Posted by RobertDavid on May 1, 2006, at 1:13:54
In reply to Re: EMSAM-Time for next refil » RobertDavid, posted by jetcity10 on May 1, 2006, at 0:48:16
> Rob, congratulations! One question for you or others on the patch: Have you had one yet that didn't stick? The other day I had one where half of it wouldn't stick. The instructions say to use another one put at the cost per patch I ended up taping it on with medical tape. I was just curious if anyone else has had a similar problem.
>
> This Wednesday I will start week 3. It is by far the best response I have had with any med and while I have significant anxiety I can't help but believe some of it is related to the fact that I have been depressed most of my life and I don't have a clue how to live not feeling depressed. At 2.5 weeks the side effect of poor sleep continues but since I have increased energy during the day, I feel better than I did when I was sleeping more. There is also the anxiety, but I am more than willing to deal with it.
Congrats on your great start. Only a couple of times have I had a very limited part of the patch come off, just the edges. I have yet to need to "re patch" though. It's stayed on after a big sweat from exersize, from bathing or from being in a jacuzzi, but those were the occations I noticed it wasn't quite as "stuck" at least by the next morning.I make sure I put my patch on just after showering in the morning and making sure I'm dry. I also make sure I don't have any lotion on the area I apply the patch and it's washed to get rid of any oil. I have found that there are a few area's like my stomach where it sticks tighter to the point it's harder to take off.
I also slap it kind of hard after applying to get a good seal. At this point I'm so happy with it that part of the reason I slap it on so hard is I want the med to really soak through, get working which is quite a contrast from any mental thoughts I've had with taking any other medicine. I have this sense that "it's good for me", must be to have my dark cloud lifted.
Perhaps I'm not having anxiety issues as I take klonopin with it (but am slowly reducing dose). And the further out I get the better I sleep. I have on a few occations added lunesta when I really had to get up early and needed a good nights sleep, but otherwise regardles of how well I sleep I seem to have good mood and energy through the day.
Lastly something I've noticed. The few occations I've gone out drinking the typical next day blues aren't there (not sure that's a good thing for me). I used to feel quite depressed and anxious the next day after going out and having a few. I really notice a difference which shows me how much it's helping my dysthimia and anxiety.
Anyway, sounds like a very positive start and my guess is that you're body will adjust to it and you'll start sleeping better. For me when I sleep better my anxiety goes way down. Perhaps you might try ambien or lunesta a few nights to get you through these next few weeks. Otherwise if you don't take a benzo, perhaps you could short term to help out a little bit with anxiety and sleep. Just a thought. I'm glad you're doing better! Rob
poster:RobertDavid
thread:630549
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060429/msgs/638656.html