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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 44. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by damnthislife on July 9, 2013, at 9:37:26
Today is my 2nd day on the Emsam 6mgs patch. Yesterday I had no issues with the location of the patch. I don't seem to have a reaction to the material as others have had.
Day 1. Nothing positive to post. No increase in energy/lessening of tiredness, or reduced appetite.
Day 2 (today) Woke still feeling unrefreshed and I'm currently very sleepy. I had hoped for a better reaction on this, but I need to realize everyone is different and wait the 3-4 weeks to determine if I need to go up or if I need to switch meds.
I'll report back in a few days with anything new.
Posted by antennastoheaven on July 9, 2013, at 9:43:19
In reply to Started Emsam 6mg patch, posted by damnthislife on July 9, 2013, at 9:37:26
I was on Emsam for three weeks before giving up due to fatigue. I got to the point where I stopped going to work.
Here is my thread: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130527/msgs/1044478.html
Hope it works better for you. I know one person who found it to be effective for his depression (but unfortunately with too many other side effects)
I ended up going back to Wellbutrin, and I'm functional again.
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2013, at 9:47:01
In reply to Started Emsam 6mg patch, posted by damnthislife on July 9, 2013, at 9:37:26
This is good. Still in contact with RD? Phillipa
Posted by damnthislife on July 9, 2013, at 9:51:43
In reply to Re: Started Emsam 6mg patch » damnthislife, posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2013, at 9:47:01
Phillipa,
I am not. For some reason, I could never email him back. I would just get a bounce back. He seems to be doing very well, though!
Posted by damnthislife on July 9, 2013, at 9:53:33
In reply to Re: Started Emsam 6mg patch, posted by antennastoheaven on July 9, 2013, at 9:43:19
> I was on Emsam for three weeks before giving up due to fatigue. I got to the point where I stopped going to work.
>
> Here is my thread: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130527/msgs/1044478.html
>
> Hope it works better for you. I know one person who found it to be effective for his depression (but unfortunately with too many other side effects)
>
> I ended up going back to Wellbutrin, and I'm functional again.That link is dead.
I have tried many forms of welbutrin and didn't get a blip. I'm starting to wonder if my over tiredness today is from the medication. I'm usually like this for a few days when starting a new med. Tiredness is already my worst symptoms for my depression so this sucks (lol)
Glad you're feeling better!
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 9, 2013, at 18:03:47
In reply to Re: Started Emsam 6mg patch, posted by damnthislife on July 9, 2013, at 9:53:33
Posted by antennastoheaven on July 9, 2013, at 18:17:23
In reply to Re: Started Emsam 6mg patch, posted by damnthislife on July 9, 2013, at 9:53:33
> I have tried many forms of welbutrin and didn't get a blip. I'm starting to wonder if my over tiredness today is from the medication. I'm usually like this for a few days when starting a new med. Tiredness is already my worst symptoms for my depression so this sucks (lol)
Have you checked your blood pressure? I think hypotension is one potential cause of feeling tired on an MAOI. Mine was as low as 100/56 on the second or third day of taking Emsam - not much lower than normal, but I did feel a little more out of it those days. Later on it was typically around 110/70. (I'm not sure what my blood pressure looks like when not on medication, but on Wellbutrin it's usually close to 120/80.)
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2013, at 20:27:54
In reply to Re: Started Emsam 6mg patch, posted by damnthislife on July 9, 2013, at 9:51:43
Seriously? He emailed me a few times? I'm truly surprised? Phillipa
Posted by damnthislife on July 10, 2013, at 8:52:44
In reply to Re: Started Emsam 6mg patch » damnthislife, posted by antennastoheaven on July 9, 2013, at 18:17:23
> > I have tried many forms of welbutrin and didn't get a blip. I'm starting to wonder if my over tiredness today is from the medication. I'm usually like this for a few days when starting a new med. Tiredness is already my worst symptoms for my depression so this sucks (lol)
>
> Have you checked your blood pressure? I think hypotension is one potential cause of feeling tired on an MAOI. Mine was as low as 100/56 on the second or third day of taking Emsam - not much lower than normal, but I did feel a little more out of it those days. Later on it was typically around 110/70. (I'm not sure what my blood pressure looks like when not on medication, but on Wellbutrin it's usually close to 120/80.)My Wife is a nurse and she checked it last night. It was 120/82. I guess that's alright.. lol
Posted by damnthislife on July 10, 2013, at 8:53:55
In reply to Re: Started Emsam 6mg patch » damnthislife, posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2013, at 20:27:54
> Seriously? He emailed me a few times? I'm truly surprised? Phillipa
Yeah, I'm not sure what was wrong. It looked like a spam filter was preventing me from responding. He took a great deal of time to write me a very long email explaining his history and use with Emsam. Just wish I could have at least thanked him.
Posted by damnthislife on July 10, 2013, at 8:56:41
In reply to Started Emsam 6mg patch, posted by damnthislife on July 9, 2013, at 9:37:26
Nothing new to report, today. Same old, Same old. Woke feeling tired, still tired now even after being awake for 4 hours. The patch is still holding fine, even after a walk for 30 minutes last night and a shower. No issue with it falling off or irritation of the skin. I have been switching arms each day.
