Leslie, Graycoyote & All;

So glad you are here and want to join in this discussion. Yes Leslie; I agree with you re/ a detailed dialogue being necessary and will contribute as much as I can. I really hope you get some much needed relief soon. W/D-ing from Cymbalta is so hard, and I really feel for you Leslie. I did it to try this patch too. Cymbalta did nothing for me at all. No relief except for a very mild placebo effect on day 3 that lasted for an hour or two, which gave me false hope that finally an AD med would work. Had such a hard time finding a Dr that was familiar w/ Emsam & would prescribe it AND take my insurance...so a few months have passed since my last AD's.

My appt was yesterday, however the Dr didn't show up!!! No one even called me to cancel. Seem's like the Dr decided to get an early start on the holiday weekend, according to staff. While that would have been disappointing as I have waited for this appt (the first appt was only to take history, etc), it would have been OK and I would understood if only they would have called me to cancel. Or even just apologised to me when I was there, for not calling...but it's a day later and still no call or return of my calls from yesterday and today.

BTW...My appt was in the afternoon so staff had all morning to cancel me as the receptionist said the doctor called in early AM & said would not be coming in. Staff told me the Dr is supposed to cancel & reschedule appts when I tried to make another appt. They gave me no support or understanding other than shirking their shoulders. I felt sorry for them too. At least one other patient was sent home while I was there. As desperately depressed as I am, all I could do was sit in the waiting room in tears. I hoped to start the patch yesterday...now can't even make a new appt 'til next week when the Dr is back, this according to the receptionist.
(I actually prayed for my appt to go well & Ensam to work as per my previous post!!!)

It's not hard to see why people suicide, is it???

I have no choice but to wait as I am not killing myself until every last AD med is tried (and Ensami s the last of the AD'sfor me). Hopefully you'll allow me to live vicariously through you until I can get another appt Leslie and Graycoyote! After which I will be able to get an Rx & add my firsthand experience's on Emsam to this discussion too, and believe me...I will!

Honestly...you both just may be saving my life, I am so down. Leslie, please post your first reactions to the patch and if you are able to fall asleep at night, etc. Are you taking anything else with it? I so hope it work's fast for you!

'Graycoyote' is such an inspiration. To be able to post as 'gray' has that she/he 'feels very good most of the time' would be such a blessing! I can't even imagine it. Oh...and to have energy to get things accomplished, too! I do hope this work's for us Leslie!

Sadly, for Aron it didn't work...So sorry Aron. That's a very real outcome for me too as no other AD's have worked. None have ever made me feel 'very good'...not even for a minute...ever! Aron...what are you taking now and has it helped you? I sure hope you are not suffering.

Please post and feel free to PM or IM me.

Thank You in advance! Eve

Hi, Eve--I was so relieved that you wrote back! It's 1:30 in the morning, and I have the patch on (since 6:00 this morning)--I wish I could say I'm instantly feeling better, but I've had trouble keeping the patch stuck, and I'm struggling with total despair right now. For a brief moment today I thought I might be coming out of my depression, but no...the weather is beastly hot all of a sudden, and tonight I can't sleep, and I keep crying, so obviously nothing's happening yet. I'm worried that this patch thing isn't going to work if it doesn't stick--I need to ask my pdoc why it's only available in patch form.

I was so furious at your doctor for blowing you off--those people should be shot for being so insensitive. I would have been crying my guts out in your situation. I am having such dark thoughts, and I feel like you do: if this doesn't work, then what? I can't live the rest of my life like this--I can see no light at the end of the tunnel right now, and besides that, I feel such shame about being "defective" this way. I've been depressed before, but never like this. This sucks big time. Being in withdrawal makes it doubly miserable.

I hate to be a downer for you--I know you're hoping I can give the Emsam a good report... My husband says give it time, but my thoughts are so negative that I feel like I don't want to waste one more day being like this... I will say, though, that yesterday I forced myself to go for a long walk in a beautiful park near where I live--I walked for almost an hour, and miraculously I felt so much better. I think it was the endorphins. So don't give up yet--go for a walk! Today I had to work all day, so I hit a low again. Guess we just have to keep walking...

