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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cecilia on April 29, 2006, at 21:17:55
Well, I got approved by my HMO for a trial of Emsam, it should arrive in a week or so. Since I am so sensitive to meds, I asked my pdoc if you could cut the patches in half to start. He said it depends, there are 2 types of transdermal meds, with some liquid will ooze out when you cut them and you know it can't be cut, others will stay intact and it would probably be ok to try a half patch. Any Emsamers tried cutting the patch? I hate to waste one of these expensive patches to see which kind it is. Cecilia
Posted by strugglingsteve on April 29, 2006, at 22:40:53
In reply to Emsam-cutting patches, posted by cecilia on April 29, 2006, at 21:17:55
I dont think you should cut the patch, no where is it mentioned that it is evenly spread through out the patch. How do you know you cant handle the full 6 mg patch anyways? I didnt think I could but I am.....
Posted by aabag on April 29, 2006, at 23:41:23
In reply to Emsam-cutting patches, posted by cecilia on April 29, 2006, at 21:17:55
To genuinely answer your question, more research into the precise nature of the materials involved would be needed. Perhaps someone knows how the STS is constituted, Somsert must have a patent registered somewhere.
However, I agree with steve that you should probably just give the 6mg patch a shot as is, since the side effect profile for EMSAM has been benign (for myself relative to other ADs).
Posted by Phillipa on April 29, 2006, at 23:43:28
In reply to Re: Emsam-cutting patches, posted by aabag on April 29, 2006, at 23:41:23
Try the 6mg most people are having good results. I hope to try it next month. Love Phillipa
Posted by ravenstorm on April 30, 2006, at 9:40:39
In reply to Emsam-cutting patches, posted by cecilia on April 29, 2006, at 21:17:55
I am also very interested in the patch cutting issue as I am incredibly med senstive/med intolerant since paxil withdrawal three years ago.
Do you think your doctor could contact the company for you? You think he'd be interested in finding out whether you could do it or not.
Posted by cecilia on April 30, 2006, at 18:29:41
In reply to Re: Emsam-cutting patches, posted by ravenstorm on April 30, 2006, at 9:40:39
Well, the drug company info says not to cut the patches, but of course they'd say that, they're planning on making a lot of money from this drug. I remember when Cymbalta 1st came out, I called the drug company and after some intense probing I discovered that it was the beads, not the entire capsule that was enteric coated and therefore they more or less admitted "off the record" that it would be ok to to take out some of the beads and put them into an empty gelcap. I was never able to get up to a whole capsule on that drug. Right now, I just don't feel like I have the energy to call the company and deal with bureauocrats; I guess I''ll just try the whole patch on a day when I don't have to leave my apartment, and see what happens. It can't be worse than Parnate. Nothing could be worse than that. I lasted a week on Parnate, and I tell myself, I'll see if I can stand a week on Emsam, no matter how bad it is. With all the hassle I went through to get my HMO to approve Emsam, I don't want to rip it off after 3 hours, saying I can't stand this another second. Well, just have to wait and see I guess. I got approval for the drug, but that's still a long way from getting it actually here in my hot little hands. More phone calls on Monday, to make sure the approval got to the pharmacy, my pdoc's order got to the pharmacy, the pharmacy actually ordered it. Cecilia
Posted by tygereyes on April 30, 2006, at 21:19:37
In reply to Re: Emsam-cutting patches, posted by cecilia on April 30, 2006, at 18:29:41
Couldn't you just start on oral selegeline and switch to the patch when you've reached a comparable dose?
Posted by cecilia on April 30, 2006, at 21:35:16
In reply to Couldn't you just start on oral selegiline?, posted by tygereyes on April 30, 2006, at 21:19:37
From what I've read, oral selegiline is supposed to have a lot more side effects than the "patch". Cecilia
Posted by RobertDavid on April 30, 2006, at 21:44:34
In reply to Re: Emsam-cutting patches, posted by cecilia on April 30, 2006, at 18:29:41
Cecilia:
I'm rooting for you. Seems some like me are not having issues and are doing well and of course others are not. EMSAM like any medication isn't going to work for everyone, but nothing comes close to it for me.
It's certainly worth the try and is a new option for those like me who haven't had luck with other meds. I have had terrible anxiety on other medications which is what I hate the most as I suffer from SAD and GAD.
The first few days I felt a little surge in energy, some increased dreaming and slept a little less, but still woke up feeling okay. All that seemed to resolve itself after about a week.
I'm very hopeful that you'll get through the first few days with a sigh of relief. Good luck!
Rob
This is the end of the thread.
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