Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 748608

Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Questions about Emsam and Nardil

Posted by malcolm64 on April 9, 2007, at 22:17:07

Hi: About a year ago I had a tremendously positive reaction to Nardil. It took several weeks to kick in, but one fine day it did and all I can say is: "WOW!!!!"

For the next four weeks, I was in a state of absolute and complete bliss. I can't remember ever being that happy. It was like every day I woke up I felt so competely relieved of the tremendous crushing social anxiety that I've felt nearly all my life. It was like having six or seven stiff cocktails without ever being drunk (although I have to admit that it did affect my driving-almost to the point where I could have gotten into an accident had I not always such a vigilantly safe driver). For the first time, there literally seemed as though there was nothing I couldn't do. Job interviews, engaging in conversation with complete strangers, etc. In other words, the social anxiety that's held me back seemed finally conquered.

But then after about six weeks, the effect slowly started to deteriorate to the point where the med wasn't doing anything at all.

So since then, I've been seeing a new doctor who's had me on Geodon, Remeron, Zoloft and Klonopin (which is what I'm on right now). But the thing is that they don't seem to be having the same amazing effect as when I was on the Nardil at its peak effect.

So I see the doc tomorrow and we're going to discuss trying Emsam. I know that Emsam has been discussed to death on this board, so I hope that you all will forgive my questions if they seem repetitive.

So:

1) Is Emsam a drug that I can stay on for the long term or will it peter out the same way as the Nardil did?

2) Will insomnia be as much of a problem as the Nardil was (I developed some serious insomnia while on the Nardil)?

3) How long does it typically take to kick in?

4) Does it affect sex drive/performance?

In other words, anything that anyone knows about this drug that you would be willing to share with me would really be a tremendous help.

So thanks in advance!!

Malcolm

 

Re: Questions about Emsam and Nardil » malcolm64

Posted by Phillipa on April 9, 2007, at 22:41:45

In reply to Questions about Emsam and Nardil, posted by malcolm64 on April 9, 2007, at 22:17:07

See the long thread by Robert David the first on EMSAM. goggle in his name on the bottom of the board page. Love Phillipa

 

You shouldve increased your Nardil dose » malcolm64

Posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 9, 2007, at 23:35:01

In reply to Questions about Emsam and Nardil, posted by malcolm64 on April 9, 2007, at 22:17:07

What you went through with Nardil happens a lot, and many ppl have responded by upping the dose to get the same results. Think about that, especially since you had such an incredible reaction. Ppl take up to 90mg.

 

Re: You shouldve increased your Nardil dose

Posted by malcolm64 on April 9, 2007, at 23:41:04

In reply to You shouldve increased your Nardil dose » malcolm64, posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 9, 2007, at 23:35:01

> What you went through with Nardil happens a lot, and many ppl have responded by upping the dose to get the same results. Think about that, especially since you had such an incredible reaction. Ppl take up to 90mg.

Well, I was up to 75 mgs a day. My doc wouldn't allow me to go beyond that b/c he thought that it wouldn't be safe. Although I did disobey his orders and did take 90 mgs several times but by that point the drug wasn't having any effect at all.

 

Hmmmm ... Nardil + TCA » malcolm64

Posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 9, 2007, at 23:48:01

In reply to Re: You shouldve increased your Nardil dose, posted by malcolm64 on April 9, 2007, at 23:41:04

OK, seems like you gave it your best effort, which I commend.

Did you ever think about augmenting Nardil with a TCA? If you look at some of SLS's posts in the archives, he is having success with that. I will try to find a link.

The only reason I mention all of this is because few, if any of us, ever find a drug that hits so well as Nardil did for you. Thats why I think it is imperative that you consider taking it again, yet augmenting it other drugs to make it maintain effectiveness.

Michael

PS I am on week two of taking Nardil for generalized anxiety. Did it seem to help you for that? How long did it take? Did you have a lot of fatigue on Nardil?