Please don't give up--my therapist says there IS help out there for us. I ask you, though: what is the lesson in this? Or is there one?

I'll keep writing--and thanks again for responding--maybe we just might save each other's lives!

Leslie

Hi
I'm glad to tell you that Emsam started to work within just a couple of days for me. I had to be hospitalized while coming off the cymbalta. I didn't do very well not taking anything. The doctor wanted me to go 2 weeks before going on the emsam patch. I was having such a time with severe depression even with the cymbalta that emsam wasn't for sell in Feb of 06 but the doctor was able to get some shipped in before it went on the market. I go to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. My doctor is the chair of pschy. so he was able to pull some strings.
I had had a bad high blood pressure problem with Parnate which is a MAOI , so the hospital required me to walk the hall several times to get at least a mile in an they would monitor my blood pressure during and after. Just incase the Emsam caused me any problems. When I was released from the hospital I continued to walk. I just kept at it-- like I hadn't wanted to do anything for the last 12 years. I suddenly had energy and the desire to accomplish and finish lots of things.
I know prayer works. In the Bible one time Jesus was walking on the water( the disciples where in a boat in a storm) and Peter asked if he could come to him. Peter was the only disciple to get out of the boat. That took lots of courage. It takes courage to try new drugs when the old ones work for a little while and then seem to quit. Keep praying, don't give up.
You asked about my diagnosis --I have chronic solvent encephalapathy ( electical cleaner got to my brain) and chronic severe depression, and anxiety. I was diagnosed at Emory University in Atlanta and also Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, TN. Back in 1993 and 94. I had never had depression before, boy have I had a lesson.
Remember [b]GOD is GOOD, HE NEVER FAILS[/b]

Leslie;

So sorry it has been so difficult for you. While I know it does not change things or help you in any way, please know that I really do feel your pain Leslie! I'm so proud of you for taking your walk, you have inspired me to do the same today. Of leslie; I couldn't even bring myself to log in yesterday & last night as I was so afraid there would be no reply due to the Holiday weekend. When I found your post here this AM I burst into tears ! Thank You so much for following through. It must have been hard to post how awful you are feeling, especially after hoping for so much from Emsam...and now you can't even get the dumb patch to stick!!! I have heard the med won't get into your system if the patch is not securely stuck on, so do whatever you have to to be sure you are getting a theraputic dose, OK?

You really need some relief Leslie, and if you don't get it due to the fricken patch malfunctioning that frustration may be the 'straw that breaks the camels back'! I'm about to 'lose it' on your behalf right now! Don't worry about bringing me down b/c you are not able to post positive things...yet...re/ Emsam. No one except a fellow sufferer truly knows the depth of pain that is Depression. When you and other's reply I feel validated and know I have been truly heard...and that you and graycoyote 'get it', (unlike so many other's that I no longer speak about it and just suffer silently and alone.) Your validation helps me feel not quite so alone in a very lonely illness, and probably saved me today.

So Leslie...I want to hear anything positive or negative that you trust in me enough to share. You have been through so much...W/Ding from Cymbalta, Lexapro on top of major depression really takes a toll on you. My last Dr of 5 Years...(YES FIVE LONG CRAPPY YEARS !) thought I shouldn't feel any w/d's with any of the new SSRI's. Then again he would just read what was on the press release and would say..."No, it say's here no one ever gains weight on _____" (fill in the blank with whatever med), "you must be pigging out or eating alot of junk food." He was kind of dismissive about all side effects.

I always left the office feeling worse than I already did before my appt. Was so hoping for things to be different this time w/ the new Dr! So far I am disappointed but plan to persevere and make it to my next appt somehow, although I don't knw where I will get the strength.

