Emsam and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Dr ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 3, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "25 yrs on Nardil. One ER room crisis with cheese. Had multiple negative reactions with avocado and red wine. Switched to 12 mg Emsam five years ago. Over time, I felt anxious. Reduced to 9 mgs. Feel much better. Wanting to reduce to 6 mg. Biggest problem is finding a shrink that understands Emsam. Seems you need to find your own way with Emsam, and it is very expensive. I have had suicidal thoughts while on Emsam. They have been cyclical. No depression since going from 12 to 9 mg. My age is 79. Still very active sex life. My weight is constant. Exercise, bike ride hills, hike, and surf. I watch the diet restrictions. Hope this can help others. Nothing has ever helped except MAOI meds. Tried all the others. Nothing else worked."

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I’ve tried so many psychotropic drugs for the last 30 years, resulting in untoward side effects or ineffectiveness. My psychiatrist referred me for a second opinion med consult, and the doctor I saw put me on Emsam for my MDD. I’ve been on 6 mg for 3 weeks, and I noticed a difference in about a week. I feel like the doom is lifting, and I’m not as depressed. What amazes me is I have no flat feelings at all, which is something that has left me feeling less than human on SSRIs. I will be upping my dose after a month. Insomnia is a problem, but I have it anyway, so it's hard to tell what’s what. I’m still feeling anxious and tired, but it’s much less, and I hope with time that will get better. Also, it’s tricky to get the patch to stay on, but I found a good spot that works for me. I put mine on the top of my thigh, and that seems to be okay. So... what I’m trying to say... so far I like it!"

• hap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 15, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "The side effects of this drug have destroyed my well-being, and I am not exaggerating when I say that. Everything was going very well the first 2 months I was on the drug. But then the insomnia started. And then came the irritability. Then the short temper. Then the escalated anger. And then came the panic attacks, leading to dependency on Xanax XR. Depression came back anyway when the insomnia started. My social anxiety has returned in a big way. The lowest dose was too activating for me. I would not recommend this medication for anyone who suffers from anxiety along with depression, even if your depression is worse than your anxiety. I've been off it for almost a week. Pro: transdermal = bypasses the digestive tract."