Posted by RN320 on November 1, 2006, at 13:21:59
In reply to Trying Emsam., posted by SLS on October 27, 2006, at 22:50:24
Scott-
I just wanted to give you some positive information on EMSAM. I started on EMSAM in June and currently use the 12mg patch. It's done a great job of controlling my depression and anxiety. It took about 8-9 days before I started feeling much of anything, and there was a lag time of about a week in between doseage increases before I saw an effect. The only problem I've had is related to a drop in my blood pressure, but for me all that meant was decreasing doses of antihypertensives. I wasn't crazy about wearing a patch myself, but have gotten used to it. It's not so bad. The patch does get larger with the dose, however. There are a number of places where it seems to stick better for me- like on my anterior chest wall. My pdoc is the #1 prescriber of EMSAM in the metro Detroit area and has many success stories using it. I've been dismayed with the bashing of this drug by many, but then I know that results are an individual experience.Prior to the EMSAM I had tried just about every SSRI and tricyclic, and immediately prior to starting it I was on a combination of Lexapro and Wellbutrin XL. That, along with Seroquel (for sleep and anxiety) and Geodon (for the psychotic symptoms of my depression) kept me barely functional. The EMSAM has allowed me to do things like watch a TV program that's an hour in length and still remember what I'm watching! It's helped greatly in decreasing my anxiety at the higher dose. I feel more settled and emotionally even on it. My pdoc and therapist have a complicated biochemical explanation for how this all happens but I don't remember it.
I would just encourage you to give it a thorough try before you decide it's not working. Best of luck to you.
/m
poster:RN320
thread:698340
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061028/msgs/699585.html