Just stopped typing to walk outside for a few minutes as per your advice, and you are right, it does help...although the tears streaming out from under my sunglasses probable gave me away as I accidently left my tissues inside. Yes Leslie, I know all about the tears too! Isn't it horrible to feel so utterly depressed? I do hope that your husband is supportive and understanding. I am at a loss to understand depression myself, so if he get's it at all...that is at least a flicker of light in the darkness.

I hope you are doing better today and that the %#*# %*#*% patch stays stuck! Perhaps try swabing alcohol on the area first? You would think that all to 'kinks' would have been worked out before marketing. Even when skin is clean body oil's can still be present, and as you've read...you are not alone re/ the patch becoming unstuck. Are you having any irritation from the patch?

Selegiline is the med in the patch and it does come in pill form. It is actually a long used Parkinson's med that some Life Extensionist's take to hopefully live longer. It is inexpensive and well documented, but b/c of the diet restrictions at certain doses, not used too much for depression. I have taken other MAOI's for a long time...sadly not much help, if any, at all for my depression. I have naturally quite low blood pressure, didn't follow the diet religiously or even halfway, and never had hyertension problems that I know of. I was so depressed that I didn't care what happened. I don't advise that, however. BTW...the diet isn't a deal breaker IMO. Actually...it was the easiest part of the whole thing. The fact that Parnate, Nardil, etc; didn't give me relief after years of trying is/was the crushing blow.

I guess hope springs eternal b/c here I am once again putting my trust into another AD Med...hoping for the dream that greycoyote has found! I'm Hoping and Praying for us both Leslie!

Let me know how you are doing. Remember it's still very early.

Thinking of you...Eve

Greycoyote...

Thank's so much for being there for Leslie during her first day's on Emsam. And for me too, even though I'm still waiting for an Rx and continue to be stuck in 'No Med Limbo'.

Cymbalta W/D is vicious and I'm glad you were able to get hospitalization for it. Your Dr sounds like a dream come true to me! He really was there for you! I bet it means the world to you that you can count on him. Emory is well known as a first class Medical Institution and you are really 'in the clover' w/ the The Chair of Psych on your team Gray! Congradulations on your your continuing recovery!

Your story is amazing. You really went through hell! I can only imagine your gratitude and pure relief when Emsam kicked in and you actually began to get some relief from the horror of severe depression, compounded by W/D-ing from Cymbalta AND suffering from Chronic Solvent Encephalapathy! Wow...It's a miracle you are still here! I thank God you are!

As you may have gathered from my previous posts in this thread, I had given up on God, life, hope, prayer, everything... after fighting the Depression Wars for so many truly painful years. Just in the last week have I started to try to have faith again. So far...well...it's early still. In truth...I am holding on by a thread, however...I do not feel quite so terribly alone since you and Leslie are posting your support. I woud even say it's been lifesaving. Thank You so much.

Please continue to inspire us both, and other's who may be uncomfortable posting at this time in their struggle...but who are reading along.

Sincerely; Eve

PS...I know that your success w/ Emsam may not be my success... and I promise not to "blame the messenger" or resent your hard won Peace Of Mind if I don't share your good fortune. (I'm sure I speak for Leslie, as well.)

You suffered so horribly graycoyote, and you truly deserve the much needed relief you have received thus far, and much more!
All who are in pain deserve to be delivered from their suffering. Just knowing that you've been helped (by any med) gives hope to many.

Hi, Eve--Today is Day 3, and I'm daring to think I feel a little better...could it possibly be true? The tears are welling up as I write this to you--bless you so much for being there--you and Graycoyote both... I tried the patch on my upper arm yesterday, and it stuck! I was constantly checking it--what madness. But I so wanted it to work... My 13 year old grandson wanted to go kayaking yesterday, and I was so dreading it: it was all I could do to put a smile on my face and FORCE myself to make the effort to get things packed up and ready to go...but what a gift resulted! I had a beautiful time, paddling around a lovely lake and seeing swans and ducks...we stopped for a snack and built a sandcastle together (I adore my grandson--he's the only thing that keeps me going sometimes)...and the depression wants to tell me that none of this beauty matters, that life still sucks for me because there's something inside that doesn't want me to enjoy it... But then today I put on a new patch and it stayed on again, and I ventured out to a 12-Step meeting, and someone said something nice to me and the tears burst forth again...can't seem to stop the tears, but sometimes it feels good, because on the other AD's I was such a zombie, never feeling, life was just a constant blah. So perhaps something is happening...dare I hope it's something good? When it's dark for so long, the light can hurt your eyes...

