Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 756864

Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!

Posted by john anderton on May 8, 2007, at 16:22:01

Hi Everyone:

I am feeling at an all time low. I have struggled with anxiety and depression and recently soft bipolar disorder for ten years. I have taken the steps of getting the bp under control by taking depakote and a small dose of zyprexa. Now, what I have left is a fairly debilitating depression.

Please help with a few questions!

1. How long does Emsam take to work?

2. When should I consider increasing the dose?

3. I was told that this type of medicine works quickly...is that true or is it somewhat similar to ssri's in response time?

4. I dont feel anything but side effects....slight agitation and some anxiety and a little bit of insomnia.

I am in agony here and any help would be appreciated...

Thanks, John

 

Re: Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!

Posted by Jeff81 on May 8, 2007, at 21:18:38

In reply to Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!, posted by john anderton on May 8, 2007, at 16:22:01

Hi John,

I understand your pain with Emsam. I have been on Emsam for 8 weeks. I was on 6 mg for 1 month, 9mg for 2.5 weeks and 12 mg for 1.5 weeks. I felt nothing until I went up to 12 mg. Once I started the 12 mg, three days later something changed and I feel good. I have been severely depressed for 6 months. I was having suicidal thoughts. I am hoping this is here to stay. I have been good for a week. To summarize I didn't feel anything until week 7 which was a couple days after going up to 12 mg. Stick it out. It just clicked for me but did take 7 weeks.

God Bless,
Jeff

 

Re: Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!

Posted by Phillipa on May 8, 2007, at 22:42:39

In reply to Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!, posted by john anderton on May 8, 2007, at 16:22:01

At least a few weeks from what I've read here. Love Phillipa

 

Re: Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!

Posted by Johann on May 9, 2007, at 14:41:56

In reply to Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!, posted by john anderton on May 8, 2007, at 16:22:01

I've been on 12 mg for a number of months now and have found it to reduce my anxiety some. I felt a increasing effect after a few weeks and as I increased my dosage. I'm not sure if I noticed a difference between 9 mg and 12.

Also, your situation feels like mine and my depression has virtually been eliminated with a low dose of lithium, 750 mg, which is similar to but different from Depakote.

I also take Lamictal, which seems to be helping because when I tried to taper off recently I started to feel worse.

There are many options. Don't give up hope. (I suffered excrutiating morning depressions for almost 30 years before we realized I was in the Bipolar Spectrum and began taking lithium.)

 

Re: Johann and Jeff....Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!

Posted by john anderton on May 9, 2007, at 18:11:26

In reply to Re: Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!, posted by Johann on May 9, 2007, at 14:41:56

Guys:

Thanks for the encouragement. I just feel very empty in the morning and then I feel anxious in the afternoon...did you feel anything like that?

Also, Johann do you find the Emsam is helpful for the depression? What dose are you on and how long did it take you to get a good response?

 

Re: Johann and Jeff....Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!

Posted by Johann on May 9, 2007, at 18:41:25

In reply to Re: Johann and Jeff....Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!, posted by john anderton on May 9, 2007, at 18:11:26

Hi John,

It's hard to know if EMSAM is helping with my depression because lithium has done a very good job with that, but my understanding that it targets depression more than anxiety. As I mentioned, I noticed some positive anxiolytic effect from EMSAM incrementally after a few weeks at 6 mg. Going from 6 to 9 mg made the biggest difference, and I'm not sure how different 9 is from 12--but I'm not going to fiddle with it. It doesn't get rid of all my anxiety, but it has calmed me down significantly.

I used to feel painfully depressed and anxious in the morning, and now I feel mainly anxious in the morning. My diurnal cycle is very strong so that I usually feel somewhat calmer once the evening rolls around.

Remember you can always combine medications. I take EMSAM, lithium, Lamictal, and klonopin. Once I have a long period of stability we will start tapering off.

Take care, Johann


> Guys:
>
> Thanks for the encouragement. I just feel very empty in the morning and then I feel anxious in the afternoon...did you feel anything like that?
>
> Also, Johann do you find the Emsam is helpful for the depression? What dose are you on and how long did it take you to get a good response?

 

Re: Johann and Jeff....Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!

Posted by Jeff81 on May 9, 2007, at 21:22:19

In reply to Re: Johann and Jeff....Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!, posted by Johann on May 9, 2007, at 18:41:25

Hi John,

I felt depressed all the time, I also felt slightly agitated. Not to much anxiety more anxiety turned to anger.

I had a tough day today because I am switching sleep meds. I will you keep you updated to see if I bounce back to the positive feeling Emsam has given me.

God Bless,
Jeff

 

Re: Emsam questions...this is for Jeff...HELP!!!!!

Posted by john anderton on May 11, 2007, at 15:37:04

In reply to Re: Emsam questions...HELP!!!!!, posted by Jeff81 on May 8, 2007, at 21:18:38

Jeff:

Has the Emsame helped with Anxiety?

 

Re: Emsam questions...this is for Jeff...HELP!!!!!

Posted by Jeff81 on May 11, 2007, at 17:28:32

In reply to Re: Emsam questions...this is for Jeff...HELP!!!!!, posted by john anderton on May 11, 2007, at 15:37:04

I haven't been feeling good lately. I am starting to think I felt good with the initial increase to 12 mg but it went away. I am not anxious but angry. My anxiety turned to anger on Emsam. Sorry to be so negative. I will let you know how the medicine works out. I hope Emsam helps you.

-Jeff

 

Re: Emsam questions...this is for Jeff...HELP!!!!!

Posted by john anderton on May 11, 2007, at 18:29:47

In reply to Re: Emsam questions...this is for Jeff...HELP!!!!!, posted by Jeff81 on May 11, 2007, at 17:28:32

Jeff:

Sorry to hear that...Have you been diagnosed with Bipolar 2 disorder....many times with anti depressants they shoot you into an agry/agitated state.

Are you taking a mood stabilizer with that?

 

Re: Emsam questions...this is for Jeff...HELP!!!!!

Posted by Jeff81 on May 11, 2007, at 19:48:07

In reply to Re: Emsam questions...this is for Jeff...HELP!!!!!, posted by john anderton on May 11, 2007, at 18:29:47

John,

My doctors don't agree on my diagnosis. It's either bipolar tendencies or borderline personality or just major depressive disorder. I also have severe OCD. I take 200mg of Lamictal also. You might be right that it is triggering some bipolar stuff. What are you diagnosed with?

-Jeff



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