Posted by Brody on September 21, 2007, at 11:00:56
In reply to Movin' on up to the Big Time - EMSAM 9mg patch, posted by yznhymer on September 20, 2007, at 22:25:27
>>I've been on this 6mg Post-It Note for a couple of months or more and have gotten some benefit from it. Woo! >
>That's terrific... I know how you feel.
>
>But its been uneven and I couldshouldwould be doing much better in an ideal world. My unscientific take from the "babble" is those who have done well on EMSAM have done so on bigger patches.>
>Good Luck with this... hopefully, you will feel even better on the 9mg. So that I might compare to my own experience, can you describe what seems to be "missing" on the 6mg?
>
>what's the consensus on the real need to follow dietary restrictions at 9mg? >
>I can't say about the consensus, but my experience has been:
Over a 5 month period I have been through all 3 patch strengths, and have now settled in at 9mg.
The dietary restrictions have been a non-issue for me. I have a dairy allergy and compensate with a lot of soy products which are supposed to be a "no-no" and I have not had any problems. One notable exception: Soy Sauce. I had a habit of drowning some Chinese dishes in the stuff... It gave me a headache, so I now avoid it entirely.
If I have the occaisional cured meat, I keep the portion small, and I don't combine it with another restricted food, ie. red wine.
I eat a banana everyday.... never have wanted to eat the peel, so I hardly consider this a "restriction". Same goes with "spoiled meat"... does anybody eat spoiled meat?
Here is an interesting link regarding the move toward a "friendlier maoi user diet"
http://www.nil.wustl.edu/labs/kevin/psy/maoi.htm
>
>Anybody know what BMS maintains about the safety of their product at higher levels as opposed to what The Man makes them print on their package inserts?>
>I have not looked into this. I would expect them to be very conservative and advise adhering to the restrictions... others may have a better idea?
>
>Those of you who have titrated upwards, did you experience a recurrence or intensifying of any side effects? Care to share your experiences?>
>I did feel a recurrance of already abated side effects (a little anxiety and insomnia), but they subsided within a week or so, same as at 6mg. My doctor had me on a little Xanax for this. It helped immensely. I still have occaision to take .5mg if I have a big-time stress situation.
My biggest side effect issue, and the reason I went back down to 9mg from 12mg, is orthostatic hypotension, which I still experience daily, but I just deal with it. It's certainly not enough to go off a med that is actually working for me for a change.
>
>Did your prescribing doc also give you a small prescription to counteract a hypertensive crisis (antidote) in the event one should occur? >
>No, she did not.
>
>Thanks in advance for your responses.>
>
You are most welcome.... and the very best of luck to you as you move ahead with the 9mg post it note!Janet
poster:Brody
thread:784253
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070919/msgs/784305.html