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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ZeitGuest on July 7, 2006, at 21:59:06
I've been on Emsam for exactly 9 weeks -- 6 weeks at 6mg; 2-1/2 weeks at 9mg; 1 week at 12mg. So far, it's not working.
So, let's do a survey, Emsam-ers: When did it kick in for you, and at what dose?
Feel free to chime in if it didn't/hasn't yet kicked in for you (but please give share the stats re how long you were on it).
I know that lots of people (not me) are augmenting Emsam with something else -- Klonopin, Lamictal, etc. Therefore, it's hard to determine whether the good effects some are reporting are the result of med synergy. So... please list your augmentation meds, too. Thanks!
Posted by Phillipa on July 7, 2006, at 23:00:31
In reply to Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by ZeitGuest on July 7, 2006, at 21:59:06
I'd like to be on the thread as I'm still considering taking it thanks for understanding. Love Phillipa
Posted by cecilia on July 8, 2006, at 6:28:20
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you? » ZeitGuest, posted by Phillipa on July 7, 2006, at 23:00:31
Posted by mayzee on July 8, 2006, at 7:43:57
In reply to Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by ZeitGuest on July 7, 2006, at 21:59:06
Not yet. I am in my 7th week of the 6mg patch. Not taking any other drugs. Feel more depressed & fatigued on EMSAM.
Plan on going to the 9mg in a few days when I finish eating my aged cheese & soy foods that are a big part of my diet now! (I guess I'm dragging my feet as I'd hoped to get some relief at the no-dietary-restrictions dose)
Dx: MDD/TRD/atypical.
Other drugs tried: Zoloft, Effexor, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Luvox, Lexapro, Cymbalta
Posted by SFY on July 8, 2006, at 15:07:59
In reply to Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by ZeitGuest on July 7, 2006, at 21:59:06
No effect after 18 days on 6 mg patch (taken in conjunction with 75 mg Nortriptyline).
Posted by ZeitGuest on July 9, 2006, at 2:40:26
In reply to Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by ZeitGuest on July 7, 2006, at 21:59:06
Is anyone interested in logging their Emsam progress in an interactive online spreadsheet? I've set up a Google Spreadsheet where we can record our experiences and track each other's progress with the patch. This collaborative spreadsheet is completely anonymous -- you need only identify yourself by the screen name you use here at Psycho-Babble.
You can enter your information in the appropriate categories, or create new categories that I might have overlooked.
Here's how to access the Google spreadsheet:
1) Go to http://tinyurl.com/en9rg
2) Enter the following email address and password in the Google sign-in section on the right:
Email: emsampatch@yahoo.com
Password: babble3) Click the Sign In button.
When the Google spreadsheet appears, simply enter your own information in the appropriate fields. Again, don't use your real name. Just identify yourself by your Psycho-Babble screen name. Anyone can log in to see what others have to report; and particpants (Emsam users) can update their own entries if anything changes.
I've already entered my information. Anyone care to join me?
ZeitGuest
Posted by 4WD on July 9, 2006, at 22:07:51
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by ZeitGuest on July 9, 2006, at 2:40:26
Two weeks on 6mg patch and I'm worse than before I started it. More depressed and more suicidal. I don't know if it's because I'm in the fourth week of being off Celexa or if its just the EMSAM not working. I go to 9mg patch tomorrow.
Also on 5/8 mg Klonopin in a.m. and 300 mg Neurontin at night. I have had to take Zyprexa a couple of times as an emergency measure when I felt like I might harm myself while waiting for EMSAM to work.
Marsha
Posted by 4WD on July 9, 2006, at 22:27:58
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by ZeitGuest on July 9, 2006, at 2:40:26
> Is anyone interested in logging their Emsam progress in an interactive online spreadsheet? I've set up a Google Spreadsheet where we can record our experiences and track each other's progress with the patch. This collaborative spreadsheet is completely anonymous -- you need only identify yourself by the screen name you use here at Psycho-Babble.
>
> You can enter your information in the appropriate categories, or create new categories that I might have overlooked.
>
> Here's how to access the Google spreadsheet:
>
> 1) Go to http://tinyurl.com/en9rg
>
> 2) Enter the following email address and password in the Google sign-in section on the right:
>
> Email: emsampatch@yahoo.com
> Password: babble
>
> 3) Click the Sign In button.
