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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Donna Louise on July 7, 2006, at 13:33:22
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing, posted by 4WD on July 7, 2006, at 12:39:54
> > > You think so? I wonder how the drug companies can be thaaaat far off with a medication that's already in use. Maybe the majority of people using aren't expriencing these effects, but it's the people here who are reporting them. Just a thought/hope.
> >
> > I've been on EMSAM for 11 days now with absolutely no remission of symptoms. I am as depressed , no, more depressed than before I started it. I am on the 6mg patch which I leave on 24 hours.
> >
> > I am also havin absolutely no side effects. I thought it was supposed to be stimulant. Well, I am exhausted. No energy at all. And no insomnia, either. I fall asleep fine. Actually my sleep is a bit restless but that's all. I had a few mild GI effects at first, little nausea and heartburn but that's gone.
> >
> > As far as I can tell it is doing nothing at all.
> >
> > I have been on everything else except traditional MAOIs and so I think this is the end of the road for me. There is nothing left to try and no hope for me. I am ready to go.
> >
> > Marsha
>
> I forgot to say the one good thing about this is that since going off Celexa in order to start EMSAM, my anxiety has more or less disappeared and the pain in my neck and shoulders is much less. My husband asks me which is worse, the fear/anxiety or the depression. I say, would you rather have your right leg cut off, or your left?
>
> M
>Marsha, you aren't ready to go, you still have your sense of humor!! That is a great answer, I get asked that all the time, now I know the perfect thing to say.
I hope you will give the patch a fighting chance. It takes awhile to work and I have had to go to 12mg before it is what I need it to be. I got some relief with the 6mg, more with the 9mg and right now I am pretty happy with the 12mg. so you might need more dosage, you definately need more time. So don't leave yet!donna
Posted by 4WD on July 7, 2006, at 18:04:36
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing » 4WD, posted by Donna Louise on July 7, 2006, at 13:33:22
> > > > You think so? I wonder how the drug companies can be thaaaat far off with a medication that's already in use. Maybe the majority of people using aren't expriencing these effects, but it's the people here who are reporting them. Just a thought/hope.
> > >
> > > I've been on EMSAM for 11 days now with absolutely no remission of symptoms. I am as depressed , no, more depressed than before I started it. I am on the 6mg patch which I leave on 24 hours.
> > >
> > > I am also havin absolutely no side effects. I thought it was supposed to be stimulant. Well, I am exhausted. No energy at all. And no insomnia, either. I fall asleep fine. Actually my sleep is a bit restless but that's all. I had a few mild GI effects at first, little nausea and heartburn but that's gone.
> > >
> > > As far as I can tell it is doing nothing at all.
> > >
> > > I have been on everything else except traditional MAOIs and so I think this is the end of the road for me. There is nothing left to try and no hope for me. I am ready to go.
> > >
> > > Marsha
> >
> > I forgot to say the one good thing about this is that since going off Celexa in order to start EMSAM, my anxiety has more or less disappeared and the pain in my neck and shoulders is much less. My husband asks me which is worse, the fear/anxiety or the depression. I say, would you rather have your right leg cut off, or your left?
> >
> > M
> >
>
> Marsha, you aren't ready to go, you still have your sense of humor!! That is a great answer, I get asked that all the time, now I know the perfect thing to say.
> I hope you will give the patch a fighting chance. It takes awhile to work and I have had to go to 12mg before it is what I need it to be. I got some relief with the 6mg, more with the 9mg and right now I am pretty happy with the 12mg. so you might need more dosage, you definately need more time. So don't leave yet!
>
> donna
Hi Donna,Thanks for answering. I don't know what I'd do without this board (tho I haven"t been here much in the last months _ too depressed to care). My pdoc has given me the ok to go to 9mg in two days. I will use one and a half patches of the 6 mg that I have.
In the meantime I will take some Zyprexa to keep myself out of the suicide pit. It's really a miracle drug for me - 5mg at night and for the next 3-4 days I feel better. Unfortunately, I'm a recovering bulimic and when I take Zyprexa, I'm once again an active bulimic. It really triggers the eating disorder.
Is the diet difficult for you?