Eve, you are in my prayers--I want so badly to tell you this is working for me and that it will work for you, too. The most important thing is to find the right doctor for you--so keep asking questions, ask everyone you know, ask other doctors, do whatever it takes. I was in the right place at the right time, and a friend just happened to ask how I was doing--he saved my life by caring enough to ask me that, because when I said I was struggling with depression, he put my present doctor in my life. I owe him a lot. If it happened to me, I know it can happen to you, too, Eve. Don't give up before the miracle!

How do I sound--a little better maybe? I still have the brain shivers, get dizzy and all the other withdrawal stuff, but it's not quite as bad as it was. I still can't believe that the "doctors" out there don't let us know the whole truth, the complete picture, when it's our brains they've got in their inept hands! I'll deal with this anger when I feel better...

Thanks for the info about the med, and I'll try the alcohol for my patch--sounds like it should work. I really appreciate this correspondence, so I promise I'll keep writing. I'm here for you, Eve.

Leslie

Oh Leslie;

Hearing that Emsam may be starting to work for you is the best news!!! I am so happy for you that you are beginning to feel a little relief, girl! If this continues it will be an answered prayer.

I'm trying to be "causiously optimistic"...we have to keep this news in prospective b/c kayaking on a beautiful lake with one's adored and adoring grandson (whom I am sure is ADORABLE, as well), is one of the most warm and fuzzy, fun filled, endorphin laden, up lifting, seratonin producing experiences I can think of. Could that be the total source of your mild up swing?

Trust me....I'm not trying to tempt fate by not believing in or by questioning your great news from DAY 3/EMSAM TRIAL. Please, Dear God; do not forsake us! I'm not sure Leslie...How do I say this cuz i don't want to influence you or bring you down. I'm sure I can survive if this fails. I'm just as worried for you, too.

If nothing else...we have to be aware of the Placebo effect which could have been fueled by your physical exertion, your beautiful grandchild, and the fact that you actually got him to the lake in the first place. No easy feat when depressed. I sincerely doubt could have done it...but maybe you are naturally more energetic & just a better person than I am...and maybe your depression has not zapped all your energy?

Aw heck; Leslie...let's celebrate this small step!!! Why not? Let's be optimistic and have faith! We deserve this healing and it is going to happen! OK?

BTW... Kayaking sounds like so much fun! I have not had fun in sooo long. Decades. Several decades. Depression kills all for me. I can't wait to start LIVING again! In fact, I don't know where you are but if this (Ensam) work's for me I am gonna visit your lake and hopefully you will come join me....OK??? Perhaps I can even talk you into teaching me to Kayak?

Leslie...You are my beautiful friend who is graciously including me on her Emsam Adventure! Actually...It's more of a Rescue Mission, LOL...And Guess What, Leslie??? I will be joining you on your journey b/c I took the high road, swallowed my pride and called the Dr this morning. Luckily...this time I got a reply!

I sweetly, politely, asked to be re-scheduled for the earliest possible time I could be crow-barred into the schedule. The Dr was flustered, and mumbled "Oh, the appt...sorry", and I let it drop. I got a replacement appt & I should be on the Patch by late Thursday, Baby!!!

Well...Friday AM at the latest, if there is a reason to only slap it on in the Morning, otherwise I'll be putting it on at the Pharmacy Thursday late afternoon right after my appt!. When do you put your's on...in the Morning? Does it leave red squares on your skin for a few day's after you take it off? Do you change the location each day? BTW...for future refrence, I heard/read that patches can be cut in half to tailor the amount when upping the dose.

