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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Blossom on September 13, 2008, at 20:32:51
Hello babblers,
I have been on EMSAM since February now, and it works wonders for my mood, although it seemed to take even longer to kick in than other meds I have been on (I think about six weeks or so to feel full effect). I have had problems with a number of side effects, including insomnia, weight loss (I'm 5'8" and now down to 116 lb or so), and severe acne, but I manage these effects with supplements or other medication so that they don't really bother me too much most of the time.
I do have a question for anyone with EMSAM experience, though. I have noticed that I sometimes feel very dizzy when I drink alcohol while on this medication. It's not too fun. I know that it's not recommended anyway, but I'd like to hear anyone's experiences with EMSAM and alcohol, positive, negative, or neutral. Is this unusual or weird?
Thanks,
Blossom
Posted by Mirabella on September 13, 2008, at 20:44:17
In reply to EMSAM, alcohol, and dizziness, posted by Blossom on September 13, 2008, at 20:32:51
I've been on Emsam since mid-April and have not experienced the dizziness you have with or w/o alcohol, but if memory serves my doctor mentioned that dizziness upon first standing is a possible side effect of Emsam.
Some questions for you to assist me with my own issues with Emsam: what have you been doing to treat the insomnia and to what effect? What about the acne? The insomnia has gotten progressively worse for me and I'm interested to hear what you've tried. Thanks.
Posted by Phillipa on September 13, 2008, at 21:43:06
In reply to Re: EMSAM, alcohol, and dizziness, posted by Mirabella on September 13, 2008, at 20:44:17
Heard from an Emsam user that klonopin was good. Phillipa
Posted by Blossom on September 14, 2008, at 11:58:45
In reply to Re: EMSAM, alcohol, and dizziness, posted by Mirabella on September 13, 2008, at 20:44:17
Hi Mirabella,
For the acne, I tried everything and the only thing that helped in the least was oral antibiotics (minocycline) but that completely took care of it. For insomnia, I, too have noticed that it gets progressively worse over time, and because it's a long-term problem, I didn't want to use something like Ambien or Lunesta, because I didn't want to become dependent or addicted. I've used a number of psych meds for insomnia in the past including Seroquel, Trazodone, and remeron, but didn't like the way they made me feel. All of these three made me feel very drugged in the morning (hard time getting out of bed!), so the P-doc decided on Neurontin (gabapentin). I open the capsule (lowest dose they make) and pour about half into my mouth, and that seems to let me sleep without feeling hung over in the morning.
Hope that helps!
Blossom
Posted by Mirabella on September 14, 2008, at 12:29:45
In reply to Re: EMSAM, alcohol, and dizziness, posted by Blossom on September 14, 2008, at 11:58:45
Blossom -- Thanks very much. I will suggest to my doctor the approach your taking with the insomnia and see what he says. I have been on increasing dosages of Lunesta and Trazadone and haven't been satisfied with the results.
Posted by henryo on September 18, 2008, at 19:02:40
In reply to EMSAM, alcohol, and dizziness, posted by Blossom on September 13, 2008, at 20:32:51
A non-alcoholic might think of not drinking alcohol.
Posted by Phillipa on September 18, 2008, at 20:23:04
In reply to Re: EMSAM, alcohol, and dizziness, posted by henryo on September 18, 2008, at 19:02:40
I'm sorry I'm hyjacking Henyro what do you think of the new Deplin thread are you still on it. Sorry. Love Phillipa
Posted by Blossom on September 18, 2008, at 20:43:36
In reply to Re: EMSAM, alcohol, and dizziness » henryo, posted by Phillipa on September 18, 2008, at 20:23:04
You have a point. I actually drink (drank?) very little anyway, and now pretty much not at all. But still curious as to whether other people experience this, mainly because I have been on several different ADs, and my p-doc tells me that I have an unusual profile of adverse side-effects, but most of the time, I can find a population of other people who report the same thing (like, for example, hair loss and extreme rage on Wellbutrin, extreme weight loss on Effexor, acne on EMSAM, etc.)
He also said that even though they say not to drink while on EMSAM, small to moderate amounts shouldn't really be a problem.
Anywaaaaayy....
Blossom
Posted by TexasRVer on September 25, 2008, at 0:54:45
In reply to Re: EMSAM, alcohol, and dizziness, posted by Blossom on September 18, 2008, at 20:43:36
I have been on Emsam for nearly a year. It is the best AD med I have ever been on. As far as alcohol, I cannot tell any difference with or without the Emsam. It does not seem to matter, which is great!!!
