Posted by crazy777girl on May 13, 2006, at 13:07:48
In reply to Re: EMSAM-Time for next refil, posted by jetcity10 on May 12, 2006, at 19:02:29
Greetings. A search for EMSAM side effect info brought me to this board today, and much helpful insight. My diagnosis; treatment resistant depression (bipolar, a rapid cycler but in a major depressive state for quite some time) I have a knowledgable, well-regarded Dr, (psychopharmacologist) but because all we've tried so far has been only marginally successful, I've opted for a VNS implant. When insurance approval finalizes, I'll be implanted. It sounded like Sci-Fi in the beginning, but now sounds about as crazy as the pharmaceutical cocktail I swallow every day & its multitude of side effects, known & unknown. Which brings me back to my original point; I've developed serious leg cramps, more like lower body aching, hips down, actually, like I've run a marathon. Believe me, I haven't. I also had a mystery swelling in my neck that made breathing & swallowing difficult, just short of the need to take a trip to the ER but I did go to my PCP. He ordered an ultrasound, decided it was a cyst that burst. All coinciding w/ the start of my patch. I have no site irritation, other than it hurts like heck pulling them off. I switch off on the upper arm area. Showering is no issue, but if you pull one slightly off or touch it while applying, forget it - it won't stick. I've used surgical tape in that case, since they're so expensive I didn't want to toss it & start over w/ a new patch even though my insurance covers them, currently. I did read (just today) about the possibility of cysts & muscle "stiffness", but these don't seem to be common side effects, and my Dr. didn't expect me to experience any significant side effects. This is so new, however, how can we really know? I have high hopes for this, as my Dr has another pt with TRD who is also using a similar combination of meds, including EMSAM, and it seemed to be the magic bullet for him. Does anyone have more experience with EMSAM use, or its side effects?
poster:crazy777girl
thread:630549
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060510/msgs/643502.html