 

I took Emsam for three months » malcolm64

Posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 9, 2007, at 23:54:57

In reply to Re: You shouldve increased your Nardil dose, posted by malcolm64 on April 9, 2007, at 23:41:04

Malcolm: My pdoc was one of the founders of Emsam. I took it for three months and felt like 5-7 on scale of 1-10. I am trying Nardil because it could be a 10 for GAD. Or it could fail me. I'll never know unless I try. I will answer in ALL CAPS.


1) Is Emsam a drug that I can stay on for the long term or will it peter out the same way as the Nardil did? IT WORKS THE SAME AS NARDIL, WHICH SOME PPL I KNOW HAVE BEEN ON FOR 30 YEARS. HOPEFULLY EMSAM WILL BE GOOD TO YOU AND LONG LASTING.

2) Will insomnia be as much of a problem as the Nardil was (I developed some serious insomnia while on the Nardil)? NO, NO WAY. BUT YES, IT WILL AFFECT SLEEP. I TOOK EITHER BASIC BENADRYL OR 200MG OF SEROQUEL TO HELP WITH EMSAM SLEEP, AND THEN TOOK LESS AS WEEKS WENT BY. I EVEN TOOK OFF THE PATCH SOME NIGHTS.

3) How long does it typically take to kick in? IMMEDIATELY FOR ENERGY, 6-7 WEEKS FOR DEPRESSION. ALTHO EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT.

4) Does it affect sex drive/performance? NONE FOR ME.

I THINK IT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE DRUG ON MARKET. MAKE SURE YOUR INSURANCE COVERS IT.

E ME IF I CAN HELP YOU ... sportscarvell@yahoo.com

 

Re: I took Emsam for three months

Posted by Johann on April 10, 2007, at 0:30:13

In reply to I took Emsam for three months » malcolm64, posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 9, 2007, at 23:54:57

Malcom,

After 4 months, ramping up from 6 to 12 mg, I have been very pleased with EMSAM. I ditto the responses below and would only add that I had no initial energizing effect and had very little problem with insomnia--and none now.

Johann


> Malcolm: My pdoc was one of the founders of Emsam. I took it for three months and felt like 5-7 on scale of 1-10. I am trying Nardil because it could be a 10 for GAD. Or it could fail me. I'll never know unless I try. I will answer in ALL CAPS.
>
>
> 1) Is Emsam a drug that I can stay on for the long term or will it peter out the same way as the Nardil did? IT WORKS THE SAME AS NARDIL, WHICH SOME PPL I KNOW HAVE BEEN ON FOR 30 YEARS. HOPEFULLY EMSAM WILL BE GOOD TO YOU AND LONG LASTING.
>
> 2) Will insomnia be as much of a problem as the Nardil was (I developed some serious insomnia while on the Nardil)? NO, NO WAY. BUT YES, IT WILL AFFECT SLEEP. I TOOK EITHER BASIC BENADRYL OR 200MG OF SEROQUEL TO HELP WITH EMSAM SLEEP, AND THEN TOOK LESS AS WEEKS WENT BY. I EVEN TOOK OFF THE PATCH SOME NIGHTS.
>
> 3) How long does it typically take to kick in? IMMEDIATELY FOR ENERGY, 6-7 WEEKS FOR DEPRESSION. ALTHO EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT.
>
> 4) Does it affect sex drive/performance? NONE FOR ME.
>
> I THINK IT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE DRUG ON MARKET. MAKE SURE YOUR INSURANCE COVERS IT.
>
> E ME IF I CAN HELP YOU ... sportscarvell@yahoo.com

 

Re: A few questions about Emsam » Johann

Posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 10, 2007, at 3:29:05

In reply to Re: I took Emsam for three months, posted by Johann on April 10, 2007, at 0:30:13

Johann:

Why did you go up from 6 to 12mg?

How did it feel different at 12 than it did at 6?

My primary problem is anxiety. At which dosage did it help with anxiety more?

