Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 984354

Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

emsam start + diet question

Posted by floatingbridge on May 2, 2011, at 13:18:03

I have the script for 6mg. My gp is not happy but wrote it.

I have fallen into a strange place. My gp says, well, here's her analogy to me: I have a patient who goes into anaphalectic shock (awful spelling) from antibiotics. When she is ill, she weathers it out.

I said but I'm not allergic. Just sensitive. And I'm depressed!

I cannot believe I am begging to be treated. I feel like I've lost my compass.

Of course I am afraid to try this new med.

Do I follow the diet (to be safe) for a few days first, then apply? She said to follow the diet. I don't mind at all.

(I'm also thinking of applying 1/4 patch as a test.)

A very wilted

fb

 

Re: emsam start + diet question » floatingbridge

Posted by Phillipa on May 2, 2011, at 22:14:15

In reply to emsam start + diet question, posted by floatingbridge on May 2, 2011, at 13:18:03

FB wouldn't follow the diet but would try a piece of patch first and if anything bad happens my logic when was going to try it was simply remove the patch. To be able to see the med gone to me shows me in my eyes that whatever is happening I don't like soon will be gone. So the doc didn't want to prescribe it? Still $500? Please Write. Phillipa

 

Re: emsam start + diet question » Phillipa

Posted by floatingbridge on May 2, 2011, at 22:31:54

In reply to Re: emsam start + diet question » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on May 2, 2011, at 22:14:15

Phillipa, so I don't need to clean my diet for a day or two?

She prescribed, but pharmacy doesn't have it.

Will definitely cut first. Thanks for your advice!

 

diet not a prob- cough medicine is

Posted by Henryo on May 3, 2011, at 3:10:00

In reply to Re: emsam start + diet question » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on May 2, 2011, at 22:31:54

I was told by my doctor that the whole point of the patch at the lowest dose (6mg) was that I didn't have to worry about the diet. Within reason one can forget about it. I have never paid attention to what I eat. I have had no reactions. I carefully read the tiny print on that frail paper instruction sheet in the box. At 6mg with the patch diet isn't really issue. I am so bad at that kind of diet stuff I would never touch Emsam if I had to be worried about that. BUT that same sheet does warn about drinking alcohol and a big warning about not taking certain cold/cough medicines. There are a number of anti-depression meds you can't take either. Don't freak out you're going to like Emsam. Like I said before I like to cut them in half. It works well for me that way. Cheaper and safer too.

scary link- http://www.emedicinehealth.com/drug-selegiline_transdermal/article_em.htm

 

Re: diet not a prob- cough medicine is

Posted by Willful on May 3, 2011, at 9:56:13

In reply to diet not a prob- cough medicine is, posted by Henryo on May 3, 2011, at 3:10:00

I don't think it's necessary to follow the diet for the first few days. The 6 mg patch is very safe; at the time emsam came out, I read part of the presentation to the FDA (which was on the web) and it seemed that they had done studies that suggested that the 9 mg patch and also the 12 mg/day dose were also very safe-- I've used more than 12 mg a day with no food reactions at all.

You do need to adhere to restrictions about drug interactions.of course.

Many people approach Maois as if they're a loaded gun, but really aren't. They're medications that have been used by many many people in all circumstances-- some of these drugs, like parnate, over many decades. And while there are some limits--, unless you're very careless, they are quite reliable and safe. And if you're worried, you can be moderate-- to be honest, I once ate a whole jar of dill pickles at a sitting without noticing a thing.

The greatest concern really, is that you'll need more than 6 mg to respond. A lot of people do. I certainly do. Plus, really, you need a doctor who doesn't undermine your confidence and determination--and who has some experience with these drugs and therefore will work with them. Confidence is important too!--

But what you need most fb is to forge ahead. Use self soothing if you get anxious-- and keep in mind that Emsam simply is safe-- you're nowhere near the edge.

 

Re: emsam start + diet question » floatingbridge

Posted by floatingbridge on May 3, 2011, at 10:44:34

In reply to emsam start + diet question, posted by floatingbridge on May 2, 2011, at 13:18:03

Thanks both henryo and Willful.

I think I need a different doctor, it's true. I have fibromyalgia now on top of MI. This doctor basically doesn't have a plan except no meds (the allergy metaphor). In the big world, much work is being done with med-sensitive, depressed, fibromyalgia patients. Much more than she is realizing. It's not either souped-up cocktails or total abstinence. I'm going to find a few things that might, could, can work. Self-soothing is going to be a big part of it. And the right exercise. I am intolerant (allergic) to docs who do not understand and throw up their hands.

I'm not dead. Fibromyalgia isn't
terminal. And depression doesn't have to be either.

Who knows what will work, what the
pieces going into recovery will be.

Thanks for your support.

 

Re: emsam start + diet question » floatingbridge

Posted by SLS on May 3, 2011, at 11:55:11

In reply to Re: emsam start + diet question » floatingbridge, posted by floatingbridge on May 3, 2011, at 10:44:34

-----------------------------

Fibromyalgia generates stress.

Stress triggers depressive disorders.

Depressive disorders increase stress.

