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Re: Emsam Users, length of time, effects,pros/cons? » stargazer

Posted by shoshana on December 23, 2006, at 13:57:59

In reply to Emsam Users, length of time, effects,pros/cons?, posted by stargazer on December 13, 2006, at 9:10:19

I have been on the EMSAM 6mg/24 hour patch for almost 3 months. It has helped my mood and I have not had the weight gain and very severe memory problems that I have gotten on the SSRIs and SSNIs, although it has done nothing to help my anxiety. Also, in the last 2-3 weeks, I have begun to experience side-effects and wanted to share them. I am going to make an appointment to see my doctor, though, probably some of the side-effects could be controlled by watching what I eat (even though the patch at this level is not supposed to have dietary restrictions - I have noticed a reaction after I have had some of the things on the 'do not eat' list for those MAOIs of a higher dosage). Side-effects:

1) Head-rushes: I have to grab on to the wall/furniture sometimes to prevent myself from falling, when getting up from my bed or from a seated position.
2) Changes in blood pressure: I have always had very good blood pressure. Recently, when I started getting head-rushes, I checked and noticed that my average blood pressure has dropped around 30 points.
3) Acute insomnia: I cannot sleep more than 3 hours a night on my own. If I take Klonopin, Xanex, or Ambien, I get an extra 2 hours, at best.
4) Mild memory problems and problems concentrating: I think this may be caused by lack of sleep, though the symptoms seems to slowly be getting worse.
5) Hypersensitivity to light in the morning: when I go out of my house in the morning, I feel like the sky is painfully bright and it hurts my eyes.
6) Detection of a strange odor: I very often feel as if I'm smelling spoiled milk and can't get rid of the smell. It occurs when I'm in different places (at home, at work, at a store, etc), so I know it doesn't have anything to do with my housekeeping skills!
7) Extreme anxiety: Feels as if I'm having a very severe panic attack (which I'm not): I noticed that this happened the other day after I had one piece of imported chocolate. It can last for several days and is very unpleasant. I have tried to alleviate the feeling of anxiety by working out at the gym and it helps only slightly. Also, Xanex helped a little bit.
8) Difficulty doing simple math equations: For example, I used to be the person everyone turned to when figuring out the bill at a restaurant. Now I have problems calculating in my head and have stopped trying because it is too frustrating. This also may be caused by lack of sleep (?)
9) Involuntary muscle spasms: I had these when I was taking Cymbalta and they seem to have returned but they are less frequent and not as strong.


> Hi, just checking in to update my Emsam post for anyone interested.
>
> Duration: approx 1 month now.
>
> Effects:
> Positive: more motivation, decrease in anxiety, better focus, no dietary restrictions.
>
> Negative: patch falls off sometimes, cost (have samples now but not sure if my insurance will cover it, I will fight if they don't)
>
> I see my pdoc today and although I am feeling better than a few months ago, I don't really feel great. That is one of the problems with depression...being able to judge how you feel and knowing that you are getting some response or not.
>
> I'd like to keep posting and hear from others on Emsam.
>
> P.S. Still take 25 mg of seroquel to sleep prn.
>
> Stargazer
>


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poster:shoshana thread:703921
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061217/msgs/715945.html