Are MAOIs worth it?

[Felodese]

As I am apparently out of options, my doctor wants to put me on a MAOI: tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Seems like you have to give up a shit ton of food when you go on it - depending on which expert is talking/writing.
Some of it I really don't give a shit about - I can definitely live without cheese. But I can't even have a fucking chocolate bar without needing a trip to the ER?
(Litteral death by chocolate though.... )

People who've tried MAOIs in general and parnate in particular; is it worth it?
Did you get a ton of side effects? How bad?
And do you have an up to date and hopefully reliable list/resource where I get some clairity about what you acctually CAN eat when on this fucking medication?

 

[these_days9]

It honestly depends on the person. I've pretty much been able to eat all of the things that I normally do from the "don't eat" list. You kinda just have to do a little bit and monitor your blood pressure/how you're feeling to see how your body tolerates things. I will say I still had a shit awful time with the side effects more generally each time I adjusted to a new dose.

 

[Felodese]

It honestly depends on the person. I've pretty much been able to eat all of the things that I normally do from the "don't eat" list. You kinda just have to do a little bit and monitor your blood pressure/how you're feeling to see how your body tolerates things. I will say I still had a shit awful time with the side effects more generally each time I adjusted to a new dose.

At least that's something. Would be a bit ironic if, after being suicidal for so long, I ended up accidentally killing myself when trying to live, and doing something normal like eating out...

What kind of side effects are we talking here?
Also, if you're ok with me asking: which MAOI is it and does it work? (I'm assuming you're still on it?)

 

[these_days9]

At least that's something. Would be a bit ironic if, after being suicidal for so long, I ended up accidentally killing myself when trying to live, and doing something normal like eating out...

What kind of side effects are we talking here?
Also, if you're ok with me asking: which MAOI is it and does it work? (I'm assuming you're still on it?)

Yea unfortunately I think it's just an awful experience that you don't die from. I looked it up and I think there were only a handful of cases of death.

Still on it yes and it's the same one you're considering, parnate. I have a really hard time saying whether a medication "works" or not. I'm not crying all day and can get myself to work. But still depressed every day and don't want to be on this planet as a human. I think it depends on what you're personally hoping a medication will do for you and what other meds haven't been able to help with. I guess that's where hopefully you trust that your doctor knows what they're doing in suggesting this one.

Side effects wise I actually got sort of the opposite of what happens with the food reaction and had really low blood pressure. It can cause postural hypotension so when you go from lying down or sitting to standing too quickly you'll sometimes get dizzy. I was getting that so badly I thought I was going to pass out. And this was every time I would stand up. I also wasn't really able to eat but not sure if that was the depression or the meds but that made it worse. That's been the worst one. Got better after several weeks or so. And I get brain/whole body zaps but I'm not sure to what extent that's just the medication. Again side effects can be very random based on the person. Some medications I've taken did absolutely nothing in terms of side effects all the way to the max dose. I think you just decide if it's worth trying something based on how shit you're feeling. I guess also I've been fairly lucky so far and haven't had a debilitating effect from any of the meds I've tried. But it's always a risk you're taking.

I'll just say do what you're already doing and do research until you feel comfortable saying yes or no (and feel okay saying mo let's figure something else out, there's actually a ton of of combinations they can also try with other meds you've tolerated or things like ketamine if you haven't gone that route yet). Ask your doctor questions if you feel comfortable (but it's hard to always know what to ask I think). For some people it can be life changing, like a light bulb finally turning on.

 

[LittleJem]

I would count yourself lucky you are being offered this med. It is rare to get it prescribed in most countries. No one knows why! It is probably because of the food interactions but it's not fair that we don't get to try it!

 

[Felodese]

But still depressed every day and don't want to be on this planet as a human. I think it depends on what you're personally hoping a medication will do for you and what other meds haven't been able to help with. I guess that's where hopefully you trust that your doctor knows what they're doing in suggesting this one.

I think you just decide if it's worth trying something based on how shit you're feeling. I guess also I've been fairly lucky so far and haven't had a debilitating effect from any of the meds I've tried. But it's always a risk you're taking.

I'll just say do what you're already doing and do research until you feel comfortable saying yes or no (and feel okay saying mo let's figure something else out, there's actually a ton of of combinations they can also try with other meds you've tolerated or things like ketamine if you haven't gone that route yet). Ask your doctor questions if you feel comfortable (but it's hard to always know what to ask I think). For some people it can be life changing, like a light bulb finally turning on.

I would count yourself lucky you are being offered this med. It is rare to get it prescribed in most countries. No one knows why! It is probably because of the food interactions but it's not fair that we don't get to try it!

This particular doctor is acctually pretty goood. He's willing to try different types of meds and therapis, he got me into a drug trial for pramipexole and tried to get me into one for psilocybin. I've gotten ketamine infusions that help, even though it's only temporary. And he's one of those rare doctors that you can acctually talk to like a normal person, and get proper answers from.
Now he's reaching the "if all else fails" stage in my treatment and that's why parnate is on the table.

I'm not sure how much damage the years of ridiculously high doses of SSRIs - that still didn't make me feel any better - have done tbh. Some meds I've tried have caused extrem anxiety, insomnia, and the usual weight gain and drop in libido - but nothing unusual.

I don't want to get my hopes up too much about miracle cures/pills, but I guess it's worth a try.