How are you sleeping at night Leslie? Do you take any other med with the patch now? Do you have more energy than usual? Do you realize that, (if my memory is correct), Grayoyote posted that he/she started to feel better on day three too? Yeah!!!

I'm praying for us girl! I can't believe I am still chasing this dream into my old age. What you said about the 'light hurting our eyes after the long darkness' is really profound. It touched my heart. I'm sure accepting the years, love, opportunities, etc; lost to depression isn't easy, even after it's gone. (If it ever goes.) I can't think that far ahead. Let's just hope we get there.

Leslie...anyone who's not suffering from depression and reads this post probably think's that we, (or I should say "I" and not drag you down with me); As I was saying...probably think's that I am demented, rather than depressed. Only a fellow sufferer know's the depth of pain Depression can cause. The name "Depression" sound's so innocuous. I have garden variety, Unipolar, Major Depression...nothing fancy like Bi-polar (lucky ducks...at least they feel fabulous some of the time), or any other Heavy Duty MI issues, and I am painful, living, NO, dying proof that Depression is not innocent. It's crippling and life stealing. Can't wait 'til thursday!

I'm praying that we won't have to suffer much longer. The Patron Saint for Depression is 'Saint Christina The Amazing'! I kid you not! Also, 'Saint Michelina'.

Leslie...Please post when you can! You are a Blessing!

Your Friend, Eve
,

Hi, Eve--

Sooo good to hear from you! You go, girl!!!! You will be in my prayers on Thursday--I am with you all the way.

Answers to your questions: I put a new patch on every morning--last night I was particularly revved up, and think if I waited to change patches till later in the day, I might not sleep at all. I was SO energetic yesterday--and really up mood-wise. It's comforting to hear that you and I are both garden-variety chronic depressives--not that I enjoy hearing your pain--you know what I mean. Anyway, the patch doesn't leave a mark on me--not so far, anyway. It's done really well--except for the first day, when I put it on my upper thigh and it was NOT a good location for it, with bending and sitting and driving... Also, the heat and humidity here can affect it, so for now I'm sticking with (no pun intended) my upper arm. As for sleeping, last night was a bit restless--didn't feel like going to bed (can you BELIEVE that???) and I feel like I slept lightly, though I do feel rested this morning. Hmmm, what else? No side effects so far--I don't feel like eating the house and my head feels much, much clearer. Wow, can this truly be happening???

Gotta go meet with my therapist--she's the best--so I just wanted to get back to you briefly for now. Will go into more details later--every day is different. I SO hear you about depression, Eve--no one can know what it feels like or understand...it's like any other disease: you gotta walk in our shoes. Last night I was writing a description of how it feels to me: I'm sitting in a chair, I want to get up and go through the door on the other side of the room; my brain says, Leslie, get up, walk over to the door, put your hand on the doorknob, turn the doorknob, pull open the door, and walk through. And I just sit there. It's too much. It's too huge. And I beat myself up for being so lazy, and I beat myself up for feeling like a failure, and I beat myself up for not trying...but I'm paralyzed. And I just sit...in the dark...and the loneliness...and the pain...

I never want to forget how depression feels--I want to be able to reach out and help someone else, like you, Eve--because WE CAN SAVE LIVES. Just by understanding. And being there.

Blessings and prayers and light go out to you from me, dear friend--
Leslie

Leslie;

That is the most beautiful post i have ever read! Thank's for everything! Your kindness to me has been life saving! I read your NEW EMSAM UPDATE THREAD and posted there a few minutes ago. So you don't have to continue to post your progress in two threads you want to make your new Emsam Update thread our official meeting place?

After reading both of your posts I can only conclude that this is the real deal for you Leslie! I am beyond excited for you! I pray your improvement holds true and grows more positive each day. So wish I was on this journey w/ you right now...but i will be Friday AM. Per your suggestion, I will wait until Fri AM to stick the patch on as you mention there may be sleep issues.

Leslie; I am over the moon with joy for you girl!

