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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bkdog on August 28, 2006, at 8:51:26
on 9mg Emsam for about 3 weeks (6mg for 4 weeks prior)....
My focus (mental) and thought process is getting a bit muddy.
cant concentrate or focus much.....
i have the "will" to try and focus and concentrate.... but i cant.
it is making me very very FRUSTRATED.....anyone else ???
ANY Advice ???
Posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2006, at 10:22:28
In reply to EMSAM (selegiline) - brain and focus is muddy, posted by bkdog on August 28, 2006, at 8:51:26
I thought it was very stimulating? Haven't heard anyone talk of that. Love Phillipa
Posted by bkdog on August 28, 2006, at 11:21:28
In reply to Re: EMSAM (selegiline) - brain and focus is muddy » bkdog, posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2006, at 10:22:28
> I thought it was very stimulating? Haven't heard anyone talk of that. Love Phillipa
Hey Phillipa,it has been more on the stimulating side... but this focus issue
has kinda just popped up the past few days...physically i have a ton more energy... or i should say now i actually HAVE energy... but the thought process mech has gummed up recently.
Posted by psychobot5000 on August 28, 2006, at 22:01:34
In reply to EMSAM (selegiline) - brain and focus is muddy, posted by bkdog on August 28, 2006, at 8:51:26
Hi,
When I took selegiline (orally), I had some problems with my head becoming fuzzy, and concentration becoming difficult. I get a little bit of it on 15 or 20mg selegiline (which I am told is equivalent to the 6mg EMSAM patch in terms of selegiline blood-levels, but I haven't checked it), but it first became a real problem when I went up to 30mg--which is when some researchers think it tends to act on MAO-A as well.
I had the same problem on the MAO inhibitor Nardil, so I tentatively guessed it came from MAO-A inhibition. I have heard of others having a similar problem occasionally, with MAO inhibitors of any type--my psychiatrist told me it wouldn't resolve on its own (when taking Nardil).
In any case, when I went back down to a 15mg dose of selegiline, the fuzziness -mostly- went away.
Perhaps if you go back to the 6mg patch it will help.Good luck,
P-bot
Posted by bkdog on August 29, 2006, at 7:49:59
In reply to Re: EMSAM and MAO-A inhibition, posted by psychobot5000 on August 28, 2006, at 22:01:34
> Hi,
>
> When I took selegiline (orally), I had some problems with my head becoming fuzzy, and concentration becoming difficult. I get a little bit of it on 15 or 20mg selegiline (which I am told is equivalent to the 6mg EMSAM patch in terms of selegiline blood-levels, but I haven't checked it), but it first became a real problem when I went up to 30mg--which is when some researchers think it tends to act on MAO-A as well.
>
> I had the same problem on the MAO inhibitor Nardil, so I tentatively guessed it came from MAO-A inhibition. I have heard of others having a similar problem occasionally, with MAO inhibitors of any type--my psychiatrist told me it wouldn't resolve on its own (when taking Nardil).
>
> In any case, when I went back down to a 15mg dose of selegiline, the fuzziness -mostly- went away.
> Perhaps if you go back to the 6mg patch it will help.
>
> Good luck,
> P-bothey now,
thanks for the info. i was thinking the same thing as far as perhaps a lower dose....
BUT.... 6mg was doing dick for me.
wasnt till i got to 9mg (on the patch) that i got energy, and the
despair / dep. stopped....I may experiment with taking like an 8th off the patch (via scissor)....
maybe the slightly lower amount below 9mg but above 6mg will work....
to lift the dep. but not gum up the mind.[gD]
Posted by psychobot5000 on August 29, 2006, at 12:32:31
In reply to Re: EMSAM and MAO-A inhibition -PING- p-bot, posted by bkdog on August 29, 2006, at 7:49:59
That's too bad that 6mg didn't do much for you--maybe a switch to another MAOI, one that takes only lower doses to start working on MAO-A, would help. Of course, I suppose you're likely to get the fuzziness with them as well. Still, might be worth a try.
Then again, it'd sure be nice if you could work it out by cutting off a little bit of the patch. Hope it works!
P-bot
Posted by mayzee on August 29, 2006, at 14:27:31
In reply to EMSAM (selegiline) - brain and focus is muddy, posted by bkdog on August 28, 2006, at 8:51:26
Hi bkdog,
I haven't experienced the mental muddiness you describe (not that I've noticed anyway!), but I did have to back down from 9mg EMSAM to 6mg due to low blood pressure side effects. My pdoc is having me try an augmentation of Ritalin 5mg; he said it might boost the AD effect of the 6mg Emsam. Might be something for you to consider. I definitely feel better on the 6mg EMSAM now, compared with how I felt when I tried it for 6wks before increasing to 9mg.
Also, some people have posted about using the 9mg or 12mg patches but not keeping them on for 24hrs. Just suggesting it as another possibility for playing with dosing, in addition to your idea to cut off part of the patch.
Best regards,
mayzee
Posted by Jimmyboy on August 29, 2006, at 14:36:03
In reply to Re: EMSAM (selegiline) - brain and focus is muddy » bkdog, posted by mayzee on August 29, 2006, at 14:27:31
Is everyone getting stimulation from using the EMSAM patch? I a still just as exhaused, cloudy headed, low motivation as before I started taking it.. plus I have been sleeping really well also. Havn't really been able to tell I was taking anothing 99% of the time..
Just wondering other experiences..
JB
Posted by bkdog on August 29, 2006, at 17:54:50
In reply to Re: EMSAM (selegiline) - brain and focus is muddy » bkdog, posted by mayzee on August 29, 2006, at 14:27:31
hey now,
when you mentioned blood pressure, it made a bell go off.
i gotta check my BP when the muddiness is at its peak.
curious if there is a connection....[gD]
> Hi bkdog,
>
> I haven't experienced the mental muddiness you describe (not that I've noticed anyway!), but I did have to back down from 9mg EMSAM to 6mg due to low blood pressure side effects.
---- <<< snipped >>>>--------
> Best regards,
> mayzee
Posted by bkdog on August 29, 2006, at 17:58:12
In reply to Re: EMSAM (selegiline) - Stimulating?, posted by Jimmyboy on August 29, 2006, at 14:36:03
> Is everyone getting stimulation from using the EMSAM patch? I a still just as exhaused, cloudy headed, low motivation as before I started taking it.. plus I have been sleeping really well also. Havn't really been able to tell I was taking anothing 99% of the time..
>
> Just wondering other experiences..
>
> JB
I had the SAME results on 6mg, for about 1.5-2.0 weeks....
then the extreme fatigue lifted.I only got results that i liked, when i started 9mg...
Posted by Phillipa on August 29, 2006, at 21:05:50
In reply to Re: EMSAM (selegiline) - Stimulating?, posted by bkdog on August 29, 2006, at 17:58:12
If I do end up taking it my pdoc said today I'm a nervous wreck and added xanax to the valium. And if I can wean off the luvox and 1/4 of a patch is what she feels I'll need. Love Phillipa
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