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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 bellagirl on February 13, 2008, at 21:29:28
I have not had any luck with SSRI's. I am currently trying Emsam 6mg patch. None of the side effects of SSRI's..but yes, as the rest of you, severe insomnia, which I was already having. Getting a little better. Six weeks at emsam 6mgs...still some anxiety, but the worst is the jaw/back of neck pain and headaches. IS ANYONE HAVING THESE? It is the same back of head/neck pain I had on Effexor withdrawals. Emsam is helping depression but headaches are almost causing me to be non functional. Took advil and excedrin today and now the stimulant in excedrin is not agreeing with me (of course, just causing anxiety)...also I have shaky legs alot? But that's not hear what headaches are? Anyone with severe headaches???
Posted by d0pamine on February 15, 2008, at 10:18:26
In reply to emsam patch, posted by bellagirl on February 13, 2008, at 21:29:28
You should check your blood pressure right away.
Posted by bellagirl on February 15, 2008, at 10:23:13
In reply to Re: emsam patch, posted by d0pamine on February 15, 2008, at 10:18:26
i do all the time, it is fine. I'm on a beta blocker to keep pulse down. but still never leaves the 90's much. Actually woke this morning with 106, and hit 119 yesterday two hours off of new patch. The longer I stay on the patch, the more symptoms I seem to be getting. Nothing was helping OTC to sleep, had to go back to seroquel 12.5mgs last night after being off of it for a year. Slept finally but woke up very agitated and like I said 106 pulse. Go figure.
Posted by bellagirl on February 15, 2008, at 11:17:19
In reply to Re: emsam patch, posted by bellagirl on February 15, 2008, at 10:23:13
also, has anyone gotten acne bad from the Emsam patch...especially if you're a female??
Posted by hklez on February 15, 2008, at 20:18:17
In reply to Re: emsam patch, posted by bellagirl on February 15, 2008, at 11:17:19
I have had a problem w/ acne, especially my temples and chin, to the point that I have some scars now.
~Heather
Posted by HSP Woman on February 15, 2008, at 21:52:28
In reply to emsam patch, posted by bellagirl on February 13, 2008, at 21:29:28
Hi Bellagirl,
I had TERRIBLE headaches with my Effexor withdrawal, too.
But, today is Day 6 for me on Emsam and I haven't had a migraine since starting.
I have had some low-level headaches, but two Advils have actually worked to eliminate them. It's amazing for me that Advil has been working.
Usually my headaches/migraines are debilitating.
I think I read that chronic headaches can be treated with MAOi's.
I wonder why you are getting such bad headaches? I hope you can find relief soon.
Posted by bellagirl on February 15, 2008, at 22:33:15
In reply to Re: emsam patch, posted by hklez on February 15, 2008, at 20:18:17
have you always had acne or it got worse with emsam patch? what mg's are you on?
Posted by bellagirl on February 15, 2008, at 22:38:00
In reply to Re: emsam patch, posted by hklez on February 15, 2008, at 20:18:17
HSP Woman: I didn't have headaches at 6 days either, they've gotten worse at 4 weeks...with insomnia. Tried everything. Was eating Ty PM...after being up almost all night, i had to go back to seroquel at 12.5mgs to sleep. may try 6mgs instead tonight. the smaller amount the better. I'm feeling awful on Emsam as of last two weeks (at week 6)...every kind of side effect, severe acne-headaches-jaw pain with clogged ears-shakiness inside (not like panic attack), etc. I'm so tired of nothing working for me. I'm not a typical. Very little meds have worked for me, I had high hopes for Emsam. What mgs of Emsam are you on?
Bellagirl
Posted by HSP Woman on February 16, 2008, at 2:12:09
In reply to Re: emsam patch, posted by bellagirl on February 15, 2008, at 22:38:00
Bellagirl~
Wow, worse at 4 weeks... I have a lot of empathy for you.
I've started on 6mg Emsam patch. The first few days I took the patch off at night. Helped some. As of Day 4, I slept entire night with patch on. Two nights so far with pretty good rest over all.
But, I am taking a little melatonin (1 mg) and Lunesta (2 mg) for sleep onset issues.
Seroquel worked for a long while for me to help sleep. But, at that time I was taking 400 mg. Are you trying to avoid taking atypical antipsychotics for sleep or otherwise?
Could your jaw pain be related to your headaches? Maybe it's a TMJ issue that's exacerbated by not sleeping enough.
Maybe it's your cycle? Could the increased acne be a hormonal issue rather than an Emsam issue? Are you perimenopausal? My acne gets worse as my estrogen/progesterone ratio get more and more out of balance before my period.
I am sure you eliminated all these potentially confounding variables and more.
I wish I knew what to suggest. I think that some good sleep could make a great difference though. Maybe some Seroquel for a while -- just temporarily -- to see if some symptoms decrease would be good idea.
I hope you don't have to give up too soon. I am like you in that I have tried everything else for depression. Nothing's worked.
Are you cutting your patch?
Posted by d0pamine on February 23, 2008, at 16:33:25
In reply to Re: emsam patch, posted by HSP Woman on February 16, 2008, at 2:12:09
EMSAM absolutely causes seriously increased acne for me.
Posted by bellagirl on February 23, 2008, at 19:48:29
In reply to Re: emsam patch, posted by d0pamine on February 23, 2008, at 16:33:25
Yeah, it is for me too. Luckily I have some Elidel cream from the dermatologist from a rash I had on face and that's helping them, but it's mostly cystic..not fun! Dr. says, just take accutane then! I don't think so..Looks like I'm not going to be on it for much longer anyways, can't handle severe (bedridden even) headaches, jaw pain and clogged ears. Too miserable. Started low dose abilify today and IF it works, will go off emsam. I haven't been able to take any anti-depressants...oh well, they always do this to me.
This is the end of the thread.
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