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Advice on Emsam

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Posted 4/21/2009 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
My wife's psychiatrist has suggested a potential change to the MAOI drug Emsam. Any advice/thoughts on the effectiveness of this drug? My wife has tried many different anti-depressants over the years and none have worked very well. Abilify was recently added to Cymbalta, and I believe the doc and my wife want to see how this works first. If this doesn't help, it seems Emsam is the next thing to try.
Posted 4/22/2009 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi CatMan,

I wish I could advise you on the meds.....hopefully someone here can give you some input on Emsam. I am not able to take antidepressants myself, and have had to rely on supplements from my ND for all of my medical concerns (in fact, I take some of the same supplements that you do, from your list). I've been following your posts, and I want you to know that my heart really goes out to you and your wife in this struggle. It's particularly tough when it goes on for months, and you have to keep working and trying new things and holding onto hope. I pray that this change in meds will be effective for your wife, and I hope that the support of this forum will help you with all that you're going through.
Posted 4/22/2009 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Raniah.

I am hoping that someone here might know something about the Emsam. It's one thing to talk to the doc about a medication and another thing altogether when you get info from someone that is actually taking the drug. Have the supplements that you take been effective in treating your depression?
Posted 4/22/2009 2:15 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning CatMan,

I don't know a lot about this drug either other then it seems to be supplied as a transdermal patch.  If your wife is on Cymbalta and now adding Abilify I would wonder if her P-doc has looked at Remeron as it is considered one of the big guns used for depression that is resistant to other ADs?

I am not a  professional so these are just my own thoughts. I do hope someone has some info for you.

Peace,

Kitt

Posted 4/22/2009 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
I take abilify too. It really has helped me a lot. I hope that it works for your wife too.

Best wishes to both you and your wife.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/22/2009 8:00 PM (GMT 0)

Hi CatMan,

I agree with you......advice and comment from people who actually take the meds is a whole different thing than what you might hear at the doc's office.

Re: my supplements, I used to take hypericum to help with my depression.  I have not taken it in a few years now, but will be consulting with my ND at my next appointment to see what she recommends, as I've hit another low period and need some additional support.  I have been relying on therapy and CBT, along with exercise, meditation and prayer, to keep the depression at bay.  I also take red rice yeast for my cholesterol (I was an extreme case, with serious familial hypercholesterolemia, and have had great success with this), chromium for blood sugar levels, vitamin D, and a combined formula for perimenopausal symptoms.  I also use a formula called Trancor, by Metagenics, for anxiety.

You and your wife continue to be in my prayers.  I know this is a very difficult time for you, and I hope so much that things will improve.

 

Posted 4/22/2009 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. I'm still hoping to hear from someone that is using Emsam.

Kitt: Yes, the Emsam is a transdermal patch. That's about all I know about it also. I will check with the psychiatrist regarding Remeron. I was prescribed Remeron by the same doctor a couple of years ago. Since he prescribed it for me, I'm wondering if he hasn't mentioned this as an alternative for my wife due to her heart condition and meds that she takes for that problem. I know that the doc always checks my wife's heart meds to see if anything is contraindicated. That issue, plus the many anti-depressant meds she's already taken that haven't helped have apparently left few viable mediation alternatives.

Raniah: both my wife and I are taking red rice yeast for high cholesterol along with Omega 3 supplements. I'm sure we're both over-due to have blood work done to look at our cholesterol & I hope that these are working. Also, I'm not familiar with hypericum but am interested to learn more about it.
Posted 4/22/2009 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again, CatMan,

 

Hypericum is commonly known as St. John's Wort....sorry, I should have specified that.  Apparently, it is documented to be more effective on small-medium level depressions, although I have to say it was helpful to some extent for me when I took it.  Everyone is different in their experiences of depression, and the contributing factors, but in my own experience, therapy and CBT have been the most helpful.  I have heard others say that the meds have been critical to their success.  I know there is an answer for your wife, and I pray that it will come soon.  I don't know if this would help or not, but there are people on the Anxiety and Panic Disorders forum who have experience with different meds, including antidepressants, and perhaps if you posted your question there, someone might have an answer about the Emsam.  Best of luck to you.

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