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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Darkness At Noon on July 6, 2007, at 13:19:39
I am now entering my 5th week on EMSAM. I have been wearing the full 6mg patch 24/7 since last weekend.
Benefits: none to date. At pdoc appointment next week, expect to be reminded about waiting a month or more. Not to mention the joy of higher doses.
Side effects: more difficulty sleeping. Currently offset by taking 2 mg Klonopin at bedtime. As I increased the size and time of the patch, I've had to correspondingly increase Klonopin dose.
Mild constipation.
Since last post, inability to ejaculate has been overtaken by inability to have erection. Almost no libido (that is, no sexual thoughts). Not a problem in my current reclusive state.
Transient side effects: minor dizziness for a few hours after applying patch each time I increased dose.
There seem to be a few hours of activation after putting on patch, followed by a few hours of fatigue. Then just a more activated state (that is, couldn't sleep without sleep meds).
No more rawness at application site after removing patch. Upper thighs seems to work best for edge of patch not getting caught and pulled back.
Question: are the 9mg and 12mg patches same size as 6mg patch, or proportionately larger?
Well, that's what passed for my life the past 14 days.
Posted by KayeBaby on July 6, 2007, at 14:46:26
In reply to EMSAM At 4 Weeks, posted by Darkness At Noon on July 6, 2007, at 13:19:39
It took 6 weeks for me to see the anti-depressant effects. I had similar sides as you until that time.
I would not give up on this for at least 7-8 weeks.
I like Emsam. It makes me feel normal.
I still am trying to find help for my problem with motivation. I find Emsam to help my energy level above what it is without it but not nearly enough to call it a cure in that regard. I am still on the lowest dose. It has cured my dysthmia.I see my Dr. on the 9th to discuss what to do.
I wonder should I go up? or maybe add a tiny bit of stimulant.
Good Luck!
Kaye
Posted by Brody on July 6, 2007, at 15:32:02
In reply to EMSAM At 4 Weeks, posted by Darkness At Noon on July 6, 2007, at 13:19:39
Hi! I have been an occasional lurker at Babble for several years, and have recently paid particular attention to the EMSAM and other MAOI posts. I went on the patch a little over 6 weeks ago.
Yes.... the patches are proportionately larger! I have found that with the larger doses (presently at the max of 12mg) it gets a little trickier to find places where they will stay put without bending, etc. I have very little site reaction to the patches so I switch back and forth to each of my upper arms every other day, and this is working well.
I feel that the antidepressant effects have been gradually kicking in for me. I experience less of my constant ruminating and fewer negative thoughts. My once excruciating mornings are now no different than the rest of the day (this is where I can really see the improvement). I have somewhat more motivation.... it is hard to quantify, but I feel that I am making continuous, if sometimes subtle, progress.
My moderate anxiety spiked when I started the patch, and along came insomnia also. The anxiety is now much less than before I started the patch, and with .5 mg of Xanax at bedtime, I now sleep through the night. I no longer feel the need to take Xanax during the day.
I have naturally low blood pressure and the Orthostatic Hypotension side affect is giving me quite a lot of trouble at this dose. Will see p-doc next week see what can be done about the constant dizziness and frequent near fainting incidents! Bending over and keeping my head down is not doing the job.
Thanks to all for the help I have received here. Good luck to you!
Posted by Phillipa on July 6, 2007, at 16:14:53
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 4 Weeks * I am a PB newbie at 6 weeks, posted by Brody on July 6, 2007, at 15:32:02
Still have those EMSAM samples and waiting to hear exactly the right words and I will try I know I keep saying that but that's part of my problem med fear plus pdoc saying too stimulating for me. Sorry if you are angry for me posting on this thread but feel I still need to know more I'm so hard headed and fearful. Love Phillipa
Posted by Brody on July 6, 2007, at 17:00:29
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 4 Weeks * I am a PB newbie at 6 weeks, posted by Phillipa on July 6, 2007, at 16:14:53
I know what you mean.... After reading all of the terrific good fortune Robert David had with his EMSAM experience, and then reading the mixed reviews from other users, I was looking for the right words, too! I'm sorry if this has been asked and answered: have you ever used an MAOI?
