Posted by Racer on January 18, 2008, at 14:10:41
In reply to new to emsam patch, any help appreciated, posted by bonbon on January 17, 2008, at 4:01:18
I just stopped EMSAM, after a failed trial of about two months. I had no trouble at all with stopping it, just pulled off my patch on the way home from the doctor's office -- not a single problem, no symptoms from discontinuation, nada, nothing, just peachy keen. I really hope that helps give you confidence about giving it a try, that there will be no withdrawal if it doesn't work out.
Just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for someone else. I seem to have some wonky biochemistry, and have a twenty some year history of moderate treatment resistance. The problems I had with EMSAM were similar to the problems I've had with any serotinergic medication, as well as a few cholinergic issues such as constipation. What's more, I've got a couple of comorbid disorders that also interfere with treating the depression. In other words, please don't pay any attention to the fact that it didn't work out for me.
In terms of dietary restrictions, and alcohol, and all that -- the warnings are primarily CYA stuff. EMSAM bypasses the gut, so it's much less likely to affect tyramine metabolism. Aside from a few sorts of alcoholic beverages, such as draught beers and chianti, you can have a bit of alcohol. One reason doctors always say, "avoid alcohol with antidepressants" is that alcohol is a depressant -- it can exacerbate the depression you're trying to treat in the first place. You're probably safe having a drink or two.
You might want to get yourself a handy dandy blood pressure monitor. I got mine at Costco, and it was only about $35. It can set your mind at ease if you get a headache, and it can also check for other effects on your blood pressure.
EMSAM is certainly worth trying.
Good luck.
poster:Racer
thread:807168
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080114/msgs/807431.html