Hi nycgurl,

Definitely heard of this, and am currently on Parnate which is one of the two MAOIs available in Australia for depression. MAOIs are very well known for helping many patients who have tried and failed on multiple other meds. They are also often good for "atypical depression" which is my problem -(overeating, oversleeping, rejection sensitivity, being able to feel good for a while, yet mostly depressed & often extremely so etc). Parnate would be best for this type of depression as it is generally more activating. And a lot of people find Nardil, (the other MAOI here is Aus), really good for Social Anxiety Disorder. I notice your quote that you were "terribly terribly anxious", and if this is common for you, then suss out Nardil. It is more calming. It does have possible weigh gain issues tho, unlike parnate. On MAOIs, there are dietary restrictions that you have to adhere to because not doing so can potentially cause a hypertensive crisis. I don't find it difficult to adhere to, now and then it's a bugger when eating out though. There are also other medications you can't take in combo with MAOIs including some cold/flu meds, surgery meds etc so always check). You're pdoc will be able to tell you more about these meds and what alternatives there are, it's kind of endless really.

My experience so far, I've had some benefits from this med that no other med has ever given me, but I am still trying to find my right dose, cos if it's too low, the benefits disappear. It can have almost instant effects, (the ones that disappear), but as I am learning, the long term effects dont come for much longer and you have to be patient in between which is, as you would know, extremely difficult. Side effects have been really hard too, (but thank goodness, they also mostly disappear with time) but I believe in this med, so I'm sticking with it. I have had postural hypotension (dizzy/feel like blacking out when you get up suddenly), severe afternoon fatigue, and insomnia which I have had to add another med to help. One day, I am going to make it to my right dose (have to do it slowly cos of the side effects) and I think I'll be so much better off.

Hope this helps, of course, everyone's different and the only person who can work with you on your decision whether or not to go down this path is your pdoc. If you want more info about peoples experiences or the diet, etc google parnate or nardil or social anxiety or "updated maoi diet restricted food list" or maoi reviews.

Good luck