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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dkscully on February 14, 2005, at 23:57:34
Hi all! Sorry to have posted so many questions lately... It's been a really difficult time for me in terms of my depression/anxiety and I'm really glad to have found this place! I really appreciate everyone who's helped me thus far. That being said, I have another question!
As you all may have read, I have not done well on Wellbutrin. I like the fact that it doesn't make me feel like a zombie like zoloft and effexor did (those are the other two drugs I've been on before) but I can't deal with the extra anxiety. I'm constantly nervous, and I feel like it's really wearing me thin... I made an appointment with p.doc for tomorrow, even though I wasn't supposed to see her for another couple of weeks, because I can't handle this.
What I'm wondering is, do any of you have any success stories about taking another medication with Wellbutrin? It would be nice to keep some of the energy and "vividness" Wellbutrin brings me, without feeling so incredibly anxious all the time. I know everyone's different, I'm just looking for some possibilities to discuss with my doctor tomorrow. Thanks!
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 15, 2005, at 7:38:45
In reply to Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Dkscully on February 14, 2005, at 23:57:34
Have you talked to your pdoc about combining WB w/ an SSRI again (like Zoloft)? i had a similar situation w/ Paxil. When I took enough to make it work, I was tired all day and sleeping a ton. I just added the smallest dose of WB possible (75mg) and that seemed to work. I couldn't go up any higher than that though or I would be an anxious wreck.
Best,
EE
Posted by bart on February 15, 2005, at 9:49:35
In reply to Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Dkscully on February 14, 2005, at 23:57:34
I've been on effexor it was making me foggy so the doc added a little wellbutrin. It worked to get me out of the haze but I have the same problem as you now, increased anxiety and muscle rigidity. I'm not really sure what to do now either
Posted by Sebastian on February 15, 2005, at 11:33:42
In reply to Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Dkscully on February 14, 2005, at 23:57:34
Little zyprexa.
Posted by HappyGirl on February 15, 2005, at 11:58:21
In reply to Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Dkscully on February 14, 2005, at 23:57:34
Hi:
I, too feel that you need some form of more 'Potent' Anxiety remedy, that must be 'non-traditional' Anxiety med.Anti-psycho. med., such as Seroquel(mildest A.P.), ... or a smallest dosage(2.5 mg.) of the Zyprexa(one of strongest A.P.s) may alleviate 'Severe' form of Anxiety.
Talk to your pdoc. tomorrow, however, because once you started any psycho.-med., particularly an A.P., you may NOT able to get it off easily.
H.G.
Posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2005, at 17:37:05
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by HappyGirl on February 15, 2005, at 11:58:21
What about trying a little bit of valium? It may be an old drug, but besides the anti-anxiety properties, it also acts as a muscle relaxant. Sure benzos are addictive, but in all my years of taking them, I have never wanted to take more than was rx'd for me. And, the AD's are addictive, so what's the difference? Just a thought. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by dkscully on February 17, 2005, at 14:32:11
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 15, 2005, at 7:38:45
Hi everyone! Thanks for your suggestions! I went to my p.doc on Tuesday and she decided to add Lexapro to my Wellbutrin (and we'll probably wean me off the Wellbutrin eventually, but not until I've stabilized on the Lexapro). I took 5 mg Tuesday and 10 today. Does anyone have experience with that combination of meds? How did it work for you?
Thanks!
Posted by Greenhornet on February 18, 2005, at 8:18:38
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin with Lexapro?, posted by dkscully on February 17, 2005, at 14:32:11
There will be those who may not like what I have to say here, but here goes..... I took the Wellbutrin and Lexapro combo for several years and am now TRYING to get off the Lexapro!! WARNING:Lexapro withdrawal is a bitch!!!!!!
Having said all of that I will throw in my wellness pitch: I was on about every psych medication on the planet. Then a while back I just said "the hell with it" and have VERY slowly come off all but the Wellbutrin and Lexapro(with doc of course). Now I mean I was "doping" like that for over thirty years and it seemed that I kept getting one med after another to relieve the "side effects" or "symptoms" that probably were CAUSED by half of the medicines I was on.. Just so you know, I am no youngster here I am pushing sixty-something and am a retired medical professional.
