Posted by floatingbridge on July 2, 2011, at 18:16:45
In reply to Encouragement - Emsam, posted by lepus on July 2, 2011, at 13:36:16
Lepus, I have been wondering how you are. It's good to hear from you.
First, you need emsam support. Tell us if you have a script?
This is how I managed my fears about starting. I cut the patch into thirds. You can make any size you feel comfortable with. If you are very hesitant, try a forth.
There is no reason not to cut them--it does not interfere with delivery. My very cautious pdoc called the rep (!) to make sure. So it's officially unofficially acknowledged as far as I'm concerned.I found my upper arm best. The skin seemed bit tougher there, and I was worried about a rash (which I did not get).
Second, for myself, most hospitals are not great for an anxious person unless they are also in other danger. My opinion. I found this out once. I ended up with my first absolutely blown worst panic attack in the hospital for very similar reasons. There was no one to talk to, my meds became mechanically distributed. All I could think of was that I had to get out of there asap, and if I didn't calm down, 'they' would know I was 'crazy' and keep me.
I am very very sorry you had to go through your experince!
To date, my best treatment was a day hospital program. That is what I was released into. There were women there who at the drop of a hat would begin to panic, and it was o.k. Those of us who were fine offered support. The staff, like a trained rn's and psychologist and psychiatrists understood and would talk people through it. We might have to go get our own water, but a very understanding person would just quietly and reassuring walk with anyone if they needed.
Let us know about your med situation, please. Very glad to hear from you!
> After a horrible stay in the hospital I have to start Emsam on my own. Very nervous about it. Any encouraging words? FB?
>
> I can't believe the state of psychiatric care. I thought I was so lucky to get a hospital bed. But no, it was like winning the lottery in a Shirley Jackson book. My meds were always late (not good with Klonopin). The way they dealt with my severe agoraphobia was to tell me that I would not get food or my meds unless I could walk to the nurse's station and cafeteria. If I had panic and had to retreat then too bad - I won't be eating that meal. I went without breakfast and lunch more than once. My meds they only threatened to not give me; it never happened, except the first morning when my Klonopin was horribly late, sending me into withdrawal symptoms. One night I had a terrible panic attack. I rang the nurse. She yelled at me for using the call button. I said I'm having a terrible panic attack, I can't walk to the nurse's station, please get me my Ativan. She did. The Ativan didn't work so I rang her again. More yelling and then she told me there was nothing she could do for me and left. She left a shaking, sobbing person there to deal with the attack completely alone. She wouldn't even get me ice water.
>
> I checked myself out yesterday. Using the threat of no food or meds unless you can get places is just cruel. Worst of all they did nothing to help me get to these places. Didn't walk with me, nothing. Just yelled. In one day I was supposed to go from being totally agoraphobic to being able to move about anywhere with ease when nothing had changed; no new meds, no new therapy, nothing. Just threats of no food and no meds unless I magically cured myself.
>
> I'm so despondent right now. Then the fear of taking the Emsam isn't helping. I feel like God, and even man, has completely abandoned me.
poster:floatingbridge
thread:989991
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110630/msgs/990000.html