Posted by BrightEyed+Blueberry on May 9, 2008, at 0:49:59
In reply to Re: EMSAM patch, posted by grazce on May 9, 2008, at 0:33:04
I was thinking being prescribed the 12mg patch might be more cost effective for sure - if I can get my doctor to do it. I'm her first on this med and while she's good or better than most Ive been to for trying new things, it seems like she might be either not believing or experienced or comfortable enough y et believing you can split it in half and have the dosages adjust...she may still be following the package directions to the letter being eithier MAOI-shy or...maybe just EMSAM shy - I'm sure she's MAOId patients before, though how could I know.
Doesn't hurt to ask though, andi see her tomorrow, so why not? Will tell her I had to borrow money to fork over my $500 deductible - which I'll have to do again in....7 months (calendar year) - andi still pay $150/month.
Official literature/publications on cutting the patch and it being ok? Or its experience and word of pdoc-to pdoc mouth?
Gotta get make myself go to bed early tonight according to my sleep war-plan, see if that helps my insomnia! oops, and rip off the patch exactly nOW!
Thanks!
michelle>
> I am happy to hear you are a fairly quick responder. You are lucky in that respect.
>
> The motivations or near motivations you speak of are just coming my way, and I have been taking EMSAM for a little over 5 months.
>
> My bottom line message is - don't give up!
>
> For so many who have been treatment resistant it is hard to hang in there, but what are the alternatives at this point?
>
> Ask your Dr. to help with the sleep problems if you have them (seems to be the major side effect problem and certainly was mine).
>
> As to feeling like you have a cold all the time I experienced sinus problems for quite some time after I started taking EMSAM and a "runny nose".
>
> It just seems to have disappeared - but I would like to understand the connection.
>
> Do watch out for the UTI's. Mine was a sudden onset, but looking back I realized I was not responding to my bodies messages in a timely manner.
>
> As far as other side effects go, after experiencing all the various SSRI reactions, EMSAM is somewhat of a gift, in that you might find it so much more tolerable you can take it long enough to see if it really works for you.
>
> Another advantage to this patch is the ability to control the dose yourself.
>
> Either by cutting the patch or monitoring the number of hours you wear it each day and working up to a therapeutic dose/time that works for you.
>
> So maybe a slow start ( half dose - 3 mg) for some, and fewer hours, might be a good way to deal with "activating" issues.
>
> (Thinking as I type I found Wellbutrin to be activating and
> caused me a lot of cognitive dysfunction. And although it kept the depression under control, I found that for me it never really gave me more than band aid relief.)
>
> My doctor agreed to prescribe 12-mg patches that I could adjust from 3, 6, 9 and eventually, I will likely take the entire 12 mg dose.
>
> Certainly a lot more cost effective if that is an issue, and I can't imagine it is not for most.
>
> And the only real concern is making sure your measurements are consistent so the dose is consistent.
>
> A cut patch seals itself completely if that is concern.
>
>
> An aside, I have been reading this forum for well over a year and it was instrumental in my decision to try EMSAM.
>
> So thank you all very much for sharing your experiences and giving me the courage and motivation to try one more drug.
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poster:BrightEyed+Blueberry
thread:827450
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080430/msgs/828088.html