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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by uncouth on May 24, 2010, at 0:20:41
Hi folks. I will try and keep this short. After having 3 good months, in fact, the best three months i've had in years, I suffered a hypomanic break as a result of the 60mg Cymbalta. I lost a very very significant amount of money, both in absolute basis and % of my wealth basically gambling in the stock market. I was getting flight of ideas, thinking creatively. Little need for sleep. THe whole nine yards. I also started taking PEA which helped dramatically with mood and concentration, but I have to dose it many times each day.
So after all of that, we decided to go off the Cymbalta a few weeks ago, and based on my good results with PEA< try EMSAM and continue to take the PEA. Well I had high hopes, but i'm 3 weeks into it and surprisingly do not feel better...my mood has declined since going off Cymbalta. I don't feel as optimistic, as social, as open, as "happy", as excited about the future and my prospects. However, I'm definitely not as bad as I was 6 months ago.
SO my question is: What's the latest thinking on Emsam? What dose and for how long is it necessary to see results? Do people sometimes take more than 12mg? On Emsam + PEA I definitely feel strong motivation, drive, "pressure" and am productive...I Just wish it was accompianied by a positive mood state instead of a sense of emptyness, dread, lonliness, and isolation.
On a related note, the PEA really has been a miracle. At first I thought itw as the cause of the hypomania, but after going off the Cymbalta and staying on the PEA, my hypomania declined but the PEA benefits are still there. It has also reduced my desire for cigarettes!!!
SO ANYONE have any thoughts about Emsam? HAs Emsam worked for anyone and made them optimistica, happy, excited about the future...basically, the serotonin-based positive mood states?
I am currently on:
9mg Emsam
5000mg PEA spread across the day
7.5mg Abilify
7.5mg Deplin
600mg lithium
3mg Lunesta
20mg memantineSupplements:
- Multivitamin
- Curcumin (turmeric)
- Ashwagandha
- N-acetyl-cysteine
- Alpha-Lipoic-Acid
- Vitamin D3
- Niacin
- Omega-3 fish oil
- L-Tryptophan
- Resveratrol
- Green tea extract
- L-theanine as needed
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Zinc
- Chromium PicolinateYeah yeah, I know its a lot. Please, No lectures, please. Like I said, up until 3 weeks ago, after so many years of waiting, I finally felt a profound mood change. But now i'm back to baseline depression. What should I do? STick it out with the Emsam?
Uncouth
Posted by manic666 on May 24, 2010, at 4:12:43
In reply to Well, I'm baaaack...this time with Emsam, posted by uncouth on May 24, 2010, at 0:20:41
ever thought of opening a shop////dont gamble when manic// buy a mustang an cruise///but its a shock when they fetch it back
Posted by Phillipa on May 24, 2010, at 10:42:38
In reply to Well, I'm baaaack...this time with Emsam, posted by uncouth on May 24, 2010, at 0:20:41
Uncouth is your pdoc in charge of all these meds? Phillipa
Posted by uncouth on May 24, 2010, at 10:45:36
In reply to Re: Well, I'm baaaack...this time with Emsam » uncouth, posted by Phillipa on May 24, 2010, at 10:42:38
Yes, he is in charge of the meds. I am in charge of the supplaments but he is aware and relatively supportive ("whatever works..."). I think he think sthat most of the supplaments dont relaly do anything though.
Posted by Phillipa on May 24, 2010, at 19:14:38
In reply to Re: Well, I'm baaaack...this time with Emsam, posted by uncouth on May 24, 2010, at 10:45:36
Uncouth sorry no responses. Did you try googling EMSAM on this site? A Lot of posters at the time used EMSAM when new. Price was the biggest factor holding others back might want to see what they had to say. Phillipa
Posted by hyperfocus on May 25, 2010, at 20:22:43
In reply to Well, I'm baaaack...this time with Emsam, posted by uncouth on May 24, 2010, at 0:20:41
I've never used Emsam but I'm curious about dropping the Cymbalta - why didn't your doc try lowering the dose first? It sounds straightforward to try to replace a drug with another that acts on the same neurotransitters, but psych drugs don't work that way. Each molecule has a completely different effect on the brain regardless of how it's mechanism of action is classified. Some people might not respond to Effexor or Pristiq but do respond to Cymbalta. Would a trial of a lower dose of Cymbalta together with the Emsam be worth it?
Posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2010, at 21:18:09
In reply to Re: Well, I'm baaaack...this time with Emsam » uncouth, posted by hyperfocus on May 25, 2010, at 20:22:43
Combine EMSAM and cymbalta that's dangerous?????
Posted by hyperfocus on May 26, 2010, at 20:50:13
In reply to Re: Well, I'm baaaack...this time with Emsam » hyperfocus, posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2010, at 21:18:09
You may be right Phillipa - I didn't consider the interaction between Cymbalta and a MAOI. Ok bad idea.
This is the end of the thread.
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