Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 630549

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Re: Side Effects » pederspd

Posted by SFY on May 23, 2006, at 15:40:29

In reply to Side Effects, posted by pederspd on May 23, 2006, at 10:13:20

> Spoke with my doc the other day about the itching/rash type side effects and using benadryl cream. She said the pharm. reps say no because of the whole thing about not taking cold and decongestions. The recommendation is cortisone or hydrocortisone cream.

There isn't a blanket prohibition on taking cold medications.

From the EMSAM insert: "As with other MAOI’s, EMSAM is contraindicated for use with sympathomimetic amines, including
amphetamines as well as cold products and weight-reducing preparations that contain vasoconstrictors (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, and ephedrine)."

In addition the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, which is found in many cold medications, is also contraindicated.

However, there is no prohibition or adverse reaction listed for diphenhydramine the active ingredient in Benadryl. This is especially true when it is a locally applied topical cream that has little chance of getting into your bloodstream.

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day

Posted by stabb on June 9, 2006, at 22:23:49

In reply to EMSAM - First Day, posted by RobertDavid on April 8, 2006, at 11:15:36

new to board...just wondering how those who recently started with the patch are doing. there hasn't been many posts of late. all the best to everyone!

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day

Posted by stabb on June 10, 2006, at 1:13:57

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day, posted by stabb on June 9, 2006, at 22:23:49

sorry everyone...just read all recent posts

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day » stabb

Posted by Donna Louise on June 10, 2006, at 6:42:22

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day, posted by stabb on June 9, 2006, at 22:23:49

> new to board...just wondering how those who recently started with the patch are doing. there hasn't been many posts of late. all the best to everyone!

Welcome to the board, Stabb. I hope you are well.
I am not as good as I had hoped to be by now. I have increased the dose to 9mg for about two weeks now. I do have energy which is a great change from fighting or being asleep all the time. I have gotten alot done. But I am still somewhat depressed. The anxiety is better too but not as good as I had hoped. I see the pdoc Wed. and see what she advises. Something more needs to be done I am afraid. It could be I am just in a down type cycle and I will be better any moment. The most upsetting thing to me is I get angry so easily. I big explosion and then it is over. That is what I am like if I am not on medicine and I am afraid tht is what I will be like if the medicine doesn't numb me out. I like that the patch doesn't do that but I am left with these rage attacks and residual depression. sigh.

Donna

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day

Posted by stabb on June 10, 2006, at 9:29:31

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day » stabb, posted by Donna Louise on June 10, 2006, at 6:42:22


Donna, thank you for your honesty. i have been on a host of ADs over the course of the last ten years with different degees of effectiveness - none really all that great. the best of the bunch have been effexor, cymbalta, and lexapro. each seemed to poop out after a year or so. i am currently taking lexapro -second time around- and mirapex - my doc said it has been helpful in augmenting for those with recurrent depression and anxiety. I have been now on these for a little over a week and really feel like a zombie - just in a fog. the lexapro doesn't seem to help at all after having success the first time and this other drug just seems to cloud everthing up. any suggestions from anyone out there? take care and all the best!

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day » stabb

Posted by Donna Louise on June 10, 2006, at 14:35:07

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day, posted by stabb on June 10, 2006, at 9:29:31

>
> Donna, thank you for your honesty. i have been on a host of ADs over the course of the last ten years with different degees of effectiveness - none really all that great. the best of the bunch have been effexor, cymbalta, and lexapro. each seemed to poop out after a year or so. i am currently taking lexapro -second time around- and mirapex - my doc said it has been helpful in augmenting for those with recurrent depression and anxiety. I have been now on these for a little over a week and really feel like a zombie - just in a fog. the lexapro doesn't seem to help at all after having success the first time and this other drug just seems to cloud everthing up. any suggestions from anyone out there? take care and all the best!