Posted by Phillipa on July 6, 2007, at 19:47:17
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 4 Weeks * I am a PB newbie at 6 weeks, posted by Brody on July 6, 2007, at 17:00:29
Robert David and I were friends talked on the phone. Last e-mail from him he had stopped it and was taking l.5mg of klonopin as he only wanted the EMSAM for some energy. Love Phillipa and he was our wonderman. ps I should e-mail him and see how he is.
Posted by KayeBaby on July 6, 2007, at 20:35:50
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 4 Weeks * I am a PB newbie at 6 weeks » Brody, posted by Phillipa on July 6, 2007, at 19:47:17
> Robert David and I were friends talked on the phone. Last e-mail from him he had stopped it and was taking l.5mg of klonopin as he only wanted the EMSAM for some energy. Love Phillipa and he was our wonderman. ps I should e-mail him and see how he is.
Phillipa,
Are you saying that Robert David stopped the EMSAM? If so, he needs to give us a report. :0I am curious to know how he is doing and have some questions he could probably answer about the differences between the various dosages.
I wouldn't worry what others think about you asking questions. Ask as many as you need to get the info you want. That is what this place is for. people don't have to reply if they find your questions redundant.
I think you would have to medicate your way throught the first few weeks but it would settle. I had very little anxiety on it-of course I was used to outright stimulants. I have next to no anxiety at all now and it is a great feeling. That Namenda wipes it out like a benzo for me. It really does.
Peace,
Kaye
Posted by Phillipa on July 6, 2007, at 20:56:24
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 4 Weeks * I am a PB newbie at 6 weeks » Phillipa, posted by KayeBaby on July 6, 2007, at 20:35:50
Kaye I e-mailed him no reply as of yet don't think he reads the board as he said in the beginning to me that he was reseaching EMSAM and then would leave. He's a wonderful person. We talked daily for a long time. I hope he responds as I would give anything to know how he's doing.Thanks for the not minding questions too. Do you think that my high anxiety level and fear of meds would allow EMSAM. In the beginning when got the samples my pdoc said maybe a quarter of a patch then changed her mind and said it was too stimulating for me. If you have ADD then maybe the EMSAM calms you down? I find that ADD and anxiety seem related somehow. Love Phillipa
Posted by Darkness At Noon on July 7, 2007, at 5:54:43
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 4 Weeks * I am a PB newbie at 6 weeks, posted by Brody on July 6, 2007, at 17:00:29
> I'm sorry if this has been asked and answered: have you ever used an MAOI?
Nardil did nothing but keep me up all night and cause extremely delayed ejaculation.
Parnate did not nothing but keep me up all night and caused increased suicidal thoughts (more thoughts as dose increased). Didn't stay on it long!
Oral selegiline did nothing but increase my sleeping problems.
Still, pdoc insists that some people who did not respond to other MAIOs do respond to EMSAM. Because med bypasses digestive tract, it is metabolized differently.
Barring new side effects, or desire for a sex life, I anticipate giving EMSAM a month at 6mg, then moving up to 12mg for another month or two. Surprisingly, pdoc seems apprehensive about any augmentation for EMSAM.
Story developing... very slowly.
Posted by KayeBaby on July 7, 2007, at 8:41:29
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 4 Weeks * I am a PB newbie at 6 weeks » KayeBaby, posted by Phillipa on July 6, 2007, at 20:56:24
> Kaye I e-mailed him no reply as of yet don't think he reads the board as he said in the beginning to me that he was reseaching EMSAM and then would leave. He's a wonderful person. We talked daily for a long time. I hope he responds as I would give anything to know how he's doing.
