Posted by Jedi on March 15, 2008, at 3:16:41
In reply to Please Help. Emsam quit working?, posted by greenmtn on March 13, 2008, at 4:31:10
Hi greenmtn,
If you are anything like me you will have periods of dysthymia if you suffered from long term treatment resistant depression before you found a medication that worked. I have been on Nardil for most of the past eleven years. I have atypical treatment resistant double depression with social and generalized anxiety. I have only fallen back into major depression the times I have been off of Nardil for trials of other medications. These trials were to try and eliminate some of the long term side effects of Nardil. Mostly weight gain and delayed orgasm. However, I have had many bouts of dysthymia, which isn't nice but nothing like major depression.
Good Luck,
JediReference:
Geriatrics. 2006 Apr;61(4):22-6.
Partial remission. A common outcome in older adults treated for major depression.Hybels CF, Blazer DG, Steffens DC.
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.Major depression can affect up to 10% of older adults in clinical samples. Longitudinal studies of older adults with major depression report that a significant proportion of patients do not fully recover. Partial remission or symptoms of major depression that do not meet criteria for major depression, is predicted by 1) clinical factors, such higher number of symptoms at diagnosis, presence of comorbid dysthymia, and health problems; 2) social variables, such as high levels of perceived stress and low levels of perceived social support; and 3) perceived health/well-being variables, such as limitations in mobility or instrumental activities of daily living, poorer self-perceived health, finding life not satisfying, and looking back over life and finding it unhappy. Treatment options include antidepressants (alone or in combination) and psychotherapy.
PMID: 16605297 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
--------------------------------------------------------------------> Background: I have been doing great on Emsam 9mg (for 10 hrs daily) for 8 months with some manageable sleep & afternoon fatigue problems.(Before that I had extreme suicidal ideation, unrelenting extreme depression for years.) The plus side is it has, until just lately, made me happy and quite functional. I began community college in January after 30 years of no schooling, age 52 (and pretty apprehensive about if I could make it). I'm getting A's in Bio 110 (prereq for Anatomy & Physiology) in a class which is averaging about 70 or less on exams. I really am enjoying it.
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> From March 6 thru the 11th I experienced a return of extreme depression. I made no changes that could explain that. The Doc has me now for the last 2 days wearing the Emsam patch for 24 hours, not 10 hours. Last 2 days I have been sleeping a couple of hours of light fitful sleep. Then yesterday (Wednesday) the afternoon fatigue hit hard. Almost had an accident driving. Depression is somewhat improved maybe, hard to tell. Tonight just slept a little.
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> I'm tired. I'm afraid the last 8 months have just been a fluke, a cruel joke, then back down into darkness. Or I just need to wait and see. Not thinking so clearly now.
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> Any input would be appreciated.
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poster:Jedi
thread:817684
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080303/msgs/818051.html