![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on March 30, 2002, at 12:04:10
Anybody been on Welbutrin for quite some time, and have found it's effects helpful? This med always seems to be an "add on"...but I'd like to see/know if folks use it alone.
Thanks!
Jay
Posted by allisonm on March 30, 2002, at 20:10:21
In reply to Welbutrin long term??? Anybody??, posted by jay on March 30, 2002, at 12:04:10
Hi,
I don't know how you define "longterm," but I have been on WB SR since June of 1999. I have briefly taken it with nothing except neurontin, but that was not enough. I have had some success with WB and Remeron with Neurontin added later; problems with WB and Celexa; most success with WB and Serzone.
It generally has worked best for me as the primary drug, although now I am taking equal doses of WB and Serzone (300mg each). Of all of the drugs (I've also taken Zoloft, Effexor and Lithium) I have found that WB has helped me the most and would be very reluctant to give it up.
Good luck.
Posted by BLPBart on March 30, 2002, at 20:15:30
In reply to Welbutrin long term??? Anybody??, posted by jay on March 30, 2002, at 12:04:10
> Anybody been on Welbutrin for quite some time, and have found it's effects helpful? This med always seems to be an "add on"...but I'd like to see/know if folks use it alone.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jay
I started on prozac but it made me incredibly tired. My doc added wellbutrin but it did not seem to counteract the lethargic feeling I got from the prozac. I eventually quit the prozac and went on the wellbutrin alone. I have not had any problems with the depression returning. I recently added dexedrine spansules but that was because I just found out that I'm also ADD. From things that I've read, wellbutrin is an excellent AD, but because of some negative publicity it received when it first came out concerning potential seizures, doctors don't readily prescribe it. From what I've read, however, the chances of having a seizure are actually higher on some of the other readily prescribed ADs but people aren't as aware of that. Bottom line, I believe it is as good, if not better than the SSRIs but has gotten a bad rap.
Posted by Bekka H. on March 30, 2002, at 20:19:27
In reply to Re: Welbutrin long term??? Anybody??, posted by allisonm on March 30, 2002, at 20:10:21
Hi Allison,
What problems did you have with Wellbutrin and Celexa?
Bekka
Posted by Mair on March 30, 2002, at 23:21:17
In reply to Welbutrin long term??? Anybody??, posted by jay on March 30, 2002, at 12:04:10
I've been on WB even longer than Allison - probably for about 5 years. I've never thought it was enough, but I've also never had alot of success augmenting it. I've tried to augment it with zoloft, serzone and lamictal. Before starting WB I had tried prozac, effexor and luvox. Although, I've never thought that it worked great as a monotherapy, it's also clearly made a difference for me and neither I nor either of 2 different pdocs i've had thought I should stop using it or even use it as a secondary drug. I've always thought that i've tolerated it very well; it's an easy drug for me to take.
Mair
Posted by Kelty on March 31, 2002, at 1:08:55
In reply to Re: Welbutrin long term??? Anybody??, posted by Mair on March 30, 2002, at 23:21:17
I don't know what you think of as long term but my daughter has been on Wellbutrin for over a year for mild depression and ADHD. She takes it alone and has no trouble with side effects (unless she drinks). Again her depression was not very acute so I don't know if this is very typical
Posted by trouble on March 31, 2002, at 1:53:07
In reply to Welbutrin long term??? Anybody??, posted by jay on March 30, 2002, at 12:04:10
Yes Jay, I've been on Wellbutrin about 1.5 years and I really, really like it. My p-doc has had me on 11 meds in the last year, but he never made me give up WB, though it gave me bad short-term memory problems and disorientation when we tried a higher dose, man that stuff's dynamite. We'll never do that again!
All I take now is Wellbutrin, gabitril and provigil, and I'm not in the "fake happy" apathetic, anything-goes mode I've experienced on other drugs. I still have access to my emotions, creativity, inner life, etc.
Sorry I don't have more technical input, all I can say is out of about 30 AD trials in 7 years this is the one makes me feel best.good luck,
trouble
Posted by Bekka H. on March 31, 2002, at 2:12:25
In reply to Re: Welbutrin long term??? Anybody??, posted by trouble on March 31, 2002, at 1:53:07
All I take now is Wellbutrin, gabitril and provigil, and I'm not in the "fake happy" apathetic, anything-goes mode I've experienced on other drugs. I still have access to my emotions, creativity, inner life, etc.
