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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2006, at 23:05:20
My old pdoc I've been seeing l0 hr total drive prescribed EMSAM at 6mg for me today. She said I will probably cut them in quarters that's all I'll need. And stay on the lamictal, and the valium but even though it has a long half life. She is old and said in her career people do better breaking the dose up throughout the day. So I've already cut the luvox from l50 to 50mg in a week. And am upping the lamictal slowly which she advised. Oh she also said she had another lady on EMSAM that had such a bed rash where the patch was even hydrocortisone didn't work so she had to go off it and it was working for her. I got the EMSAM. After failing all the SSRI's etc which she knows I'm getting the patch. Love Phillipa
Posted by llrrrpp on August 1, 2006, at 0:20:49
In reply to P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!!, posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2006, at 23:05:20
that's great Phillipa,
keep us up to date on how things are working out for you. Are you also seeing a T right now? and what is your diagnosis, if I may be so bold?you've always been so supportive of others, I wish I could say something helpful to you, that's all.
good night, sleep tight :)
-ll
Posted by SLS on August 1, 2006, at 5:59:26
In reply to P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!!, posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2006, at 23:05:20
> My old pdoc I've been seeing l0 hr total drive prescribed EMSAM at 6mg for me today.
> So I've already cut the luvox from l50 to 50mg in a week.
How long will you be waiting between your last dose of Luvox and your first dose of Emsam?
How will you be tapering the Luvox to prevent withdrawal effects?
Good luck!!!
- Scott
Posted by theo on August 1, 2006, at 7:27:47
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!!, posted by SLS on August 1, 2006, at 5:59:26
> How long will you be waiting between your last dose of Luvox and your first dose of Emsam?
>
> Good luck!!!
>
>
> - ScottHey Scott,
Do you have to taper off stims such as Adderall before starting an MAOI such as EMSAM? Seems like I read somewhere that people actually take the two together.
Thanks,
Ted
Posted by Sharzi on August 1, 2006, at 8:01:41
In reply to P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!!, posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2006, at 23:05:20
That's great news! I'll be rooting for your success.
It's been 3 weeks since I've started the 6mg patch, and I'm still finding it to be very helpful with my energy and motivation. The depression is still there, but not as severe.
Plus, I think part of the reason for my depression is that I need to make some life changes, such as getting a job and getting a handle on my out-of-control teenagers. Wish me luck! ha! It's easy to blame everything on my brain chemistry, but sometimes I need to make certain changes as well.
But, in any case, I'm seeing my pdoc tomorrow, and I think I'm going to try the 9mg dose just to see what it does. I'll have to do the diet restrictions, but I'm always on a diet anyway, so what the heck?
Good luck to you, I truely hope this is what you've been searching for.
Sharon
Posted by SLS on August 1, 2006, at 9:17:35
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!! » SLS, posted by theo on August 1, 2006, at 7:27:47
> > How long will you be waiting between your last dose of Luvox and your first dose of Emsam?
> >
> > Good luck!!!
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> Hey Scott,
>
> Do you have to taper off stims such as Adderall before starting an MAOI such as EMSAM? Seems like I read somewhere that people actually take the two together.
I wouldn't be that concerned with stimulants. However, I would think there is a risk of developing serotonin syndrome if not enough time is allowed to pass between discontinuing Luvox (fluvoxamine) and beginning Emsam. I took a quick look at the Emsam drug monograph provided on rxlist.com and was surprised that I couldn't find a contraindication for combining Emsam with serotonin reuptake inhibitors. My guess is that even at 6mg/24hr, the degree of MAO-A inhibition produced by Emsam in the brain is substantial. I would expect a reaction to occur.I really am surprised.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on August 1, 2006, at 11:29:47
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!!, posted by SLS on August 1, 2006, at 9:17:35
Scott Emsam has a website now I'm sure you know about.www.ENSAM.com. I haven't been there yet. Last night I took 25mg of luvox from 50mg the night before. My only withdrawal effect is slight dizzyness. If I'm dizzy I bite off a small piece of luvox. She said wait at least a week but I will probably wait two weeks. I plan to cut it right away and see what happens. My other option was to up the luvox . I think a year is long enough even at l50mg I was getting worse not better. More agoraphobic. And everything scares me. So we'll see. She also gave me a brochure on VNS . But I've been told that you can't have an MRI with it in. Love Phillipa
Posted by llrrrpp on August 1, 2006, at 11:38:28
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!! » SLS, posted by Phillipa on August 1, 2006, at 11:29:47
VNS doesn't have the best scientific support for effectiveness. I think you should exhaust all your psychopharmacology options before you try this. ECT is usually pretty effective, and has much more data supporting its effectiveness than VNS.
They may start doing deep brain stimulators for depression, similar to parkinsons. I think this development is probably only 5-10 years away.
The problem with any such implant is that you may not be able to have an MRI, and it may not be effective. It's one thing to stop taking a pill that doesn't work for you, but to go through surgery/recovery and have little benefit would be difficult.
Phillipa, I hope the emsam works for you. keep riding your bike (I rode mine today, even though it's already over 90 degrees. I'm sweating like a pig. only 3 miles. nothing compared to your trips!)