Insominia has been mentioned. This has been a problem for me for years. When necessary, I would take a small amount of Xanex or 1/2 of an Ambien to sleep. The Emsam certainly did not help. The pdoc said to continue to use either one as needed. After a while, I realized that I had not needed anything for sleep in a long time. It has been so long, that when I cannot sleep, I don't even remember that I have something to take--and just get up and mess with the computer until I get sleepy. Over all, I am sleeping much better with the Emsam that before I started using it--it just took a few months to reach this point.
Hope this helps.
Posted by Mirabella on September 25, 2008, at 20:25:51
In reply to Re: EMSAM, alcohol, and dizziness, posted by TexasRVer on September 25, 2008, at 0:54:45
It is great to hear of someone doing so well on Emsam (and gives me hope). Do you mind my asking you what dosage you're on and what meds you tried before Emsam?
Posted by Blossom on September 26, 2008, at 6:52:29
In reply to Re: EMSAM, alcohol, and dizziness, posted by Mirabella on September 25, 2008, at 20:25:51
I'm on the smallest dose (6 mg/day). I spent the longest amount of time on Effexor before this. It worked pretty well for me, but I did have even worse problems with weight loss (the doctors though that I had an eating disorder because I was so thin). I also had insomnia and daytime fatigue on Effexor, and got the brain zaps if I missed a dose. I honestly don't recall exactly why, but when I switched to a new p-doc, he wanted to try something else instead. I've also been on wellbutrin (both generic and brand-name). That didn't work for me at all. Just made me irritable, hostile, and aggressive. I went around feeling homicidal (and it made me lose my hair). I also took one dose of remeron, and realized that did not work. I was a total space cadet (a ravenously hungry space cadet, at that!)
I have not really ever tried the standard SSRI-type drugs for any extended period of time. Did take prozac for a couple of weeks when I was tapering off the Effexor. I tell you the truth, if you EVER have to come off of Effexor, don't do it without the Prozac. It's absolutely miserable. But with just 10mg/day Prozac added, it's no big deal. Amazing.
Hope that answers your question, and good luck with the EMSAM. I think it's the best AD I've tried.
Blossom
Posted by TexasRVer on September 26, 2008, at 9:10:14
In reply to Re: EMSAM, alcohol, and dizziness, posted by Mirabella on September 25, 2008, at 20:25:51
> It is great to hear of someone doing so well on Emsam (and gives me hope). Do you mind my asking you what dosage you're on and what meds you tried before Emsam?
Over the past 45 years or so, I have tried numerous meds. Before Emsam, the best, really only thing that seemed to be effective was Effexor. I was on 375 mg./day. Over time, I got better and gradually tapered off, and finally was off of it and doing fine. Things happended, mainly losing my mom then getting breast cancer, and I needed help again. When I took a 75 mg Effexor, I became violently ill---but at least I quit crying for a while (LOL) Later I tried again, and 1/2 of the 37.5 mg tablet made me sick. I think the cancer made me overly sensitive to several different meds.
I struggled along for years--not depressed enough to be debiliating, but just a struggle to do things and always the "little black cloud" hovering around. I had every reason in the would to be super happy, but ,,,,,,,, So, I had a friend seeing a pdoc and was very happy with her, so I made an appointment. Second visit she put me on the Emsam and gave me the liberty to adjust the dosage to find what worked for me. What I have settled on---I put on 6 mg each morning, but leave the previous days patch on. So, each one is worn for 48 hours. I figure that way, I am getting about 9 mg/day since the older one is using up the med. This has worked for me for a few months. If I leave one off for a day, to sun, swim, etc. the next day I put on 9 mg, and then go back to the six.
I have 12 mg patches and cut them to what I need.
If you are paying out of pocket for this stuff, this cuts the expense considerably.
Hope this helps.
Posted by TexasRVer on September 26, 2008, at 9:15:16
In reply to Re: EMSAM, alcohol, and dizziness, posted by TexasRVer on September 25, 2008, at 0:54:45
I should have added that I am also on 100 mg. Lamixal per day.. I don't know if it helps or not. I asked the pdoc and she said to stay on it. I have to look for a new pdoc because the one was using has closed her practice. She gave me prescriptions for a year, and a recommendation of who to go see--have to do it before long, I guess.
Posted by Mirabella on September 26, 2008, at 22:33:19
In reply to Re: EMSAM, alcohol, and dizziness, posted by TexasRVer on September 26, 2008, at 9:10:14
Thanks for sharing your experiences with Emsam. It's helpful to hear what's worked for other people.
This is the end of the thread.
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