> trouble
*************************************************Hi Trouble,
What a perfect description of the effects of some AD's ("'fake happy,' apathetic, anything-goes mode").
How many milligrams of Wellbutrin are you on? By the way, I'm not familiar with Gabitril? Is that a tranquilizer?
Bekka
Posted by ST on March 31, 2002, at 4:37:11
In reply to Welbutrin long term??? Anybody??, posted by jay on March 30, 2002, at 12:04:10
Hi,
I was on Wellbutrin along with Depakote for a few years. Now I've added an SSRi to the mix. So altogether, I've been on Wellbutrin for about 6 1/2 years. I think it's working well for me. But obviously the SSRI was added to the Wellbutrin and Depakote because that combination wasn't comletely effective. The only side effect I've experienced has been when I have forgotten to take doses and I get those crappy withdrawal syptoms.
I'm now on Effexor XR (225 mg), Wellbutrin (300 mg) and Depakote (500 mg).Sarah
Posted by allisonm on March 31, 2002, at 9:25:16
In reply to Re: Welbutrin long term??? AllisonM, posted by Bekka H. on March 30, 2002, at 20:19:27
The problem was not with the WB, but with the Celexa. I was on WB, Remeron and Neurontin. Then my pdoc dropped the Remeron because it didn't seem that it was doing anything at any dose. WB and Neurontin was not enough, so my pdoc added Celexa, which was a disaster. I lost all energy. Incredible fatigue plus I couldn't sleep. I would sit in a chair at home for literally hours and not be able to move. It was very annoying. I couldn't get anything done. We dropped the Neurontin, but then hand tremors got worse. I felt very tired and heavy, with hand tremor, and not much ability to focus or concentrate. He lowered the Celexa while he was away, then came back and put me on the Serzone, which helped the sleep and lifted the horrible fatigue.
I have never been able to tolerate SSRIs -- even the new ones.
Posted by Bekka H. on March 31, 2002, at 12:27:03
In reply to Re: Welbutrin long term??? AllisonM » Bekka H., posted by allisonm on March 31, 2002, at 9:25:16
so my pdoc added Celexa, which was a disaster. I lost all energy. Incredible fatigue plus I couldn't sleep. I would sit in a chair at home for literally hours and not be able to move. It was very annoying. I couldn't get anything done. We dropped the Neurontin, but then hand tremors got worse. I felt very tired and heavy, with hand tremor, and not much ability to focus or concentrate. He lowered the Celexa while he was away, then came back and put me on the Serzone, which helped the sleep and lifted the horrible fatigue.> I have never been able to tolerate SSRIs -- even the new ones.
*************************************************Thanks Alison. That's very interesting. That's almost identical to the experience I had with Celexa -- complete prostration and no motivation or drive to do the things that are meaningful to me. I wonder whether that Lexapro (the isomer) is going to be any different.
Bekka
Posted by jay on March 31, 2002, at 18:22:21
In reply to Welbutrin long term??? Anybody??, posted by jay on March 30, 2002, at 12:04:10
Hey folks:Thanx for your messages everyone. My main problem with Welbutrin is that it seems to cause this horrid "irritability". I am on Effexor and Zyprexa, and want to use it for a bit of weight loss, as well as to add some energy.
My *problem* is, though, as I am VERY sensitive to caffiene and this seems to act like it, is that I become a male "bitch from hell"..if you will pardon the expression, on it.
Have any had this reaction at first, and *does it change* as the body adapts? I just don't like turning into such a mean, nasty person.
Your experiences are greatly, greatly appreciated. Thanx!
Jay
Posted by allisonm on March 31, 2002, at 19:11:26
In reply to Re: Welbutrin long term..problems..thanx..., posted by jay on March 31, 2002, at 18:22:21
Oh, yes. I became an ogre whenever my WB dose was increased. I hated feeling this way -- like wanting to strangle anyone in my path. It was tough to keep a lid on my irritability. But it DID wear off. Then came the big wonderful blast of energy, which then wore off. It was only then that WB really kicked in. I often stopped caffeine completely while increasing my WB dose, but eventually have been able to add it back in moderation.
Good luck.
Posted by allisonm on March 31, 2002, at 19:17:10
In reply to Re: Welbutrin long term??? AllisonM, posted by Bekka H. on March 31, 2002, at 12:27:03
I should have mentioned that, like you, I lost interest in the things meaningful to me. I even stopped participating in the music group I was in. Just couldn't go to rehearsals. And I stopped going to the painting classes I had been going to for the past year or more. I just could not go.