See you over on your new Emsam thread!

Hoping & Praying; Eve

Hi
Glad to here You and Leslie are doing so good. Never be afraid to change Doctors., though.
I'm a man and got struck with this depression in 93. I called the company help line and the company where the ones to send me for all kinds of tests. I'm an electrician and we were exposed and used lots of cleaners that are banned now. So not only did I all of a sudden come down with all this depression but I was forced into disability as well. The company would not let me back on property. So I know for the last 14 years(has it really been that long??)
If the doctor you see doesn't seem to care or keep up to date change....There are some real wackos out there, but there are some that really care.
After 12 years of searching and changing I've got one now that seems to really care. Not any of the others gave me their personal phone,email,cell numbers. So yes I'm really impressed with him.
Keep PRAYING, PRAYING CHANGES , things especially OUR OUTLOOK and gives GOD a chance to really speak to us.
You both and anyone else out there reading are in my prayers.
Depression can seem soooooo foolish one minute---but when you are weeping your eyes out its soooooo real

You're right--praying does change things, but I've found that I can only pray to know and accept God's will, because if I pray for something specifically, I might just get what I ask for in a way I could never have imagined--sometimes good, other times not so good. Like yesterday, for instance: I was thinking how nice it would be to have a little time to myself, like, at a retreat or somewhere peaceful. And I was visiting my son in a town about 3 hours from my home, and decided to get a motel room so I didn't have to make the trip back all in one day...so my son and I had a big blowout when I saw him, and I was so upset he blew me off after I made the trip out there to see him...he told me to leave him alone (might he suffer from the same illness as I???), so there I was, alone in my motel room, thinking okay, God, I got what I asked for--some time alone!

My heart goes out to you, graycoyote--I am so aware now of the quacks that call themselves doctors--I need to pray for the willingness to forgive those who are just in it for the money... But it sounds like praying has really worked for you, and though things change with God's help, it may not be as quickly as we'd like--your patience and perseverance are a testament to that... I applaud you for your courage and faith, and you're a shining example of how important it is not to give up...

I do like this Emsam, though--it's been a week and I feel so different and quite a bit better. I have energy and a brighter outlook. But I can shed tears, too--like yesterday when I was sad. Other AD's made me a zombie--I felt nothing, really, and very rarely cried. I like how I can feel a tear on my cheek all of a sudden, wow! But I also like feeling joyful about the blue sky, the birds singing, the magnificence of the full moon...

Life is so precious, and I'm learning in my old age that it's not my job to question why I'm here, but rather to use my experiences to help others. You have helped me so much--thank you, graycoyote!

Two truly beautiful posts from two beautiful people who have helped me this past week with their kind support and guidance. I am overcome right now by your insight and faith to say more, so please know I thank you both with all of my heart...and if you are curious re/ my experience so far w/ Emsam please read my post of a few minuted ago in Leslie's 'EMSAM UPDATE' thread in this same catagorie.

I pray for God's Blessing's for you both, and for all struggling.

Your Friend; Eve

To Leslie, Eve, & Graycoyote,

I just wanted to thank you all for posting so much about your lives and experiences with depression and new medication. Reading the things you all have been going through and knowing I'm not the only one out there has helped so much. I felt a little like I was eavesdropping :) but I was so interested because it all felt so familiar. I just went through an awful withdrawal period of Cymbalta myself. I was taking 180mg (I know, it's a crazy amount) and the first couple of weeks were miserable. I am on day 3 of Emsam, and hopeful but scared at the same time. I was turned down for ECT because I was told by a couple of doctors that it wouldn't work for my atypical depression, so the MAOI route is my last option. I have been on just about everything under the sun, and was denied for Vagus Nerve Stimulation about a year ago by my stupid insurance company. I'm in the process of re-applying because I've got a new company, but for now its just the Emsam. I guess I'm mainly worried because I've also got a pretty bad case of ADD, and I'm really going to miss my Adderall. I'm hoping this will really help with concentration, so it won't matter. I'm also a vegetarian, which is fine for now, but I have a feeling I'll be going up on my dosage and have dietary restrictions. Does anyone know of any vegetarians on Emsam or any other MAOI who has figured out how to stay a vegetarian without the soy products? I'm also having trouble keeping the patch on. Any tips on that? Well, thanks for posting and listening, and I'm sure you'll hear from me again.

