Posted by Iansf on May 25, 2006, at 0:49:55
In reply to Re: Emsam and insomnia » Jakeman, posted by RobertDavid on May 24, 2006, at 16:48:11
When you say you're taking 10mg of Emsam, does that mean one half of the 6mg patch, which would be equivalent to 10mg of oral selegiline? It comes in 6mg, 9mg and 12mg patches.
> > Rob.
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> > Thanks for your thoughtful reply and all your previous contributions to this discussion. I'm real interested to see how you do on the lowered dose. I'm dealing with agitated depression, insomnia, social anxiety. I don't see Emsam as an end-all. Most likely it will have to be combined with something else.. benzo, mood stabilizer or both. I like the fact that selegiline has been used for many years in the smart drug community. I've taken about every SSRI-SSNRI-tricyclic on the market so I'm running out of choices. Most doctors don't want to deal with me because I'm not an easy fix.
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> > warm regards, Jake
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> Jake:
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> I too like the fact the EMSAM is considered a "smart drug" and based on how it's cleared up my head it's indeed that for me. I also agree that it's alone not perfect. Perhaps those that have just major depression will be able to use it as mono therapy and I know that many of them don't have trouble sleeping with it.
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> I also agree that a blend with a medicine like klonopin will be key in getting relief from anxiety, iritablilty and agitation. It can also help with sleep. I take my full klonopin dose at night (now back to 2mgs - that's what it takes for me to feel my best).
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> Nothing has been so as effective for my mental alertness and mood as EMSAM. So, as I've stated, I'm playing with ways to find out how to best use it, what dose (cutting it in half) as well as taking it off at night. Too soon for me to say which way I like it the best.
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> My suggestion to you would be to add klonopin, see how you do with the combo. Slowly go up on the dose until you get anxiety relief and stay there for a while, see how you do. You should know very quickly if it's helping. My opinion is that benzos are one of the best meds for anxiety and some of your other issues. It just may also solve your insomnia issues.
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> Otherwise you might first just try just taking the patch off at bedtime. When I did I slept much better, woke up, put it back on (I'd put it on as soon as you wake up). My doc said it was okay to do that.
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> Lastly, I'm still doing well on 10mgs and in fact am going to take it off at bedtime for a while and see how that works. I still feel the good energy surge and elivated mood at 10mgs, but we'll see if that lasts. After this last test with EMSAM I'll make a decision and settle in on how to best use it.
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> For me, when I don't sleep well it really has a negative effect on how I feel, my anxiety level and mood. So fine tuning the best way to get a good nights sleep is key. Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing how your doing! Rob
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poster:Iansf
thread:647080
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060520/msgs/648231.html