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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by lymom3 on May 17, 2006, at 12:46:50
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates?, posted by cecilia on May 15, 2006, at 5:59:35
Day 15...still doing well. Had pdoc appt today and discussed the fact that I am still a little too irritable and weepy. We are going to give it 3 more weeks are re assess whether I might increase dosage or add another medication. I have noticed my crankiness getting better (I think...maybe should ask my family!!)
No negatives here...didn't even get my usual PMS migraine this month...hope that continues as well.
Lisa
Posted by pulse on May 17, 2006, at 15:08:55
In reply to Emsam Side Effects_Pulse, posted by cecilia on May 17, 2006, at 5:46:07
Thank so much for your clarification!
Even at the ultra low time - 1-2 hrs. at one setting that I've had no choice but to do - now I'm only applying Emsam ONCE per day, BTW (vs. nearly everyone else 24 hrs.), I'm sorry to report I still get all the side-effects I've mentioned in my "Anyone Emsam at night?" thread. This, still, at over one month, and my 4 attempts/ "solutions."
Also, my anxiety is definitely increased within a short time of applying until I take the patch off, and the half-life then winds down.
My therapist, also a nurse, told me that Emsam will indeed show up as amphetamine in any drug test for work, as someone earlier mentioned. I'm a former stimulant "addict," but only cocaine; no cocaine for almost 9 years, now. Unlike, perhaps (?), the majority (?!) of stim. "addicts", I have always hated speed, and haven't done it since 1970; then only twice. I've gotta be honest, Emsam feels like simple old-time speed to me, and that is about all. I can't imagine how it's having calming and no insomnia effects for others, even if they are on klonopin.
It' sure looking like, for me, I will soon be at the point of ONLY keeping Emsam "in my back pocket," in case I find I must apply it occasionally to avoid a complete descent into Major Depression.
pulse
Posted by bulldog2 on May 18, 2006, at 8:18:48
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates?, posted by jkshrews on May 16, 2006, at 23:37:55
I'm on my third day of emsam. I apply the patch after my shower at night. So far no real side effects. Anxiety has been some what less the first three days. The first two days the depression was actually a little worse but today I woke up and felt like my mood had improved. I guess it's far to early to see how this will turn out. At two weeks I usually get a feeling wether an antidepressant is going to work.
Posted by sweetnlow on May 18, 2006, at 17:58:36
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates?, posted by bulldog2 on May 18, 2006, at 8:18:48
I'm on day 3 also. Years ago, I responded wonderfully to Nardil (another MAOI), so I am optimistic about Ensam.
So far, no effects. That's O.K., it's early.
Posted by strugglingsteve on May 18, 2006, at 21:03:16
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates? » bulldog2, posted by sweetnlow on May 18, 2006, at 17:58:36
I started the 9 mg patch today. It is alot bigger than the 6 mg patch such that you notice it now whereas before I didnt. Hopefully it will work......
Posted by Breeze on May 19, 2006, at 8:49:49
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates?, posted by cecilia on May 15, 2006, at 5:59:35
Just put the patch on for the first time an hour ago. When I opened the package this morning I looked inside and said, "Nuts, I got an empty packge, there's nothing in here", but on checking further I saw it. I guess I didn't expect a clear patch, I was thinking it would be the color of a band-aid. I was also surprised at how small it was.
I've been waiting to put on the Emsam patch since August 2005. Let's hope it works for all us!
Breeze
Posted by gibber on May 19, 2006, at 11:26:09
In reply to Re: Emsam 9 mg patch » strugglingsteve, posted by SFY on May 17, 2006, at 12:37:50
The best information about the diet specific to EMSAM is at http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/05/briefing/2005-4186B2_02_01-FDA-Emsam.pdf
The jist is that no special diet is required at any dosage, however the FDA is not in agreement with that and any doctor would say you need to obey the diet.
Posted by pulse on May 19, 2006, at 13:32:07
In reply to Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates?, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on May 5, 2006, at 13:30:01
Hi All,
Emsam has failed me. I am DONE! I could not overcome the major GI problems, much less the increased anxiety, urinary retension, and insomnia.
There was no improvement whatsoever in depression; it only felt like being on way too much speed, a feeling I hate.
My therapist and I must now conclude that my first (great) day on Emsam was merely the placebo effect, afterall.
