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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 33. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 17:02:01
Hello,
I've straddled the fence for so long on this, I apologize for burning out the topic. The thread title says it all.
mdd/trd (of course) & ptsd
I need some glue to hold me together through therapy and health challenges (fatigue--who knows what).
I'm also thinking about savella--but ssri's, snri's don't seem to cut it. (I'm on pristiq.)
positive, supportive, (but truthful), input welcome.
fb
Posted by emmanuel98 on October 18, 2009, at 18:15:21
In reply to emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues., posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 17:02:01
I took emsam and it didn't do a thing for me. Afterwards, I saw a consultant, this really well known psychopharmacologist and he said emsam is no good. If you're going to try an MAOI, try a real MAOI like parnate. Which I did and it worked wonders for me.
Posted by Maxime on October 18, 2009, at 18:33:38
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues., posted by emmanuel98 on October 18, 2009, at 18:15:21
I have to agree with Emmanuel. When Emsam first came out a number of people on PB tried. I don't remember any positive reviews. I would go with Parnate or Nardil, despite the hell I am going thorugh right now with Parnate. ;)
Posted by Maxime on October 18, 2009, at 18:40:35
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues., posted by Maxime on October 18, 2009, at 18:33:38
Here are some old threads to look at.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060504/msgs/640308.htmlhttp://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060623/msgs/661128.html
Posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2009, at 18:41:30
In reply to emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues., posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 17:02:01
FB google Robert David on Bobs side of Google he and I became friends he was on 6mg of emsam for energy and took klonopin 2mg for anxiety. He loved it. He was coachine me by telephone to take it and switch my benzos over. He eventually didn't need it anymore. If you google that name and write a post on the original google thread he will answer. I can also e-mail him and have him post if you like? Love Phillipa ps most people had problems with keeping the patch sticking on.
Posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 20:30:11
In reply to emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues., posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 17:02:01
Thanks for the responses. Phillipa, I did read the Robert David thread a while back. Will revisit it.
Maxine, thanks for digging up those links.
Emmanuel, thanks for your experience.
I did think emsam was working for some right now though, like ihatedrugs?
Is anyone currently having success?
I'm not ready to commit to the big leagues yet (how I think of parnate--and truly, am concerned about nardil weight gain--I gain it so easily, I don't doubt it would happen to me, so I guess I can't be that depressed if vanity still rears it's head ;-).
fb
Posted by psych chat on October 18, 2009, at 21:33:58
In reply to emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues., posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 17:02:01
Hi Floatingbridge,
I'm thinking of starting Ensam too. That or Lamictal. Hell, maybe both..not sure which order though. Time to ask PDoc this week about meds.
Oh-I don't the see the weight gain as a vanity issue. I also have the same concern, but I also think weight gain causes depression as a side effect, and a potential host of health problems. Better to avoid it at all costs if one can find an effective med that doesn't cause weight gain.
Good luck, keep us posted. If I try it next week, I'll let you know.
Posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2009, at 22:06:28
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues. » floatingbridge, posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 20:30:11
Oh shoot forgot to write him will now back and forth to facebook. He's up. Love Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 22:15:56
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues. » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2009, at 22:06:28
> Oh shoot forgot to write him will now back and forth to facebook. He's up. Love Phillipa
That's o.k., Phillipa. I can re-read the thread. do you think he's still on it? Or did he move on to something else? (I forget.)
fb
Posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2009, at 22:54:22
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues. » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 22:15:56
He was off it last time we spoke. But post on the thread he normally answers. Love Phillipa
Posted by ihatedrugs on October 19, 2009, at 23:28:03
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues. » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 22:15:56
Hi floatingbridge,
I am doing very well on 6mg of Emsam. After a rough Summer where I tried Savella, Abilify and Pristiq, it was such a relief to have found something that worked. Only side effects were insomnia which resolved itself after a while and possibly a slight increase in anxiety. No other side effects to report. Well actually it does decrease appetite so its great if you have gained weight on other meds like I have. I have found that the patch wears better on my thigh and I don't get a rash but if I wear it on the chest area I sometimes get a rash. I do feel much better. The only draw back is the exhorbitant price. I pay 200.00 after insurance. Full price is about 500.00. I don't know why it is so expensive.
