Posted by PsychoSage on March 5, 2004, at 23:16:20
In reply to Wellbutrin plus Zoloft, posted by Marie A on March 5, 2004, at 18:31:30
> Hello!
>
> I just came across this thread as I was doing some research and found many of your postings to be helpful. I have a question...
>
> I have been taking Wellbutrin for about six months and it has worked for my depression wonderfully. My feelings of hopelessness are gone and the side effects are actually a pleasure... The increased energy alone helps me get out of bed every morning...
>
> My problem is that aside from depression I also suffer from anxiety. I thought after the pills started working this would subside as well, but it hasn't. I have read that Zoloft can be helpful in treating anxiety and was wondering if anyone is taking it for anxiety while taking Wellbutrin. I'm scared of the side effects from SSRI's and can't decide if it is worth tampering with my current situation.
>
> I've also read (maybe in this thread) that Wellbutrin may offset many of the side effects i.e. weight gain, sexual side effects etc. Does anyone know if this is true??
>
> Thanks so much!!!
I was on both at once for only a short time --wellbutrin 300mg SR and Zoloft 37.5mg [yes 37.5mg] I have been on as much as 150mg of zoloft but not with wellbutrin.I am currently on wellbutrin 300mg now.
My zoloft was increased last year to help with anxiety, but I just thought it made me apathetic, and of course any amount of this drug makes me sleep an extra hour each night. All my zoloft is in a plastic bag until it's no good anymore just in case i go on it again. I am not on it, and I am happy about that.
I have tried SSRIs and swtiched without results too many times to think they are helpful. However, I think they can calm a person down by blunting them. My last trial of Zoloft did not convince me that the blunting even helped though because if you have something real to worry about or a lot of unsettled conflict inside, it will still be there. Zoloft does not work like a benzo obviously.
The wellbutrin/zoloft combo for depression may be a better idea than Effexor because you can tweak how much serotonin action you want. With Effexor which is an SNRI you have to go real high to get norepinephrine effect. One may not need all that serotonin reuptake inhibition.
One of my docs told me that for anxiety buspar is equivalent to increasing an SSRI that is already used for depression.
I personally think exercise, controlling caffeine, quiting smoking, and maybe diet are a good foundation to combat anxiety.
I don't think Zoloft causes weight gain. If you respond to wellbutrin in a prosexual way and have curbed appetite, then you can bet that it will hold up against the typical zoloft symptoms.
To me, Zoloft means night sweats, dizziness, nausea, gastro problems at first, and delayed ejaculation. I don't see how wellbutrin can do much against those.
Wellbutrin also has its hand in irritability and anxiety, so consider that maybe your norepinephrine situation has changed because of the help of wellbutrin, but maybe it is overworking at this point.
poster:PsychoSage
thread:9449
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040304/msgs/320940.html