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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kristopher on April 27, 2006, at 16:18:19
Hi everyone.
My name is Kristopher, and I've been on EMSAM since April 20th. I have also been following the development of this drug since reading about Adam's success during the study. Before EMSAM was available I attempted to take oral Selegiline and was very anxious.
So today is day 8 for me, and I've been experiencing a lot of what others on this board have. I'm sleeping a bit less, and waking easier in the morning. I have more energy during the day, and I'm actually getting things done.
For a little background information on myself, I've been on and off of psych meds since 1999. For the most part, I suffer primarily from depression and mild ocd. For a while I thought I was bipolar (and who knows, perhaps I am) because whenever I would take an SSRI I would start to cycle. I've been on all the SSRIs, and many many many many other psych meds over the last few years. I'd be willing to share my experiences if anyone has questions. I've always kept a journal of the effect of each drug, both positive and negative.
I know this is a very long post, but I've been reading Babble for quite some time, and never posted before. But when I read more and more about peoples EMSAM experiences, I just had to chime in.
I'm not having any negative side effects so far. Except I'm dreaming a lot more, and others have said that as well.
My current med cocktail in case anyone is curious is:
EMSAM 20mg (6mg/24hrs)
OMACOR (pharmaceutical fish oil) 1 gram 3x a day
Klonopin .125mg in the morning only
And XYREM in the evening. 4.5 gramsI really appreciate all of you on this board for sharing your experiences. And all I can say is that the EMSAM even after only one week, must being doing something because up to this point, I've been too depressed and unmotivated to even post here.
AND for those of you who can't afford the medication (Medicaid denied it for me) there is always the Bristol Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation. That's how I've been able to obtain the patch. The website is www.bmspaf.org EMSAM is not listed on the site yet because it's so new, but they do offer it.
Sincerely,
Kristopher
Posted by Phillipa on April 27, 2006, at 20:15:44
In reply to I'm on EMSAM also, posted by Kristopher on April 27, 2006, at 16:18:19
Kristopher glad you decided to post my question is that I am getting old I mean old SSRI and SSNRI's don't work for me and the benzos over 30 years don't effect me the same. I think my depression come from high anxiety since my history started with panic attacks. Do you feel ENSAM will help me? Feel free to BABBle mail me. Love Phillipa
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 28, 2006, at 10:37:21
In reply to Re: I'm on EMSAM also » Kristopher, posted by Phillipa on April 27, 2006, at 20:15:44
Please keep us updated every few days how you are doing. Everyone is very interested in any and all reactions to the ENSAM patch. It gives us hope, you know. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Crazy Horse on April 28, 2006, at 11:44:18
In reply to I'm on EMSAM also, posted by Kristopher on April 27, 2006, at 16:21:14
> Hi everyone.
>
> My name is Kristopher, and I've been on EMSAM since April 20th. I have also been following the development of this drug since reading about Adam's success during the study. Before EMSAM was available I attempted to take oral Selegiline and was very anxious.
>
> So today is day 8 for me, and I've been experiencing a lot of what others on this board have. I'm sleeping a bit less, and waking easier in the morning. I have more energy during the day, and I'm actually getting things done.
>
> For a little background information on myself, I've been on and off of psych meds since 1999. For the most part, I suffer primarily from depression and mild ocd. For a while I thought I was bipolar (and who knows, perhaps I am) because whenever I would take an SSRI I would start to cycle. I've been on all the SSRIs, and many many many many other psych meds over the last few years. I'd be willing to share my experiences if anyone has questions. I've always kept a journal of the effect of each drug, both positive and negative.
>
> I know this is a very long post, but I've been reading Babble for quite some time, and never posted before. But when I read more and more about peoples EMSAM experiences, I just had to chime in.
>
> I'm not having any negative side effects so far. Except I'm dreaming a lot more, and others have said that as well.
