted by jakejohnson007 on December 11, 2008, at 1:39:59
Hi Jake J.,
Whatever the cause of current s/e's it seems unlikely its from the Paxil, as you have taken it before without incident. I would stay on it, as its giving you a/d effect, and wait out the s/e's as I think those will subside soon. Also, I would follow d/r's advice and take the B, fish oil, and multi vitamins. I've been on Parnate for 9 weeks and am currently at 50mg. Major side effect is fatigue, with some insomnia. Haven't noticed any others you mentioned. The very low doses of MAOI'S you were on wouldn't worry me at all. Maybe check with a psychopharmacologist sp?, if its really bothering you.I would definately stay on the Paxil unless Pdoc says get off, as previous poster may be right, it may not work again if you drop it now. See how you feel in couple weeks.
Btw-you were on Parnate 30mg (lowest dose) for 6 months? I'm assuming you got an a/d response? How long after starting Parnate did you get best response? Why did you stop? Thanks and good luck with your decision!
~Jade
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