QUESTION:

Dear Dr. Heller,

Hello, I am currently a suffer of "Chronic Severe Depression" and have been on a drug called "Nardil", a.k.a.; Phenelzine Sulfate for over 12 years. If you are familiar with this drug, you must know about the severe side effects (drug/food restrictions, etc.) Do you know of any other people who may also be on this drug??? I can't seem to find anyone else who is being treated with it and I'd like to possibly find out how they are coping with these side effects, or if they had any other drug work for them, etc. I would very much appreciate a response at your earliest convenience.

Thank you.

ANSWER:

MAO inhibitors are very difficult medications to prescribe and to take. They are dangerous - particularly when taking other medications and when with tyramine containing food restrictions. They have been shown to work, and can be effective for BPD rejection sensitivity. The individual has to wait weeks before starting many other medications.

Because of the side effects, drug interactions and potential for lethality, I don’t use them--especially for those with the BPD. There may be a support group on line for those taking MAO inhibitors, but I don’t know of any.

Almost everyone I’ve seen with "Chronic Severe Depression" had comorbid diagnoses - particularly the BPD. The screening test I use for my patients may be useful in this regard.

I believe strongly in making all the diagnoses and treating them comprehensively. It’s extremely unusual for an individual to not get out of their depressions when all the diagnoses are treated comprehensively, including chronic BPD dysphoria (anxiety, rage, depression and despair).