Phenelzine and Swelling: What Users Say

• ste...
• September 3, 2018

Phenelzine for Depression "It turned my life around while I was on it. From severe depression and social anxiety to feeling okay(!) and loving to socialize. I never had problems with the food restrictions. There's a shorter list out now that's more accurate. I was never a drinker, so I didn't miss that. You can't take cold medicines, but that's a small price to pay if you're really suffering from depression. I went off of it after 7 years due to the side effects of weight gain and edema in both legs. This might have been managed by sticking to a low-carb diet and not giving in to sugar cravings. (Note on withdrawal: I had incredibly vivid, terrible nightmares when withdrawing. Adding Clonazepam shut them down.) I'm now trying to get back on Nardil. Unfortunately, my old psychiatrist retired, and I'm having a hard time finding a new one who will prescribe it. This was the only med I took that made me feel more like myself, not less. I miss it."

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2016

Phenelzine for Depression "I am currently taking 15 mg three times per day (total of 45 mg). The first month was the worst. The main side effect that I had was body aches and muscle stiffness that never lessened. Once a month passed, the body aches went away and I noticed a faint constant headache. After about a week, that went away too. The only side effect I notice now (after 2 months on Nardil) is a pounding headache lasting 10 seconds, lightheadedness when I get up to stand from lying down, and swelling. I give it 4/10 because it has made my suicidal thoughts disappear, and I am less teary and emotional. It has not helped my overall mood or general sense of well-being. I find the dietary restrictions hard to follow."

• my1...
• April 20, 2010

Phenelzine for Migraine Prevention "My neurologist prescribed Nardil approximately 4-5 years ago as a last effort to control my migraine headaches. This drug has worked better than all others tried at preventing migraines, but not without some annoying side effects such as weight gain, edema in lower legs and arms, some mild memory problems, and probably most annoying is the caution exercised regarding medications and foods that are to be avoided while taking Nardil. I've gone off of it once, and it was a nightmare, it made me very sick and weak. I eventually got off of it totally for several weeks, but the migraines came back with a vengeance, so I had to go back on the Nardil. I'm considering going off of it again soon simply because of the weight gain and edema."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 13, 2020

For Depression "I have TRD, MDD and failed every SSRI, SNRI, several TCAs, trazodone, Wellbutrin, ECT. On phenelzine, I woke up not just able to face the day, but happy to. I had severe orthostatic hypotension. MD advised compression tights, extra salt, more fluids. That wasn’t enough. I took fludrocortisone and midodrine and eventually was able to dc them and maintain BP. Later, I had neuro symptoms and swelling in my hands and feet. Negative workups for various problems. It was suggested phenelzine was the issue. I decreased it and problems resolved. Decreasing it was hell. MDD returned with crippling anxiety. Turns out I didn’t need to decrease as the problem was not a direct effect of phenelzine. MD did not reduce from max to a maintenance dose, and phenelzine causes pyridoxine (B6) deficiency, which explains all the neuro and joint issues. I could have taken a supplement. If it works for you, work with MD to manage side effects before dc’ing."