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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by former trx resistant on December 26, 2007, at 4:35:19
To all a Merry Christmas, Happy holidays, & Happy New Year! If any of you remember my posts as, "trx resistant" read my new name! I want to thank all of you and Dr. bob site for your tremendous support. I am deeply and profoundly grateful. If I can help anyone, please post.
I started patch in October. Scared because of past Wellbutrin induced seizures. But Astounder, Larry, and Robert got me through the beginning. I'm getting my life back. Really kicked into gear around week 10. Went from 6mg for 4 wks to 9 mgs for 3 days - way too much. My personal almost perfect dose is half a patch - 3mg., 1mg Xanax XR to take the edge off a too wired feeling.
Last fall I was thinking (almost planning) suicide. But to all you lonely broken individuals like myself, please believe if you leave no stone unturned you should find help. It's taken me 9 years!!!
Now my problem is I'm so scared because I feel so good I'm afraid something will happen and I will have to stop taking this. Despite what Astounder said, my neurologiist is not convinced that it won't induce seizures, even at such a low dosage. I'm experiencing some numbness around my mouth the last 2-3 weeks that feels weird. So he put me on 25mg of Topamax to protect me and I'm getting brain scan this week.
But to all I can now believe that life may not be over and/or that I lived the best part in my first 36 years before my husband died. I am embracing every moment. Again thank you all!
Posted by stargazer2 on December 26, 2007, at 8:56:38
In reply to EMSAM Miracle, posted by former trx resistant on December 26, 2007, at 4:35:19
I'm so happy for you. There is nothing
better than finding something that works after so many years of suffering.You and so many like you deserve a chance at life too. I always thought why am I the only one that has no chance of ever being happy or just "normal" like everyone else. I have come to believe that there are many in this situation and how we handle that situation determines the outcome. Not every med will work but always trying something else, with other's support here, is the best chance we have to find solutions, especially for TRD, which can be the worse of the worse.
Again congratulations and continued success that Emsam will keep you on a steady and successful course for a very long time.
Stargazer
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on December 26, 2007, at 12:42:46
In reply to EMSAM Miracle, posted by former trx resistant on December 26, 2007, at 4:35:19
Congrats!
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on December 26, 2007, at 12:46:05
In reply to EMSAM Miracle, posted by former trx resistant on December 26, 2007, at 4:35:19
That could be coming from a Vitamin B deficiency, which is common with Nardil, a different MAIO than EMSAM.
I would start taking B-6 and B-multicomplex to see if it takes that numbness away within a few days. There is lots of research on this if you go to google and put in "MAOI" and "Vitamini B"
Good luck
Posted by former trx resistant on December 26, 2007, at 15:21:05
In reply to Re: Numbness around mouth » former trx resistant, posted by UgottaHaveHope on December 26, 2007, at 12:46:05
You guys and gals are amazing. You know I forgot to check with you out there first instead of going to the doctor. How stupid of me. I just freak out and think "oops, seizures again". You are right, I bet, about vitamin B. any dosage? I will check out what you wrote. Also in addition I am having severe neuropathic back pain from disc herniation so I bet the B's would help that until surgery. Bad part is I will have to be of EMSAM for 2 weeks prior to surgery. But at least I know it works for me and I can get through 2 weeks if I got through 9 years. I am concenred though because a normsl person does go through post anesthesia depression from all those drug cocktails. I don't think they would do spinal cord under epidural and the thought of being awake during could be more traumatizing. THANKS SO MUCH
Posted by gardenergirl on December 26, 2007, at 15:57:02
In reply to EMSAM Miracle, posted by former trx resistant on December 26, 2007, at 4:35:19
Posted by CoutureMan on December 27, 2007, at 2:42:54
In reply to EMSAM Miracle, posted by former trx resistant on December 26, 2007, at 4:35:19
Congratulations on your success with Emsam! I was just wondering if you have (had) a severe anxiety component to your depression. I'm interested in trying Emsam but concerned because I have bad anxiety. Also, are you sleeping well? I am so sensitive to the effects of meds that a small dose might work for me too. Great to hear.