Continued good luck to those doing well.
pulse
Posted by sweetnlow on May 19, 2006, at 13:33:50
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates?, posted by pulse on May 19, 2006, at 13:32:07
Pulse--
What dosage of Emsam were you on?
> Hi All,
>
> Emsam has failed me. I am DONE! I could not overcome the major GI problems, much less the increased anxiety, urinary retension, and insomnia.
>
> There was no improvement whatsoever in depression; it only felt like being on way too much speed, a feeling I hate.
>
> My therapist and I must now conclude that my first (great) day on Emsam was merely the placebo effect, afterall.
>
> Continued good luck to those doing well.
>
> pulse
>
>
Posted by pulse on May 19, 2006, at 15:52:57
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates?, posted by sweetnlow on May 19, 2006, at 13:33:50
6 mg.
The longest I could ever apply (other than 24 hrs.,those 1st four days, i.e. attempt #1) (attempt #2 was every other day, for 24 hrs.) ....was 4 hours (1/6 of time others are handling.) Attempt 3, I may forget now, but probably 2-3-4 hrs., applied no more than 3 times (usually only twice) a day, at intervals, but WAY before bedtime, as the teeth-clenching & insomnia were as bad, if not worse, than Zoloft.
Attempt #4 - the waterloo it was more than obvious I was fast approaching- was 1-2 hours (may have forgotten and left on 3 hrs once) ONCE a day!
None of this was done as some kind of goofy parlor trick...it was absolutely necessary. Still, the result was that I simply couldn't handle Emsam.
Now, if they'd made, say, a 2mg. patch, maybe...who knows? I'm fairly sure BMS will put no further expense into lower dosages, though.
pulse
Posted by strugglingsteve on May 19, 2006, at 17:41:35
In reply to Re: Emsam 9 mg patch, posted by gibber on May 19, 2006, at 11:26:09
I just read most of that link and where do you get the idea that no diet is needed at the higher patch strengths? What I got was they were pretty adamant about needing the diet at the higher patch strengths....
> The best information about the diet specific to EMSAM is at http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/05/briefing/2005-4186B2_02_01-FDA-Emsam.pdf
>
> The jist is that no special diet is required at any dosage, however the FDA is not in agreement with that and any doctor would say you need to obey the diet.
Posted by SFY on May 20, 2006, at 10:24:31
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates? » sweetnlow, posted by pulse on May 19, 2006, at 15:52:57
> 6 mg.
>
> The longest I could ever apply (other than 24 hrs.,those 1st four days, i.e. attempt #1) (attempt #2 was every other day, for 24 hrs.) ....was 4 hours (1/6 of time others are handling.) Attempt 3, I may forget now, but probably 2-3-4 hrs., applied no more than 3 times (usually only twice) a day, at intervals, but WAY before bedtime, as the teeth-clenching & insomnia were as bad, if not worse, than Zoloft.
>
> Attempt #4 - the waterloo it was more than obvious I was fast approaching- was 1-2 hours (may have forgotten and left on 3 hrs once) ONCE a day!
>
> None of this was done as some kind of goofy parlor trick...it was absolutely necessary. Still, the result was that I simply couldn't handle Emsam.
>
> Now, if they'd made, say, a 2mg. patch, maybe...who knows? I'm fairly sure BMS will put no further expense into lower dosages, though.
>
> pulseIf you're looking for a lower dose, why not try oral selegiline? At doses up to 10 to 15 mg./day, there are no dietary restrictions.
Posted by Last Chance on May 20, 2006, at 12:42:11
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates? » pulse, posted by SFY on May 20, 2006, at 10:24:31
I am still waiting for my patches. I have tried oral Selegeline, but only for 2 weeks - started at five and went to 10mg. It just made me agitated - maybe I should have hung in there longer - Easy to say in retrospect. Richard
Posted by pulse on May 20, 2006, at 15:23:45
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates? » pulse, posted by SFY on May 20, 2006, at 10:24:31
Thank you for your suggestion of oral selegiline, but I believe my response would be the same as Last Chance's, i.e. agitation only.
MY BIG concern from get-go was: not taking ANY oral med - as it passes right through the gut.
