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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 JohnSky on September 7, 2007, at 17:05:08
Hello,
I came off 6mg of EMSAM 2 weeks ago. How long could the withdrawal effects last? My doc says 4-6 weeks as he conservative estimate to cover his basis. For the last week my mood has been down some, sleep is off, and I'm more anxious. I can't imagine this lasting too much longer.
John
Posted by Phillipa on September 7, 2007, at 19:07:04
In reply to Question about EMSAM Withdrawal, posted by JohnSky on September 7, 2007, at 17:05:08
Wow that's a long time? Why did he say so long if it's a patch? Are you taking anything for the anxiety? Phillipa
Posted by brooke484 on September 7, 2007, at 21:30:08
In reply to Question about EMSAM Withdrawal, posted by JohnSky on September 7, 2007, at 17:05:08
Whenever I would stop a drug the withdrawal would last about 2 weeks, so you should be feeling better by next week, I would hope. 4-6 weeks sounds pretty long to me.
Posted by stargazer2 on September 7, 2007, at 22:25:37
In reply to Question about EMSAM Withdrawal, posted by JohnSky on September 7, 2007, at 17:05:08
I went off Emsam and onto Nardil without any washout period so I had no withdrawl symptoms.
Are you going to be taking another med for depression after the emsam is out of your system?
Stargazer
Posted by JohnSky on September 10, 2007, at 10:58:19
In reply to Re: Question about EMSAM Withdrawal, posted by stargazer2 on September 7, 2007, at 22:25:37
Thanks for the replies. I agree that 2 or 3 weeks is the max that I should have EMSAM withdrawal problems. I am taking ativan for anxiety but it just doesn't cut it very well. The next drug my dr wants to try is Nardil. I have been diagnosed Bi-Polar and I have been on Lithium for a little over 3 months. I am praying it will kick in soon and help more with the depression. Over the last 18 months I have tried at least a dozen drugs. Lithium is working for my brother and it started to work for him at the end of 4 months... so maybe I am almost there. I could try the Nardil but I just don't want to try another drug... on the other hand nothing has worked well for my anxiety yet (Lithium could) and Nardil probably would help with the anxiety. I took it 25 years ago and it helped then. But every AD I take just makes me anxious... which is supposedly what happens if you are bi-polar?
John
> I went off Emsam and onto Nardil without any washout period so I had no withdrawl symptoms.
>
> Are you going to be taking another med for depression after the emsam is out of your system?
>
> Stargazer
Posted by cumulative on September 10, 2007, at 18:30:16
In reply to Re: Question about EMSAM Withdrawal, posted by JohnSky on September 10, 2007, at 10:58:19
>But every AD I take just makes me anxious... which is supposedly what happens if you are bi-polar?
Actually, plenty of bipolar depressives augment mood stabilizers with antidepressants, especially if the mood stabilizers make them depressed, something that can happen very easily. And like you mention, Nardil tends to be profoundly anti-anxiety once the side effects fade.
If Nardil has worked well for you in the past and you have reason to believe it's worth a try, I say give it a shot. I don't like the idea of taking lots of medications either but it's certainly worth the vast improvement the right medications can bring.
Posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2007, at 20:11:17
In reply to Re: Question about EMSAM Withdrawal, posted by JohnSky on September 10, 2007, at 10:58:19
Ad's make me anxious also so does that mean I am bipolar? Never have been manic? Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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