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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ihatedrugs on July 10, 2009, at 11:21:56
Hi,
I may have to go on Emnsam and want to know what to expect. Especially in terms of weight gain.Thanks
ihatedrugs
Posted by Phillipa on July 10, 2009, at 12:24:01
In reply to Experiences with emnam-I may have to go oi it, posted by ihatedrugs on July 10, 2009, at 11:21:56
Have to??? Well search the archieves by drug name and lots of threads. Emsam is the right spelling I think. Very mixed reviews some did well on low dose some needed higher dose. A lot took with klonopin as can cause insomnia. When will you begin still as expensive? Love Phillipa
Posted by Zana on July 10, 2009, at 14:35:31
In reply to Experiences with emnam-I may have to go oi it, posted by ihatedrugs on July 10, 2009, at 11:21:56
Ensam worked well for me when nothing else did. Unfortunately I developed a rash in my mouth after a couple of months and had to discontut it. No weight gain. I found it weight neutral and I don't think weight can is a concern with it. I think it can be a good med.
Zana
Posted by Mirabella on July 12, 2009, at 2:00:47
In reply to Re: Experiences with emnam-I may have to go oi it, posted by Zana on July 10, 2009, at 14:35:31
I have been on the 7 mg Emsam patch for a little more than a year, after having been on a combo. of Wellbutrin and Effexor for a number of years. I have found Emsam to be on pretty helpful on the whole and more energy-boosting than Wellbutrin/Effexor. At the same time, it has given me significant insomnia and increased anxiety. To counter that, I now take Lunesta to sleep, as well as Lamictal and Depakote to stabilize my mood. It has not caused weight gain (in contrast to Effexor) and I initially lost significant weight on it, in fact.
Posted by ihatedrugs on July 12, 2009, at 3:40:34
In reply to Re: Experiences with emnam-I may have to go oi it, posted by Mirabella on July 12, 2009, at 2:00:47
Hi all,
Thanks for your response. Sorry for mispelling the drug's name but I was sobbing at the time I was typing the original post.
I am on Savella at the moment and I think I will give it a couple more weeks before I decide.
Emsam's profile on insomnia scares me a bit as I suffer from severe insomnia. But if weight gain is not an issue then I could consider it.
Thanks so much for your replies.
Posted by Phillipa on July 12, 2009, at 20:26:18
In reply to Re: Experiences with emsam-I may have to go oi it, posted by ihatedrugs on July 12, 2009, at 3:40:34
You can cut the patches if too much of the drug. Wrap carefully don't get on hands. Customize the dose. Love Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on July 15, 2009, at 0:03:12
In reply to Re: Experiences with emsam-I may have to go oi it, posted by ihatedrugs on July 12, 2009, at 3:40:34
Hi, I'm sorry the savella isn't working out for you. I've been reading about emsam and am going to approach my pdoc about it. It seems weight neutral, right? I already have insomnia and take sleep aides. Do you take sleep aides (I don't remember), because maybe the insomnia piece is one you can work with if the emsam is a good fit for you. Do you expect withdrawal from Savella?
best wishes for you,
fb
Posted by floatingbridge on July 15, 2009, at 0:05:28
In reply to Re: Experiences with emnam-I may have to go oi it, posted by Mirabella on July 12, 2009, at 2:00:47
Mirabella,
If you don't mind me asking, how was the washout period from the effexor? (I'm on pristiq.)
fb
Posted by Mirabella on July 15, 2009, at 18:14:18
In reply to Re: Experiences with emnam-I may have to go oi it » Mirabella, posted by floatingbridge on July 15, 2009, at 0:05:28
The Effexor washout period wasn't bad at all. I had to get both Effexor and Wellbutrin out of my system before I could start the Emsam. I think the process took *maybe* a month in total (but maybe a lot less - my memory is hazy). First I decreased the dosages and then I think had just one week off them entirely. The only thing I noticed, and this was b/c of the Wellbutrin withdrawal, not the Effexor, is that I had a lot less energy during my week off Wellbutrin entirely. I think the Emsam kicked in pretty quickly too.