Until this year, my main problem/ dx was always Major Depression. Of course as one p-doc said, "with MDD, who wouldn't have anxiety ...never knowing - even on meds for it - when the next episode might hit me. I personally think they go hand in hand, if you have MDD, in nearly everyone, especially the more depressed you become. Now that I've thought of this, I must REALLY wonder how they found enough people with ONLY MDD for all their studies. I'm skeptical in a big way re: this.
End of last year, I went through 2 very traumatic events within 2 weeks of each other. My best guess is that this is why I'm still having so much more anxiety than ever before - PTSD commonly hitting within weeks to months AFTER events of this kind.
Having to go back on Zelnorm for constipation due entirely to Emsam, perhaps, after my washout is complete, I will be able to again tolerate Prozac (?).
Quitting the patch has made my tummy immediately MUCH better.BTW, I recently found out that some people get sick from the gelatin in capsules. Then, I found out that, unfortunately, brand name Prozac has stopped making their 10 mg. tablet. I can still get the generic in 10 mg. tablets. There is no other option left for me; I've tried all other ADs, in all classes (except Nardil, and I'm not willing to), and many, many combos. (I also can't tolerate ANY mood stabilizer GI-wise, for any additional help toward full remission).
pulse
Posted by Phillipa on May 20, 2006, at 18:55:44
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates? » SFY, posted by pulse on May 20, 2006, at 15:23:45
Well what if the episode never ends it's been l0years for me. What started out as panic attacks has bencome MDD with agoraphobia , panic, fear of even my kids(grown) And going anywhere alone and being alone. What do I do take? Love Phillipa
Posted by pulse on May 20, 2006, at 23:39:23
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates? » pulse, posted by Phillipa on May 20, 2006, at 18:55:44
My history seems quite different from yours, and I'm not that familiar with your story, as I only pop in here from time to time.
So, I wouldn't presume to tell you what to take.
Regards,
pulse
Posted by Jost on May 21, 2006, at 14:11:16
In reply to Re: Emsam 9 mg patch » strugglingsteve, posted by SFY on May 17, 2006, at 12:37:50
The Emsam package insert proscribes the following for those on the 9mg/24 hours. (This list is the full list, directly copied):
1. Meat, poultry, fish
- air dried, aged and fermented meats, sausages and salamis
- pickled herring
-any spoiled or improperly stored meat, poultry and fish. These are foods that have a change in color, odor, or become moldy.
-spoiled or improperly stored animal livers2. Vegetables
- broad bean pods (fava bean pods)
3. Dairy (milk products)
-aged cheeses
4. Drinks
-all tap beers and other beers that have not been pasteurized
5. Other
-concentrated yeast extract (such as Marmite)
-sauerkraut
-most soybean products (including soy sauce and tofu)
-over-the-counter supplements containing tyramineWill post acceptable foods in separate message. This will especially include drinks and cheeses that are acceptable.
Jost
Posted by Jost on May 21, 2006, at 14:19:42
In reply to Re: Emsam 9 mg patch--foods to be avoided, posted by Jost on May 21, 2006, at 14:11:16
This is the list from the Emsam package insert of acceptable foods, containing little or no tyramine, for those taking 9 mg and 12 mg/24 hours.
1 Meat, Poultry, Fish
-Fresh meat, poultry and fish, including fresh processed meats (such as lunch meats, hot dogs, breakfast sausage and cooked sliced ham)
2. Vegetables
-All other vegetables (except broad beans--see other list)
3. Dairy
-Processed cheeses, mozarella, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt
4. Drinks
-As with other antidepressants, concomitant use of alcohol with Emsam is not recommended. (Bottled and canned beers and wines contain little or no tyramine.)
5. Other
-Brewer's yeast, baker's yeast
-Soy milk
-Pizzas from commercial chain restaurants prepared with cheeses low in tyramine(Note: the unacceptable list applied also to those on 12 mg, of course.)
Jost
Posted by ZeitGuest on May 21, 2006, at 20:12:05
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your ENSAM updates? (nm), posted by zero on May 17, 2006, at 10:23:10
Day 17 on EMSAM.
So far, no beneficial effects yet.
As for negative effects, just one: I have had a noticeable increase in irritability, which may be my version of anxiety. Little things seem to be irritating me more than usual.