Marsha
Posted by jealibeanz on July 7, 2006, at 19:22:00
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing » Donna Louise, posted by 4WD on July 7, 2006, at 18:04:36
What kind of med is Zyprexa and how does it help you? Why did you decide upon EMSAM and how long do you plan to continue for unless there are positive results?
Posted by Phillipa on July 7, 2006, at 21:17:01
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing » Donna Louise, posted by 4WD on July 7, 2006, at 18:04:36
Marsha why didn't you let me know you weren't here because of depression. They say that those that get better leave so I thought you were better. Please babblemail me can't remember if you have my E-mail address. Love Phillipa
Posted by 4WD on July 7, 2006, at 21:32:46
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing, posted by jealibeanz on July 7, 2006, at 19:22:00
> What kind of med is Zyprexa and how does it help you? Why did you decide upon EMSAM and how long do you plan to continue for unless there are positive results?
It's an atypical antipsychotic, one of the new ones, like Geodon or Seroquel. It takes away suicidal thoughts and lifts the depression to a degree that it's bearable.
I'm not sure about the EMSAM. I guess I'll give it at least three weeks. Two on the 6mg and one more on the 9mg and if there is no improvement, I guess I'll ditch it.
I tried EMSAM because I had such bad side effects on the SSRIs and tricyclics (and not a great response either).
I have treatment resistant depression.
Marsha
Posted by Jakeman on July 7, 2006, at 23:13:28
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing » jealibeanz, posted by 4WD on July 7, 2006, at 21:32:46
> > What kind of med is Zyprexa and how does it help you? Why did you decide upon EMSAM and how long do you plan to continue for unless there are positive results?
>
> It's an atypical antipsychotic, one of the new ones, like Geodon or Seroquel. It takes away suicidal thoughts and lifts the depression to a degree that it's bearable.
>
> I'm not sure about the EMSAM. I guess I'll give it at least three weeks. Two on the 6mg and one more on the 9mg and if there is no improvement, I guess I'll ditch it.
>
> I tried EMSAM because I had such bad side effects on the SSRIs and tricyclics (and not a great response either).
>
> I have treatment resistant depression.
>
> MarshaMarsha it sounds like you are in the same boat with a lot of us here.
warm regards, Jake
Posted by Donna Louise on July 7, 2006, at 23:14:05
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing » Donna Louise, posted by 4WD on July 7, 2006, at 18:04:36
> > > > > You think so? I wonder how the drug companies can be thaaaat far off with a medication that's already in use. Maybe the majority of people using aren't expriencing these effects, but it's the people here who are reporting them. Just a thought/hope.
> > > >
> > > > I've been on EMSAM for 11 days now with absolutely no remission of symptoms. I am as depressed , no, more depressed than before I started it. I am on the 6mg patch which I leave on 24 hours.
> > > >
> > > > I am also havin absolutely no side effects. I thought it was supposed to be stimulant. Well, I am exhausted. No energy at all. And no insomnia, either. I fall asleep fine. Actually my sleep is a bit restless but that's all. I had a few mild GI effects at first, little nausea and heartburn but that's gone.
> > > >
> > > > As far as I can tell it is doing nothing at all.
> > > >
> > > > I have been on everything else except traditional MAOIs and so I think this is the end of the road for me. There is nothing left to try and no hope for me. I am ready to go.
> > > >
> > > > Marsha
> > >
> > > I forgot to say the one good thing about this is that since going off Celexa in order to start EMSAM, my anxiety has more or less disappeared and the pain in my neck and shoulders is much less. My husband asks me which is worse, the fear/anxiety or the depression. I say, would you rather have your right leg cut off, or your left?
> > >
> > > M
> > >
> >
> > Marsha, you aren't ready to go, you still have your sense of humor!! That is a great answer, I get asked that all the time, now I know the perfect thing to say.
> > I hope you will give the patch a fighting chance. It takes awhile to work and I have had to go to 12mg before it is what I need it to be. I got some relief with the 6mg, more with the 9mg and right now I am pretty happy with the 12mg. so you might need more dosage, you definately need more time. So don't leave yet!
