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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by former poster on November 21, 2011, at 0:18:46
Will sedation occur at the 18mg dose? I'm currently on 12mg. I've tried removing the patch 2hrs before bed. Taken the patch at bedtime seems to work the best if you can live on 4hrs of sleep. Is Emsam non reversible MAOI? If so I have to watch my diet for 2 weeks after stopping?
Posted by SLS on November 21, 2011, at 5:25:04
In reply to Emsam, I'm wondering if I will ever sleep again., posted by former poster on November 21, 2011, at 0:18:46
> Will sedation occur at the 18mg dose? I'm currently on 12mg. I've tried removing the patch 2hrs before bed. Taken the patch at bedtime seems to work the best if you can live on 4hrs of sleep.
If Emsam is working miracles for you, why don't you treat the insomnia? Parnate and Nardil are bound to affect you the same way. When I was experiencing total insomnia from using Parnate, I took two different benzodiazepine drugs (Halcion and Ativan) in order to get sufficient sleep. This worked well without the development of tolerance during the years I employed this strategy.
> Is Emsam non reversible MAOI?
Yes.
> If so I have to watch my diet for 2 weeks after stopping?
Without having evidence to the contrary, I would say yes. I always wait the 2 weeks.
Is your only reason for discontinuing the Emsam the insomnia? The strategy I used to treat insomnia was aggressive, but worth it. I was able to maintain a remission on a Parnate + desipramine combination treatment for 9 months while getting adequate sleep.
You have quite a few options to treat insomnia. Some people sleep well on a small dose (25-50 mg)of Seroquel. Others have success with using the "Z" drugs (zopiclone, zolpidem, zaleplon, etc.) or benzodiazepines. I more recently used a combination of zaleplon (Sonata) and lorazepam (Ativan) while taking Nardil. The zaleplon is effective, but short-acting. It helped initiate sleep while the lorazepam worked to maintain sleep.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on November 21, 2011, at 9:56:20
In reply to Re: Emsam, I'm wondering if I will ever sleep again. » former poster, posted by SLS on November 21, 2011, at 5:25:04
Emsam is approved for 18mg? Didn't know that. Great that it is working for you. Phillipa
Posted by former poster on November 21, 2011, at 12:28:32
In reply to Re: Emsam, I'm wondering if I will ever sleep again. » former poster, posted by SLS on November 21, 2011, at 5:25:04
I forgot to mention that I take 4mg of clonazepam at bedtime. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't get any sleep at all. Last night I didnt fall asleep till 6am. I laid in darkness for 4hrs.
Are there any non-addictive options to sleep? I have been on benzo's since the 70's. I was actually off of them for a while. I know AP's will knock anyone out, but I can't tolerate them. Gabapentin gave me hallucinations. Maybe a low dose of Depakote? I have never tried before.
Posted by Phillipa on November 21, 2011, at 20:08:58
In reply to Re: Emsam, I'm wondering if I will ever sleep again. » SLS, posted by former poster on November 21, 2011, at 12:28:32
41 years on benzos for me do they still work for anxiety? I thought I had the record for benzo useage? I think started in 72? What year for you? Phillipa
Posted by former poster on November 24, 2011, at 4:16:38
In reply to Re: Emsam, I'm wondering if I will ever sleep again. » former poster, posted by Phillipa on November 21, 2011, at 20:08:58
Phillipa, I think I started Valium around 1975. Sounds like you and I are around the same age? Good to know that someone else has been on Benzo's as long as I. Seems I can go without Clonazepam for a week and then I come unraveled at the first big stress situation. I have been told that Clonazepam is half as strong as the original Klonopin. I have GAD, PTSD, and social anxiety for decades. Without the benzo's I would be dead from stress by now and probably would be living alone with no kids. I'd say they definitely still work on anxiety still. Did you start with Valium too? I remember when Xanax came out around 81. My Dr. told me: "Xanax is not habit forming". LOL!
Posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2011, at 23:46:25
In reply to Re: Emsam, I'm wondering if I will ever sleep again. » Phillipa, posted by former poster on November 24, 2011, at 4:16:38
Yes valium 5mg three times a day with miltown which took for a year or so and then stopped it. I took ativan also before the xanax I think and then some klonopin which depressed me. And now back to valium and xanax. But for me the anxiety has turned into debilitating anxiety fear of being alone. I never raise the dose. Think if switched back to ativan as hav a bottle here it might work? Didn't know generic K half as strong as brand. Babble and we can discuss age and experiences and doses? Phillipa
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