Posted by Donna Louise on June 18, 2006, at 6:16:34
In reply to Re: EMSAM doses too low to effect depression ? » notfred, posted by endof90 on June 13, 2006, at 23:21:36
> Hi, I started Emsam on April 13, after coming off of Nardil 2wks. prior. As many others on this board I have been on multiple AD's w/various augmentors over the past 16yrs., due to refractory depression and social phobia. The ones that have helped eventually lose their effect, while others (mainly SSRI's) do not help @ all. Nardil was always my lifesaver, and I have been on and off of it for various periods since 1992. This past year it only really helped me for about 4 mos. but stayed on it anyway trying the addition of Lithium (didn't help)and then Lamictal which I really don't feel made much of a difference, though I continue to take 200mg daily. My first week on Emsam 6mg was intolerable due to excessive anxiety and insomnia. I would of welcomed the extra energy if I weren't so damned depressed and unmotivated,as my depression can usually have me sleeping @ least 15hrs/day @ times. I was increased to the 9mg patch after 7 days as my psydoc. stated the excessive anxiety was due to the MAO-B inhibition, whereas I respond best to the inhibition of MAO-A which only occurs @ the higher doses. Ativan and Ambien also helped me get thru this time. After 4wks. on 9mg I was better than I had been before starting this med. but in noway did it come close to the releif I felt w/Nardil when it was working for me. So I was increased to the 12mg patch on May 24. I have not noticed any significant improvement since, and am very worried that I am going down to where I've been too many times. I'm able to function still but it takes a tremendous effort to motivate myself. Stayed in bed from Wed. to Sun. this past week. Suddenly I'm tired again, w/absolutely no problem sleeping. Have been seeing my therapist twice a week so I can try to keep myself from completely isolating from the world again. If I don't try to fight it I'd never leave the house. Life is not supposed to be so hard. Just trying to hold on and not give up yet. Maybe something can be added. I'm also in the process of finding a new psydoc. b/c I'm not really happy w/the one I have for various reasons. Live in NJ, trying to find someone w/more experience in treatment resistant depression. Tried ECT in 2001, think it made me worse. I am truly happy for everyone that Emsam has helped so far and I wish you all continued success. Wish I could have a better response, but we're all different. I'm not ready to give up trying just as yet.
I am so sorry to hear that you are not responding as expected. I know what a huge disappointment that is. I was wondering. Have you tried adding provigil? I take it with EMSAM anywhere from 100-300mg divided during the day. I can still sleep if I wanted during the day, I am a good sleeper like you, but it gives me a choice. It also lifts my mood helps me be more social. I have been taking it with everything for about 4 years and is the only drug I have hung on to. Maybe that would help.donna
poster:Donna Louise
thread:655515
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060617/msgs/658225.html