Those two things were the most important and enjoyable activities in my life at the time, and I was unable to continue them. It just wasn't right.
I don't know a thing about Lexapro, but have to admit that I have not been able to frequent this board as much as I have in the past few years.
Take care.
Posted by jay on April 1, 2002, at 9:04:39
In reply to Re: Welbutrin long term..problems..thanx... » jay, posted by allisonm on March 31, 2002, at 19:11:26
Hi:It seems then that Welbutrin is really like most other a.d.'s, in that you have to slowly increase the doseage. It seems that once this is over with, it is pretty much smooth sailing for many. It's too bad the SR formula didn't come in much smaller doses, to wean people onto it.
Thanx...and best wishes..
Jay
> Oh, yes. I became an ogre whenever my WB dose was increased. I hated feeling this way -- like wanting to strangle anyone in my path. It was tough to keep a lid on my irritability. But it DID wear off. Then came the big wonderful blast of energy, which then wore off. It was only then that WB really kicked in. I often stopped caffeine completely while increasing my WB dose, but eventually have been able to add it back in moderation.
>
> Good luck.
Posted by Waterlily on April 1, 2002, at 18:25:07
In reply to Welbutrin long term??? Anybody??, posted by jay on March 30, 2002, at 12:04:10
I have been on Wellbutrin for 5 years, mostly by itself, but occasionally with something to help with generalized anxiety. Wellbutrin has been a wonderful primary antidepressant, but I think I need an additional medication to control anxiety. Currently I take Serzone in addition to the Wellbutrin.
Posted by BlueJay Bird on April 2, 2002, at 16:04:19
In reply to Re: Welbutrin long term??? YES! 5 years, posted by Waterlily on April 1, 2002, at 18:25:07
Posted by Paige on January 24, 2003, at 21:44:39
In reply to Good info, I may try Wellbutrin myself! (nm) » Waterlily, posted by BlueJay Bird on April 2, 2002, at 16:04:19
Do you know waht the highest dosage is for Wellbutrin without running the risk of anyhting too serious. I was on 300, but it did not seem to be doing much anymore. I heard 450 is the maximum (and maximum expense for me I might add). Is anyone out there who just takes 450 WB SR nad feels pretty good, not disorientated or forgetful or too agitated or unable to focus...the latter I find troubling being a student and all. What would be could to counter act the ill effects...pref. not Serzone/Effexor, but comething else...no SSRIs for me. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Paige
Posted by Kathii on January 26, 2003, at 0:48:27
In reply to High dose Wellbutrin...help?, posted by Paige on January 24, 2003, at 21:44:39
I am currently taking 300mg a day, but have been on 400 a day before, with no noticable increase in side effects. The main problem with an increased dose is a higher chance of seizures, which is usually only in persons with a history of seizures, or who have eating disorders.
I have noticed that I occasionally have a few days where I don't feel hungry, so I make sure I have some Ensure (nutritional supplement drink). I doubt the increased dosage would affect your studies.
> Do you know waht the highest dosage is for Wellbutrin without running the risk of anyhting too serious. I was on 300, but it did not seem to be doing much anymore. I heard 450 is the maximum (and maximum expense for me I might add). Is anyone out there who just takes 450 WB SR nad feels pretty good, not disorientated or forgetful or too agitated or unable to focus...the latter I find troubling being a student and all. What would be could to counter act the ill effects...pref. not Serzone/Effexor, but comething else...no SSRIs for me. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Paige
Posted by Paige on January 26, 2003, at 6:38:27
In reply to Re: High dose Wellbutrin...help?, posted by Kathii on January 26, 2003, at 0:48:27
Thank you for answering me. My name should be "typo"
after looking at all the typos in that initial post.
I am being very careful right now. Sometimes I feel
a little unable to focus on high doses of WB (300is
high for me because I could never take that high a dose
but the original 150 must have maxed out and I had to increase)
Do you feel it is a good antidepressant? I wonder.
I think it motivates me, but somehow it fails on
other things and I have tried them all. Then again,
I have had major losses this year and pills don't
fix that or even pad it sometimes. Well, yes I
know about the appetite and loss of. I have gone all day
with no food. Not good, very strange and not good
to take WB on empty stomach (second dose). Maybe
300 is enough. Sorry to "babble on" here, but thanks
very much for your input. It helps.
