Posted by Racer on October 26, 2007, at 16:01:58
In reply to Wellbutrin XL - worsening depression/anxiety, posted by gigeligi on October 26, 2007, at 15:27:00
It's hard to say what's going on, because Wellbutrin can worsen anxiety, which can certainly seem like worsening depression. On the other hand, when it works, Wellbutrin is a nice, friendly little drug.
For me, the first sign it was going to work happened about two weeks into an increased dose -- and it was singing as I cooked breakfast, and smiling while I did it. Since a week earlier, I'd been snappy, snarly, and bursting into tears, that was a pretty good sign... On its own, Wellbutrin isn't a great choice for my husband, who is much more anxious than I, and it's not entirely effective for me, without augmentation. And, despite what some people experience, I gain weight when the augmenting agent is Prozac. The Wellbutrin is capable of avoiding weight gain from SSRIs for many people. I'm one of the less than lucky ones in that regard. (Then again, I have an eating disorder, which makes EVERYTHING about weight kinda wonky. In my case, since I am still symptomatic, when I eat more, especially more starches, I lose weight. That means that what happens to me is not indicative of what happens to more normal people.)
I hope that you have good luck with it, too. The main benefit I have had with Wellbutrin is that it's been virtually devoid of side effects. No foggy head, no lethargy, no weight gain, no nothin' except a brighter mood. Again, not totally effective on its own. But effective enough I've stuck with it anyway for several years. (Disclaimer: I'm trying something else now, but will go back to Wellbutrin if it doesn't work.)
Good luck, and I hope that helps.
poster:Racer
thread:791599
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071019/msgs/791606.html