Posted by Oppycat on May 29, 2006, at 16:11:21
In reply to Questions for long term MAOI users, posted by nickguy on May 29, 2006, at 14:31:40
> I'd a little hesistant about taking an MAOI. I know they're not as dangerous as they're played out to be if you follow the guidelines, but a few things bother me. For those of you who have taken or are taking maoi's over a long period of time (a few years atleast), how much do the restrictions bother you? Do any of you drink or did drink before you went on, and how has that effected you? What the heck do you do when you get sick (colds and coughs)? What are you supposed to do when you need surgery or go to the emergency room ( concerning painkillers) ?
>
> I'd really appreciate some feedback. thanks guys.Up until about 3 months ago, I had taken Parnate for most of the past 17 years. Although I followed the diet fairly strictly in the beginning, as I began doing more research, I discovered that many of the foods and beverages that were previously listed as ones to be avoided were now allowed. Occasionally, doctors would also tell me about a new study that concluded so-and-so food was ok. I also began having small portions of some of the still forbidden foods. Eventually, I began eating some of them with some regularity and in larger portions. I pretty much followed the same pattern with beverages. Initially, my pdoc told me that one glass of white was ok. Eventually, I drank considerably more than that and I have probably averaged 3 glasses per day for several years. On rare occasions, I'm sure I've consumed a couple bottles of wine and several glasses of cognac in an evening with no ill effects (except for an awful hangover). I'm sure I've repeated the same behavior with red wine a number of times with a similar effect (no hypertensive reaction, but expected hangover). I'm not bragging, merely trying to convey that I've consumed most kinds of alcholic beverages without incident. I do believe, however, that my nagging depression over the past several years is due, in some part, to my regular drinking. Given some time, I could probably come up with a list of foods and beverages that I've had over that period that I was supposed to avoid. I did avoid foods that I didn't care for (who wouldn't?), along with some others that were easy to give up. I never drank much beer so I generally avoided it. Fortunately, I never needed much non-prescription medicine, but never had any problem with tylenol and that sort of thing. After some dental surgery and a back injury, I've have taken tylenol 3 and percoset, again without incident. Please remember, though, your mileage may vary. I will say this, however, the dietary restrictions are way overblown and shouldn't stop anyone from taken MAOIs for depression. The side effects are quite minimal, especially with Parnate. I hope this helps.
Michael
poster:Oppycat
thread:650144
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060525/msgs/650162.html