Increased stress worsens both depression and fibromyalgia.

Worsened depression and fibromyalgia increase stress.

Increased stress worsens both depression and fibromyalgia.

Etc.

-----------------------------

It is a self-reinforcing pattern. It seems to me as if stress were the thread that drives the comorbid processes. It may be that controlling anxiety would help break the comorbid dynamic.

Do you have anxiety?

Are you being treated for anxiety using anxiolytics? (BZD, Buspar, Lyrica)

Using antidepressants that show efficacy for treating generalized anxiety disorder might work without the need for using anxiolytics.


- Scott

 

Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers » SLS

Posted by floatingbridge on May 3, 2011, at 15:24:50

In reply to Re: emsam start + diet question » floatingbridge, posted by SLS on May 3, 2011, at 11:55:11

Hi Scott, thanks for checking in. Ironic about stress and fibromyalgia & depression. Here you go, you're now officially ill, we don't understand it but don't stress because stress makes it worse :-/

What AD's are stress reducers? I really don't know.

Buspar, I thought was an AD, not an anxiolytic. (I really don't know these things : / )

Any short list of anxiety reducing agents?

(Lyrica was a terrific bust. Right now it's xanax 1-2mg and norco 10mg. My
current gp just gave up after so little effort: "you can't take meds. You've done them all." I can't argue anymore. It's not worth it. My osteopath has his ear to
the ground regarding local practitioner & fibromyalgia but admits there isn't much. I will drive to Stanford to get proper supervision if necessary.)

Anyways, a new turn in the road, a new map, maybe a vista point along the way.

Chin up today. I see my pdoc this afternoon. Seems he is willing to treat, he just wants to know what to treat w/o making me worse. Your post is helping me focus before I see him.

 

Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers » floatingbridge

Posted by Phillipa on May 3, 2011, at 20:00:47

In reply to Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on May 3, 2011, at 15:24:50

I feel SLS may mean meds like lexapro, paxil, and others. Just a wild guess. Phillipa

 

Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers » Phillipa

Posted by SLS on May 3, 2011, at 22:40:25

In reply to Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on May 3, 2011, at 20:00:47

> I feel SLS may mean meds like lexapro, paxil, and others. Just a wild guess. Phillipa

Yes. SSRIs, although I get the impression that SNRIs might work even better. Paxil and Effexor probably work best, although these drugs are the most difficult to withdraw from. Of course this is not an issue if one deems it prudent to remain on a drug indefinitely. Nardil is an alternative. Maybe even doxepin.


- Scott

 

Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers » SLS

Posted by floatingbridge on May 4, 2011, at 1:19:27

In reply to Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers » Phillipa, posted by SLS on May 3, 2011, at 22:40:25

Hi Scott and Phillipa,

Effexor could be possible, but I hesitate to feel numb again. It's difficult to explain. Pristiq, which I stopped in October, maybe, didn't stop much anxiety, but it did do more than I gave it credit at the time.

Paxil I have not tried. Doxepin recently seemed intolerable, but I stopped after
two days, truth be told.

Nardil more than parnate? I ask because effexor was very stimulating during my run with it--though I tolerated it well (w/ xanax :-/ ). Since fatigue is so big.

Vilazadone was mentioned in another conversation. I'll be looking at that and it's 5hta-1 agonist action.

I appreciate this input from folks. I'll be
doing some detective work. I'm very pleased that my alliance w/ my pdoc is being repaired and he is interested in working with the additional challenges that fibromyalgia adds.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Onward, slowly :P

 

Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers » floatingbridge

Posted by Phillipa on May 4, 2011, at 19:16:22

In reply to Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on May 4, 2011, at 1:19:27

Pristiq and xanax were working then but you didn't realize it til now? Do you write down what a med causes used to have notebooks filled finally threw them away. Love Phillipa

 

Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers

Posted by desolationrower on May 5, 2011, at 18:34:36

In reply to Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on May 4, 2011, at 19:16:22

meditation and physical activity. Same as in the thread where cortisol and visceral adiposity are being discussed.

-d/r

 

Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers

Posted by floatingbridge on May 5, 2011, at 20:19:38

In reply to Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers, posted by desolationrower on May 5, 2011, at 18:34:36

> meditation and physical activity. Same as in the thread where cortisol and visceral adiposity are being discussed.
>
> -d/r

Yes. Absolutely. These two are cumulative in effect. What do you do during a tough time?

fb

 

Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers

Posted by desolationrower on May 5, 2011, at 22:21:01

In reply to Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers, posted by floatingbridge on May 5, 2011, at 20:19:38

> > meditation and physical activity. Same as in the thread where cortisol and visceral adiposity are being discussed.
> >
> > -d/r
>
> Yes. Absolutely. These two are cumulative in effect. What do you do during a tough time?
>
> fb
>
>

in practice, mostly avoidance, often via overintellectialisation

-d/r

 

Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers » desolationrower

Posted by floatingbridge on May 5, 2011, at 22:29:17

In reply to Re: non-anxiolytic stress reducers, posted by desolationrower on May 5, 2011, at 22:21:01

We have more in common than I first thought. Your post made me smile. Now that helps.

fb


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