Hey Stabb, I am afraid I sounded so negative about the patch in my earlier post. I am so moody, one minute I am depressed, the next I feel pretty good. I am feeling pretty good now and even when I am not, I am still very hopeful for the patch. It is the best one I have taken since paxil pooped out on my way back in the mid '90's and I have taken a bunch of others with a bunch of augmentation, ad nauseum. So, really, although not perfect, and that is part of my problem, wanting perfection, the patch is still doing good by me.

Donna

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day

Posted by stabb on June 10, 2006, at 14:53:27

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day » stabb, posted by Donna Louise on June 10, 2006, at 14:35:07

Donna-
thanks for getting back to me as I am in a pretty anxious state right now....i think it is from the mirapex. sounds like you are headed in the right direction w/the patch. I am hopeful for you.

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day » stabb

Posted by Donna Louise on June 11, 2006, at 18:43:56

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day, posted by stabb on June 10, 2006, at 14:53:27

> Donna-
> thanks for getting back to me as I am in a pretty anxious state right now....i think it is from the mirapex. sounds like you are headed in the right direction w/the patch. I am hopeful for you.

I understand that anxiety, it is very disconcerting to say the least. I, as do others, take klonopin with the patch and it seems to be working pretty good the last I heard. Robert David was having some good results, I have not read the whole board in awhile so I don't know if he has been posting or not but you could read his reports in the archives. Some of us just need a good benzo for the pesky anxiety.

Donna

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day » RobertDavid

Posted by ette on July 18, 2006, at 18:03:13

In reply to EMSAM - First Day, posted by RobertDavid on April 8, 2006, at 11:15:36

Hi. I just started the 9 mg patch three days ago. Previous to that, I was on the 6 mg patch. I've noticed that I'm having a hard time adapting to the 9 mg patch. I've nauseous, dizzy, and very tired. The first night, I had a very difficult time staying awake, and felt extremely dizzy and nauseous. I think I'm slowly adapating to the change in medication. Has anyone experienced these changes when going up in dosage? Thanks.

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day

Posted by mayzee on July 18, 2006, at 22:10:50

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day » RobertDavid, posted by ette on July 18, 2006, at 18:03:13

I'm in my 9th day at 9mg (after 7 weeks at 6mg). When I went up in dose I got a resurge in the side effects I'd had when starting: insomnia, GI discomfort, orthostatic hypotension. I have been very tired since the start so that wasn't new. Haven't had any nausea. The past few days I've had a few episodes of feeling spacey, light-headed, not quite dizzy, but a little out-of-it.

But today I feel a little better. Despite lack of sleep, felt more up today and able to get some things done. Dare I hope?

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day

Posted by SLS on July 19, 2006, at 6:08:31

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day, posted by mayzee on July 18, 2006, at 22:10:50

Don't let insomnia be the thing that stops you. There are too many ways to treat it.

It can take 3-4 weeks for an antidepressant to work from the time you start the right dosage, so the clock really started 9 days ago. Anything shorter than that is a gift.

Good luck.


- Scott

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day » ette

Posted by Donna Louise on July 19, 2006, at 7:20:31

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day » RobertDavid, posted by ette on July 18, 2006, at 18:03:13

> Hi. I just started the 9 mg patch three days ago. Previous to that, I was on the 6 mg patch. I've noticed that I'm having a hard time adapting to the 9 mg patch. I've nauseous, dizzy, and very tired. The first night, I had a very difficult time staying awake, and felt extremely dizzy and nauseous. I think I'm slowly adapating to the change in medication. Has anyone experienced these changes when going up in dosage? Thanks.

I have gone from 6 to 9 and now am on 12mg I guess for about a month, I loose track. Anyway, I have not had any of those side effects and have had none on dosage increase. the higher I go, the less irritable I am which is the only thing that is bothersome. And as Scott said about insomnia, that is no reason to stop it, there are too many ways to treat irritability, Lamicatl doin a good job of that for me. I am getting alot more benefits than the one side effect of irritablity. I hope that gives you some hope.

donna

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day » ette

Posted by mayzee on July 19, 2006, at 8:57:47

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day » RobertDavid, posted by ette on July 18, 2006, at 18:03:13

How long were you on the 6mg patch?
Did you have any side effects at 6mg?

