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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by hopeandme on December 21, 2013, at 22:51:53
Hi all!
This is my second go round on the Emsam 6mg patch. I was on it for approximately 10 weeks and had to get off of it because I developed severe insomnia. I had horrible withdraw for approximately 5 weeks after getting off of it and never thought that I would get on it again. Emsam is the only thing that has ever worked out of so many antidepressants. The most recent was another MAOI called Marplan at 10mg. At three weeks I felt nothing and gave it up in order to get back on Emsam. I'm terrified to try Parnate because I feel horrible on stimulants and I hear Parnate is worse with insomnia. I'm afraid of Nardil due to the wait gain that is usually accompanied by it.
The only thing is I have once again developed the deep dark depression where I just don't want to live a long life(I would never do anything now because I have children who need me but if I didn't it would certainly be a different story).
In any case, the last go round I believe it took 3 weeks for Emsam to work fully. It was amazing! No depression, back to my old social self for the first time in 5-6 years and a had a strong libido for the first time in 5-6 years. Well I'm back on it and it is two weeks today. For the first 12 days I have only worn it for 12 hours. I read somewhere that someone wore it for just 12 hours and had the positive effects. The last two days I have increased it to 16 hours. I guess I'm trying to rush things because I'm feeling so down and don't want to feel this way. Do you think it is possible for it to work wearing it only 12-16 hours a day? I feel like I'm already having the insomnia this go round but maybe it is just because I am not taking everything I was taking for sleep the last time I was on the patch. I have a really bad illness that comes with almost total insomnia already. Two docs (including one sleep doc) told me that this was the worst case of insomnia they have ever seen. In any case, I'm already on heavy duty medications that include Xyrem, Xanax, Seroquel and Lyrica for sleep. My p'doc gave me a script for Ambien last time around for my insomnia with Emsam but Xyrem threatened not to give me my Xyrem if I took Ambien. If I don't take Xyrem I don't sleep at all and I am completely bedridden. Is there anything other than Xanax, Lyrica and Seroquel that can help with sleep but also be taken in the day for something else that I can tell Xyrem I'm taking in the day and that it is not for sleep since it is ok with my doc?
Do you think wearing the patch for only 12-16 hours a day will help with insomnia? Do you think it will take additional time for the Emsam to kick in since I'm only wearing it for 12-16 hours a day? Right now I feel nothing but bad but it has only been two weeks.
Do you think if the insomnia gets too bad that if I come off of the Emsam for just two weeks and hop back on it that it will be out of my system so that I can just start over again and not suffer for the whole 5 weeks? I want to get out of the house and start volunteering but am afraid I wouldn't be able to do so during the time I come off of Emsam due to the horrific withdraw I felt. My doc said Emsam must have something in it that my body is missing otherwise most people don't have that reaction when discharging MAOIs. I thought that was an interesting statement.
Thanks for everything!
Hope
Posted by Phillipa on December 22, 2013, at 9:20:52
In reply to Emsam/ Can I take it for only 12-16 hours a day..., posted by hopeandme on December 21, 2013, at 22:51:53
Did your doc suggest you wear the patch for only 12 hours a day? As seems most wear for full 24 then when develop problems such as insomnia have cut the patch or worn for less time. I've not read of starting off at 12 hours. And sounds like you already are taking a lot of sleep meds. Also if that depressed how would you take care of two children and volunteer also or were you doing this before. I feel a call to your doc is in order. Phillipa
Posted by hopeandme on December 22, 2013, at 17:24:50
In reply to Emsam/ Can I take it for only 12-16 hours a day..., posted by hopeandme on December 21, 2013, at 22:51:53
No my doctor did not suggest this but did suggest seeing if it worked by taking it off at night. I can not call my doctor. It isn't that easy. I pay out of pocket and can't afford it right now. My insurance company has a huge deductible before they will pay a penny. I really don't feel like a call is in order yet. His plan was to try me on Parnate if the Marplan didn't work but I'm just to scared of Parnate due to the stories of insomnia I hear on it and I've also heard people say they felt like they were on adderral on it and I can't take any real stimulating meds. I just feel plain awful. I called and spoke with the secretary to see if the doc would put me back on Emsam and thankfully without an appointment he did.
I'm really hoping to get my questions answered here if possible or at least suggestions.
I haven't volunteered yet but if I stay in the house I feel that much more depressed. I am hoping to feel better on Emsam again in order to get out and volunteer. I also wanted to get a part time job because I'm on ssdi and struggling financially but I'm afraid either with volunteering or working a bit that I will have to give it up if I have the awful withdraw again.
I feel like a horrible mom even though my children are the reason for living. All I want to do is stay in bed. I have been taking extra medication to sleep. I hope I don't run out. I have to stop taking the extra medication immediately or I will run out. Thankfully, my youngest is a junior in high school. He is use to me being in bed until 1 because of the way I take my meds. My primary care doctor wants to try to switch up my meds to get out of bed earlier but I don't want to wake up earlier to feel miserable for more of the day. I would rather sleep.
Thanks for your help!
This is the end of the thread.
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