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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on May 13, 2006, at 0:38:53
I had GAD. What made you try a MAOI (ENSAM patch)? What made you think that you help? What else have you tried over years? Has anything else ever helped you? What does GAD feel like to you? I'm curious to know all of this, because I think we may have some things in common. Michael
Posted by RobertDavid on May 13, 2006, at 13:24:48
In reply to RobertDavid, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on May 13, 2006, at 0:38:53
> I had GAD. What made you try a MAOI (ENSAM patch)? What made you think that you help? What else have you tried over years? Has anything else ever helped you? What does GAD feel like to you? I'm curious to know all of this, because I think we may have some things in common. Michael
I have SAD/GAD and mild depression (the depression I suspect is associated to the anxiety. After going through every SSRI, SNRI, mood stabilizers and other psycho tropic meds and blends I took Klonopin (12 years ago) which was the first thing that put a dent in my anxiety.Before klonopin, practically house bound. Since, went back to work, started a company life improved dramatically. What made me try EMSAM was that though Klonopin has been very effective for my anxiety, I have always been depressed somewhat, I wasn't quite where I wanted to be.
I'd always known that Nardil and Parnate helped many with both anxiety and depression, that they are great drugs for many, but I was doing okay on klonopin as mono therapy and decided to wait it out and have my first MAOI try be EMSAM because of the advantages I believe it has (assuming it worked) regarding lack of food restrictions and potential for lower side effects vs other MAOI's. If I didn't do well on EMSAM my plan was to try Nardil next.
Since adding EMSAM I've never felt better. Perhaps it's the combo of both klonopin and EMSAM. I am going down slowly on klonopin to see if EMSAM will work as mono therapy, but if not, I'll be happy just where I am.
You mentioned you have GAD. Do you also have SAD? Benzo's/klonopin have worked the best for me with both anxiety diosrters. I believe MAOI's work great as well, particularly for those that have not responded well to SSRI's.
I'd describe my GAD symptoms as a constant feeling of being edgy, light sensitive, uptight, tense all the time, like I had "electricity" runing through my body. My head was numb and I couldn't focus. On top of that SAD made it so I was very uncomfortable in social situations, making eye contact and things like public speaking just weren't options. I hated standing in long lines, meeting new people, etc. So before klonopin I self medicated with alcohol which gave me a temporary reprieve. Very temporary as the anxiety and depression was much worse the next day.
All that said I'm not sure how EMSAM as mono therapy will do to treat specifically GAD. All this med stuff is trial and error both to find the right med(s), then once you do the right dose.
I hope all this is of some help to you and wish you the best. I think there is the right med or med combo out there for everyone. Rob
Posted by theo on May 13, 2006, at 16:14:58
In reply to Re: RobertDavid » UgottaHaveHOPE, posted by RobertDavid on May 13, 2006, at 13:24:48
Do you take name brand or generic Klonopin?
Posted by RobertDavid on May 13, 2006, at 18:27:13
In reply to Re: RobertDavid » RobertDavid, posted by theo on May 13, 2006, at 16:14:58
> Do you take name brand or generic Klonopin?
Absolutely, positively BRAND. I know some will debate this, but I'm convinced it's better/different than generic and so is my doctor who always writes "brand only" on my perscriptions.
On a few occations I tried generic as insurance pays for it, not brand, and my anxiety condition got worse, I just didn't feel as good as I had been feeling on brand. At the time I thought nothing about taking brand so there was no placebo effect. When I went to my doctor and told him I wasn't doing as well it came up that I was taking generic. He switched back to brand immeditely and right away I felt better.
The fda allows a 20% plus or minus variance with generics and I suspect many of the times it's greater than that with brand, made out of the country. That means from one refil to the next you could get a 40% different strenght (could happen). In addition, the other ingredients are different so I suspect it further deteriorates it's effectiveness.
My doctor told me when Klonopin went generic out of the blue patients complained, were not doing as well.
Anyway, there has been some debate about this topic here, but I pay the money for brand when I could get generic covered. That says where I stand because it's not cheap.
I do think that brand is necessary with all medicines, but I'm certain it makes a difference with Klonopin. This is one of the few med things I really feel certain about. My suggestion to those who take generic klonopin and wonder about this issue is to pay for one 30 day refill, buy brand and see if they notice a difference.
Just my take..Good luck! Rob
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on May 13, 2006, at 23:34:29
In reply to Re: RobertDavid » theo, posted by RobertDavid on May 13, 2006, at 18:27:13
Do you AOL messenger? I am SPORTSCARvell
Michael
Posted by RobertDavid on May 14, 2006, at 22:04:06
In reply to Re: RobertDavid another Q for you, posted by UgottaHaveHope on May 13, 2006, at 23:34:29
> Do you AOL messenger? I am SPORTSCARvell
>
> MichaelI'm RDMurr
This is the end of the thread.
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