![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sharzi on July 19, 2006, at 20:21:13
Hello All! I'm new to this forum, although I have been lurking for the past couple months. I am being treated for major depression and social phobia. I have tryed the tricyclics and the SSRI with limited success. The best med for me so far has been paxil but It "pooped out" years ago. Bummer! Been searching for something else that would work ever since.
I started emsam about 8 days ago, and so far it seems to be helping me. I have a lot more energy and my motivation level has increased. I have gotten some projects completed that I have put off of months. I have had no trouble sleeping, but am being helped by a low dose (0.5mg) of klonipin at night. No side effects, other than feeling really tired in the middle of the day. Sort of weird because I'm both hyper and tired!
As far as the depression, I feel an improvement, although not as much as I would like. I have noticed that I have become more social and even decided to go on a diet to take off all my paxil weight. So, it is definatley doing something positive for me, but we shall see in a few weeks how it effects my overall depression.
Does anyone know how long it takes to feel the full benefit of emsam? I am keeping the option open for going up in my dosage if needed.
Thanks and I enjoy your posts here!
Sharzi
Posted by Phillipa on July 19, 2006, at 21:49:29
In reply to Just started emsam..so far, so good, posted by Sharzi on July 19, 2006, at 20:21:13
I sincerely hope you continue to do well. And you mentioned reading posts. Have you read all the EMSAM posts? Love Phillipa
Posted by Sharzi on July 19, 2006, at 22:44:52
In reply to Re: Just started emsam..so far, so good » Sharzi, posted by Phillipa on July 19, 2006, at 21:49:29
Yes I have read most of the other emsam posts (if not all) and so far it's been pretty discouraging. I was hoping to see better results because I had put so much hope into this medication. I'm still holding out hope that some will get a better reponse if they increase the dose. But then, like with all medications, it will only work with some and not for others. Bummer how that is!
So far emsam seems to be working pretty well for me, but it's still early and only time will tell just how effective it really will be. I will keep everyone posted on my progress.
Thank-you for your response,
Sharzi
Posted by Iansf on July 20, 2006, at 1:12:44
In reply to Just started emsam..so far, so good, posted by Sharzi on July 19, 2006, at 20:21:13
MAOIs are notorious for causing midafternoon drowsiness during the ramp-up phase, though typically they produce nighttime insomnia at the same time. In any case, for most people, this diminishes over time. I hardly slept the first month I was on Parnate, except for the hour to hour and a half of sleep that seemed unavoidable in the middle of the afternoon. Then one night suddenly everything was back to normal and I both slept well at night and stayed awake all day.
> Hello All! I'm new to this forum, although I have been lurking for the past couple months. I am being treated for major depression and social phobia. I have tryed the tricyclics and the SSRI with limited success. The best med for me so far has been paxil but It "pooped out" years ago. Bummer! Been searching for something else that would work ever since.
>
> I started emsam about 8 days ago, and so far it seems to be helping me. I have a lot more energy and my motivation level has increased. I have gotten some projects completed that I have put off of months. I have had no trouble sleeping, but am being helped by a low dose (0.5mg) of klonipin at night. No side effects, other than feeling really tired in the middle of the day. Sort of weird because I'm both hyper and tired!
>
> As far as the depression, I feel an improvement, although not as much as I would like. I have noticed that I have become more social and even decided to go on a diet to take off all my paxil weight. So, it is definatley doing something positive for me, but we shall see in a few weeks how it effects my overall depression.
>
> Does anyone know how long it takes to feel the full benefit of emsam? I am keeping the option open for going up in my dosage if needed.
>
> Thanks and I enjoy your posts here!
>
> Sharzi
Posted by Phillipa on July 20, 2006, at 19:35:57
In reply to Re: Just started emsam..so far, so good, posted by Sharzi on July 19, 2006, at 22:44:52
What would happen if you were to stay up all night and sleep during the day for a while? Love Phillipa
Posted by sharzi on July 20, 2006, at 23:45:51
In reply to Re: Just started emsam..so far, so good » Sharzi, posted by Phillipa on July 20, 2006, at 19:35:57
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what you meant by your question? I am not having any trouble sleeping at night, but only feel a little tired in the afternoon. Did I misunderstand you?
Posted by Crazy Horse on July 21, 2006, at 11:55:55
In reply to Just started emsam..so far, so good, posted by Sharzi on July 19, 2006, at 20:21:13
Keep taking it Sharzi,(or applying it i shoild say) :) it's been doing a great job for me. I recently (after staying on 6mgs. for 6 wks) bumped up to 9 mgs. and i like 9 better..i'm definitely less irritable on 9 mgs. and have more energy and motivation.
My only side effects have been early morning wakening..for a while i was only getting 4-5 hrs a night..not enough for me. But a combination of Trazodone and newly added Lyrica has been helping..since adding the Lyrica i have been getting 7, which is perfect for me (just hope it lasts. The other side effect is a rash where the patch was, even with cleaning really well, i still get them and they sometimes itch..i have marks all over my body :) But i can live with this if it keeps working well for me. Best wishes.
Monte
Posted by sharzi on July 21, 2006, at 14:36:35
In reply to Re: Just started emsam..so far, so good » Sharzi, posted by Crazy Horse on July 21, 2006, at 11:55:55
Thanks for the encouragement! Having energy and motivation have been the biggest changes in me, too. Before I started Emsam, I was not leaving my house (except to get groceries) and was not socializing at all. I was barely getting any housework done. Now, I have joined weight watchers, have contacted old friends and had lunch with them, and have clean my house by getting rid of old junk that had been laying around for years. This change must be from the emsam because there is no other explaination for it. The depression is still lingering a little, but because I am getting out of the house more, it is helping me to feel less depressed. If anyone is considering this med, I think it's worth at least giving it a try.
It is harder to sleep on emsam, but there are medications such as trazodone or klonipin that will help with that.
Sharzi
Posted by Crazy Horse on July 21, 2006, at 15:51:18
In reply to Re: Just started emsam..so far, so good, posted by sharzi on July 21, 2006, at 14:36:35
I'm glad you are doing so much better :) It's still early for you, so maybe with more time your depression will be completely eleviated.
Monte
Posted by Phillipa on July 21, 2006, at 19:24:41
In reply to Re: Just started emsam..so far, so good, posted by sharzi on July 20, 2006, at 23:45:51
Sorry my mistake I assumed you were having the insomnia a lot of other experience. But it looks like other than maybe needing a nap in the aftenoon you're sleeping at night. Love Phillipa
Posted by Sharzi on July 22, 2006, at 21:04:06
In reply to Re: Just started emsam..so far, so good » sharzi, posted by Phillipa on July 21, 2006, at 19:24:41
Ok, no problem!
Sharzi
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.