Let me know how it works for you if you decide to go on it. Good luck
Posted by MAxime on October 20, 2009, at 18:46:20
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues. » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 22:15:56
Posted by floatingbridge on October 20, 2009, at 18:58:36
In reply to How did your appt. go today? (nm) » floatingbridge, posted by MAxime on October 20, 2009, at 18:46:20
Well, I mostly wept and didn't talk about meds. On Friday we tackle the subject. I really need some help, med-wise.
Thanks for asking Maxime, and to everyone who added to this thread. I'll post when we make a decision.
fb
Posted by floatingbridge on October 20, 2009, at 19:01:44
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues., posted by ihatedrugs on October 19, 2009, at 23:28:03
Hi Ihatedrugs,
That you are doing well is the best news. I'm so glad. I also appreciate your feedback--thanks!
May I ask you one more question? Are you taking anything else, or just doing mono-therapy emsam?
Good news, and glad to hear it!
warmly,
fb
> Hi floatingbridge,
>
> I am doing very well on 6mg of Emsam. After a rough Summer where I tried Savella, Abilify and Pristiq, it was such a relief to have found something that worked. Only side effects were insomnia which resolved itself after a while and possibly a slight increase in anxiety. No other side effects to report. Well actually it does decrease appetite so its great if you have gained weight on other meds like I have. I have found that the patch wears better on my thigh and I don't get a rash but if I wear it on the chest area I sometimes get a rash. I do feel much better. The only draw back is the exhorbitant price. I pay 200.00 after insurance. Full price is about 500.00. I don't know why it is so expensive.
> Let me know how it works for you if you decide to go on it. Good luck
Posted by ihatedrugs on October 20, 2009, at 22:01:40
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues. » ihatedrugs, posted by floatingbridge on October 20, 2009, at 19:01:44
> Hi Ihatedrugs,
>
> That you are doing well is the best news. I'm so glad. I also appreciate your feedback--thanks!
>
> May I ask you one more question? Are you taking anything else, or just doing mono-therapy emsam?
>
> Good news, and glad to hear it!
>
> warmly,
>
> fb
>
> > Hi floatingbridge,
> >
> > I am doing very well on 6mg of Emsam. After a rough Summer where I tried Savella, Abilify and Pristiq, it was such a relief to have found something that worked. Only side effects were insomnia which resolved itself after a while and possibly a slight increase in anxiety. No other side effects to report. Well actually it does decrease appetite so its great if you have gained weight on other meds like I have. I have found that the patch wears better on my thigh and I don't get a rash but if I wear it on the chest area I sometimes get a rash. I do feel much better. The only draw back is the exhorbitant price. I pay 200.00 after insurance. Full price is about 500.00. I don't know why it is so expensive.
> > Let me know how it works for you if you decide to go on it. Good luck
>
>I´m also taking Klonopin at night for sleep. As for depression I´m only taking Emsam. I also take Deplin which is a folate supplement and vitamin D since I turned out to have a deficiency. I'm sorry you are not doing well. I know is so hard to find something that works. I spent all summer long trying different meds and it was the pits. I really hope Emsam works as well for you as it has for me. I had been pretty treatment resistant until now. I was very skeptical of Emsam. You normally don't read a lot of feedback but I think that is because it works for most people. Usually the meds we hear the most about are the most insidious ones and that is why we need to complaint. I haven't been back to psychobabble since you babbled me because I now spend my time doing other things I was unable to enjoy before. I'll keep an eye for your posts to see how you are doing. You can also feel free to babble me if you have any questions. Good luck on your next dr. visit.
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2009, at 22:15:22
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues. » floatingbridge, posted by ihatedrugs on October 20, 2009, at 22:01:40
Congratulations. I feel the reason or a reason is a lot of folks can't afford emsam. It's sparked my interest for years. My pdoc even gave me sameple box when out still have it but then she said would be too stimulating for me. She'd thought a mere quarter or less of a patch would work for me. Then her one patient on it got a rash dermatologists couldn't fix so to put it so she stopped using it. A Pity. I think it's a great med as the patch means it bypasses the liver. Keep us posted. Love Phillipa
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 20, 2009, at 23:16:45
In reply to emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues., posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 17:02:01
Hi fb:
I've been trying to keep my mouth shut. Too hard!
