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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TexasRVer on August 14, 2008, at 21:52:41
I just found this board this evening and have been reading lots of posts.
About 8 months ago, I was started on Emsam patches--12 mg./day. I rarely take any other medication, but have been careful to read the label and be sure that it was okay. That is, until Monday night. I have had a bad cough from sinus drainage, and got tired of it, so about 9:30 PM I took some cough syrup and went to bed.
About midnight, I woke up--burning up, felt like I was on fire--of course, I could not figure out what was wrong. A little later, my body went into spasms and I became stiff as a board. When I finally relaxed, I decided to get up--my legs were still pretty rigid and just did not want to work right--made it to the bathroom and back to bed, still trying to figure out what was going on.
Then, I figured it out! I made it downstairs to the computer, and sure enough---I should not have taken the cough syrup. I just lay on the sofa with a damp towel trying to cool off. My pulse did not rise significantly, so I just stayed calm. I did have the cell phone at my side just in case I felt like I was in serious trouble.
Tuesday, I felt horrible. Each day is a little better, but, it is Thursday and I am still nervous, anxious, and exhausted.
My questions are:
How long with the symptoms last?
How long should I wait before starting back on the Emsam?
I am also taking Lamactil- 100 mg./day. No other medications.
All comments/suggestions will be appreciated.
Posted by Phillipa on August 15, 2008, at 0:24:23
In reply to MOAI reaction, posted by TexasRVer on August 14, 2008, at 21:52:41
Call your doctor as don't know if you should have stopped and did you have a hypertensive crisis? And welcome to babble as your're new but seriously you need your docs advise. Love Phillipa
Posted by blueboy on August 15, 2008, at 9:59:43
In reply to MOAI reaction, posted by TexasRVer on August 14, 2008, at 21:52:41
> I just found this board this evening and have been reading lots of posts.
>
> About 8 months ago, I was started on Emsam patches--12 mg./day. I rarely take any other medication, but have been careful to read the label and be sure that it was okay. That is, until Monday night. I have had a bad cough from sinus drainage, and got tired of it, so about 9:30 PM I took some cough syrup and went to bed.OUCH!
I almost learned the hard way, too. I was about to get an over-the-counter sleep aid, and I thought to ask the pharmacist first. He clucked his tongue and shook his head.
I really suggest you sit down once every week or two and read through the list of substances contraindicated. That sounds like a fairly severe episode and could easily cause one or more mini-strokes.
Posted by Nadezda on August 15, 2008, at 16:27:50
In reply to Re: MOAI reaction, posted by blueboy on August 15, 2008, at 9:59:43
Sorry you had that happen.
You have to be really careful about cough medicines. Some are okay-- but you really need to go through the ingredients carefully, because it's often not obvious which ones are safe.
If I were you, I'd call my pdoc and asked how you should handle the aftermath.
Nadezda
Posted by TexasRVer on August 15, 2008, at 23:24:45
In reply to Re: MOAI reaction, posted by Nadezda on August 15, 2008, at 16:27:50
> Sorry you had that happen.
>
> You have to be really careful about cough medicines. Some are okay-- but you really need to go through the ingredients carefully, because it's often not obvious which ones are safe.
>
> If I were you, I'd call my pdoc and asked how you should handle the aftermath.
>
> NadezdaThe doc has closed her practice to open a drug rehab facility. She referred me to another doc, but I have not called him yet.
I am feeling much better today. A little tired from time to time, but, I think it is pretty much out of my system. By tomorrow, I should be back to "normal"---what ever that means <VBG> I will wait another day or two and try just part of a patch to see if there are any bad effects before going back to full strength.
I do appreciate all the comments.
Posted by Nadezda on August 16, 2008, at 10:05:36
In reply to Re: MOAI reaction, posted by TexasRVer on August 15, 2008, at 23:24:45
Seriously, TexasRVer, if there's any time to call a pdoc, it's after you've had serotonin syndrome--if that's what you kicked off-- to the extent of being stiff as a board and having spasms. That's not a mild reaction.
Then, it takes Maoi two weeks to get back to normal levels after you stop taking Maois (which is why they always say to wait that long before starting other drugs). Frankly, if I'd been you, I'd have been at a hospital before the spasms hit. You need to be more self-protective than you have been.
I'd strongly recommend calling a pdoc now before going back on the patch. It might be okay-- but you should have a physician looking at what you're doing.
Plus, some relationship with a pdoc is important anyway, and this is good a reason as any. Who writes your prescriptions?
Nadezda
Posted by TexasRVer on August 16, 2008, at 20:21:20
In reply to Re: MOAI reaction » TexasRVer, posted by Nadezda on August 16, 2008, at 10:05:36
>
> Then, it takes Maoi two weeks to get back to normal levels after you stop taking Maois (which is why they always say to wait that long before starting other drugs). Frankly, if I'd been you, I'd have been at a hospital before the spasms hit. You need to be more self-protective than you have been.
>
> I'd strongly recommend calling a pdoc now before going back on the patch. It might be okay-- but you should have a physician looking at what you're doing.
>
> Plus, some relationship with a pdoc is important anyway, and this is good a reason as any. Who writes your prescriptions?
>
> Nadezda
Like I said in the last post, the doc that started me on Emsam and wrote the prescription has closed her practice. I started to call her office and see if she could be contacted, but since I did not feel like I had an increased BP--and if there was a crisis, I was out of danger by morning. I was prepared to go to the hospital if I had any more spasms or increase in heart rate or if I felt that my BP was rising.After this length of time, I don't see that there is a need to see a doc. The one that I was seeing (that closed her practice) and the one that she recommended are both 90 miles away. It will be a while before I have a chance to get over to see him. I am not looking forward to the change.
I got a bit aggravated on Thursday. I had a routine annual appt. with my GYN and mentioned the incident to him. He just "poo-pooed" it away and said that I should be more careful.
Jurhee
This is the end of the thread.
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