>
> When the Google spreadsheet appears, simply enter your own information in the appropriate fields. Again, don't use your real name. Just identify yourself by your Psycho-Babble screen name. Anyone can log in to see what others have to report; and particpants (Emsam users) can update their own entries if anything changes.
>
> I've already entered my information. Anyone care to join me?
>
> ZeitGuest
>
I've gone there and filled in the form.That was a lot of work for you. How long are you going to give EMSAM before you chunk it?
Marsha
Posted by ZeitGuest on July 10, 2006, at 2:33:09
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by 4WD on July 9, 2006, at 22:27:58
> I've gone there and filled in the form.
>
> That was a lot of work for you.Can you tell that Emsam has no effect on my mild OCD? ; )
> How long are you going to give EMSAM before you chunk it?
As a matter of fact, I called it quits on the Emsam today. A few days ago, I sent an email to Dr. Bodkin, the head psychopharmacology research at McLean Hospital, where some of the key Emsam trials were conducted prior to FDA approval. He kindly wrote back and told me that since I hadn't responded at 9 weeks, I would probably never respond to Emsam. I suspected as much, but it was nice to get confirmation from the source, as it were.
He also said that because I had such good results with Prozac (before it pooped out), I might be more of an "uptake inhibitor responder." After I give my brain the recommended two weeks to replenish its MAOs, I may consider restarting Prozac again. Or maybe Cymbalta?
Posted by cecilia on July 10, 2006, at 5:26:52
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by ZeitGuest on July 9, 2006, at 2:40:26
Couldn't get the Google spreadsheet to work with my iMac. Cecilia
Posted by Last Chance on July 10, 2006, at 11:30:00
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by ZeitGuest on July 10, 2006, at 2:33:09
I have had trouble with Emsam, also - went from 6 to 9mg 24/7 and then got really depressed. Also taking .25 klonapin in morning and at night. My total time on Emsam has been 6 weeks, but after just a few days on 9mg, I went back to 3mg, half a 6, and take off several hrs. before I go to bed. I still have anxiety, but my Social Phobia has gotten a little better - even friends have commented on improvement. It no way compares to my life changing experience with Nardil about 9 years ago, but I'm not ready to quit Emsam yet - it's definitely not a miracle drug, but since it is fairly harmless and there is enough improvement to want to keep living, I will continue for now. Are you just stopping, or tapering? Richard
Posted by jealibeanz on July 10, 2006, at 19:54:01
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by ZeitGuest on July 10, 2006, at 2:33:09
Well maybe that means since I HATE the side effects and basically null/minute results of the reuptake inhibitors I've taken for anxiety/depression, I could have a chance with a drug in this category.
Posted by Jakeman on July 10, 2006, at 20:03:47
In reply to Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by ZeitGuest on July 7, 2006, at 21:59:06
I've been on Emsam 7 or 8 weeks. Started Lamictal a week ago. I hesitate to post my experieces since I've varied the dosage from 3 to 9 mg. Plus there's a myriad of supplements that I take. I got an definite effect from the 6 mg dose after about 5 days, more energy, less depression. Those effects have diminished some. Some days I feel pretty good, some days not. Sleep has varied.
I'd like to raise a point no one has mentioned regarding transdermal applications: skin absorbancy. I have dry skin, when I put on lotion or oils it soaks right in. Massage therapists have commented on this. I doubt if this has been studied with Emsam but I wonder if it could make a difference in its efficacy.
I just ordered another 30 day supply. But the jury is still out for me for now. I'm not afraid of this drug because selegiline has been well studied and has proven neuroprotective effects.
warm regards, Jake
.
Posted by ZeitGuest on July 10, 2006, at 21:33:47
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you? » ZeitGuest, posted by cecilia on July 10, 2006, at 5:26:52
> Couldn't get the Google spreadsheet to work with my iMac. Cecilia
Hi Cecilia,
For some reason, Google Spreadsheets do not work with Apple's Safari Web browser. To get around this and connect using a Mac, you can download the Firefox Web browser (http://www.mozilla.com/). Firefox is free and it's a great Web browser.