I've always had a proclivity for crankiness. When I was on Prozac (for ten years or so, give or take a few months off here and there in an effort to try new meds), the crankiness/nervousness was definitely mitigated. (I think I'm mildly afflicted by OCD, and pre-poopout Prozac completely irradicated that symptom.) But on EMSAM I've been feeling much more irritable than usual, and feeling more aggravated by mundane frustrations. Not sure if EMSAM itself is causing this, or if the patch (6mg) is just not working and I'm now steeping in my "natural state."
I definitely haven't felt motivated, energized or more sociable, as some on this site have. I was hoping that EMSAM would help me with my social anxiety and mild depression.
I'm wondering if some of the earlier "early adopters" on this site are still experiencing beneficial effects from EMSAM with regard to social anxiety. I believe RobertDavid commented on that effect early in his trial. So, RobertDavid, are you still feeling more socially engaged/motivated on EMSAM?
Posted by lymom3 on May 21, 2006, at 20:47:30
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your EMSAM updates?, posted by ZeitGuest on May 21, 2006, at 20:12:05
I am crankier too. Some days I think it's getting better, some days I'm not so sure. I know that over doing caffeine has a bad effect...become excessively tired.
I do feel other benefits and I'm on week 3, so I'm going to stick with it...might evaluate adding a med to help with that in a week or two.
Posted by ZeitGuest on May 21, 2006, at 21:43:33
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your EMSAM updates? » ZeitGuest, posted by lymom3 on May 21, 2006, at 20:47:30
> I am crankier too. Some days I think it's getting better, some days I'm not so sure. I know that over doing caffeine has a bad effect...become excessively tired.
> I do feel other benefits and I'm on week 3, so I'm going to stick with it...might evaluate adding a med to help with that in a week or two.lymom3:
What other benefits are you feeling?
Posted by RobertDavid on May 21, 2006, at 21:57:36
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your EMSAM updates?, posted by ZeitGuest on May 21, 2006, at 20:12:05
> I'm wondering if some of the earlier "early adopters" on this site are still experiencing beneficial effects from EMSAM with regard to social anxiety. I believe RobertDavid commented on that effect early in his trial. So, RobertDavid, are you still feeling more socially engaged/motivated on EMSAM?
He's pretty much everything I have experienced since going on EMSAM 6 weeks ago:Quick response to mental clarity in particular. That contiues for me, I'm just sharper, have better consentration and my energy remains high. Over the last 2 weeks it's been pretty much the same, most came within 4 weeks for me.
When I first started EMSAM I dreamed a lot, though I am not dreaming quite as much as in the beginning, I'm still dreaming more than before. Initially I wasn't sleeping as many hours, but I woke up with more energy. I still have more energy, pehaps not quite the amount I felt in the beginning.
I've always dealt with insomnia. I'm still not sleeping like I want to and am working on ways to improve it. EMSAM overall isn't a medicine I'd suggest will help people sleep should they have insomnia. My doctor and I looked at some options like adding 12.5 mgs seroquel. I did sleep, but I was zonked the next day and seroquel brought back the foggy headed feeling I got rid of with EMSAM. Lunesta helps some on occation. A few nights I took the patch off at bedtime and did sleep a little better, but then after putting the patch back on in the morning it would take till about noon to get the energy I like.
Since I do not deal with major depression (SAD & GAD primary disorters) I suspect that an even smaller dose of EMSAM, say a 10 or 15mg patch would be ideal. I get more than enough of what I'm looking for with the 20 mgs, it's really good, but perhaps a smaller dose would still be enough, but help with sleeping, not sure.
I have written to Dr. Alexander Botkin who I understand was one of the leading reaserchers in the EMSAM studies to discuss the issues with cutting the patch in half, to find out if it leaks selegiline as some have suggested, to find out if there would be an uneven dose by cutting the patch in half or to just see if the drug companies don't want people to cut patches to save money such as someone getting a 40mg patch, cutting it in half to make a two 20mg patchs to save money (which I suspect, not sure). It also seems to me that there were smaller patch doses in the original study and wonder if there are plans to release one, maybe for Parkinsons patients who only need a small dose. It's just something I'm looking into as I'm a firm believer in playing with dose till you find the right med(s) at the right doses.
I do feel EMSAM is stimulating, but that's what I wanted to lift me from my mental fog, mild depression that perhaps klonopin aggrivated, not sure, but klonopin certainly tackles my social and generalized anxiety. Other stimulants I have tried were just to stimulating (even provigil) and made me more anxious in the long run. With EMSAM I seem to get the energy and mood boost without the anxiety, I'd just like to find a way to sleep better. When I sleep good, I feel my best.