Get with a good physician get going on a good diet and exercise plan AND GET OFF CHEMICALS.
Also, for "ADD" get a "coach" and really work at conquering it. I belong to a group where we have all done that and we no longer take medication.
I am so graateful that I will be able to live out my life without chemicals !!
Oh yes the Wellbutrin and Lexapro WILL go too eventually!
Posted by Phillipa on February 18, 2005, at 13:45:30
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin with Lexapro?, posted by Greenhornet on February 18, 2005, at 8:18:38
I'm not that much behind you in age. 50's. And I too, was in the medical field. An RN. Put on disability by the "bad" pdoc. If only they had just treated my anxiety with tried and proven benzos. They worked in the past and I didn't abuse them. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Waterlily on February 18, 2005, at 22:37:05
In reply to Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Dkscully on February 14, 2005, at 23:57:34
I have been on Wellbutrin for seven years. In those years, I've tried it along with Paxil, Prozac, Effexor, a tricyclic which I forgot the name of, Serzone....probably something else I've forgotten. Anyway, you get the picture. So far Luvox works best for me along with the Wellbutrin. I take 300 mg of Wellbutrin SR and 150 mg of Luvox every day. I've been relatively free of extreme depression and anxiety for two years now.
Posted by Phillipa on February 18, 2005, at 23:56:49
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Waterlily on February 18, 2005, at 22:37:05
I want my Luvox back! It was the only AD that had no side effects and made me feel good. The pdocs have said no up until now. But, since the new pdoc said okay to valium {she's older and has experience with older drugs}, maybe when I tell her about the Luvox she'll rx it for me! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Greenhornet on February 19, 2005, at 8:02:43
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Waterlily on February 18, 2005, at 22:37:05
> I have been on Wellbutrin for seven years. In those years, I've tried it along with Paxil, Prozac, Effexor, a tricyclic which I forgot the name of, Serzone....probably something else I've forgotten. Anyway, you get the picture. So far Luvox works best for me along with the Wellbutrin. I take 300 mg of Wellbutrin SR and 150 mg of Luvox every day. I've been relatively free of extreme depression and anxiety for two years now.
Waterlilly;
Did you gain weight with the Luvox? As much or less? Which was the worst for weight gain? Thanks GH
Posted by theo on February 19, 2005, at 10:55:32
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Waterlily on February 18, 2005, at 22:37:05
I might start Luvox and it says in the prescribing info to take it at bedtime all the way up to 150mg and anything above that dose to split the dosing between morning and bedtime. How do you take it? My pdoc is going to prescribe it to me but she said she never uses Luvox, so she's not a wealth of information on this med.
Posted by Phillipa on February 19, 2005, at 16:22:25
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions? » Waterlily, posted by theo on February 19, 2005, at 10:55:32
Just out of curiosity, if she has no experience why did she decide to Rx Luvox? Is it for OCD?It is a very good drug for this. I had no side effects from it when I initially took it. I'm really going to suggest to the new pdoc that I go on it again. Just because it only is available in generic, and is not "popular" is not a reason to use it. At least, in my opinion. My dose was split in half. 50mg in am, and 50mg in pm. As it was increased I can't remember when I took the most, but I got up to 250mg. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by theo on February 19, 2005, at 17:42:42
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions? » theo, posted by Phillipa on February 19, 2005, at 16:22:25
I've seen many studies saying it's not only good for OCD but anxiety/social anxiety as well. Did you notice this? I also have mild depression.
My only other successful SSRI for these conditions is Paxil, and I would like to try generic Luvox first before trying Paxil again and completely losing my sex life.
Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Here are a couple of links to my research.