> >
> > donna
>
>
> Hi Donna,
>
> Thanks for answering. I don't know what I'd do without this board (tho I haven"t been here much in the last months _ too depressed to care). My pdoc has given me the ok to go to 9mg in two days. I will use one and a half patches of the 6 mg that I have.
>
> In the meantime I will take some Zyprexa to keep myself out of the suicide pit. It's really a miracle drug for me - 5mg at night and for the next 3-4 days I feel better. Unfortunately, I'm a recovering bulimic and when I take Zyprexa, I'm once again an active bulimic. It really triggers the eating disorder.
>
> Is the diet difficult for you?
>
> Marsha
>The only thing that I eat that is on the diet is tofu and I still eat it and nothing happens. I suspect nothing will happen if you eat anything on the list. I believe it is the FDA's concern and what held up marketing for so long, that the one test they did with 9 and 12mg (which showed no restrictions necessary) wasn't enough to for them to feel comfortable without putting in the restrictions. I am not advocating anyone ignore following the diet, I just don't intend to. I think the real danger in the higher dosage is the greater probability to a contra-indicated drug reaction. Tht should be the focus in my opinion. The transdermal absorbtion and subsequent by pass of first pass metabolism exists as much for 12 mg as 6mg. That is the way I see, it is in the realm of possibility that I could be wrong :-)) but I don't have a problem eating tofu.
donna
donna
Posted by jealibeanz on July 8, 2006, at 5:44:54
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing » 4WD, posted by Donna Louise on July 7, 2006, at 23:14:05
Donna, is the EMSAM bothering your sleeping or anxiety? Any updates with depression? I definitely need to find something to help me out with the constant sadness/hopelessness/amotivation. I don't know how much longer I can pretend to be a happy, driven, motivated, sucessful person, when all I'd like to do is sleep all day. On the postive side, I think my doctor agreed to increase my Xanax. I see him in six weeks!
Posted by Donna Louise on July 8, 2006, at 7:44:05
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing, posted by jealibeanz on July 8, 2006, at 5:44:54
> Donna, is the EMSAM bothering your sleeping or anxiety? Any updates with depression? I definitely need to find something to help me out with the constant sadness/hopelessness/amotivation. I don't know how much longer I can pretend to be a happy, driven, motivated, sucessful person, when all I'd like to do is sleep all day. On the postive side, I think my doctor agreed to increase my Xanax. I see him in six weeks!
It does not make my anxiety any worse. I was irritable at the lower doses but 12mg and the added lamictal seem to have taken care of that. I have alot more energy so i don't want to sleep much but when I do make myself go to bed, I sleep well.
donna
Posted by jealibeanz on July 8, 2006, at 15:44:36
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing » jealibeanz, posted by Donna Louise on July 8, 2006, at 7:44:05
Sounds great for you Donna. What made your doctor to decide to move to 12 mg instead instead of decreasing? Why'd you pick EMSAM and not a more commonly used MAOI?
Posted by Donna Louise on July 8, 2006, at 22:35:46
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing, posted by jealibeanz on July 8, 2006, at 15:44:36
> Sounds great for you Donna. What made your doctor to decide to move to 12 mg instead instead of decreasing? Why'd you pick EMSAM and not a more commonly used MAOI?
I decided to move up. I was still a little depressed on 9mg. I chose Emsam because of the transdermal delivery system
donna
Posted by jealibeanz on July 9, 2006, at 0:49:39
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing » jealibeanz, posted by Donna Louise on July 8, 2006, at 22:35:46
You sound like you have quite a bit of freedom. That's nice. What does your doctor think about EMSAM? Did he take a lot of convincing? Is he now prescribing it for other patients?
Posted by t2green01 on July 9, 2006, at 7:44:49
In reply to Who's Still Going Strong with EMSAM?, posted by jealibeanz on June 24, 2006, at 21:48:28
I have been a disability for 2 years due to anxiety and depression. I have tried every ssri and ect treatment with very little or so success. My doctor wants me to have Vagal nerve stimulation but I could try Emsam if I want to try one more med. I dont know what to do
Posted by jaclinhyde on July 9, 2006, at 8:35:49
In reply to Re: Who's Still Going Strong with EMSAM?, posted by pulse on June 29, 2006, at 0:58:31
For everyone who has had no success with Emsam and has given up on the maoi's all I can say is WHY?
