[lindee]

My doctor just put me on Nardil, an MAOI. Am freaked out about not being able to find a definitive source for an up to date list of the foods that I can and can't eat. I have found several lists but they contradict each other! One says a food is safe and another list says that it is to be avoided! I am so upset. I am more depressed now than I was before I went to my doctor!
I think I have to throw out most of the food in my cupboards according to the lists! Boxes and cans of all kinds of things. My husband is getting upset at my doctor. He hates to see me upset.

Does someone know of an up to date list of banned and allowed foods?? Something from the 21st century. My doctor just gave me a short list that that she got off of the internet that says "ask your doctor for a complete list of foods to avoid while you're taking MAOIs."!

Look at the recommendations that should be printed on the detail sheet made by the manufacturer that should come with your prescription. If you don't have one, go to the website for the med. There should be one there.

[Yoda]

I am on a different MAOI and I also found contradictory info. Most annoying. I do eat foods with tyramine but I eat small portions plus I monitor my heart rate and BP and so far I have had no adverse effects.

[VickiesPath]

I used to take Nardil. I would go with the insert from the manufacturer.

Also, here's a tip. Most of those lists contain yeast. You kinda have to use your head about stuff. For example, fresh bread from the bakery that does not contain preservatives if left in the fridge will become yeasty over time. I once ate a peanut butter sandwich and the peanut butter overpowered the taste of the yeast and I ended up in the ER. Really made me mad.

One of the things I did that really helped me was I bought a wrist BP cuff to keep around. Also, I asked my doctor for a particular heart med that drops the BP really fast when you place it under the tounge. It saves a trip to the ER.

Also, wear one of those MedicAlert bracelets or necklaces that says you take an MAOI. In emergency situations, EMT's use epinephrine to boost a weak heartbeat. That medicine will cause a hypertensive crisis if you are on an MAOI. So you need to wear the MedicAlert warning. If they use it on you, you could have a stroke. So, it's worth the cost.

[deliquesce]

i'm on parnate - a different MAOI but (as i understand it) subject to the same food restrictions.

first up, vickiespath is right - get a medicalert bracelet to protect yourself should you be in a situation where epinephrine may be administered. and a card in your wallet outlining dr's number, meds&dosage, emergency contact etc.

i'm in the process of getting a BP cuff which i will start to take around with me everywhere. i have asthma and i find it difficult to distinguish between what is an asthma attack (which i can manage myself) or what is a hypertensive crisis. the last time i ate something "wrong" (and i still cant identify what it was), i assumed i was having an asthma attack but woke up 6hrs late with blood all over my face. a bp monitor will help so much in these situations.

re: up to date resources. these are the two i work most of my diet around, although a lot of it was hit & miss in the very early stages (e.g., i wen to Maccas and took out the cheese, but forgot the pickle). but these two sites are probably the most comprehensive & useful info i can find for a beginner. unfortunately, most of it will be a case of learning for yourself. for what it's worth:
http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/maois/maois_info2.shtml
http://www.fdnow.org/images/TyramineFreeListLK.pdf

if you have any further q's, please let me know!! Parnate has been the only drug that has worked for me (and turned my life around), so it looks like i'm on it for the long haul.

[Perna]

http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/patient_ed...ient/maoi1.pdf

Yes, I would go with the Government's list as they tend to be most conservative.

[lindee]

Thanks for everyones help. I REALLY appreciate all the information. We went to buy groceries over the weekend and spent close to 3 hours in the store. Spent mostly reading labels. I sure hope Nardil is worth all the trouble.

Thank you all for the help.
lindee