Posted by laima on July 26, 2006, at 9:49:33
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your EMSAM updates » laima, posted by mayzee on July 25, 2006, at 21:16:38
Hi Mayzee,Wow, I'm surprised how doctors' philosophies can differ. They are all different I guess. Your blood pressure sure does sound low, did he/she not think the symptoms you described were of sufficient severity to address? They sound like they are interfering with your ability to function well.
If this might be of any help, I was told potasium, ie eating (firm, not mushy) bananas would help keep water in the body, hence helping keep blood pressure a bit higher. (The firm bananas, I was told, do not pose the same dietary danger as mushy ones for those of us on an maoi.) I too was advised to eat salt, one doc even said, "You're not on one of those low-salt diets, I hope! Eat it, you need it."
I can conceive of your doctor being reluctant to easily prescribe a sleep aid- they can sometimes end up causing problems, too-such as dependency. I've also heard talk that some believe they are being handed out too freely. But sometimes we need them, and ENSAM is known to cause insomnia.
I understand what you mean about vigourous excercise being hard in such a state. I managed to start a pretty good habit some years back for purpose of boosting my mood and it does help- but during a low, low blood pressure spell it feels near impossible. But I did discover that vigourous cardio excercise , with music, can, for me, be a near guarenteeed method of getting my head into a different place, at least temporarily, if I can get through the first 10-15 minutes. After that point, it seems like energy materializes out of nowhere. Doing this out in the sun is even better. In the winter, I fess up to enjoying the cheesy spin classes at my gym, led by peppy athletes who love to constantly exclaim things like, "you can do it! way to go! you are all way stronger than you realize! Looking awesome! You all are taking care of your bodies and deserve applause!!!!" After an hour of that, well! It's not so bad. That kind of enthusiasm feels contagious.
Unfortunately, I am not convinced excercise done much for my sleep issues.
In any case, your idea of revisiting your important concerns with pdoc sounds like a pretty good idea, in my opinion. He or she might have a different view or understanding of what you are experiencing, being a specialist-and-I presume, the one who prescribed EMSAM in the first place?
I wish you very good luck in getting through the wait for your appointment, and with the appointment itself.
Me- on day 2 of the EMSAM 9, still hoping it kicks in.
Best Wishes,
Laima
> Hi Laima,
>
> I went to see my internist today; didn't want to wait till the next pdoc appt. He confirmed the low blood pressure: 80/60, but said it's only a problem if the symptoms are a problem to me (which they are when I have the fatigue, dizziness, darkened vision, etc.) And he tested for and confirmed the orthostatic hypotension. But he doesn't want to give me anything for it. Just said to drink lots of water, eat more salt, and talk to my pdoc.
>
> Same drill for the insomnia/sleep fragmentation. He didn't want to give me anything for that either. Said I should try vigorous physical exercise. Of course that makes sense, but even before I had all the dizziness, etc. I could never get myself to exercise even though I know it will help. Too depressed & no energy. Now I'd be afraid I'd fall over! Anyway, I will bring these up with the pdoc next week.
>
> I was always someone who couldn't imagine taking more drugs to deal with drug-induced side effects, but I'm starting to catch on. If I could feel like I did on those 3 good days last week it would definitely make the side effects worth it!
>
> --Mayzee
poster:laima
thread:640308
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060724/msgs/670681.html