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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by buddha22 on December 7, 2011, at 16:10:44
Hi,
I just went on the 6mg EmSam patch two weeks ago. I notice a bit of an improvement in my depressive symptoms, but I'm not ideally where I'd like to be yet in terms of mood, anxiety level or energy. I was looking for other people's experiences on Emsam and how long it took them to notice a considerable effect.
I'm hangin in there for now b/c it does seem to be helping a little. I don't want to increase the dose though, due to the dietary restrictions at higher strengths.
Any feedback or other info would be greatly appreciated! I've tried nearlly all the SSRIs, SNRIs, etc...with very little improvement, but never an MAOi before. Hoping this helps a very long standing depression.
Thanks!!
Posted by williamockham on December 7, 2011, at 16:53:48
In reply to EmSam: How long till it takes effect?, posted by buddha22 on December 7, 2011, at 16:10:44
Unlike classic MAOIs, it takes a few weeks (4-6) for Emsam to actually inhibit a substantial amount of MAO-A. If you're not prepared to go higher, I'd wait at least this long to see if it's working.
FWIW, I went up to 15mg. I eventually scrapped it for Nardil.
Posted by buddha22 on December 7, 2011, at 17:12:48
In reply to Re: EmSam: How long till it takes effect?, posted by williamockham on December 7, 2011, at 16:53:48
Didn't know it took that long (4-6 wks)....this actually gives me a little more hope. Well, I guess I better be patient. Thanks for the info!
Btw if you scrapped it for Nardil I'm assuming it didn't do the trick for you? Did it help at all?
Posted by williamockham on December 7, 2011, at 18:14:37
In reply to Re: EmSam: How long till it takes effect? » williamockham, posted by buddha22 on December 7, 2011, at 17:12:48
You're welcome!
Emsam did help somewhat, but it was clear more was needed.
It's reasonable to give it a go. Side effects were mild and short-lived, even at the higher doses, and it did more for me than any SSRI/SNRI/Tricyclic had. Some people have issues with insomnia, though.
Obviously the diet thing is very person-specific, but the concerns at 9 and 12mg are mostly theoretical. I didn't have issues, but I wasn't totally reckless (eating blocks of cheddar, etc.).
Hope this helps.
Posted by bleauberry on December 7, 2011, at 18:52:33
In reply to Re: EmSam: How long till it takes effect?, posted by williamockham on December 7, 2011, at 16:53:48
Give it more time. Makes sense. Whatever happens, at least now there is a strong clue that narrows in on the maois. Maybe you will need a higher dose of ensam. Who knows. At some point it's possible you could discover living feeling half alive is worse than living well on a mildly restricted diet. Heck millions of people have to eat restricted diets of all kinds. I have to eat gluten free for example. Anyway yeah I think giving ensam more time makes the most sense. Increasing the dose has to be on the radar screen in case it is warranted. On the what-if list would be nardil and parnate, because we know at least one maoi thus far has shown more promise than anything else so you must be on the right track. Aside from those the only things I can think of are prozac+tca, zoloft+tca, ssri+ritalin, anafranil, and the herb rhodiola rosea.
Posted by buddha22 on December 7, 2011, at 19:20:21
In reply to Re: EmSam: How long till it takes effect?, posted by bleauberry on December 7, 2011, at 18:52:33
Yeah, I definitely have to give it more time. I guess it takes a little longer to kick in than some other meds. If need be though, you're right, I'd have to consider going up on the EmSam. I didn't want to, but if it means living a decent life than I'd have to give that a shot.
Well, let's see how this dose goes for now. Thanks for the good advice!
Posted by Phillipa on December 7, 2011, at 20:15:08
In reply to Re: EmSam: How long till it takes effect? » bleauberry, posted by buddha22 on December 7, 2011, at 19:20:21
Emsam has quite a few threads in the archieves. One poster now is doing extremly well on 9mg of Emsam and isn't having dietary problems but then we are all different. Phillipa
Posted by Maggiemae on December 13, 2011, at 6:36:21
In reply to EmSam: How long till it takes effect?, posted by buddha22 on December 7, 2011, at 16:10:44
It seemed to kick in slowly for me. At 5 weeks I had a day or two of mild increased anxiety, and then, that was gone, and I realized I felt pretty "normal". Clear head, good mood, motivation, pain down. It was subtle but wonderful. When I met with my pdoc at 4 weeks we thought I might have to go to 9mg, since it appeared to be having no effect. but we decided I would give 6mg more time, and I am glad I did.
Posted by buddha22 on December 13, 2011, at 10:52:24
In reply to Re: EmSam: How long till it takes effect?, posted by Maggiemae on December 13, 2011, at 6:36:21
Thanks Maggiemae. I'm at 3 weeks right now and though I've felt some improvement, I really need a bigger boost. Your post gives me more hope, though i know we're all different. From reading some of the archives regarding EmSam on 'Dr.Bob', it seems like a lot of people have had good responses from wks 4-6, so I'm still holding out.
Thanks again.
This is the end of the thread.
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