Thanks!

Hello all who are interested in other's experience with Emsam. :)

First a little history.... I have OCD, and major depressive disorder. It is a kind of chicken and egg type thing with the diagnoses though. I often wonder... " If I didn't have OCD would I have the awful depression?"

I was on Celexa for almost five years at 60mg a day. It helped take the edge off of my obsessive worrying, but I still struggled with OCD to be sure and I was still depressed. I also really lacked "drive" which is what I see others have experienced as well and I know that this is a known problem with SSRI's.....or perhaps it was caused by the residual depression... who knows? Allso it made me tired. It really helped even out my mood though, and I was thankful for the partial relief from the obsessions. Unfortunately I had to get off of it because I felt it was losing its effectiveness - and I was tiring of the residual symptoms I was still feeling and was hoping I could find a new medicine that could help me more effectively.

After getting of the Celexa I was unable to get back on anything for more than a week at a time for over a year and a half... due to my extreme fear of medicines (a nasty symptom of my OCD) which was exacerbated by any side effect I felt, etc.... I would start worrying really bad that it was "hurting" me and I would stop the new med.

Recently, as my depression started getting super bad, I was prescribed Emsam. I took it for almost two weeks and I started to notice a percievable lift in the depression near the end of that time. I also noticed the vast improvement in and return of my sex drive which has been gone for a long time. I started to feel "passion" again. Also worth noting, I felt no side effects from Emsam, which was a welcome relief from the barrage of side effects such as dry mouth, insomnia, akthasia, constipation, etc... that I experienced on other drugs I tried, especially other SSRI's after Celexa.

I had to get off of Emsam though for two reasons. One, it is very expensive, and two, I felt it was making my OCD worse. I wonder if it was making my OCD worse because it is a fairly selective inhibitor of MAO type B, which works by increasing your dopamine levels because MAO B is what breaks down dopamine in your body. OCD is thought to be caused by too much dopamine and thus not enough serotonin, so I wonder if this was the problem? I also wonder why he would prescribe that for me knowing I have OCD. It is quite confusing.

I was told by my doctor that it was not completely selective for MAO-B and would also inhibit MAO-A as well which is responsible for the break down of serotonin, thus it would increase serotonin as well. (The reason that you don't have to have the diet restrictions with the 6mg patch is because enough MAO-A is left in your intestine to break down tyramine.)

Anyway, I think it is promising from my experience with it, but I am not sure it should be given to people with OCD. I would recommend others try it for depression if they have insurance and are ok with possibly having to implement diet restrictions with dosage increases.

Hope this helps someone. :)

This post has been edited by crittercuddler: Jun 22 2007, 02:59 AM

if cymbalta doesn't work for me then it is on to the patch. i am slightly concerned about the dietary restrictions becuase i am already a very picky eater. has this been a problem for anyone?

Dear critter;

Great post! So sorry you had to stop Emsam. I am on week 3 and just may be starting to see some positve effects, something I never experienced on all of the other AD;s. If not for your OCD I would suggest that you try the Selegiline Pills which have been around for ages and are "cheap" according to one article I read. Have not yet priced them myself, however. But I can see where they may effect your OCD so...better not chance it!

Great & thoughtful post which is very appreciated!