Thanks,
CM
Posted by former trx resistant on December 27, 2007, at 3:05:05
In reply to Re: EMSAM Miracle » former trx resistant, posted by CoutureMan on December 27, 2007, at 2:42:54
Yes I also had severe anxiety component and sleep problems. My worst nightmare was this past summer when bad doctor said to stop Cymbalta cold turkey after 4 years. I suffered every side effect you have ever read about, called severe SSRI withdrawal syndrome. So I never had much problem with anxiety, a little .25mg xanax prn but this summer I was up to 1 .50mg every 4 hours and I could barely wait 2 hours. The EMSAM doesn't make me anxious but I am taking 1mg Xanax ER to smooth out a little wired feeling. But this has only been the last 2 weeks. I beleive the EMSAM is working so well that I will stop, slowly of course, the Xanax. For 9 years I have taken Ambien 10-20mg per night. But I am able to be more involved with life, good thoughts, so I am decreasing ambien and hope to taper off completely very soon. We are all so different in what are brain seems to need, but for me EMSAM thus far, seems to make the need for anything else unecessary. Read all the EMSAM archives, especially from Robert. His doctor said if you can't sleep or you don't like it, take the patch off. I was so scared, especially with seizure history from Wellbutrin. It's true. I take it off a couple of hours before bed. The transdermal delivery system should win the Nobel prize in terms of safety and ease of use. Good luck and keep us posted.
Posted by CoutureMan on December 28, 2007, at 1:54:28
In reply to Re: EMSAM Miracle, posted by former trx resistant on December 27, 2007, at 3:05:05
Posted by Greenmtn on December 28, 2007, at 4:31:50
In reply to EMSAM Miracle, posted by former trx resistant on December 26, 2007, at 4:35:19
I too have had a reversal of TRX depression using Emsam. The word miracle is kinda strong but no argument. Complete agreement. However I have side effects. Nothing else was working after lots of drugs. In hospital wanting to die (After a very unsuccessful trial of Remeron--I'm extra sensitive to antihistamines) the hospital Pdoc started me on Emsam. The main point is that the depression stopped and I became upbeat and functional. Going from 6 to 9 mg has improved its effect more. There are side effects for me but I am definitely going to deal with them rather than stop Emsam. Depression was literally killing me. Main side effect bad insomnia. My approach is: This stuff is working. I will keep looking for solutions to the side effects.
I think docs ought to become very familiar with this drug and use it quickly realizing that for some patients it will save their lives and make them functional again. And they need to look at the common side effects and learn how to help patients with those.
Posted by former trx resistant on December 29, 2007, at 2:33:06
In reply to Re: EMSAM Miracle, posted by Greenmtn on December 28, 2007, at 4:31:50
yOU ARE SO RIGHT ABOUT PDOC BEING SHY ABOUT WHAT'S OUT THERE. MINE HAS LARGE VOLUME WORK COMP PRACTICE. AFTER 8 YEARS WE WERE STILL SCREWING AROUND WITH SSRI. HE TREATS ME VERY WELL AND HAS NOT GOT PAID BY MY FORMER COMPANY YET AND SEES ME THESE LAST 6 MONTHS EVERY WEEK. BUT THE PROFESSION AS A WHOLE SEEMS TO BE COMFORTABLE USING THE SAME OLD THING AND IF IT DOES NOT WORK, ITS YOUR PROBLEM. THANK GOD FOR THE SUPPORT AND INFORMATION OF ALL OF YOU BECAUSE IT SEPTEMBER I DID NOT THINK I WOULD LIVE TO SEE OCTOBER. SURE EMSAM IS NOT PERFECT, BUT FOR ME THE SLIGHT 3MG DOSE FOR 12-14 HOURS IS WORTH THE TWEAKING WITH XANAX AND AMBIEN.
Posted by Greenmtn on December 30, 2007, at 3:07:25
In reply to Re: EMSAM Miracle, posted by former trx resistant on December 29, 2007, at 2:33:06
Seems we both have many same experiences:
Just about no hope left and wanting to end it.
Excellent response to Emsam.
Frustration over years of ineffective treatment.
Now wondering how long it will take docs to wake up to this stuff...or (See thread several below this one) if they decide to keep producing it.I say they double the price and send out armies of drug reps. I"M ABSOLUTELY SERIOUS.
