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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by david_maclean on July 25, 2003, at 9:51:21
I am quite concerned about taking an MAOI but it really seems the right sort of med for me in terms of helping with my dysthymic mood so I don't really have much alternative.
I would welcome some advice on the rise in BP when taking MAOIs.
I am soon going to start the MAOI medication Nardil (phenelzine) at 15mg a day rising to 60 mg a day if tolerated.
I am a bit worried about the dietary restrictions. Some of the lists of foods to be careful with are so overly comprehensive that in the end they ask for rather too much. I suspect I will have to start to very carefully explore which borderline foods are ok for me and which raise my blood pressure significantly
My doctor who put me on Nardil has said I should monitor my blood pressure in the early stages of taking Nardil. He said that the raised blood pressure is not some sudden spike of blood pressure for 30 minutes or so (which is what I thought it was). He said it was a relatively sustained thing and that the blood pressure may be raised such that if I took two BP readings a day then that would be enough.
Now that is not what I thought.
I had thought that the tyramine content of some foods would interact with the MAOI and cause a blood pressure rise. I had inferred that this might occur 30 minutes or so after eating a meal.
Who is right? Does the rise in BP occur over a short period of time (an hour or so) or over a longer time (5 or 10 hours or so)
This migth sound trivial but it is imoortant for me to know how to monitor my blood pressure.
Thank you for any help!
Posted by mrporter1 on July 25, 2003, at 10:25:25
In reply to How quickly does BP rise with MAOIs?, posted by david_maclean on July 25, 2003, at 9:51:21
I think you might be speaking of two different things. Blood pressure might go up a bit overall when beginning the drug, that's true. But if you eat a "forbidden food" while on an MAOI, it's my experience that your blood pressure can go dangerously high very quickly.
Posted by ross co on July 26, 2003, at 4:18:27
In reply to Re: How quickly does BP rise with MAOIs?, posted by mrporter1 on July 25, 2003, at 10:25:25
IF and a big IF you had a hypertensive crisis your BP will rise extremly fast. DO NOT worry about the diet. i eat everything and im sure alot on this board do to. a crisis is like having 5 cups of coffe my pdoc always said. always carry around PROCARDIA 10mgs bite and swallow and it will bring BP down right away but be careful and drink some juice , sugar after that because it works so well it mihgt bring it down to much.do not worry about the diet just dont drink tap beer, sharp cheeses and sausage.
Posted by mrporter1 on July 26, 2003, at 9:56:56
In reply to Re: How quickly does BP rise with MAOIs?, posted by ross co on July 26, 2003, at 4:18:27
I'm so glad that Ross Co has had no problems, but I need to share that it's often not that simple. Some folks are more sensitive, I think. A very close family member has had 3 hypertensive crises in the past 6 years or so. One was so bad that she lost some of her hearing. Two events resulted from eating (real) balsamic vinegar and a liquor that was hidden in cheesecake. Both restaurant visits where she was assured that all foods were safe. The only thing that helps is a very quick trip to the ED.
I hope you have no problems at all, maybe be extra careful at the beginning...
> IF and a big IF you had a hypertensive crisis your BP will rise extremly fast. DO NOT worry about the diet. i eat everything and im sure alot on this board do to. a crisis is like having 5 cups of coffe my pdoc always said. always carry around PROCARDIA 10mgs bite and swallow and it will bring BP down right away but be careful and drink some juice , sugar after that because it works so well it mihgt bring it down to much.do not worry about the diet just dont drink tap beer, sharp cheeses and sausage.
This is the end of the thread.
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