Eve


Tigerlily;

Eating restrictions are no problem for me. Please read our continuation of this thread, the EMSAM UPDATE thread by Leslie, where about 5 of us are supporting each other as we start on Emsam. Hope the Cymbalta works for you, but if not look forward to seeing you over there,

Sincerely; Eve

It's worth keeping in mind that, as I understand it, Emsam is an atypical MAO inhibitor, inhibiting MAO-B only and affecting more of the dopaminergic system than the noradrenergic/serotoninergic pathways. I have tried selegiline, which is the pill version of Emsam, and I did find the effect very good, and though it did give a bit of insomnia at first and some feeling of "easy to anger/aggressiveness" from time to time, the overall side effect profile was excellent. It's worth noting that just because a person doesn't respond well to Emsam wouldn't mean that they couldn't respond well to other MAO inhibitors. I don't do well with SSRI's but MAO inhibitors work well for me. I'm going to be trying Moclobemide, a reversible MAO-A inhibitor soon, buying it on my own from an overseas Source.

This post has been edited by SarahN: Jun 26 2007, 01:42 PM

Dear Tiki;

I am very interested to hear how you do on Moclobemide. I don't believe it is available in the States, is it? I did try Parnate and Nardil, and took them for a few years with no help for my Depression other than less tears and not allowing me to slip deeper...if that was even possible, as I was very depressed! I am on Emsam now and only 3 week's in sooo...not much to report yet.

Please share your experience w/Moclobemide once you get stablized on it.

Thank You;

eve

Eve

I'm in the process of being off the Cymbalta, this is day one, I got weened off from 60Mg, to 30Mg in a week. I feel sort of nervous, shaky, and can't really concentrate very well, hyper also, need to get moving, cant stay put, also still taking Clonazapam, supposed to help with Panic / Anxiety Attacks which it has done wonders for that. But I am supposed to start the EMSAM patch this month on the 21, but I'm debaiting, if I do well without the Cymbalta, I'm gonna bypas the patch.

Anna;

I only have a second (I'm working), but want to Welcome you and say how happy I am for you that you are doing so well w/ your WD from Cymbalta. It is a tough one to get off of for many (and was for me). Let us know how you do w/o it and please post on the Emsam Update thread if you find yourself deciding to try the Patch.

Eve

Hi, I'm new to the site. I'm in the prep stages for Emsam, this is after 5 years of multiple other things. May I suggest something that may sound heretical?
ECT. Responsible provider. I had nothing left to lose when I agreed to it, and it made a night and day difference for me. Am I still battling depression
and PTSD? hell, yes. But, my mental clarity is back to my pre-deployment/pre-mental health patient state.

I know ECT gets trashed a lot on the internet, and clearly, from what I've read, there are some pretty unethical providers doing it (hundreds of times? please that can't be indicated or ethical). But I have to say it made a huge difference for me.

I am also just getting off of Cymbalta and going on Emsam. I will continue to watch this thread and report my experiences. Please keep us up to date with how you all do. I am BPII and on Geodone, Lamictal, Providgil Clonazapam and Cymbalta. The combination is starting to fail me after 1 and 1/2 years and it is time to move on. This is the first step. Hopefully the anti anxiety benefits of emsam will allow me to get off of the Clanazapam as well. Can't seem to work forward on my sobriety with benzos in my system.

I am starting the lowest dosage of Emsam tomorrow and I am afraid of the side effects..Has anyone had really bad side effects?

it sounds like emsam has kinda the same activating profile as wellbutrin. I wonder how wellbutrin compares to emsam/deprenyl.. they both affect dopamine, which should explain its energizing effect..

By the way, you don't have to do a wash-out period becuse emsam only effects MAO-B. Theres many people who take ssris/tcas with emsam.

It atleast needs a month in your system before you can really tell a significant difference. I am on week 3, no side effects which is amazing compared to the others!
I will continue with the 6mg until I see my doc in 4 more weeks to see if I need an increase. He thinks I might, but you don't want to rush it. It still hasn't had a full chance!

I jumped from 6 to 12 and no problems or noticeable effect yet. Patches don't fall off, redness is very mild. I just e-mailed my doctor looking for something I can take with it to combat this continued fatigue.

Ambien, Sonata, Lunesta all work well for sleep problems. One you try them, you may never go without, but there seems to be no long term side effects.

I am an ADD person, but with Emsam, that means no more stimulants, so what could I ask for?