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day » mayzee

Posted by ette on July 19, 2006, at 9:08:45

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day » ette, posted by mayzee on July 19, 2006, at 8:57:47

In response to the questions as to whether I had side effects at the 6 mg dose -- yes, in the beginning, I felt nauseous and dizzy, but the effects were less than when I started the 9 mg dose. I think I'm adapting to the 9 mg dose now. I'm still tired, a lot, now. However, I have Fibromyalgia, Diabetes, and a host of other conditions which contribute to tiredness, event though those conditions are under very good control. It's interesting -- since being on EMSAM, I have not had insomnia -- a condition that I suffered with when I took other antidepressants. Time will tell as I continue on in my journey with EMSAM.

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia?

Posted by mayzee on July 19, 2006, at 9:12:31

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day, posted by SLS on July 19, 2006, at 6:08:31

Since hypersomnia has always been my problem, this insomnia thing is totally new to me. I've never taken any kind of sleep aid.

What would be the first thing to try?

My problem is that I'm now waking up 4-6 times a night. Usually I can fall back to sleep, but my sleep is very restless. Also, I feel tired during the day, but then more alert/awake at bedtime so I end up staying up too late; not having enough sleep time. (When I first started on 6mg, and since I upped to 9mg, I've had more nights when I had a lot of trouble falling asleep or back to sleep, but I think that will wear off like it did after a few weeks on 6mg)

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia? » mayzee

Posted by SFY on July 19, 2006, at 12:21:02

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia?, posted by mayzee on July 19, 2006, at 9:12:31

> Since hypersomnia has always been my problem, this insomnia thing is totally new to me. I've never taken any kind of sleep aid.
>
> What would be the first thing to try?
>
> My problem is that I'm now waking up 4-6 times a night. Usually I can fall back to sleep, but my sleep is very restless. Also, I feel tired during the day, but then more alert/awake at bedtime so I end up staying up too late; not having enough sleep time. (When I first started on 6mg, and since I upped to 9mg, I've had more nights when I had a lot of trouble falling asleep or back to sleep, but I think that will wear off like it did after a few weeks on 6mg)

Some people have found relief from insomnia by taking the patch off at night. I've been taking generic Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for my early morning awakening issues. I believe others have found success with Seroquel.

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia?

Posted by Phillipa on July 19, 2006, at 19:57:12

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia? » mayzee, posted by SFY on July 19, 2006, at 12:21:02

Robert David uses two mg of klonopin for sleep. Love Phillipa

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia? » SFY

Posted by mayzee on July 20, 2006, at 12:24:59

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia? » mayzee, posted by SFY on July 19, 2006, at 12:21:02

SFY, Thanks for your reply.

Is it OK to take Benadryl with EMSAM? For some reason I thought that was a no no.

I've read posts about Seroquel success, I just thought that might not be a good first choice; that there might be other less heavy duty (less scary to me) things to try first.

Thanks,
mayzee


>
> Some people have found relief from insomnia by taking the patch off at night. I've been taking generic Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for my early morning awakening issues. I believe others have found success with Seroquel.
>

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia? » Phillipa

Posted by mayzee on July 20, 2006, at 12:35:39

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia?, posted by Phillipa on July 19, 2006, at 19:57:12

Would that be a good first thing to try for help with sleep? I thought that Robert David used klonopin for anxiety, but I may be wrong.

I wondered if I'd be better off trying one of the drugs that are specifically targeted for sleep problems first (ambien? lunesta? I only know about them from the advertisements). I guess like everything, everyone has their own reaction and this would be another trial & error thing.

