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Re: EMSAM updates please

Posted by mayzee on August 18, 2006, at 20:36:00

In reply to EMSAM updates please, posted by Phillipa on August 17, 2006, at 23:58:20

Hi Phillipa, I think you know my story already, but will recap it here and add the latest.

Today is my 89th day on Emsam. I had 7 weeks at the 6mg patch... felt more tired & depressed; had only 1 really good day (day 5). Side effects were initial insomnia that eased into sleep fragmentation, orthostatic hypotension, minor GI discomfort, flatulence.

Then did 20 days on the 9mg patch. On the 9th, 10th & 11th day I felt much better; had much more energy and better mood; really got my hopes up that this was starting to work. Unfortunately that's when the real problems with low blood pressure kicked in: dizzyness, dimmed vision, headache, nausea, and extreme fatigue. Had to back down to 6mg.

So today is my 20th day back down at 6mg. The bad blood pressure side effects are gone, although now that I own a monitor I can see that my bp is still lower than normal (today it was 87/58 but no dizzyness, etc.)

Emsam has dramatically affected my sleep. I used to be hypersomniac and would sleep most of the day and all night. Now I am sleeping much, much less. Unfortunately, I'm not sleeping well at night so I usually have to take an afternoon nap. I've tried .5mg Klonopin and 25mg benedryl and they help a little but I still wake up frequently. I have to say I haven't really given it a long trial with either sleep aid; just a night here and there.

I think Emsam is helping somewhat with my depression. I don't have as many "I wish I were dead" thoughts as I usually do. (when I don't have any then I know I'm really doing better)

This past week I had a consult with a pdoc who wants me to try adding Ritalin to the 6mg Emsam. He said he hopes the Ritalin might 1) enhance the antidepressant effect of Ensam, 2) improve my energy & alertness, and 3) maybe increase my bp a bit. So when I can get myself out to get the prescription filled, that's what I'm going to try. He wants me to start really low on the ritalin (5mg or even 2.5mg) because he said it might make me too anxious/nervous. I've never had a stimulant before.

So that's the scoop. Oh, and I really want to try the anti-adhesive stuff that Jost recommended. Just in the past few weeks it seems that the redness/irritation from the patch sites is taking longer to clear up. I have red marks all over the place even though I'm using OTC hydrocortisone cream. When I first started on Emsam it seemed like the redness was gone the next day. I never put the patch back in the same place till all redness is gone. Maybe it's the hot weather? Dunno.

Anyway Phillipa, hope you give Emsam a try soon and then you can report your progress for us here!

Wishing you the best,
mayzee


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poster:mayzee thread:677643
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060818/msgs/677931.html