-ll
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 1, 2006, at 12:06:16
In reply to P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!!, posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2006, at 23:05:20
> My old pdoc I've been seeing l0 hr total drive prescribed EMSAM at 6mg for me today. She said I will probably cut them in quarters that's all I'll need. And stay on the lamictal, and the valium but even though it has a long half life. She is old and said in her career people do better breaking the dose up throughout the day. So I've already cut the luvox from l50 to 50mg in a week. And am upping the lamictal slowly which she advised. Oh she also said she had another lady on EMSAM that had such a bed rash where the patch was even hydrocortisone didn't work so she had to go off it and it was working for her. I got the EMSAM. After failing all the SSRI's etc which she knows I'm getting the patch. Love Phillipa
ALL RIGHT!!!!!!! I am excited as can be for you Jan!!! I think you are going to like EMSAM..be patient, it'll take awhile to work (well it did for me anyway..about 2 weeks). Again..I AM SOOOOOO HAPPY YOU ARE FINALLY GOING TO TRY IT!!
Love your good friend, Monte :)
Posted by theo on August 1, 2006, at 12:57:35
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!!, posted by Sharzi on August 1, 2006, at 8:01:41
Are you leaving the patch on full time and changing it in the morning or do you take it off at bedtime?
Posted by theo on August 1, 2006, at 12:59:49
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!! » Phillipa, posted by Crazy Horse on August 1, 2006, at 12:06:16
Do you leave the patch on full time and change in the mornings or take it off at night?
Posted by mworkman on August 1, 2006, at 15:20:00
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!! » Crazy Horse, posted by theo on August 1, 2006, at 12:59:49
try to not put the patch on the same place for about two weeks. This will lower the chances of irritation to the skin.
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 1, 2006, at 20:32:59
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!! » Crazy Horse, posted by theo on August 1, 2006, at 12:59:49
> Do you leave the patch on full time and change in the mornings or take it off at night?
I leave it on full time (9 mg patch). For sleep i take 200 mgs. of trazodone, and 100 mgs. of lyrica..and that works very well for me.
Monte
Posted by maxime on August 2, 2006, at 0:10:50
In reply to P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!!, posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2006, at 23:05:20
Holy sh*t! That's great! Post your progress please.
Maxime
Posted by ed_uk on August 2, 2006, at 10:59:23
In reply to P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!!, posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2006, at 23:05:20
Hi PJ
Good news! How expensive was the patch? Let us know when you're starting it.
Ed xx
Posted by Tepiaca on August 2, 2006, at 11:42:18
In reply to P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!!, posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2006, at 23:05:20
> My old pdoc I've been seeing l0 hr total drive prescribed EMSAM at 6mg for me today. She said I will probably cut them in quarters that's all I'll need. And stay on the lamictal, and the valium but even though it has a long half life. She is old and said in her career people do better breaking the dose up throughout the day. So I've already cut the luvox from l50 to 50mg in a week. And am upping the lamictal slowly which she advised. Oh she also said she had another lady on EMSAM that had such a bed rash where the patch was even hydrocortisone didn't work so she had to go off it and it was working for her. I got the EMSAM. After failing all the SSRI's etc which she knows I'm getting the patch. Love Phillipa
That is great philipa !! this is your first MAOI
right?. I think you are gonna feel a diffence with the other meds. Youll see
Posted by blueberry on August 2, 2006, at 18:52:46
In reply to P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!!, posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2006, at 23:05:20
Best wishes to you Phillipa! I know you've been watching ensam reports carefully since it came out. I want you to be one of those who experience good things with it. I like the idea of cutting the patch into smaller pieces. Sounds like an excellent way to do it. I think some of the people who had to discontinue it early might have done better with that approach.
Posted by Phillipa on August 2, 2006, at 19:43:31
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!! » Phillipa, posted by Tepiaca on August 2, 2006, at 11:42:18
Tepi you sound great!!!!!Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on August 2, 2006, at 19:44:56
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!! » Phillipa, posted by blueberry on August 2, 2006, at 18:52:46
Blueberry I was worried about you. Are you doing better? Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on August 2, 2006, at 19:46:04
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!! » Phillipa, posted by ed_uk on August 2, 2006, at 10:59:23
Ed don't worry you'll know!!!!Love PJ O
Posted by valene on August 3, 2006, at 12:02:27
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!! » ed_uk, posted by Phillipa on August 2, 2006, at 19:46:04
Hi Phillipa,
Let me know how you do on the EMSAM! I still have a whole month's supply sitting in my closet, and my pdoc put me on prozac low dose (5mg) for now. I want to get up the nerve to try the Emsam; now I'll have to wait a month for the washout of prozac with it's long half life. It's not doing anything and I haven't raised the dose. I do not believe in SSRI's. Best of luck and email me!
Love, Val
Posted by ed_uk on August 3, 2006, at 15:33:34
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!! » ed_uk, posted by Phillipa on August 2, 2006, at 19:46:04
Thanks PJ! Best of luck :)
Ed
Posted by Phillipa on August 3, 2006, at 20:59:41
In reply to Re: P Doc Prescribed EMSAM for me today!!!!!, posted by valene on August 3, 2006, at 12:02:27
Valene I e-mailed you either today or yesterday. So prozac not working? Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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