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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by queenie star on January 27, 2008, at 17:50:31
I've been on numerous medications for depressionfor over 20 yrs. Iguess they have quit working; all SSRI'S. Iam to start EMSAM. I'm looking forward to it. I'd like to hear from anyone who has beeen on it, or any MAO'S. Also; my Dr. wants to cut the patch in half, and continue with medication Tegretol, which I've been on for years. Tegretol is on the list of medications NOT to take because serious adverse
Posted by Justherself54 on January 27, 2008, at 18:22:52
In reply to Emsam, posted by queenie star on January 27, 2008, at 17:50:31
Have you asked him why he would want you to continue on a med that should not be taken with Emsam. I certainly would question him about the safety issues of that before I started it..
Posted by bonbon on January 27, 2008, at 20:43:48
In reply to Emsam, posted by queenie star on January 27, 2008, at 17:50:31
Queenie - I just started Emsam 9 days ago. Started for the same reason, nothing else was helping anymore. Unlike you, i was not looking forward to it b/c I don't like starting new drugs.
I hope it works out for you. I haven't seen anything yet.
Bonbon
Posted by Phillipa on January 27, 2008, at 21:41:39
In reply to Re: Emsam, posted by bonbon on January 27, 2008, at 20:43:48
I would also question the topamax before starting. Phillipa
Posted by trx resistant on January 28, 2008, at 3:29:38
In reply to Re: Emsam, posted by Phillipa on January 27, 2008, at 21:41:39
ATTENTION DR. BOB AND PHILLIPA
Could we make an EMSAM thread? I'm staying up so late trying to read everything to help others as well as learn on EMSAM issues. I don't want to keep repeating myself and boring every regular, but this post, (by the way, welcome!)is like about 3 other threads.
I have been on EMSAM since October, 2007 and was put on Topamax for seizure protection because they just found brain lesion (hopefully benign and nothing to worry about) and TOP neurologist wants me working up to 100mg per day. I'm at 12.5mg becasue the Topamax makes me slow, sleepy, and wobbly. Obviously I'm extremely sensitive to the anti seizure drugs and allergic to Dilantin. Tried most and trying to live with this. Good Luck
Posted by trx resistant on January 28, 2008, at 3:34:26
In reply to Re: Emsam, posted by trx resistant on January 28, 2008, at 3:29:38
To all:
Read all EMSAM posts. You must give it more than 9 days. It took me about 4 weeks from deep dark 9 year MDD to feel a bit better. Then about 3 weeks of tinkering to present dose and PERFECTION! Manufacturer will tell you 15 weeks for what they term full response. Read all the posts about MAOI to understand that this is not immediate response like aspirin for a headache.
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 28, 2008, at 13:19:26
In reply to Emsam, posted by queenie star on January 27, 2008, at 17:50:31
> I've been on numerous medications for depressionfor over 20 yrs. Iguess they have quit working; all SSRI'S. Iam to start EMSAM. I'm looking forward to it. I'd like to hear from anyone who has beeen on it, or any MAO'S. Also; my Dr. wants to cut the patch in half, and continue with medication Tegretol, which I've been on for years. Tegretol is on the list of medications NOT to take because serious adverse
I would like to suggest to you that your first responsibility is to your own safety. Don't begin a drug therapy while you have questions such as you have. In other words, don't consent until you're informed. You should discuss this with your doctor, once more.
I looked into the combination of Tegretol and MAOI drugs, and with selegeline in particular. I found no mention of an interaction with Tegretol in the Parnate or Nardil monographs. In the Tegretol monograph, they make brief mention of a theoretical interaction with MAOIs. In the oral selegeline (Eldepryl) monograph, no mention of Tegretol appears. However, in the transdermal selegeline (Emsam) monograph, they do report an actual test for an interaction between the two. Although Tegretol usually decreases the blood concentration of drugs it interacts with (via enzyme induction), Tegretol was found to increase the expected blood concentration of selegeline when a patient stable on Tegretol was exposed to the Emsam patch. See: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/emsam_ad.htm#DI
under the heading 'Carbamazepine', in 'Drug Interactions'.So, what's that mean in practise? You'd get more bang out of the Emsam patch, so cutting one in half is a good starting point. It would appear that your doctor knows precisely what to expect. But, you need to talk about it with him, to be sure. To be informed, before you consent.
