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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Seeking Peace on June 5, 2007, at 19:35:42
Hi again,
I did do a search on Emsam and there was a lot of different things being said, so I am a bit confused, hence posting. I guess everyone is different in terms of how they feel about this med, but any input/experience etc...
I started the patch about 1 1/2 wk back. Had to slow down the start (9mg) by cutting it off etc as I was having anxiety (new med, and/or the emsam itself..who knows). The anxiety has calmed down, not totally gone. Another thing was my sleep got worse (already had bad sleep). before I'd keep waking up again and again...now with emsam, I tend to have that, plus around 3 a.m. or so, I wake up, can't go back to sleep, don't feel a need though I stay in bed, then next day I get tired etc. I explained all that to pdoc,and we agreed I would slowly start on the patch, go up, but she wanted wanted me to leave it on at nights too. So it's been 1 1/2 wks. Some nights better than others (but still waking up several times). I used to be on zyprexa/welbutrin before. zyprexa used to help me with sleep etc.
Talked to pdoc yesterday bout the sleep and she says that when my depression lifts, the sleep should improve as it's a symptom of my depression. I have the option of taking ambien as needed (never have and have fears of sleep meds too) for now but supposedly sleep should be getting better. And if it doesn't, maybe this isn't the right med for me (i haven't really noticed a change in mood so far I think).
so my questions...
1) i see a lot of people taking other stuff for anxiety/sleep etc... anyone not have to take stuff as they feel it was a symptom of depression and it got better?2) anyone with experience with ambien? how long before sleeping do you take it? do you wake up refreshed? (over counter has never really worked for me...i don't sleep the night, next day I'm sleeping all day). It says to take it on empty stomach..hey what about dinner? how long after could one take it?
3) I wonder if I should somehow stay away from sleep med and see if the depression/insomnia symptom get better? What if the insomnia is not just a depression symptom but some anxiety/stress induced thing too. I tend to have a lot on my mind which doesn't help. I think the zyprexa used to address that.
4) how long before do people see a real change in mood etc with the emsam? I have to travel (long long trip) in about 2-3 wks and I just don't have time for new med adjustment etc.
I'm always so tired it seems (though today seems a little better...full patch???). Sleep doesn't come easy still and i'm afraid today will be another night so am tempted to take the ambien but not sure...
Any thoughts???
Posted by Jeff81 on June 5, 2007, at 20:07:05
In reply to Emsam and sleep, posted by Seeking Peace on June 5, 2007, at 19:35:42
> 1) i see a lot of people taking other stuff for anxiety/sleep etc... anyone not have to take stuff as they feel it was a symptom of depression and it got better?
-I have insomnia and sleep apnea. I have been on some type of sleep meds for a while. My sleep doc thinks that 90% of my insomnia and tiredness is due to depression. He said people with anxiety can't fall asleep and people with depression can't stay asleep. He thinks my sleep will be better when my depression gets better.
> 2) anyone with experience with ambien? how long before sleeping do you take it? do you wake up refreshed? (over counter has never really worked for me...i don't sleep the night, next day I'm sleeping all day). It says to take it on empty stomach..hey what about dinner? how long after could one take it?- I am currently on Ambien CR. In my opinion it is very overrated. It was a better then Lunesta for me though. It did help my sleep but I usually still wake up 5-10 times a night. I take the pill 30-45 min before bed. In general I am the same as you. Up all night and can sleep all day. When you take it on a full stomach it takes about 2 hours to kick in and in my opinion it just doesn't work as well on a full stomach (which hasn't stopped me from eating to much before bed.. go figure).
>
> 3) I wonder if I should somehow stay away from sleep med and see if the depression/insomnia symptom get better? What if the insomnia is not just a depression symptom but some anxiety/stress induced thing too. I tend to have a lot on my mind which doesn't help. I think the zyprexa used to address that.-I do think that when my depression lifts I do sleep better. I have been on Emsam for 3 months and am just starting to sleep a lot better. I haven't figured out if my depression is getting better or my body is just getting used to the Emsam.
> 4) how long before do people see a real change in mood etc with the emsam? I have to travel (long long trip) in about 2-3 wks and I just don't have time for new med adjustment etc.
-I have been disappointed with Emsam so far. I went up to 12mg about 4 weeks ago and did notice a little improvement after that. I am seeing my pdoc on Thursday and will discuss switching to Lexapro. I don’t trust my view on how I am doing because I constantly think I should be feeling better. My biggest hesitation is the med adjustment period. I have to be off Emsam 2-3 weeks before I can even start another med. How long have you been on Emsam? In general I like to give meds 3 months before giving up on them. I don't always follow this though. My old pdoc told me I should give 2-3 months on a dosage increase not the original start time but that usually pushes my patience. I hope this email helps you. Please feel free to ask me any questions.
Good Luck,
Jeff
Posted by Phillipa on June 5, 2007, at 22:26:06
In reply to Re: Emsam and sleep, posted by Jeff81 on June 5, 2007, at 20:07:05
You need sleep to feel better did you doc suggest klonopin as it seems that it was the favorite of most of the EMSAM users. Good luck. Time for another call to your pdoc in the am. Love Phillipa
Posted by andertonvp on June 7, 2007, at 16:22:57
In reply to Re: Emsam and sleep, posted by Jeff81 on June 5, 2007, at 20:07:05
Jeff:
I am at 6 mgs of Emsam. 5 weeks and no change in mood. Very disappointing. The only thing I have noticed is an increase in anxiety and maybe energy. I may push it to 9 mgs but if the anxiety gets to bad I may scrap it all together. What else have you heard from others? This stuff seems to be a bust
Posted by KayeBaby on June 7, 2007, at 21:54:31
In reply to Re: Emsam and sleep, posted by andertonvp on June 7, 2007, at 16:22:57
I have been on it 6 weeks and I feel better and better.
My Dr. did add Namenda a couple of weeks ago so that could be helping. I am having NO anxiety (I think Namenda is mostly responsible for that)
I have heard people say it really started working for them anywhere from 5-7 weeks. Don't give up just yet.
Kaye
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