![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Darkness At Noon on June 24, 2007, at 7:30:12
I am now entering my 3rd week on EMSAM. Due to side effect experiences with my million previous ADs, I am titrating up slowly with the 6mg patch. Week 1 wore 1/2 patch for 12 hours; week 2 the full patch for 12 hours. Now I've started wearing 1/2 patch for 24 hours.
Benefits: none to date. Of course, I wouldn't expect anything so early, at such a low dose.
Side effects: more difficulty sleeping. Minor, compared to Nardil or Parnate. So far offset by taking 1 mg Klonopin at bedtime.
Mild constipation, but it wouldn't be an AD without that.
In the past week, inability to reach orgasm, or at least lack of interest to spend time necessary to reach orgasm. Since I have no desire to be around people, this is not currently a problem. (Maybe a benefit: less laundry.)
Transient side effects: 1st few days, major dizziness, which is now gone. Still a lightheadness, but only when I'm standing.
Week 2, there were a few hours midday when I felt tired, and could actually fall asleep for an hour or two. Not happening any more.
When I remove the patch, skin at the site is pink and very slightly raw. Gone after an hour or two. Nothing that would make me stop.
Question: has anyone who previously "failed to respond" to Nardil or Parnate found EMSAM to help?
I now return to my previously scheduled lurking, both on this board and in life.
Posted by Honore on June 24, 2007, at 10:33:46
In reply to EMSAM At 2 Weeks, posted by Darkness At Noon on June 24, 2007, at 7:30:12
I responded slightly to Parnate-- or, I seemed to, it was hard to tell, because it knocked me out.
At the time, being knocked out seemed like a huge plus-- and I think it did help-- although maybe it also wasn't so great. Being 3/4 asleep for three years may make things less awful-- but it does cut down on one's thought process and productivity.
Emsam is much better for me-- ie it really helps me. So yes-- I had at best a semi-response to Parnate (never took nardil), and have a strong, or at least very palpable good response to Emsam.
Honore
Posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2007, at 12:53:05
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 2 Weeks » Darkness At Noon, posted by Honore on June 24, 2007, at 10:33:46
Honore not stimulating for you as my pdoc said? Love Phillipa
Posted by Honore on June 24, 2007, at 16:31:26
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 2 Weeks » Honore, posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2007, at 12:53:05
Hi, Phillipa. Parnate wasn't at all energizing for me-- but Emsam is.
How's the luvox trial going? Still helping, I hope?
Honore
Posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2007, at 21:16:44
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 2 Weeks » Phillipa, posted by Honore on June 24, 2007, at 16:31:26
Honore hard to say as I quit lunesta cold turkey no side effects. I have been very tired some others think I should try lexapro? Any thoughts? Love Phillipa
Posted by Honore on June 24, 2007, at 22:54:23
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 2 Weeks » Honore, posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2007, at 21:16:44
Hi, Phillipa. Stay with the Luvox, and maybe go up, unless your pdoc thinks you've reached the maximum effective dose for you--and you aren't getting the results you could. Maybe you could boost the luvox with something else, before moving on to another AD.
Why did you quit the Lunesta? can you use ambien or something else for sleep?
I wouldn't make a change to lexapro, unless you really have gone the extra mile with the luvox. Otherwise, you'll have lingering questions about how it would have worked out-- and wish you hadn't quit so soon. You can answer everything now, and at least have peace of mind about that.
How much luvox are you taking? what does your pdoc recommend?
Honore
Posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2007, at 23:11:23
In reply to Re: EMSAM At 2 Weeks » Phillipa, posted by Honore on June 24, 2007, at 22:54:23
Honore was very tired since the spider bite and luvox ups the effects of benzos and lunesta is a pseudobenzo really a form of benzo. I'm sleeping too much now seems my anxiety/depression is changing? She said try to get to 200 me and I was at l00and dropped to 75mg cause of the tiredness. It seems I do better at low doses go figure. I have two weeks to do something then I see her. Love Jan
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.