>
> My current med cocktail in case anyone is curious is:
>
> EMSAM 20mg (6mg/24hrs)
> OMACOR (pharmaceutical fish oil) 1 gram 3x a day
> Klonopin .125mg in the morning only
> And XYREM in the evening. 4.5 grams
>
> I really appreciate all of you on this board for sharing your experiences. And all I can say is that the EMSAM even after only one week, must being doing something because up to this point, I've been too depressed and unmotivated to even post here.
>
> AND for those of you who can't afford the medication (Medicaid denied it for me) there is always the Bristol Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation. That's how I've been able to obtain the patch. The website is www.bmspaf.org EMSAM is not listed on the site yet because it's so new, but they do offer it.
>
> Sincerely,
> KristopherWelcome to psycho-babble Kristopher! Thanks for the great post. Sounds like Emsam is starting to work for you..i personally think it's an excellent med from what i've read and the testimonies here. I wish you continued improvement...please keep us posted. :)
Monte
Posted by strugglingsteve on April 28, 2006, at 11:44:22
In reply to Re: I'm on EMSAM also » Kristopher, posted by Crazy Horse on April 27, 2006, at 16:32:46
Here is what Annie wrote six years ago about her experience with the patch in clinical trials. I thought the open label trials were with the 20 mg patch though, anyone know anything about this??
Adam,
I've mentioned previously that I was in the Selegiline Patch study and I don't know if I was on Placebo or not. I experienced little relief until about the 5th week of the open label study (30 mg) and then it suddenly kicked in. Adam, that was the best I've felt in 6 years. It is worth waiting for! I wish you well.
Annie
Posted by mrporter1 on April 28, 2006, at 11:44:23
In reply to I'm on EMSAM also, posted by Kristopher on April 27, 2006, at 16:21:14
Hi Kristopher,
Have you taken Serzone? If so, what was your experience?
Thanks...
Posted by RobertDavid on April 28, 2006, at 11:44:24
In reply to I'm on EMSAM also, posted by Kristopher on April 27, 2006, at 16:21:14
Kristopher:
First of all welcome and thanks for sharing. I too have followed EMSAM since the initial study. It's been a long wait.
Sounds like you're off to a good start. I too experienced increased dreams for about the first week, but now, into my 4th week dreaming is back to normal, but the other positive areas such as concentration, mood and energy have continued to improve.
I have a question. You mentioned your taking OMACOR along with your other meds. I have been looking into taking it as well. May I ask what you take it for, how long you have been taking it and what benefits if any you are noticing? I'm aware of the general health benefits from fish oil, but it's been thought that it may have anti depressant properties as well. Because OMACOR is such a high/pure dose and is an fda approved drug I was wondering what benefits you've noticed (if any) since you've taken it.
Again, thanks for posting and I look forward to hearing how you do.
Rob
Posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2006, at 11:44:24
In reply to Re: I'm on EMSAM also » Kristopher, posted by RobertDavid on April 27, 2006, at 23:23:03
Me too Next one to try. Please good luck. Love Phillipa
Posted by ravenstorm on April 28, 2006, at 11:44:25
In reply to Re: I'm on EMSAM also, posted by Phillipa on April 27, 2006, at 23:38:53
Posted by Crazy Horse on April 28, 2006, at 11:44:27
In reply to Annie from 6 years ago in clinical trial, posted by strugglingsteve on April 27, 2006, at 20:55:47
> Here is what Annie wrote six years ago about her experience with the patch in clinical trials. I thought the open label trials were with the 20 mg patch though, anyone know anything about this??
>
> Adam,
> I've mentioned previously that I was in the Selegiline Patch study and I don't know if I was on Placebo or not. I experienced little relief until about the 5th week of the open label study (30 mg) and then it suddenly kicked in. Adam, that was the best I've felt in 6 years. It is worth waiting for! I wish you well.
> Annie
>
>
Impressive!! I think the patch is going to
change a lot of lives.
Posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2006, at 19:09:19
In reply to Re: Annie from 6 years ago in clinical trial » strugglingsteve, posted by Crazy Horse on April 28, 2006, at 8:30:02
I hope so. Love Phillipa
Posted by Last Chance on April 28, 2006, at 19:56:42
In reply to Re: I'm on EMSAM also, posted by Phillipa on April 27, 2006, at 23:38:53
Hey - It has been a little difficult reading the posts of those doing so well on the patch since I have been waiting quite awhile myself to try it. I just found out that a 3 months supply is already in the mail to my nurse practitioner - I had filled out a request thru the Patient Assistance Program from Squibb, and got accepted. So any others who don't have insurance and not much money, try this. I'm really surprized - I have been close lately to just giving up. Nardil worked great for me 10 years ago, although some pretty heavy side effects - Social Phobia, depression, anxiety are my problems. I can't imagine Emsam working as well for SP as Nardil, but I can hope. Richard
Posted by aabag on April 28, 2006, at 21:28:23
In reply to Re: I'm on EMSAM also, posted by Last Chance on April 28, 2006, at 19:56:42
Well, its only been my third day on EMSAM, and today was another good one, relatively speaking. I don't have Nardil to compare it to as far as side effects are concerned, but the only one I've noticed was waking up earlier in the morning, which is hardly a big deal. None of the other side effects I'd experienced on various anti-depressents were present. Mind you, its not euphoria or anything akin to that, the feeling is one moving a little closer to contentment, and forward looking.
Posted by Kristopher on April 30, 2006, at 11:44:09
In reply to Re: I'm on EMSAM also, posted by aabag on April 28, 2006, at 21:28:23
Well, this is day 10 for me, and half way through yesterday I began to feel very anxious. This could have to do with many things (my parents are in town and staying in my shoe-box sized apartment with me), but just in case it is the EMSAM causing it, I went ahead and took my doctors advice and added 5-htp to my med cocktail. It really seems to have helped. I took it last night before bed and this morning. I feel like I can "roll with the punches" a little better. He suggested that I take 300mg 3 times a day. There have been successful studies combining 5-htp and Selegiline, but I haven't been able to find any information yet. Just thought I'd check in. Aside from the slight anxiety though, I have to say I still feel quite good. And I'm still optimistic about this patch. I just figured out how to turn on Babblemail, so if anyone would like to contact me with specific questions or advice, feel free.
Posted by Donna Louise on May 2, 2006, at 9:01:52
In reply to Re: I'm on EMSAM also, posted by Kristopher on April 30, 2006, at 11:44:09
> Well, this is day 10 for me, and half way through yesterday I began to feel very anxious. This could have to do with many things (my parents are in town and staying in my shoe-box sized apartment with me), but just in case it is the EMSAM causing it, I went ahead and took my doctors advice and added 5-htp to my med cocktail. It really seems to have helped. I took it last night before bed and this morning. I feel like I can "roll with the punches" a little better. He suggested that I take 300mg 3 times a day. There have been successful studies combining 5-htp and Selegiline, but I haven't been able to find any information yet. Just thought I'd check in. Aside from the slight anxiety though, I have to say I still feel quite good. And I'm still optimistic about this patch. I just figured out how to turn on Babblemail, so if anyone would like to contact me with specific questions or advice, feel free.
I thought I just sent a post but I don't think it went through so if this turns up twice, please consider the source..
What I said was, EEGADS! I thought that would be contraindicated. That yes, selegiline at 10mg or less while still just an MAOI B would be fine to combine with a tryptan but now at the 20mg of the patch when it becomes non selective and won't deanimate MAOI A. But you seem fine, thank god for that, I just don't understand it. I know I can't take my migraine triptan or very very bad news for Donna with the seratonin crash. I hope someone can enlighten me how you are doing this so I don't pass on misinformation. At least I am giving out info on the safe side...
I am so glad you are ok. Oh, I see my pdoc next Friday, I will ask her then. But I know there are babblers out there than can explain this. Can you tell I am freaking out for you yet????Donna
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