Posted by Phillipa on July 10, 2013, at 20:14:47
In reply to Re: Started Emsam 6mg patch » Phillipa, posted by damnthislife on July 10, 2013, at 8:53:55
Let me see if I can get through? Could be that he doesn't wish to remember the time he was here. That since he no longer needs to post here. He doesn't want to remember? I don't know. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on July 10, 2013, at 23:01:48
In reply to Re: Started Emsam 6mg patch » Phillipa, posted by damnthislife on July 10, 2013, at 8:53:55
I just talked with Robert and I thanked him for you. He is doing fine himself. I had no problem with his replying. But then we talked a lot for a long time. So You are well? Phillipa
Posted by damnthislife on July 11, 2013, at 7:45:57
In reply to Re: Started Emsam 6mg patch » damnthislife, posted by Phillipa on July 10, 2013, at 23:01:48
Not really sure why I couldn't reply. It said something about a filter or being blocked and this was from my personal gmail account to his personal mail account.
Thank you for thanking him!
Doing well... eh, I'm the same at this point. Posting day 4 in a minute.
Posted by damnthislife on July 11, 2013, at 7:48:02
In reply to Re: Started Emsam 6mg patch, posted by antennastoheaven on July 9, 2013, at 9:43:19
So day 3 was a pretty bad today. I'm assuming this is the onset of the medication and possibly a side effect but I was even more tired than normal. I went home and around 730pm I was ready for bed. I was out like a light when I hit the pillow. I talked with my doctor, we are going to meet up next week and discuss possibly increasing to 9mgs. She orginially wanted me on that doesage at first, but I asked for just 6mgs.
Today is nothing new to report. Still woke feeling tired after 8.5 hours of sleep, still tired at the moment after being awake for 3 hours.
Posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2013, at 20:11:52
In reply to Day 4 (6mgs), posted by damnthislife on July 11, 2013, at 7:48:02
You haven't been it on very long? Phillipa
Posted by damnthislife on July 12, 2013, at 6:49:20
In reply to Re: Day 4 (6mgs) » damnthislife, posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2013, at 20:11:52
Yesterday (day 4) was a little better with side effects. Still no improvment in depressive symptoms. Woke up this morning still dragging *ss and feeling tired at this moment. The kind of tired where you close your eyes and they feel like they're burning. Thank god for coffee!
Posted by Beckett on July 13, 2013, at 23:00:02
In reply to Day 5 (6mgs), posted by damnthislife on July 12, 2013, at 6:49:20
You might need to go up to 9mgs to put a dent in depressive symptoms.
Good luck to you.
Posted by damnthislife on July 15, 2013, at 7:12:57
In reply to Re: Day 5 (6mgs), posted by Beckett on July 13, 2013, at 23:00:02
Well, I cannot say I have felt a single thing, yet. I was away all weekend so I couldn't report on day 6 and 7, but there wasn't a change. I'm still having no issues with the patch sticking, nor issues with the adhesive causing a rash or irritation.
Posted by damnthislife on July 15, 2013, at 7:14:23
In reply to Re: Day 5 (6mgs), posted by Beckett on July 13, 2013, at 23:00:02
> You might need to go up to 9mgs to put a dent in depressive symptoms.
>
> Good luck to you.My doctor agrees with you! She too said that we will discuss that this week when we meet (about going up to 9mgs).
Thanks for the luck, I need it!
Posted by Beckett on July 15, 2013, at 13:19:45
In reply to Re: Day 5 (6mgs) » Beckett, posted by damnthislife on July 15, 2013, at 7:14:23
Let us know how it goes if you will. I may be going back on it myself. Good luck to us all!
Posted by damnthislife on July 15, 2013, at 14:10:04
In reply to Re: Day 5 (6mgs), posted by Beckett on July 15, 2013, at 13:19:45
> Let us know how it goes if you will. I may be going back on it myself. Good luck to us all!
I take it you had to go up to the 9mgs to feel anything?
Posted by Beckett on July 15, 2013, at 20:47:07
In reply to Re: Day 5 (6mgs) » Beckett, posted by damnthislife on July 15, 2013, at 14:10:04
Yes, though 6mg is a bit more stimulating. I went to 12 once and constantly felt faint. Maybe I did I not give it enough time. I went back to 9 and stayed there. I did not realize how much it was doing (besides making me cycle) until I went off to start tramadol for neuropathy.
Anyways, I wish you the best. Some people say Emsam is a weak AD. I found it better than any ssri/snri.
Posted by damnthislife on July 19, 2013, at 7:38:01
In reply to Re: Day 5 (6mgs) » damnthislife, posted by Beckett on July 15, 2013, at 20:47:07
I still have nothing new to report, just wanted to add that I met with my pdoc last night. After I'm finished with his round of 6mgs patch, I have a script for the 9mg patch. If that doesn't show any signs of help, she is moving me onto Parnate.
From this point on, I will only report back if there are signs of improvement. If you see nothing on this, assume there is none. I will document however when I start 9mgs patch.
Posted by damnthislife on August 5, 2013, at 10:34:33
In reply to Day 12 (6 mgs), posted by damnthislife on July 19, 2013, at 7:38:01
Today is the 2nd day of wearing the 9mgs patch. First notice, the patch is bigger than the 6mgs. As I said, I wouldn't reply anymore if I had no more improvements, and I didn't. Now, being that I'm on day two, I'm seeing a lot of appetite surpression so far, which I'm greatly enjoying. By now, at lunch time, I would have ate my entire lunch... yet I still have a yogurt and banana left over for late. This is VERY rare and hopefully a good sign. I'm still waiting to see in the next few weeks if my energy slowly starts to return. I will report back here and there with any new info.
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