There are three other more powerful ones out there that put Emsam to shame (which I shouldn't say because I am on it myself only due to weight gain from the two of the others and a bad reaction to the third.) You want to see a kick *ss drug...try Nardil, Parnate or Marplan - the holy grail of MAOI's.
:-)
JH
Posted by 4WD on July 9, 2006, at 14:08:55
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing » 4WD, posted by Phillipa on July 7, 2006, at 21:17:01
> Marsha why didn't you let me know you weren't here because of depression. They say that those that get better leave so I thought you were better. Please babblemail me can't remember if you have my E-mail address. Love Phillipa
Hi PHillipa,
You know how it is. YOu get into that place where it is an accomplishment just to get your socks on in the morning and the litter boxes cleaned.
Although I was doing better for a while on Celexa, Klonopin and Neurontin. NOt good but okay. Then I had about 10 days in a row of feeling awful and that's when I decided to give EMSAM a shot.
How are you? What meds are you on now? Last I heard you were still on Luvox?
Marsha
Posted by 4WD on July 9, 2006, at 14:12:59
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing, posted by Jakeman on July 7, 2006, at 23:13:28
> > > What kind of med is Zyprexa and how does it help you? Why did you decide upon EMSAM and how long do you plan to continue for unless there are positive results?
> >
> > It's an atypical antipsychotic, one of the new ones, like Geodon or Seroquel. It takes away suicidal thoughts and lifts the depression to a degree that it's bearable.
> >
> > I'm not sure about the EMSAM. I guess I'll give it at least three weeks. Two on the 6mg and one more on the 9mg and if there is no improvement, I guess I'll ditch it.
> >
> > I tried EMSAM because I had such bad side effects on the SSRIs and tricyclics (and not a great response either).
> >
> > I have treatment resistant depression.
> >
> > Marsha
>
> Marsha it sounds like you are in the same boat with a lot of us here.
>
> warm regards, Jake
>Hi Jake,
Except it can't be a boat. Has to be a gigantic floating city since there are so many of us.
Maybe a community of depressed and anxious people wouldn't be such a bad idea. Nobody would ever be telling you that you just needed to have a positive attitude and stuff like that.
Marsha
>
Posted by 4WD on July 9, 2006, at 14:17:34
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing » 4WD, posted by Donna Louise on July 7, 2006, at 23:14:05
> The only thing that I eat that is on the diet is tofu and I still eat it and nothing happens. I suspect nothing will happen if you eat anything on the list. I believe it is the FDA's concern and what held up marketing for so long, that the one test they did with 9 and 12mg (which showed no restrictions necessary) wasn't enough to for them to feel comfortable without putting in the restrictions. I am not advocating anyone ignore following the diet, I just don't intend to. I think the real danger in the higher dosage is the greater probability to a contra-indicated drug reaction. Tht should be the focus in my opinion. The transdermal absorbtion and subsequent by pass of first pass metabolism exists as much for 12 mg as 6mg. That is the way I see, it is in the realm of possibility that I could be wrong :-)) but I don't have a problem eating tofu.
>
> donna
>
> donna
>I think you are right. I don't intend to follow the diet either maybe very tentatively for the first week or two - little bit of soy, little bit of cheese, etc. In fact, my pdoc says that "theoretically" you are supposed to follow the diet at the higher dosages.
Truth is, I wouldn't mind the diet if the drug worked well. The diet only seems so offputting because I am depressed and everything seems offputting. I have noticed before that things that seem totally overwhelming when I am at my worst seem like nothing at all on a good day.
Thanks,
marsha
Posted by jealibeanz on July 9, 2006, at 15:32:44
In reply to Re: VNS or Emsam?, posted by t2green01 on July 9, 2006, at 7:44:49
I'm always so surprised when I read that people have tried every SSRI, sometimes more than once. I don't think my doctor would ever do that with me. I guess they all have different approaches. He just said I probably would have similar side effects and responses.