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/fluvo.htm
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/fluvosad.htm
Posted by Waterlily on February 19, 2005, at 20:28:47
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Greenhornet on February 19, 2005, at 8:02:43
> > I have been on Wellbutrin for seven years. In those years, I've tried it along with Paxil, Prozac, Effexor, a tricyclic which I forgot the name of, Serzone....probably something else I've forgotten. Anyway, you get the picture. So far Luvox works best for me along with the Wellbutrin. I take 300 mg of Wellbutrin SR and 150 mg of Luvox every day. I've been relatively free of extreme depression and anxiety for two years now.
>
>
> Waterlilly;
> Did you gain weight with the Luvox? As much or less? Which was the worst for weight gain? Thanks GHI didn't gain any weight. I always weigh between 131 lbs. and 135 lbs. and I'm 5'8" tall. I've been blessed with a killer metabolism.
Posted by Waterlily on February 19, 2005, at 20:30:50
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions? » Waterlily, posted by theo on February 19, 2005, at 10:55:32
> I might start Luvox and it says in the prescribing info to take it at bedtime all the way up to 150mg and anything above that dose to split the dosing between morning and bedtime. How do you take it? My pdoc is going to prescribe it to me but she said she never uses Luvox, so she's not a wealth of information on this med.
I take 50 mg in the morning and 100 mg at bedtime. You can always experiment and see what works best for you.
Posted by Phillipa on February 19, 2005, at 20:34:19
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Waterlily on February 19, 2005, at 20:30:50
That sounds about right. The highest dose at night. I'll have to get out my notes and see if I can find the time I took Luvox. I kept a chart. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by theo on February 20, 2005, at 9:13:40
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Waterlily on February 19, 2005, at 20:30:50
Did you go all the way to 100mg before starting a morning dose? I guess what I'm asking is, Luvox half life appears to be 15 hours. When you were taking a bedtime dose only, did it last until your next bedtime dose once it reached a steady state? Any peaks and valleys? Is Luvox really fit for once a day dosing?
Posted by greenhornet on February 20, 2005, at 10:00:26
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions? » Waterlily, posted by theo on February 20, 2005, at 9:13:40
> Did you go all the way to 100mg before starting a morning dose? I guess what I'm asking is, Luvox half life appears to be 15 hours. When you were taking a bedtime dose only, did it last until your next bedtime dose once it reached a steady state? Any peaks and valleys? Is Luvox really fit for once a day dosing?
Also What is the weight gain story with Luvox.
Greenhornet
Posted by Phillipa on February 20, 2005, at 16:34:02
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggesti, posted by greenhornet on February 20, 2005, at 10:00:26
No wt gain for me. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to get my notes out. My husband suggested that I keep a daily written schedule of the meds I was taking and when I took them, and how I felt, and what I did that day. I have a stack of about l5 legal pads to go through. I just have to remember what year it was that I began this med. Wait a minute, I remember. I didn't begin to chart until I had problems tolerating meds. This was right after the Luvox. But, I remember that I took the heaviest dose at night. I took a lighter dose in the am, and it did not have any side effects for me. I really liked Luvox. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by fires on February 23, 2005, at 14:54:24
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggesti » greenhornet, posted by Phillipa on February 20, 2005, at 16:34:02
I'm on 150mg of Wellbutrin. I was taking 75 mg of Effexor with it, but my pdoc and neuro. had me try Cymbalta 30 mg. It was a bad med for me.
I've also tried Remeron, Zyprexa, Paxil, Lexapro, and Lamictal with either little to no help, or very bad side effects.
Is Luvox a lot different than the other SSRIs? I thought I was going to become psychotic on Paxil, so I'm a little concerned about trying another SSRI.
Posted by monkeypants on February 26, 2005, at 12:35:30
In reply to Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Dkscully on February 14, 2005, at 23:57:34
I've been taking Wellbutrin for years (about 10) while switching stabilizers around several times. Wellbutrin has been the only AD that keeps me from feeling dead headed and drowsy. It also hasn't induced mood swings like the SSRIs. If you have BP, and are only on Wellbutrin, you may need to supplement with a stabilizer. This can cut down on the anxiety and sleeplessness.