Posted by former trx resistant on December 30, 2007, at 3:41:58
In reply to Re: EMSAM Miracle, posted by Greenmtn on December 30, 2007, at 3:07:25
When I started taking it in October, I read about the rumors. I called Bristol and they said absolutely not true. But to be safe I checked with TOP pyscho-pharm and he said he could get the same effect with oral if necessary. So sweet dreams Greenmtn, we will be OK. I just hope I don't develop some stupid side effect like seizures as I have in the past. I'm known around big town as a walking neurological nightmare. I'm lucky because I got the pharmacy to give me the drug reps number and gave it to my doctor. He gets samples. I also wrote Bristol because they will consider low cost or free if you qualify. I haven't worked in 4 years.
Wish everyone the best year ever.
Posted by former trx resistant on December 30, 2007, at 3:44:50
In reply to Re: EMSAM Miracle, posted by Greenmtn on December 30, 2007, at 3:07:25
Can you give me the thread?
Posted by Greenmtn on December 30, 2007, at 9:31:22
In reply to Re: EMSAM Miracle, posted by former trx resistant on December 30, 2007, at 3:44:50
What a relief. Thanks for the research. Hope you don’t have any serious side effects. The link to the thread is http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071225/msgs/802978.html. That thread was a bit of a shocker to me. I’m sure they would appreciate a post from you on the subject. I hope my link shows up as a link.
BTW in years past I would go through weeks at a time when I had numbness around the mouth and right thumb and felt somewhat confused. Felt like migraine aura I had experienced before a migraine but without developing into a migraine. My doc checked me for stroke but there were no signs of that. Have not experienced that in a while but really would like to know what that was.
Posted by Greenmtn on December 30, 2007, at 9:32:40
In reply to Re: EMSAM Miracle, posted by former trx resistant on December 30, 2007, at 3:44:50
What a relief. Thanks for the research. Hope you don’t have any serious side effects. The link to the thread is http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071225/msgs/802978.html. That thread was a bit of a shocker to me. I’m sure they would appreciate a post from you on the subject. I hope my link shows up as a link.
BTW in years past I would go through weeks at a time when I had numbness around the mouth and right thumb and felt somewhat confused. Felt like migraine aura I had experienced before a migraine but without developing into a migraine. My doc checked me for stroke but there were no signs of that. Have not experienced that in a while but really would like to know what that was.
Posted by former trx resistant on December 30, 2007, at 14:14:19
In reply to Thanks for your research » former trx resistant, posted by Greenmtn on December 30, 2007, at 9:32:40
This maybe an easy one. I went to the doctor for strange numbness and tingling around my mouth and tip of tongue. He ordered brain scan because of possible seizure issue. Someone on this board wrote back and said MOAI famous for causing B6 deficiency. Called my MD nutrition dr. He said absolutely, those symptoms are usually indicitive of too low B6. I will know in a couple of days of taking B-100 if this is what it is and he ordered special blood test. Once again the wonderful people out there on this board scored one for the non degreed MD team!
Posted by former trx resistant on December 30, 2007, at 14:19:10
In reply to Thanks for your research » former trx resistant, posted by Greenmtn on December 30, 2007, at 9:32:40
Also if you weren't taking any meds at the time, could be just general B deficiency. Look at the threads for Fish oil and help healing the brain. Myabe you were just worn out, stressed out, etc, lack of good sleep will give me those sypmtoms.
Posted by d0pamine on January 1, 2008, at 5:37:10
In reply to EMSAM Miracle, posted by former trx resistant on December 26, 2007, at 4:35:19
EMSAM == Good stuff!
I'm glad you've also found it helpful
Posted by trx resistant on January 7, 2008, at 12:55:32
In reply to Re: EMSAM Miracle, posted by d0pamine on January 1, 2008, at 5:37:10
For all you EMSAM and all MAOI users, I got the thing I feared the most, a miserable cold. Obviously you know you can't take much to help. But wonder of wonders, another miracle to help us finally! Corecedin came out with a new formula for people with blood pressure problems. Had pharmacist run computer check and no contraindication for us. It really made me a lot more comfortable. So I hope this will help others at this time of year.
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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