I did notice that when I added EMSAM to the 2mgs of klonopin (taking for 12 years) I was more social. It might have been do to the fact that I have more energy which makes me more social and since I take klonopin I can't really say how much EMSAM specifically has improved my social anxiety or what it would have been like for me if I wasn't takingn klonopin. I can say I get around more, do more things, feel better.
What I have learned is that for me, caffeine does not go well with EMSAM. I have never been a big coffee drinker as it has increased my anxiety before, but now I get jacked up quick, real quick and come crashing down. I have wasted a couple of days after drinking coffee and have sworn it off.
In my quest to try to find the right dose for me, I've lowered down on klonopin from 2 mgs to 1.5. That has caused some issues (during the tapering) that is normal for me to feel when lowering klonopin dose (increased insmonia for several days, slight increase in anxiety for a week along with being irritable). I'm going to stay at the 1.5 dose for a while and see how I feel. I felt so good so fast I probably jumped to gun to try to conclude if EMSAM will be effective without klonopin.
So I'm better, much better overall. I have no doubt I'm on the best med I've ever tried for mild depression, energy, mental clarity. I would like to see how effective a smaller dose of EMSAM would be for me, but not sure if that's possible, but am looking into it.
I know I'm doing well as I'm no longer focusing on other meds I once considered trying. I'm just focusing on the dose these two meds. The answer for me is probably a long term klonopin/EMSAM combo. At some point I'm going to settle on dose and go on with my life until the next potential breakthrough that may come out to be a better solution.
In my opinion EMSAM is something that should give many hope, another option, it will work for some, not all. As I've always said it's just trial and error with this meds. Rob
Posted by RobertDavid on May 22, 2006, at 0:13:34
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your EMSAM updates?, posted by RobertDavid on May 21, 2006, at 21:57:36
In a follow up to my above post I just recieved an email from Dr. Alexander J. Bodkin, MD, an EMSAM reasercher involved in the studies.
Anyway, I specifically asked him if the patch could be cut in half and if so what effects cutting it might have such as selegiline leaking, uneven dose delivery or other possible issues. The following was his response:
"No harm in carefully cutting them in half. Wash you hands afterward. Nothing will ooze out. Many lab animals got their EmSam that way over the years. If its good enough for lab animals its good enough for people. Lab scientists are very careful about dosage precision.
Good luck to you."Interesting. May give some options to those trying to fine tune their dose. FYI Rob
Posted by strugglingsteve on May 22, 2006, at 0:24:58
In reply to Re: Emsam 9 mg patch--acceptable foods, posted by Jost on May 21, 2006, at 14:19:42
As far as cheese goes, does that include fresh whole milk mozzarella or just the processed kind from dominoes? As to lunch meat, what about bologna??
> This is the list from the Emsam package insert of acceptable foods, containing little or no tyramine, for those taking 9 mg and 12 mg/24 hours.
>
> 1 Meat, Poultry, Fish
>
> -Fresh meat, poultry and fish, including fresh processed meats (such as lunch meats, hot dogs, breakfast sausage and cooked sliced ham)
>
> 2. Vegetables
>
> -All other vegetables (except broad beans--see other list)
>
> 3. Dairy
>
> -Processed cheeses, mozarella, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt
>
> 4. Drinks
>
> -As with other antidepressants, concomitant use of alcohol with Emsam is not recommended. (Bottled and canned beers and wines contain little or no tyramine.)
>
> 5. Other
>
> -Brewer's yeast, baker's yeast
> -Soy milk
> -Pizzas from commercial chain restaurants prepared with cheeses low in tyramine
>
> (Note: the unacceptable list applied also to those on 12 mg, of course.)
>
> Jost
Posted by ZeitGuest on May 22, 2006, at 0:27:56
In reply to Re: Everyone PLEASE share your EMSAM updates?, posted by RobertDavid on May 21, 2006, at 21:57:36
Thanks for the update, Rob.
One thing I find confusing about the EMSAM literature is the dosing specs. On my box it says, "20mg (6mg/24 hours)." Does that mean that each patch contains 20mg of selegiline, but only 6mg of that total gets metabolized by one's system in a 24-hour period?
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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