Posted by floatingbridge on July 15, 2009, at 21:21:41
In reply to Re: Experiences with emnam-I may have to go oi it, posted by Mirabella on July 15, 2009, at 18:14:18
Thanks, Mirabella. I'm hoping the washout period for pristiq is less....
and Ihatedrugs, how are you doing?
fb
Posted by KellyJo on July 16, 2009, at 7:55:42
In reply to Experiences with emnam-I may have to go oi it, posted by ihatedrugs on July 10, 2009, at 11:21:56
Hi,I'm new to Psycho-Babble so please be patient with me. I used Emsam just under 2 years ago with great results. I did develop a site reaction which included redness and itching so I discontinued it. Along the way, I tried several other meds without any success. A few months ago I convinced my Pdoc to allow me to try it again and this time I purchased some medical adhesive remover. That didn't help. Right away I had welts, redness and extreme itching. I called the drug manufacturer and they suggested a steroid. My P doc refused to do that stating that it would "thin my skin out". She has since left the practice and I have a new p doc (that I don't like- but that's another story). She right away wanted to put me back on Emsam since it's the only thing that ever worked for me. I was even taking Selegiline orally. Anyway, this doc sent me to the dermatologist. She gave me a steroid oinment. The problem is, I have to apply the ointment when I take the patch off but it itches so bad while on! I want to ask for a steroid gel to put on before I put the patch on. I'm still trying to research that because the dermatologist is concerned with absorbtion problems. So, back to your question. I had horrible insomnia when I first started Emsam so I was given Ambien CR. I've since found out that I have PLMD as well so in addition to the Ambien, I take Clonazepam. That helps tremendously with the insomnia! I haven't noticed weight gain BUT this time around I'm also on a low dose of Lithium (300) and I feel hungry all the time. I'm going to scream if I gain weight! I just lost 50 pounds in 4 months and I want to lose 20 more. Overall, the patch is wonderful and I'm starting to feel positive effects although I've only been on it less than two weeks. I hope you have a positive experience as well!
KellyJo
Posted by Phillipa on July 16, 2009, at 19:38:34
In reply to Re: Experiences with emsam-I may have to go oi it, posted by KellyJo on July 16, 2009, at 7:55:42
Welcome to babble and glad you found a solution to the rash. Do you rotate the sites? Love Phillipa
Posted by KellyJo on July 17, 2009, at 21:41:03
In reply to Re: Experiences with emsam-I may have to go oi it » KellyJo, posted by Phillipa on July 16, 2009, at 19:38:34
> Welcome to babble and glad you found a solution to the rash. Do you rotate the sites? Love Phillipa
Thank you for the welcome! I do rotate the patch to the 8 manufacturer identified locations. I don't know if I'm going to be able to tolerate the itching while the patch is on. Has anyone else come up with a solution for this?
Posted by Phillipa on July 17, 2009, at 21:53:29
In reply to Re: Experiences with emsam-I may have to go oi it, posted by KellyJo on July 17, 2009, at 21:41:03
Kelly Jo my pdoc had one patient on it she too had the horrible rash and had to discontinue tried cortisone but welts and all. I hope this doesn't happen to you. Could it be some allergic reaction to the sticky stuff? Love Phillipa
Posted by KellyJo on July 17, 2009, at 22:25:43
In reply to Re: Experiences with emsam-I may have to go oi it » KellyJo, posted by Phillipa on July 17, 2009, at 21:53:29
> Kelly Jo my pdoc had one patient on it she too had the horrible rash and had to discontinue tried cortisone but welts and all. I hope this doesn't happen to you. Could it be some allergic reaction to the sticky stuff? Love Phillipa
I don't know.....I called Bristol Myers (when they still had Emsam) and they said that the rash was caused by Selegiline instead of the adhesive. I'll be so :( if this doesn't work for me, I've tried 21 different meds and Emsam is the only one that worked!
Posted by Phillipa on July 18, 2009, at 19:52:34
In reply to Re: Experiences with emsam-I may have to go oi it, posted by KellyJo on July 17, 2009, at 22:25:43
Kelly Jo there has to be an answer google Robert David the first on Emsam when new and should be a long thread maybe the answer is there? Love Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on July 18, 2009, at 21:43:36
In reply to Re: Experiences with emsam-I may have to go oi it, posted by KellyJo on July 17, 2009, at 22:25:43
Hi Kelly Jo--
there is info on skin reactions as Phillipa said. Google the Robert David thread--very long with twists and turns and branches; however, if this med is working for you, I think (hope) the rash part is addressable. I think there's some info on askapatient.com and also if you google variations of emsam +skin reactions. Very common as I've come to know after reading. Wanted to go on patch myself, so read all over.
