[icinggurl]

just wondered if anybody had experience with taking MAOI'S. My shrink mentioned it today since nothing else helps. I've dealt with depression, then bipolar with psychosis for over 30 years. Here's the list of antidepressants. I've tried -Zoloft, cymbalta, paxil, luvox, effexor, celexa, prozac, immipramine and desiprimine. I've also had ECT and TMS and am still strugging. I've also taken a ton of other psych meds such as mood stabilizers, etc.

I'm starting to feel like this is a completely pointless struggle and I'm SO scared that I may live in this condition for the rest of my life. I'm 43. p.s. I'm not suicidal

[Mundane Gryphon]

MAOIs can be helpful in TRD. Many years ago, I took Parnate for a while and did have some lightening of my depression. Unfortunately, I also had issues with dramatic blood pressure drops and had to stop taking it. You're probably aware that there are some pretty drastic food restrictions with the MAOIs. These basically just mean that you have to be very aware of what you're eating. I remember that I accidentally ate some dill dip at a family gathering, forgetting that it included sour cream, which is on the restricted foods list for MAOIs. I got a bit panicky about it, but I apparently hadn't eaten enough to cause problems.

Has your doctor tried you on any combination therapies, where you take a less conventional drug long with a traditional antidepressant? I had the most success with modafanil (Provigil) or Nuvigil, but my current insurance will not cover it now, and even the generic is several hundred dollars a month. I currently take a low dose of Adderall, but that hasn't been helpful at any dose, and I'll be discontinuing it when I see my pdoc later this month. I've also been tried on risperidone (Risperdal), lamotrigine (Lamictal), and Abilify. All of these were attempted in addition to an antidepressant, and while only the Provigil was successful for me, any of them might work for you. This treatment approach might be worth exploring if you've never tried it.

You might also ask your doctor about an older drug called doxepin, which was marketed in the US as Sinequan. This was relatively helpful for me and worked wonders for some other TRD patients I know.

It's a struggle, I know, but there are probably some avenues left for you to explore. Sometimes the hardest thing is to keep your doctor engaged in the fight, so it's good to hear that yours is willing to step off the well-worn SSRI path.

[icinggurl]

Sadly, I've been on all those drugs you mentioned, except the MAOI and Sinequan. I've been taking meds for over 25 years so if it exists, I've probably taken it I've had combo's of antipsychotics and anticonvulsants too. Plus the stimulants, but they either made me feel insane or more tired (wtf?!) I'll check into Sinequan for sure. I have celiac dz which already has a ton of dietary restrictions so that's why I really hesitate to take the MAOI's.

[sideblinded]

Originally Posted by Mundane Gryphon

You might also ask your doctor about an older drug called doxepin, which was marketed in the US as Sinequan. This was relatively helpful for me and worked wonders for some other TRD patients I know.

I was on doxepin for a decade at different strengths. It did wonders for me but it has a side effect that only started to bother me as I got older. It can cause some urinary retention. It is one of the older generation tricyclic antidepressants but it may be worth a try.

[SubliminalThoughts]

I heard that an MAOI called Emsam doesn't have any food restrictions on the lowest dose.

[Altered Moment]

You might try Fetzima first. Best one ever for me after being on all the ones you have and more.

[Altered Moment]

You should ask your doc about ketamine as well.

Antidepressant efficacy of ketamine in treatment-resistant major de... - PubMed - NCBI

Neuropsychopharmacology - Ketamine: Promising Path or False Prophecy in the Development of Novel Therapeutics for Mood Disorders[quest]

Should You Try Ketamine for Depression? | World of Psychology

[vital]

Originally Posted by icinggurl

Additional dx: cluster migraines, celiac, hypothyroid, anemia, gyno issues and the list goes on......

Dear icinggurl,

Did you know that hypothyroidism and digestive issues can cause depression? Your long list of physical problems makes me think that maybe these are the root of your mental issues as well. Please have a look at this video which may give you some ideas of what might be going on

- vital