Others actually fed me the "personality" line, which I think is crap. Constant anxiety isn't due to personality. It may be partly caused by experiened, as in post traumatic stress, but not in my case. Depression, could be likened to someone with too high expectations out of life. I don't have this outlook. I'd settle for middle of the line, just being able to get through every day without dread and misery for no reason. I don't need a fairy tale ending. Also, my depressions and normal moods aren't dependent upon my life situations.
I've gone through periods where evvvvery thing was terrible every thing. Then periods when life was wondddderful. Nothing changed. I was doing the exact same thing as always. Same school, activities, friends, work, ect. This leads my to believe that it is at least partly chemical.
Posted by jealibeanz on July 9, 2006, at 15:35:47
In reply to Re: Who's Still Going Strong with EMSAM?, posted by jaclinhyde on July 9, 2006, at 8:35:49
Which did you try that caused weight gain? How's the EMSAM going?
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2006, at 20:54:21
In reply to Re: VNS or Emsam?, posted by jealibeanz on July 9, 2006, at 15:32:44
I agree I went through divorces, moving on my own to different states, Son on drugs joined the army lost eyesight in Desert Storm. Kids that don't even bother to call or aknowledge me and many job changes and working as a nurse in all units and psch and a prison. And I loved it. Then boom my thyroid went and I found out I had chronic lymes disease so there has to be something biological but what!!!!!!Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2006, at 20:56:01
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing » Phillipa, posted by 4WD on July 9, 2006, at 14:08:55
Marsha long story. Too long for here. Yes still on luvox but added lamictal. Just started for the second time and the same valium. Do you have my E-mail address? Love Phillipa
Posted by crazy777girl on July 10, 2006, at 3:43:50
In reply to Re: VNS or Emsam?, posted by t2green01 on July 9, 2006, at 7:44:49
I'm in a similar situation, non-responsive to treatment. I've bombed out w/ Emsam & am on a waitlist currently w/ Cyberonics for an implant. Many on the board here have seemed to benefit from Emsam, though. VNS is last resort - if all else has failed. If that's the case, though - I would strongly encourage you to talk w/ your pdocs & do your research. It may be a viable alternative for improvement. I am hoping it will be. Best of luck, A.
> I have been a disability for 2 years due to anxiety and depression. I have tried every ssri and ect treatment with very little or so success. My doctor wants me to have Vagal nerve stimulation but I could try Emsam if I want to try one more med. I dont know what to do
Posted by Kirkster on July 10, 2006, at 12:19:02
In reply to Re: VNS or Emsam? » t2green01, posted by crazy777girl on July 10, 2006, at 3:43:50
Confused about EmSam -
I was diagnosed as Bipolar Depression (cycle from norm. to depressed) and put on Lithium and Lamictal and doing great until Lithium toxicity (lots of fun!). I went down a bit on Lithium and so did my mood - big time. Now back up halfway on Lithium and not doing too well. Now my doc wants to try Emsam, but the idea of a MAOI is scary to me - been on every SSRI known to man, but not sure about trying Emsam. Is it worth a try or are the side effects so bad I should run away from it.Kirkster
Posted by iamme2 on July 10, 2006, at 14:33:13
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing » jealibeanz, posted by Donna Louise on July 8, 2006, at 7:44:05
Donna,
I noticed in your post that you take lamictal as well as Emsam. I've been given lamictal to try along with Emsam, but doc and I agreed to start with the Emsam first to see how that goes. So far (at about day 11, 6mg patch) it is not working well at all. I feel physically ill (like I have the stomach flu), tired and groggy, and am a raving bitch to those close to me. I'm thinking I should start lamictal sooner rather than later. Can I ask what dosage of lamictal you started with? And, I'm wondering if I just haven't given Emsam enough time to start working. Geez, I just hate feeling so miserable!
Thanks for any help!
M
Posted by jealibeanz on July 10, 2006, at 19:40:56
In reply to Re: EMSAM doing nothing, posted by iamme2 on July 10, 2006, at 14:33:13
Is it possible for you to move up to 12 mg, to see if it help? Or would that be too much of a shock to your body?
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