And finally, what other drugs do you take? Thanks Michael

 

Re: Hmmmm ... Nardil + TCA

Posted by malcolm64 on April 10, 2007, at 8:56:50

In reply to Hmmmm ... Nardil + TCA » malcolm64, posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 9, 2007, at 23:48:01

> OK, seems like you gave it your best effort, which I commend.
>
> Did you ever think about augmenting Nardil with a TCA? If you look at some of SLS's posts in the archives, he is having success with that. I will try to find a link.
>
> The only reason I mention all of this is because few, if any of us, ever find a drug that hits so well as Nardil did for you. Thats why I think it is imperative that you consider taking it again, yet augmenting it other drugs to make it maintain effectiveness.
>
> Michael
>
> PS I am on week two of taking Nardil for generalized anxiety. Did it seem to help you for that? How long did it take? Did you have a lot of fatigue on Nardil?

Well not fatigue, per se, but the main negative side effect was insomnia. And b/c of that I got sleepy during the day; so I guess that I did experience some fatigue due to the lack of sleep. And yes it COMPLETELY eliminated my anxiety. I had a burst of self confidence which I haven't experienced since.

It took about 3-4 weeks to kick in, but when it did the effect was DRAMATIC! I'm talking night and day.

Just be careful if you're prone to doing anything rash or reckless, b/c Nardil can definitely exacerbate that. What I experienced was borderline hypomania. But b/c I'm not a reckless person by nature, I didn't do anything that I would later regret.

All I'm saying is that if you have those tendencies then it's something to watch for.

When it kicks in, believe me, you'll notice it.

Write to me if you have any questions: allegro64@aol.com.

Best-
Malcolm

 

Re: I took Emsam for three months » Johann

Posted by chiron on April 10, 2007, at 17:49:21

In reply to Re: I took Emsam for three months, posted by Johann on April 10, 2007, at 0:30:13

Johann - how long before you Emsam kicked in for you and at what dose? Did you experience any initial problems with it that later resided (I feel more 'crazy')? How much of a mood boost? Any other benefits?
Thanks!

 

Re: I took Emsam for three months

Posted by Johann on April 11, 2007, at 1:00:53

In reply to Re: I took Emsam for three months » Johann, posted by chiron on April 10, 2007, at 17:49:21

I started with 6 mg and I noticed a change in about a week, and started feeling increasingly better. This continued as I went to 9 and then 12. No problems except some insomnia at each bump up. As far as mood boost, I can only say that I am less depressed and anxious and feel more "normal."

Take care.

> Johann - how long before you Emsam kicked in for you and at what dose? Did you experience any initial problems with it that later resided (I feel more 'crazy')? How much of a mood boost? Any other benefits?
> Thanks!

 

Re: I took Emsam for three months » UgottaHaveHope

Posted by MusicalMaven on July 8, 2007, at 9:45:58

In reply to I took Emsam for three months » malcolm64, posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 9, 2007, at 23:54:57

just to put my two cents in:

I've been on Emsam since October 2006, and except for some irritation from the patch, I have had nothing but good results. I do occsionally take Xanax for my GAD, but I find that I don't need it as much, as time goes on.

I don't know if this will poop out, but we can hope it doesn't. If it does, the powers that be better come up with a new drug, since I can't take atypicals at all.

Kick-in: I think it depends on the person. I noticed no energy boost, but I found my depression elevating in just three weeks.

Sex drive: the only problem is when the patch comes off mid-coitus because you're sweating too much. Or maybe it's just me...

It is expensive, but I think most insurance plans are covering it now, albeit at the highest copay. Frankly, it's worth it for me.

Some other interesting points of interest: While research shows the tyramine effect is still valid with this new version of maoi, no experiences of hypertensive crisis have been reported, even by those on the highest dosage. Maybe...just maybe...we've crossed the threshold? I would still stay away from large quantities of cheddar cheese, soy sauce, and tap beers, though, just in case.


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