Good luck! and keep us posted? I'd be interested to know how this works for you.
best
fb
Posted by KellyJo on August 5, 2009, at 17:59:11
In reply to Re: Experiences with emsam-I may have to go oi it, posted by KellyJo on July 16, 2009, at 7:55:42
Just wanted to give an update. I'm doing great on the Emsam! I haven't felt happy in years and I actually feel happy even though I have plenty of reasons to be depressed- I'm going through a divorce. I don't know if the cocktail(300 mg Lithium, 6 mg Emsam, .5 mg Clonazepam,25- 100 mg Vistaril as needed) I'm taking is responsible or the Emsam itself but either way I feel great! THere is one negative. I have horrible insomnia. When I started the clonazepam at .25 mg with Ambien CR 12.5, I slept great for about 5 days. It's been downhill since then. I now take .50 mg and Ambien CR 12.5 and can't sleep after 4 hours. I'm willing to sacrifice sleep for happiness for now.
Posted by floatingbridge on August 5, 2009, at 19:18:55
In reply to Re:UPDATE, posted by KellyJo on August 5, 2009, at 17:59:11
Congratulations on feeling good! That's great news. Re: insomnia, I add sonata to my lunesta. (and have added a benzo-xanax as needed.) Helps me stay asleep longer. Good luck with insomnia piece--maybe it will resolve itself soon.
fb
Posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2009, at 20:13:24
In reply to Re:UPDATE » KellyJo, posted by floatingbridge on August 5, 2009, at 19:18:55
Cngrats did you mention earlier what dose your're on? Maybe take another sleep med when wake up. I've had to this for many years? Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on August 5, 2009, at 20:25:48
In reply to Re:UPDATE, posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2009, at 20:13:24
> Cngrats did you mention earlier what dose your're on? Maybe take another sleep med when wake up. I've had to this for many years? Phillipa
Oh Yes, this reminds me--pdoc prescribed the sonata (available generic) for when I was waking up every three- four hours. It's short acting (fours hours) so I could take it early morning and still be awake on time. (I use the 10mg dose)
fb
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on August 6, 2009, at 1:29:21
In reply to Re:UPDATE » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on August 5, 2009, at 20:25:48
> > Cngrats did you mention earlier what dose your're on? Maybe take another sleep med when wake up. I've had to this for many years? Phillipa
>
> Oh Yes, this reminds me--pdoc prescribed the sonata (available generic) for when I was waking up every three- four hours. It's short acting (fours hours) so I could take it early morning and still be awake on time. (I use the 10mg dose)
>
> fbThen did you use Lunesta when you went to bed? Is it generic? How does it work? Are you groggy in the a.m.?
Thanks!
gayle
Posted by floatingbridge on August 6, 2009, at 10:58:17
In reply to Re:UPDATE » floatingbridge, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on August 6, 2009, at 1:29:21
Hi Gayle,
I don't think there is a generic lunesta yet--otherwise, that's what I would be dispensed. I don't wake up groggy as long as I don't take it past 11:00 or 12:00. I sleep well on it, in fact, and the metallic taste some people get doesn't effect me any longer. I'm not sure how it would work for more severe insomnia--that's why sometimes I need to augment it. (Ambien did not work at all for me!)
best! fb
Posted by KellyJo on August 6, 2009, at 18:39:20
In reply to Re:UPDATE, posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2009, at 20:13:24
> Cngrats did you mention earlier what dose your're on? Maybe take another sleep med when wake up. I've had to this for many years? Phillipa
Thanks for the well wishes! I'll ask the pdoc about adding a med around 2 am when I wake up. Last night I woke up about 6 times between 1-4 and I couldn't sleep at all after 4 :(
My cocktail is-300 mg Lithium once a day
6 mg Emsam once a day
.50 clonazepam at bedtime
12.5 Ambien CR at bedtime
25-100 mg Vistaril as needed
This is the end of the thread.
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