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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Nardil

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Posted on Thu, 25 Sep 2014
Question: I have been taking Nardil (an Moa inhibitor) for almost 30 years. I want to get off this medication and find out what I'm really like. I have also tried ECT during the last several months without apparent results. I think I need to find a pyschiatrist with the expertise to advise me and guide me through the process but I don't know how to find someone with the necessary expertise in Northern California. Can you give me some advice or recommend a doctor? Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Clarifications

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for using health care magic for posting your query.

I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.

However I would require a couple of more details to help you in answering your query in a better justified way.

1. You have mentioned that you have tried ects couple of months ago with no good response. Should i assume that you are still having depresssion.
2. If you are still having depression, why do you want to go off your medicines?

Hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.

Regards and wish you good health,



Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD

Neuro-Psychiatrist and Sexologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (46 minutes later)
I'd like to find out if I still need them. I'd also like to see if there are newer meds which might help me. The Nardil doesn't cause me to experience any XXXXXXX It just keeps me functional. Also Dr. Weill in his book on Spontaneous Happiness states that:

"Long-term use of anti depressant drugs may actually prolong depression, a problem recently termed "tar dive dysphoria ....the body responds by making less seratonin and dropping serotoniin receptors, changes that do not quickly reverse when the drugs are discontinued. " (p.110- Spontaneous Happiness)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You may try switching

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the additional information.
30 years is definately a long period for depression treatment and you should consider withdrawing your antidepressants gradually. You may observe yourself on being without antidepressant. Meanwhile you can try to maintain a healthy lifestyle like regular exercising or walk with regular appetite. If necessary switching to a different group of antidepressants which is safer to use may be recomended if the depressive symptoms return. For example the available options are effexor , pristiq or mirtazapine. All these medicines are good and effective. However you should start them, if required, only after 14 days of washout of your earlier mao inhibitor.
However I woukd sugges that while you are trying to withdraw yourself from medications, keep your local psychiatrist informed.
Hope this helps.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2770 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Nardil

Brief Answer: Clarifications Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for using health care magic for posting your query. I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through. However I would require a couple of more details to help you in answering your query in a better justified way. 1. You have mentioned that you have tried ects couple of months ago with no good response. Should i assume that you are still having depresssion. 2. If you are still having depression, why do you want to go off your medicines? Hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience. Regards and wish you good health, Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD Neuro-Psychiatrist and Sexologist