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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bonbon on January 17, 2008, at 4:01:18
hi - i'm a newbie. i'm supposed to start emsam patch. (6 mg - lowest dosage).
actually, i was supposed to start yesterday but didn't. i'm afraid to start because, for one thing, i really don't want to have to go off another anti-depressant; i've been on them all. i've been on none for my 5 wk "cleanse" and am very depressed but alive. i'm thinking that maybe i should just try to survive instead of getting involved with this drug. the "critical blood pressure" thing has me spooked. and what if i catch a cold? i'm accustomed to living on day-quil/ny-quil for a week or so so that i don't miss work. i won't be able to take anything! it seems that all OTC products say "...do not take if you are on an MAO Inhibitor..."
also, i enjoy a cocktail several times a week. just one, no alcohol problem. can i have a martini while on this? my doctor doesn't seem to know much about what i can and can't use, she just told me not to take anything and not to drink anything.
i'm really scared of this and I'm rambling. Please give me some input. Thanks.
bonbon
Posted by ExcellentCamper on January 17, 2008, at 11:50:53
In reply to new to emsam patch, any help appreciated, posted by bonbon on January 17, 2008, at 4:01:18
I have not responded to Emsam, but I wouldn't dissuade anyone from it. And you really haven't tried everything unless you've tried this (and probably many more that you will read about here)!
"Former trx resistant" has had great success with Emsam.
The hypertensive side-effects you are talking about may only come about at 12 mg (none were observed in trials at 9 mg, although the FDA still requires a food-interactions warning). From the package insert I read, if you are drinking in moderation, you really only need to watch out for Chianti wine, vermouth and tap beer if you go with the higher doses (http://depression.emedtv.com/emsam/emsam-food-interactions-p2.html).
Lots more information on the site about how to make the patches stick better if you are having problems with that.
Good luck venturing foward into your own uncharted territory,
Will
Posted by greenmtn on January 17, 2008, at 12:13:45
In reply to new to emsam patch, any help appreciated, posted by bonbon on January 17, 2008, at 4:01:18
I have been on Emsam (Now 9mg) for 7 months. READ THE INSERT THAT COMES WITH EMSAM. At 6 mg there are no restrictions. The restrictions that apply to the higher doses THAT ARE IN THE INSERT allow bottled beers and wine. Not sure about other alcohol but I think its ok. (Again very carefully read the insert.) I would ask your pharmicist about alternate cold medicines. You may want to look into NeilMed saline nasal wash and Fishermens lozenges (Walmart) They have helped me.
I had some low blood pressure but not bad. My insomnia with it is responding to generic Ambien. The main point is that this changed me from a basket case to a happy functioning person. I've been on alot of meds with awful side effects. This has caused no big problems. And it absolutely has made me feel much much better than I could have imagined.
Posted by Phillipa on January 17, 2008, at 12:17:53
In reply to new to emsam patch, any help appreciated, posted by bonbon on January 17, 2008, at 4:01:18
Bonbon happy to see you're getting responses. Phillipa
Posted by Racer on January 18, 2008, at 14:10:41
In reply to new to emsam patch, any help appreciated, posted by bonbon on January 17, 2008, at 4:01:18
I just stopped EMSAM, after a failed trial of about two months. I had no trouble at all with stopping it, just pulled off my patch on the way home from the doctor's office -- not a single problem, no symptoms from discontinuation, nada, nothing, just peachy keen. I really hope that helps give you confidence about giving it a try, that there will be no withdrawal if it doesn't work out.
Just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for someone else. I seem to have some wonky biochemistry, and have a twenty some year history of moderate treatment resistance. The problems I had with EMSAM were similar to the problems I've had with any serotinergic medication, as well as a few cholinergic issues such as constipation. What's more, I've got a couple of comorbid disorders that also interfere with treating the depression. In other words, please don't pay any attention to the fact that it didn't work out for me.
In terms of dietary restrictions, and alcohol, and all that -- the warnings are primarily CYA stuff. EMSAM bypasses the gut, so it's much less likely to affect tyramine metabolism. Aside from a few sorts of alcoholic beverages, such as draught beers and chianti, you can have a bit of alcohol. One reason doctors always say, "avoid alcohol with antidepressants" is that alcohol is a depressant -- it can exacerbate the depression you're trying to treat in the first place. You're probably safe having a drink or two.
You might want to get yourself a handy dandy blood pressure monitor. I got mine at Costco, and it was only about $35. It can set your mind at ease if you get a headache, and it can also check for other effects on your blood pressure.
EMSAM is certainly worth trying.
Good luck.
Posted by bonbon on January 18, 2008, at 19:27:55
In reply to Re: new to emsam patch, any help appreciated » bonbon, posted by Racer on January 18, 2008, at 14:10:41
thanks so much to everyone who replied to my post. i put the patch on this morning - so far so good, but i guess it takes days/weeks to see any effects. thanks for the valuable experience info!
Posted by Racer on January 18, 2008, at 22:34:13
In reply to Re: new to emsam patch, any help appreciated, posted by bonbon on January 18, 2008, at 19:27:55
> thanks so much to everyone who replied to my post. i put the patch on this morning - so far so good, but i guess it takes days/weeks to see any effects. thanks for the valuable experience info!
It usually takes weeks to see beneficial effects. That's the double edged sword of antidepressants: often, you get adverse effects during start up, many of which go away once you've passed through the adjustment phase. Sometimes, if you're not prepared for that, the adjustment phase effects can scare you away from a medication, which is a shame. The best advice I can offer is to give it a good eight weeks to see if it's going to work -- if it does, it's worth it.
Good luck.
Posted by trx resistant on January 23, 2008, at 3:52:53
In reply to Re: new to emsam patch, any help appreciated » bonbon, posted by Racer on January 18, 2008, at 22:34:13
Welcome to what I hope will be your re-entry into a wonderful new world. It has been for me. If you look at my posts starting in October, 2007 until December, 2007 you can see my journey on
EMSAM as trx esistant to former trx resistant. With all these wonderful people here, you will get through this. Check archives from two years ago and read about Robert and history of EMSAM and FDA regulations. It will help you relax about the warnings. He and many others, like Larry Hoover, Astouder, Phillipa will help with their brilliance.
Alcohol - I have a glass of wine or martini once in awhile if out for dinner, no ill effects, drank a few glasses of chianti, no problems.
Had my first 3 week cold - I was freaked about what would happen if . . there is now corecedin flu formula for people with high blood pressure problems. Worked perfectly! Can also use Afrin safely.
I was so scared too, but now I have my life back.
We're here.
This is the end of the thread.
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