Posted by ZeitGuest on July 10, 2006, at 21:41:38
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey - stopping Emsam » ZeitGuest, posted by Last Chance on July 10, 2006, at 11:30:00
> Are you just stopping, or tapering? Richard
I stopped cold turkey. So far no problems. In fact, I feel slightly better right now than I did on Emsam. Way less agitated and perhaps even slightly less depressed. I think that my brain does not resond favorably to too much extra dopamine. I felt lousy on Wellbutrin, too. Which leads me to believe that I respond best to meds that boost serotonin levels. And maybe norepinephine levels, too, because I really enjoyed the "activating" effect that Prozac gave me, which was qualitatively different from the nervous, jittery, irritable effect that I got from both Emsam and Wellbutrin.
Posted by ZeitGuest on July 10, 2006, at 21:49:54
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by jealibeanz on July 10, 2006, at 19:54:01
> Well maybe that means since I HATE the side effects and basically null/minute results of the reuptake inhibitors I've taken for anxiety/depression, I could have a chance with a drug in this category.
>If reuptake inhibitors have failed for you across the board, you should definitely talk to your doc about a different approach. Here's what Dr. Bodkin said in his email reply to me: "In principle, one should stick with what works. You appear to be an uptake inhibitor responder. Mechanism is important as well as targetted neurotransmitter."
Jealibeanz, it sounds like you've been targeting a "mechanism" (reuptake) that doesn't work well for you.
Posted by jealibeanz on July 10, 2006, at 22:17:32
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by ZeitGuest on July 10, 2006, at 21:49:54
I think serotonin reuptake makes me feel apathetic. Even on Wellbutrin there was slight apathy. I had major apathy on Effexor. Of course my main side effects were 20 lb wt gains in periods of 6wk for Effexor and 4 months for Wellbutrin. I also tried Paxil and Buspar each for a couple of weeks and both had me gaining 2-3 lbs a week. I can't say that I was majorly depressed or suicidal on these drugs, but I never had any reason to stay on them, and was always very mad at myself afterward for continuing a drug that did little but make me fat. I wonder if pure MAOI B inhibition might help and what MAOI A inhibition would add. Would that be at all like serotonin reuptake?
Posted by mayzee on July 12, 2006, at 20:03:57
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by ZeitGuest on July 10, 2006, at 21:49:54
Does there exist a grid of AD drugs, mechanisms, & targetted neurotransmitters? (in a book or online, or home-made by one of the Babble posters??) If someone could point me to one, that would be great. I'd like to compare the drugs I've been on so far. Thank you!
> If reuptake inhibitors have failed for you across the board, you should definitely talk to your doc about a different approach.
> Here's what Dr. Bodkin said in his email reply to me: "In principle, one should stick with what works.
> You appear to be an uptake inhibitor responder.
> Mechanism is important as well as targetted neurotransmitter."
>
Posted by ZeitGuest on July 13, 2006, at 1:08:01
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by mayzee on July 12, 2006, at 20:03:57
> Does there exist a grid of AD drugs, mechanisms, & targetted neurotransmitters? (in a book or online, or home-made by one of the Babble posters??) If someone could point me to one, that would be great. I'd like to compare the drugs I've been on so far. Thank you!
>I haven't seen a convenient grid or chart covering the above, but I've found several interesting resources online:
http://www.geocities.com/nomdeplume1000/medications.pdf
http://www.mcmanweb.com/article-236.htm
http://www.nmhct.nhs.uk/pharmacy/moa-neur.htm
http://www.beatcfsandfms.org/html/BrainChem.html
http://www.anxietyhelp.org/treatment/medication/index.html
http://socialanxietysupport.com/viewforum.php?f=51
There are also several books by Stephen M. Stahl that explain how neurotransmitters and AD meds interact:
and
Posted by SFY on July 13, 2006, at 14:22:21
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you?, posted by mayzee on July 12, 2006, at 20:03:57
> Does there exist a grid of AD drugs, mechanisms, & targetted neurotransmitters? (in a book or online, or home-made by one of the Babble posters??) If someone could point me to one, that would be great. I'd like to compare the drugs I've been on so far. Thank you!
Check out SLS's chart:
http://sl.schofield3.home.att.net/medicine/psychiatric_drugs_chart.html
Posted by mayzee on July 13, 2006, at 14:58:53
In reply to Re: Emsam Survey: When did it kick in for you? » mayzee, posted by SFY on July 13, 2006, at 14:22:21
This is the end of the thread.
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