I am a scaredy cat re. taking drugs and I hate the idea of having to take a drug to treat a drug-induced side effect. But today is the 3rd day in a row that I'm feeling a little bit better (knock wood) so if EMSAM turns out to be the AD that actually works for me, I expect I'll be ready to take a sleep aid if necessary.

Thanks for your reply!

mayzee


> Robert David uses two mg of klonopin for sleep. Love Phillipa

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia?

Posted by RobertDavid on July 20, 2006, at 13:09:18

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia? » Phillipa, posted by mayzee on July 20, 2006, at 12:35:39

> Would that be a good first thing to try for help with sleep? I thought that Robert David used klonopin for anxiety, but I may be wrong.
>

I take klonopin for SAD, however I have no doubt it helps with sleep and probably some of the side effects others feel from EMSAM such as agitation.

To sleep better at least until your body adjusts I'd recommend going with lunests, ambien, restoril, seroquel, benedryl, a benzo, whatever works best for you. It's trial and error.

In time you may find you can take less and less of the sleeping aids and perhaps get all the way off them. I no longer need any, though I take the patch off at night. Good luck everyone!

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia? » mayzee

Posted by SFY on July 20, 2006, at 13:51:19

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia? » SFY, posted by mayzee on July 20, 2006, at 12:24:59

> SFY, Thanks for your reply.
>
> Is it OK to take Benadryl with EMSAM? For some reason I thought that was a no no.
>
> I've read posts about Seroquel success, I just thought that might not be a good first choice; that there might be other less heavy duty (less scary to me) things to try first.
>
> Thanks,
> mayzee

No, Benadryl is fine with EMSAM. (In fact, topical Benadryl is one of the recommended treatments when EMSAM causes skin irritation.)

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia? » RobertDavid

Posted by Phillipa on July 20, 2006, at 20:04:05

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia?, posted by RobertDavid on July 20, 2006, at 13:09:18

Rob Congratulations!!!!!! I know that was your goal. Love Phillipa When you get the time E-mail and update me okay?

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia?

Posted by ttee on July 21, 2006, at 0:11:54

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia? » RobertDavid, posted by Phillipa on July 20, 2006, at 20:04:05

Benadryl is contraindicated with Emsam. Benadryl effects serotonin. In fact, Benadryl derivatives were the predecessors of all the modern SSRI antidepressants. I would check with your doc and/or a pharmacist before mixing the two.

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia?

Posted by SLS on July 21, 2006, at 6:27:07

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia?, posted by ttee on July 21, 2006, at 0:11:54

> Benadryl is contraindicated with Emsam. Benadryl effects serotonin. In fact, Benadryl derivatives were the predecessors of all the modern SSRI antidepressants. I would check with your doc and/or a pharmacist before mixing the two.

Good catch!

I think this is precisely why Benadryl acts to mitigate the withdrawal symptoms from SRI antidepressants.


- Scott

 

Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia?

Posted by pulse on July 24, 2006, at 8:27:39

In reply to Re: EMSAM - First Day -- what to try for insomnia?, posted by ttee on July 21, 2006, at 0:11:54

on the contrary, i yesterday asked my doc and 2 pharmacists re: benadryl OR any antihistime, such a zyrtec regular - NOT zyrtec-d - and emsam. their firm conclusion: benadryl and the like are NOT contra-indicated for emsam.

it is ONLY the decongestants - or combo decongestants and antihistimes - which, of course , will still contain psuedephedrine - OR - any of the newer non-psuedephedrine other drugs termed 'non drowsy' - with which emsam should NEVER be taken.

it's not serotonin or serotonin sydrome that's the worry (re: the former).

it IS raised bp, possibly to probably, very extreme, that IS. (re: the latter).

i'm no longer on emsam, but like to find out all i can...'just in case'... even though i'm in full mdd remsision now w/no ad.
this is because my real hope is that someday w/in my lifetime there will be the options, if needed ever again for me, of one to many ads , that will come in the patch form. for me, that would be one/s that are NOT maois.


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