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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Paul on Long Island on May 2, 2006, at 4:47:24
Hey Folks,
I promised I would follow up on how I make out with stopping the Emsam and going back to the prozac. Well, yesterday was my first day with no patch. Strangely enough, I had a somewhat better day than I had been having. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the lithium I'm taking. My mood was brighter for periods, and I didn't get that late afternoon/early evening crying jag I'd been having before dinner. I'd read somewhere that certain foods can increase your levels of serotonin, including turkey, so I had a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread at about 3PM. I couldn't begin to guess whether it was being off the patch, the lithium kicking in, or the hopefully elevated serotonin level that caused the improvement, but I'm very grateful, and hope that continues. I still have the anxiety and the OCD to cope with big time, but hey...baby steps, right?
Regarding the anxiety, I do have a question. Do a lot of you also suffer from the following? I wake up very early (around 4AM) in total terror. This usually lessens somewhat to a high state of anxiety. The anxiety triggers the OCD, and starting the day can be a very slow and difficult process. Incidentally, this isn't something new...it tends to come and go, depending on my relief of symptoms from the depression. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to either avoid the early morning terrors, or at least get past them faster?
On a very important note: This is for Egas: I KNOW it all feels so hopeless. I tried so many medications before I found one that worked, that I didn't think I could go on. But they are constantly coming out with new meds. I was lucky enough to find one that worked (and stupid enough to try to find something "more perfect"). I know it's incredibly hard to perservere, and even harder to believe that it could possibly get better, but it can. If for only the remote possibility that you could find something that will help you, please stay with us. Your postings on the board and advice have helped a lot of people, myself included. You ARE a very vital and needed human being. PLEASE stay with us. I personally would like to help you, just as you've helped me and many others. Please post back
Posted by blueberry on May 2, 2006, at 7:22:44
In reply to Stopping Emsam - My Status Report, posted by Paul on Long Island on May 2, 2006, at 4:47:24
I know that early morning terror real well. My doc says it is in the schizoaffective disorder. I don't know about that. I actually never experienced those things until I stopped my meds. They began a little bit after stopping longterm ssri use. Then they became monsters after stopping zyprexa.
Either an antipsychotic or klonopin or an ssri can reduce or stop that terror stuff. Personally I think it has something to do with overactive glutamate and/or dopamine and that those need to be squashed down. Just a personal theory though.
What med were you on before?
Posted by ravenstorm on May 2, 2006, at 9:31:05
In reply to Re: Stopping Emsam - My Status Report, posted by blueberry on May 2, 2006, at 7:22:44
Paul--
I know you went off prozac because of weight gain, so I just wanted you to be aware that lithium can be a big weight gain producer for some people. It can induce hypothyroidism.Good luck getting back on prozac.
I had the severe morning terrors for 2.5 years after paxil withdrawal. I still have am anxiety and early wakening but not the abject bone shaking physical terror anymore.
I would hope that reinstating the prozac will take care of it for you. Good luck!
Posted by Denise1904 on May 2, 2006, at 11:05:49
In reply to Stopping Emsam - My Status Report, posted by Paul on Long Island on May 2, 2006, at 4:47:24
Hi,
If they are constantly coming out with new medications like you say then can you tell me what they are and how I can get hold of them.
I keep hearing about new meds they are developing but they never seem to see the light of day.
Denise
Posted by RobertDavid on May 2, 2006, at 11:11:15
In reply to Stopping Emsam - My Status Report, posted by Paul on Long Island on May 2, 2006, at 4:47:24
Since you've done well on prozac before hopefully that will help. If not I'd consider adding klonopin as a blend. Rob
Posted by ed_uk on May 2, 2006, at 15:35:05
In reply to Re: Stopping Emsam - My Status Report, posted by Denise1904 on May 2, 2006, at 11:05:49
Hi Denise
The Emsam patch was recently approved in the US. It is not marketed in the UK. There are plently of meds available in the UK which you haven't tried yet :)
Ed
Posted by Paul on Long Island on May 2, 2006, at 21:45:46
In reply to Re: Stopping Emsam - My Status Report, posted by ravenstorm on May 2, 2006, at 9:31:05
Hey Ravenstorm...thanks for the tip regarding the possible weight gain on the lithium. I wasn't aware of it at first, but I've since heard from several sources including yourself, that this might happen. I'm not too concerned about that aspect for the moment. The doctor gave me the lithium initially last week to try to boost any good effect I could get from the emsam. Since I went off the emsam, and am now in my "waiting period" before I can go back on the prozac, at this point the lithium is kind of only a stopgap measure to try to get me through until I can get back on the prozac. The hope is that once back on the prozac for a period of time, I can go off the lithium. I appreciate the information though. I never thought there was such as place as this board to find out so much information firsthand from people. I hope to someday be able to help others the way you've all helped me. Along those lines, I read in one of the posts someone asking about luvox being the only ssri for ocd. Not true. Prozac and Luvox are both prescribed specifically for ocd, along with the tricyclic anafranil. I've tried all three, and found the prozac to be the most effective for me personally by far. The Luvox gave me such nausea that I couldn't stay on it. The anafranil was ok, but not nearly as good as the prozac for me. Obviously, we're all going to have different body chemistries, but that was my experience. Hope that helps some. Paul
Posted by Phillipa on May 2, 2006, at 21:53:13
In reply to Re: Stopping Emsam - My Status Report, posted by Paul on Long Island on May 2, 2006, at 21:45:46
Paul yes it does as I'm on luvox for OCD the ruminating worrying fearful type no checking and you say prozac helped. What dose as I tried 20mg when it first came out with xanax low does but by day three I was in a severe panic attack. Haven't touched prozac again since that time. But I've been thinking about low dose prozac with the valium I've taken for years. SSRI's don't make me tired they up me and make me panic. Thanks Love Phillipa
Posted by denise1966 on May 3, 2006, at 14:20:35
In reply to Re: Stopping Emsam - My Status Report » Denise1904, posted by ed_uk on May 2, 2006, at 15:35:05
Thanks Ed,
But I've tried Nardil, Lithium, Prozac, Sertraline, Seroxat, Prothiaden, Effexor, Remeron, Lamical, Buspar, Thyroid Hormone, Tegretol and so far the only drug to give me any relieve is Zyprexa when added to anything and Remeron added to Paxil helped a little.
I'm getting really dsillusioned with medication (although can't do without it right now) and am seriously thinking of trying to get on the trial in Bristol for DBS although it might seem drastic but when I'm really feeling low I think even that wont work. I just want my old pre 5 year self back again.
Denise
Posted by ed_uk on May 3, 2006, at 14:53:01
In reply to Re: Stopping Emsam - EdUK, posted by denise1966 on May 3, 2006, at 14:20:35
Hi Denise
Ever tried clomipramine, nortriptyline, lofepramine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide, duloxetine, reboxetine, amisulpride, aripiprazole, quetiapine, St John's Wort, trimipramine, trazodone, risperidone, sodium valproate, amitriptyline, sulpiride, imipramine, Optimax or flupenthixol?
Given your excellent response to Zyprexa, you really need to consider the atypical antipsychotics as a treatment option. You really haven't tried that many different treatments yet. Considering a highly experimental procedure such as DBS would be premature at this stage.
Regards
Ed
Posted by ravenstorm on May 4, 2006, at 8:56:31
In reply to Re: Stopping Emsam - EdUK, posted by denise1966 on May 3, 2006, at 14:20:35
Denise, are you considering trying ensam?
This is the end of the thread.
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