I think an MAO inhibitor would work for you really well. I have the exact same diagnosis and have had it for too long a time to think about. And Parnate has absolutely worked for me when nothing else did and I am at the end of the medication road!
I was delighted to see that Emsam has worked so well for Ihatedrugs. That is encouraging. Before she wrote all I had heard ensam users say is that either they quit altogether or switched to another MAOI. If that's the case I'd just go for it and get on one thats proven to work. If your pdoc has seen a lot of good results with ensam it is certainly more user friendly and would be excellent to try. If not, my suggestion is to just go for it and get it over with!!
I've been thinking a lot about you and your decision. I know you'll do the right thing for you!
Love and hugs,
Gayle
Posted by uncouth on October 20, 2009, at 23:22:38
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues., posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 20, 2009, at 23:16:45
emasm was a real weird one for me. I have TRD/BP2. It worked initially, gave me resilliance, also made me feel a lot SMARTER (and i htink objectively I was). Selegiline is quite a substance at high doses. I would consider it again but be more careful with dosing, and definitely make sure to have a mood stabilizer or zyprexa on board as well.
I got up to 12mg. That was probably too high of a dose, as I went into a psychotic mixed-depression on a trip to south america, in the air plane. It was horrible, and indescribable. Emsam can really accellerate your thoughts...
Have you thought about high dose bupropion?
As someone who has gone through the SNRIs, then the MAOIs, then back, I am more convinced of bupropion's merits.
Also, don't forget about lithium, antipsychotic augmentation of SSRIs, or agomelatine!
MAOIs are really like a cannon...they can be hard to really manage well.
And for what its worth, I think if you're going to do an MAOI, might as well do Parnate and push it up, slowly, as high as you need to.
As for me, I'm done with the MAOIs (at least for now) and have stabilized about 75% on 600mg of wellbutrin, 5mg of zyprexa, 25mg of agomelatine, and 300mg of lithium.
Good luck.
uncouth
Posted by floatingbridge on October 20, 2009, at 23:48:39
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues., posted by uncouth on October 20, 2009, at 23:22:38
Thanks for the feedback, Uncouth. Bupurion (wellbutrin, right?) was a failure, sad to say.
We'll see. Thanks for sharing your experience--and glad you have something on board that's working for you.
fb
Posted by floatingbridge on October 20, 2009, at 23:49:38
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues., posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 20, 2009, at 23:16:45
Posted by uncouth on October 20, 2009, at 23:57:09
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues. » uncouth, posted by floatingbridge on October 20, 2009, at 23:48:39
was bupropion at a high enough dose? my dr. believes the dosing guidelines are too conservative and that you haven't done a solid trial unless you've taken it up to 600mg
Posted by floatingbridge on October 21, 2009, at 0:05:48
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues. » floatingbridge, posted by uncouth on October 20, 2009, at 23:57:09
> was bupropion at a high enough dose? my dr. believes the dosing guidelines are too conservative and that you haven't done a solid trial unless you've taken it up to 600mg
>
>No I went up to 450. I could sleep on it :-( I was told 450 was the limit.
fb
Posted by metafunj on October 21, 2009, at 10:15:21
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues. » floatingbridge, posted by uncouth on October 20, 2009, at 23:57:09
Is this brand bupropion or generic that you are taking?
Posted by uncouth on October 21, 2009, at 10:59:09
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues. » uncouth, posted by metafunj on October 21, 2009, at 10:15:21
it is aplenzin, a new form of brand bup. that is equivalent to 600mg of wellbutrin xl
Posted by metafunj on October 21, 2009, at 13:32:14
In reply to Re: emsam--any positive results? See pdoc tues., posted by uncouth on October 21, 2009, at 10:59:09
I took 300mg SR and found it gave me weird twitches that were like shivers. Also my ears rang pretty bad. It was only 300mg but generic. I wonder if i would have done better on brand wellbutrin.
I thought doses higher than 450mg were bad cuz of the risk of seizures.
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