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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by RSidney on November 23, 2009, at 17:59:39
I have been on EMSAM for over 3 weeks, slowly worked my way up (cutting 6 mg patches) from 1.5mg, 3.0mg, 4.5 mg, to now 6.0mg patch for four days.
I had anxiety increase at each level, but not sure if this was due to my symptoms, or medicine increase, or both. Currently my symptoms are still there and each day is "hit or miss" as far as anxiety and depression being good/bad.My questions is, I have heard upping to 9mg has been very successful for various members of this board, and have also seen other feedback from pdoc's saying they have not had success with patients until 9mg. How long should I give the 6mg patch before talking to my pdoc about making the up to 9mg?
Any personal experience or advice on EMSAM is appreciated!
Posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2009, at 0:22:38
In reply to EMSAM Dosage feedback, 6mg or 9mg, posted by RSidney on November 23, 2009, at 17:59:39
I always refer posters to Robert Davids long thread on EMSAM when it first came out lots of info there. And if new welcome to babble. Phillipa ps sounds like it's working for you my pdoc had said it would be too stimulating for me and she said that cutting patches great idea. I'd stick with what your doing. Do you take a benzo with it for anxiety? Phillipa
Posted by RSidney on November 24, 2009, at 10:57:02
In reply to Re: EMSAM Dosage feedback, 6mg or 9mg » RSidney, posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2009, at 0:22:38
Yes, it is stimulating at 6mg, howvever the feedback from some posts on this board is that at 9mg the aggitation drops due to a greater effect on Serotonin.
My PDoc seems to think a lot of EMSAM, but I am sensitive to medications and am a little concerned EMSAM may be too stimulating for me as well, although it has helped me over the past 3 weeks, but has brought agiation and anxiety with it. However, those could also be part of my symptoms still showing through as well.Between the meds and the symptoms, sometimes it's hard to tell what is what.
Posted by floatingbridge on November 26, 2009, at 15:09:41
In reply to Re: EMSAM Dosage feedback, 6mg or 9mg, posted by RSidney on November 24, 2009, at 10:57:02
Hi Rsidney,
May I ask what your Dx is? I'm interested in emsam, but my pdoc is doubtful that it is right for me.
Please babble me, if you care to, if this feels too personal. I don't want to be intrusive and respect your privacy.
Wish I had information to share. Can you search the archives? Also, a few threads are going right now about emsam.
Best,
fb
Posted by ihatedrugs on November 27, 2009, at 15:15:09
In reply to Re: EMSAM Dosage feedback, 6mg or 9mg » RSidney, posted by floatingbridge on November 26, 2009, at 15:09:41
I have been on Emsam for 2 months aprox. It has worked pretty well. I even had a night where I actually went to bed in such a state of calm and bliss...I had not felt like that in years. I then got some patches from a friend who although had not expired, he wasn't sure how long and under what conditions they were.(he got them from a Dr. friend of his). Since I changed I have gone back to crying, lethargy and severe anger bouts. All of this during the holidays when my sweet daughter was coming. I couldn't ever muster to go to the family Thanksgiving dinner. So I have decided to go up to 9 mg and see if a boost helps. My dr. agrees that perhaps I just need an increase in dosage. So I will let you know how 9mg work.
ihatedrugs
Posted by floatingbridge on November 27, 2009, at 16:22:04
In reply to Re: EMSAM Dosage feedback, 6mg or 9mg, posted by ihatedrugs on November 27, 2009, at 15:15:09
You don't think it is the viability of that batch of patches?
I'm sorry to hear the symptoms have returned. Glad to hear that you will keep us posted.
fb
Posted by inanimate peanut on November 29, 2009, at 13:52:47
In reply to Re: EMSAM Dosage feedback, 6mg or 9mg » ihatedrugs, posted by floatingbridge on November 27, 2009, at 16:22:04
I have been on 6mg for 9 days with no effect and just upped it to 9mg. Any ideas on how long I should have to wait for it to work?
Posted by ihatedrugs on November 30, 2009, at 1:52:28
In reply to Re: EMSAM Dosage feedback, 6mg or 9mg, posted by inanimate peanut on November 29, 2009, at 13:52:47
Well, I have been on 9mg for three days and feeling much better. I definitely think I got a bad batch from my friend (so much for trying to save a few bucks). Emsam takes its time to work. But then again so do most of other ad's, at least for me. The reason switching to 9mgs worked a little faster may be that I had been on the 6mg patch for about 3 months, so I already had some therapeutic levels in my system. I have to say that so far this is the ad I have liked the most in terms of its lack of side effects. In the beginning I had some insomnia but that has subsided some. Often times we are in such a state of desperation and anguish that we don't give the meds their due time to work properly; when we are on that state, the thought of meds not working and having to do another trial while in the midst of an episode is hell. My suggestion is to stick with the new dosage and get some klonopin to help take the edge off while you wait. Keep a journal that way you can assess any progress. Knowing that you were able to complete or even attempt a task that seemed impossible before is a good way to measure improvement.
Good luck and I truly hope this med works out for you.
Posted by floatingbridge on November 30, 2009, at 23:36:20
In reply to Re: EMSAM Dosage feedback, 6mg or 9mg » inanimate peanut, posted by ihatedrugs on November 30, 2009, at 1:52:28
Good for you Ihateddrugs--glad you're getting relief.
med journals are the way to go--excellent advice all around--including patience.
Very best to you inanimate peanut!
fb
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