**He did seem very exceptional. His thoughtful input is definately misssed.
Thanks for the not minding questions too. Do you think that my high anxiety level and fear of meds would allow EMSAM. In the beginning when got the samples my pdoc said maybe a quarter of a patch then changed her mind and said it was too stimulating for me.**You can just never know. If you get desperate enough to try it-that will be the only way to be sure. Anxiety is awful but it won't kill you. Try and remember that. I have been working on some of my problems trying to counter sme of my negative beliefs and such. This is why I give this advice.
Distress over distress goes nowhere. Try this. The next time you feel discomfort-do nothing. Nothing. Just sit, quietly with your self. Don't try to fix it. Just observe it and realize that the original discomfort is one thing but all of the panic about what to do is just compunding it all.
I'm sure this has been offered to you before but I have been practicing this and have found it to be quite liberating. I would be remiss not to pass it on when it could maybe help someone else.
I would think that your endocrine system must be stabilized before you have any idea what you really need help with. That thyroid up and down is crazy-making and I have heard more than a few horror stories in regards to this problem. Itf the organic part of your problem is REALLY addressed and cared for properly you may find yourself with in a completely different state. Trying to fix your problems now with psych meds when they are likely due to the thyroid-well? I think that is drugging someome.
I think you have something akin if not actual PTSD from the trauma of the up and down thyroid. I have talked to folks that have experienced this and is is truly traumatic.
If you have ADD then maybe the EMSAM calms you down? I find that ADD and anxiety seem related somehow. Love Phillipa**Yes-it seems that if you treat the cognitive/add stuff then the anxiety and even depression sort of evaporate. Although it gets more and more complicated as the years pass. This has been true for me.
Take Care of You.
Kaye
Posted by Phillipa on July 7, 2007, at 20:35:26
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 4 Weeks * I am a PB newbie at 6 weeks, posted by KayeBaby on July 7, 2007, at 8:41:29
Kaye no he didn't respond so I guess he's gone.
So you say horror stories with thyroid? That's when my problems started. There are self help boards like this on thyroid my husband went to one before the cytomel. I'm getting tired of this autoimmune thing messing everything up. Thanks for your concern Kaye. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on July 8, 2007, at 11:57:57
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 4 Weeks * I am a PB newbie at 6 weeks » KayeBaby, posted by Phillipa on July 7, 2007, at 20:35:26
Kaye he responed on the l.5 of klonopin said he wouldn't hesitate to go back on EMSAM if he need energy. Thought it was not for people with anxiety. And wants to wean down to lmg of klonopin. That's Robert David. Love Phillipa
Posted by KayeBaby on July 8, 2007, at 13:06:51
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 4 Weeks * I am a PB newbie at 6 weeks, posted by Phillipa on July 8, 2007, at 11:57:57
Great!
Thank him for the update for us.
Kaye
Posted by Phillipa on July 8, 2007, at 20:22:19
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 4 Weeks * I am a PB newbie at 6 weeks, posted by KayeBaby on July 8, 2007, at 13:06:51
Kaye I will I was hoping he'd do the update himself but he owns his own company and is a busy man. Great person . Love Phillipa ps I send him and e-mail now and say psychbabble thanks him for the update.
Posted by EmsaminDenver on July 15, 2007, at 0:01:17
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 4 Weeks * I am a PB newbie at 6 weeks, posted by KayeBaby on July 7, 2007, at 8:41:29
Hey this is a 22yr old in Denver. I went on the Emsam patch, I think in May or late April, and have found a significant increase in my modd and a benificial gain in my deppression. In the past I tried many antideppressants and none really did much, but my doc told me that this was new, and I never tried a maoi. I gave it a shot, Ive always had severe anxiety my whole life, this patch did worsen it but Im going to get somehelp for that soon. I love coffee and I enjoy the awake feeling, so i don't wanna give it up but I hate how I feel on it now. Ill persevere till August and ask the doctor. Anyways... thgis patch does work, give it lotsa time, and increase the dosage if there isn't any significant change after a while. Nice to find people tryin the same meds as I am by the way, also, this med helped me greatly with social anxiety, Im not nearly as paranoid as I was before and it seems to have lessened the hallucinations but not completely...
This is the end of the thread.
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