CONCERNED ABOUT NEW MEDS EMSAM & FOODS TO AVOID

I was diagnosed with Clinical depression 15 years ago. Over the years I have been on several different antidepressants,because after a time, they would stop working for me. In the last year, I have had a severe relapse & nothing is working for me. I have always been leary of MAOIs, but as a last resort my Doctor wants me to try the new EMSAM patch. I know there are dietary limitations , which worry me, cause I love cheese. Anyways, my real question is , has anybody else had success with EMSAM, and how has it affected the foods you can eat, & what can you not eat. I'm definitely getting desparate here to even try an MAOI.
The meds I've been on over the years are desepriamene(sp?),
prozac, zoloft, effexor, cymbalta, celexa, lexapro, nortriptylene, xanax & maybe a few more.
I'm really concerned & a bit frightened about this EMSAM. Can anybody give me anymore insight or info. on the Medication?
PLEASE! Deb

[Jaybay]

I've never used it, but the following patient info (and more) is available at rxlist.com:

PATIENT INFORMATION
Prescribers or other health professionals should inform patients, their families, and their caregivers about the benefits and risks associated with treatment with EMSAM and should counsel them in its appropriate use. A patient Medication Guide about Using Antidepressants in Children and Teenagers is available for EMSAM. The prescriber or health professional should instruct patients, their families, and their caregivers to read the Medication Guide and should assist them in understanding its contents. Patients should be given the opportunity to discuss the contents of the Medication Guide and to obtain answers to any questions they may have. The complete text of the Medication Guide is reprinted at the end of this document.

Patients should be advised of the following issues and asked to alert their prescriber if these occur while taking EMSAM.

Clinical Worsening and Suicide Risk:



Patients, their families and their caregivers should be encouraged to be alert to the emergence of anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, akathisia, (psychomotor restlessness), hypomania, mania, other unusual changes in behavior, worsening of depression, and suicidal ideation, especially early during antidepressant treatment or when the dose is adjusted up or down. Families and caregivers of patients should be advised to observe for the emergence of such symptoms on a day-to-day basis, since changes may be abrupt. Such symptoms should be reported to the patient

[LIZZIE LOU]

I GREW UP IN A FAMILY WHERE DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, PANIC ATTACKS, AND PHOBIAS WERE THE NORM...THANK GOD IT SKIPPED RIGHT OVER ME.

WHAT I LEARNED DURING THAT TIME IS THAT SOMETIMES DRUG THERAPY ISN'T ENOUGH FOR SOME PEOPLE...WHILE OTHERS DO WELL WITH MEDICATION ALONE.  YOU MAY BE ONE OF THOSE THAT NEED TO GET INTO LONG TERM THERAPY TO LEARN NEW SKILLS WITH COPING (ALONG WITH MEDS.)  THERE ARE ALOT OF GOOD THERAPISTS OUT THERE THAT WILL BE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU...BUT SOMETIMES IT TAKES TALKING TO SEVERAL BEFORE YOU FIND THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOU.

GOOD LUCK