I need to take a stabilizer in conjunction, and the miracle drug (for me) has been Lamictal. I finally feel great again; no depression, no exhaustion, no brain haze, no anxiety. I just read in the APJ that Lamictal is the first stabilizer since Lithium to be approved by the FDA. I hope the effectiveness doesn't wear off. I've been taking it for about 4 months now, and the ONLY side effect I've noticed is weight gain.
Now, I must preempt that before Lamictal I was on Topamax, which has weight suppressing qualities. My guess is that my weight has compensated (possibly over-compensated) for the years I was on T-max. Has anyone else had success or weight gain with Lamictal?
All-in-all, Wellbutrin has been a constant and positive supplement for over a third of my life. Different strokes for different folks, but effective in my case!
monkeypants
> Hi all! Sorry to have posted so many questions lately... It's been a really difficult time for me in terms of my depression/anxiety and I'm really glad to have found this place! I really appreciate everyone who's helped me thus far. That being said, I have another question!
>
> As you all may have read, I have not done well on Wellbutrin. I like the fact that it doesn't make me feel like a zombie like zoloft and effexor did (those are the other two drugs I've been on before) but I can't deal with the extra anxiety. I'm constantly nervous, and I feel like it's really wearing me thin... I made an appointment with p.doc for tomorrow, even though I wasn't supposed to see her for another couple of weeks, because I can't handle this.
>
> What I'm wondering is, do any of you have any success stories about taking another medication with Wellbutrin? It would be nice to keep some of the energy and "vividness" Wellbutrin brings me, without feeling so incredibly anxious all the time. I know everyone's different, I'm just looking for some possibilities to discuss with my doctor tomorrow. Thanks!
Posted by Jen2 on February 26, 2005, at 22:40:02
In reply to Re: Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by monkeypants on February 26, 2005, at 12:35:30
Posted by empty inside on March 3, 2005, at 13:15:39
In reply to Which med works well with Wellbutrin? Suggestions?, posted by Dkscully on February 14, 2005, at 23:57:34
> As you all may have read, I have not done well on Wellbutrin. I like the fact that it doesn't make me feel like a zombie like zoloft and effexor did (those are the other two drugs I've been on before) but I can't deal with the extra anxiety. I'm constantly nervous, and I feel like it's really wearing me thin... I made an appointment with p.doc for tomorrow, even though I wasn't supposed to see her for another couple of weeks, because I can't handle this?>>>
I'm on 600mg Wellbutrin. I definintely think it's a "bittersweet" drug, for me at least. in that it is the only drug so far that has lifted my depression even the slightest bit . I still have "severe depression" but I only think about killing myself a few times a week instead of all the time... I feel like I can function at the minimum requirement (go to one college class, which basically is all I do aside from seeing my doctor, pdoc, and now an acupuncturist who I have been receiving acupuncture as well as taking some chinese herbs. I'm willing to try anything at this point. I've made up my mind to get ECT. My pdoc specializes in it and there is just one hospital in my area that does it so I am lucky to have gotten an appointment with him (to be evaluated)/ But I have to wait till school is done... he says I will be too confused to do my class.
ANYWAY I am on a really high dosage of the Wellbutrin -- 600mg. When I was on 300mg I had WAY less side effects. Practically none/ At 600mg my hands shake terribly and I feel jittery, but 300mg did nothing for my depression, as I have tried to taper back to it recently but that was disastrous. What is your dosage? Maybe all you need is a decrease in dosage of the Wellbutrin. It doesn't always take a lot of a drug to help; more is not always better.Hope this helps/
PS you asked about other drugs? I was on Risperdal/ THat was bad for me. Slowed my cognitive processing even more, made my memory even worse--- could barely retain any information at all. I went from 100% on myfirst 3 tests to a 73 on my next one and was devastated. I am also on small dosages of Klonopin and Ativan as well as 400mg Topamax. I wouldn't say all this is "great" but it's the best I've had-- and I have been on so many drugs I can't even count. Even tried the new Cymbalta but it had no effect but to make me lethargic all the time.
This is the end of the thread.
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