I'm surprised not tried

I am new here, and I have been browsing a bit on this Treatment Resistant Depression forum in part because I was curious if a certain class of medications were brought up here at all. Granted, I didn't read even most of the posts, but the ones I did, there was no sign of the medications.

I have found this to be true more times than I can count. I have two reactions inside - first, I feel badly for the person with depression, and how hopeless they must feel, and second, I feel anger toward their doctors who have neglected to at least TRY this class of medications when all else has failed!

First of all, I know about treatment resistant depression because that is me! Twenty-six years ago, after 10-12 medications (not near as many as some of you), but only about 9 months after starting the medication search; my provider (an ARNP with much extra mental health training) referred me to a Psychiatrist (temporarily) because she wanted me to try an MAOI. He tried one more other medication first, then decided to put me on Nardil (MAOI) since nothing else was working.

Within 2 weeks, I KNEW this was the right med for me! A few weeks later, he sent me back to my ARNP to manage my meds, and I was on Nardil successfully for 26 years (along with lithium for the same amount of time). About 9 months ago, I had to switch from Nardil to Marplan (another MAOI) because Nardil was starting to become ineffective for me, and I was experiencing high adrenaline levels (not a common side effect).

So I guess my question is - has any of your doctors suggested or tried any of the MAOI medications since nothing else has been working for you?

MAOI's were the first type of antidepressants developed, but are not prescribed as often as they used to be because of certain food and drug interactions that could cause ones blood pressure to spike. That sounds scary, yes? It is if you were to neglect/ignore the precautions. The foods that are restricted in varying levels are foods that are high in Tyramine, which for me, didn't restrict my diet hardly at all. A list of those foods can be found online if you search MAOI diet.

Re the drug interactions - again, is not a problem as long as you are a responsible person and inform (loudly if need be) any and every doctor you see that you are taking an MAOI so they don't inadvertently prescribe something that interacts with your med.

So yes, and legitimately so with some people, MAOI's are typically last resort meds because of their potential side effects. If they have a patient who may not be "with it" enough to be responsible about the foods and other drugs, then it wouldn't be ethical to prescribe that person with an MAOI at that point.

What about you? I don't know how accurate this stat is, but I read somewhere that about 56% of people who are treatment resistant respond well to MAOI's.

I would encourage everyone this applies to, to talk with your psychiatrist about MAOI's and the possibility of you trying them. I'm not saying they will work for everyone who is treatment resistant, but if there's a chance it might work - i'd be biting at the bit for it. Just be informed! Take seriously food and drug interactions.

I know this was very wordy - I apologize for that - I'm not very good and using few words. lol

I sincerely empathize with you, for even though I may not have had to go as many years before finding the right treatment for me as some of you have, I still do know what it's like.

There IS hope! Hold onto it with all your heart, and never give up!

Debbie



“To conquer others is to have power; to conquer yourself is to know the way.”

Hello Debbie: Thanks for sharing your experiences! I see this is your first post here on PC. So... to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

Thanks for the welcome.

Ooops, I made a mistake in that I think my first post was supposed to be in the New Members section. I apologize.

Debbie

My doctor tried MAOI's and they didn't help. I'm still trying to find something that works. I have been on more meds than I care to think about. Actually, tricyclics are the oldest of the meds for depression and that is what I will be trying next.

I'm sorry the MAOI you tried didn't work for you. but I hope whatever tricyclic your doctor prescribes will work! I know how hard and discouraging it can be trying med after med.

Hang in there!
Debbie