Lar
Posted by Phillipa on January 28, 2008, at 19:06:29
In reply to Re: Emsam, posted by trx resistant on January 28, 2008, at 3:29:38
There is quite a long thread on Emsam starting at the beginning of the drug being released. I believe it starts with Robert Davids post. Google his name and a lot of Emsam posts will turn up. Just make sure you're on the Dr. Bob google side. Hope you find the answer. So many helpful suggestions Phillipa and good luck to you also.
Posted by trx resistant on January 29, 2008, at 0:56:17
In reply to Re: Emsam » queenie star, posted by Larry Hoover on January 28, 2008, at 13:19:26
Well, there you go again Larry! Answering my question before I submitted on another thread. You're talented AND a foreseer of the future! Wow! You take real good care of YOU because I can't live without you!!!!
Posted by queenie star on January 29, 2008, at 21:54:09
In reply to Re: Emsam, posted by trx resistant on January 29, 2008, at 0:56:17
Hi! Thanks for all your support and names of people who have been on Emsam. I started first dose today 6mg. I had to go off Cymbalta and Lexapro for 10 days. Difficult,very difficult with constant dizziness. If Emsam works, it's all worth it. I read the input from David Frost; it gives me hope. I've worked in health care industry for over 25 yrs and frequently speak to pharamcy representatives; inquistive to know of any new medications for depression. I always want to believe that if this med doesn't work a new one will be available.
Posted by brooke484 on February 1, 2008, at 22:55:19
In reply to Re: Emsam, posted by trx resistant on January 29, 2008, at 0:56:17
I was wondering, before you went on EMSAM, did you try Parnate or Nardil? I tried both of those and am currently on Marplan but am getting worse, not better. EMSAM could be next if I can afford it. Just wondering how you felt on either of those drugs.
Thanks,
brooke
Posted by former trx resistant on February 2, 2008, at 2:42:12
In reply to Re: Emsam - trx resistant, posted by brooke484 on February 1, 2008, at 22:55:19
> I was wondering, before you went on EMSAM, did you try Parnate or Nardil? I tried both of those and am currently on Marplan but am getting worse, not better. EMSAM could be next if I can afford it. Just wondering how you felt on either of those drugs.
>
> Thanks,
>
> brooke
Hey Brooke
Sorry no experience with those. Went off SSRIs, first MAIO was EMSAM. Quite lucky after 9 years of hell. Less than 6 weeks for full "perfect for me fit". This is too good to be true feeling and now I'm still worried because I really do feel so exquisitely like me 9 years ago.
GOOD LUCK!
Posted by brooke484 on February 2, 2008, at 13:10:11
In reply to Re: Emsam - trx resistant, posted by former trx resistant on February 2, 2008, at 2:42:12
I'm glad you found something that works. I've been on Marplan for 4 months and I can't say I feel any different. Might be time for a change.
Glad you're feeling so well.
brooke
Posted by former trx resistant on February 2, 2008, at 22:12:20
In reply to Re: Emsam - trx resistant, posted by brooke484 on February 2, 2008, at 13:10:11
My personal experience based on the lovely people here is that EMSAM is the safest, most effective treatment becasue it is transdermal delivery so it bypasses gut. Slow constant smooth "ride" least amount of side effects. To discuss with your dr. and the people here. But it's worth a shot, may not have wait for "wash out" but better discuss with Lar or Astounder. The beauty is if you don't like it, you take off the patch and within 2 hours you should feel the negative (if there is one for you) wear off.
Posted by brooke484 on February 3, 2008, at 13:29:00
In reply to Re: Emsam - trx resistant, posted by former trx resistant on February 2, 2008, at 22:12:20
If I can get the price reduced then I will probably try it. But for over $150 a month there is no way I can do it. My insurance considers this a non-preferred brand unfortunately.
brooke
Posted by trx resistant on February 5, 2008, at 0:33:59
In reply to Re: Emsam - trx resistant, posted by brooke484 on February 3, 2008, at 13:29:00
your dr. can get lots of free samples from drug rep as mine does. or call bristol and they program to gve for free.
This is the end of the thread.
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