Paige
Posted by juanantoniod on January 26, 2003, at 18:27:42
In reply to Re: High dose Wellbutrin...help? » Kathii, posted by Paige on January 26, 2003, at 6:38:27
Hello Paige,
My pdoc recently raised my Wellbutrin SR to 400 from 300, and I did not notice any difference in side effects (or well being). I'm not sure about Wellbutrin's effectiveness, since I still seem to have a disinterest in living while on it, but maybe it's giving me at least enough energy to pursue other options.
For what it's worth, I hope this is in some way helpful.
Antonio
Posted by Paige on January 26, 2003, at 19:40:51
In reply to Re: High dose Wellbutrin...help?, posted by juanantoniod on January 26, 2003, at 18:27:42
Hi Antonio,
Thank you for writing me. I wonder about this drug.
I can relate completely to the lack of interest
in life--completely. Does WB motivate, yes, but as
an anti-depressant, I speak for myself only,
I think it is not so good. And the alternatives are
not so great to me. I have tried all the SSRIs and
they did not help. I also take clonopin at night to
help me sleep and wonder if that combo is wearing
thin. Clonopin can make me pretty dreary. I guess
I have to have a long talk with the doc and make
a decision to either get off it all and wing it for
a while (I did for years and I feel like I did then)
I really don't know. I have heard horror stories about
clonopin and WB is a breeze to get off of by comparison.
Thank you for your input. I was lowering the dose
and then now increasing it again, the 150 has no impact
anymore and 300 was not really doing much. I will see
if he will go to 400. Probably will, but you don't
really notice too much of a difference? Hmmm.
Thank you for sharing. I have to figure this one out
pretty soon. I think our brains get tired of all our
tinkering with them sometimes. Just a thought.
Paige
Posted by Kathii on January 27, 2003, at 20:58:48
In reply to Re: High dose Wellbutrin...help? » juanantoniod, posted by Paige on January 26, 2003, at 19:40:51
Hi Paige,
I'm not familiar with Clonopin, I do take Xanax at night to help me sleep. I think it does alter the effects of the WB slightly, perhaps the Clonopin reacts with it more?. I've been up and down on my dosage of WB, and even went off completely cold turkey last year. I was ok for about 2 months, but then the "darkness" came back, so I went back on the WB at 100 2x day, now I'm at 150 2x. Recently my pdoc added Lexapro, but it's mostly for OCD symptoms rather than outright depression.
I have found that WB works very well for my depression. I've tried many of the SSRIs by themselves and in combination with WB, and don't tolerate them very well. (Too early to tell about the Lexapro). I've been on WB for several years and have adjusted the dosage numerous times. I think it is sometimes hormonal, and other times situational, so it's good if you have a pdoc who is willing to let you call the shots at the dosage you feel you need.
If you go off the Clonopin (after talking to your pdoc), then do it very gradually to lessen any withdrawal symptoms.
Good luck, and give any dosage changes a chance to kick in before you make another change (I know, sometimes that's the hardest part of it all!).> Hi Antonio,
> Thank you for writing me. I wonder about this drug.
> I can relate completely to the lack of interest
> in life--completely. Does WB motivate, yes, but as
> an anti-depressant, I speak for myself only,
> I think it is not so good. And the alternatives are
> not so great to me. I have tried all the SSRIs and
> they did not help. I also take clonopin at night to
> help me sleep and wonder if that combo is wearing
> thin. Clonopin can make me pretty dreary. I guess
> I have to have a long talk with the doc and make
> a decision to either get off it all and wing it for
> a while (I did for years and I feel like I did then)
> I really don't know. I have heard horror stories about
> clonopin and WB is a breeze to get off of by comparison.
> Thank you for your input. I was lowering the dose
> and then now increasing it again, the 150 has no impact
> anymore and 300 was not really doing much. I will see
> if he will go to 400. Probably will, but you don't
> really notice too much of a difference? Hmmm.
> Thank you for sharing. I have to figure this one out
> pretty soon. I think our brains get tired of all our
> tinkering with them sometimes. Just a thought.
> Paige
Posted by KarenRB53 on September 26, 2010, at 10:31:12
In reply to Re: Welbutrin long term??? YES! 5 years, posted by Waterlily on April 1, 2002, at 18:25:07
> I have been on Wellbutrin for 5 years, mostly by itself, but occasionally with something to help with generalized anxiety. Wellbutrin has been a wonderful primary antidepressant, but I think I need an additional medication to control anxiety. Currently I take Serzone in addition to the Wellbutrin.
I've only been on WEllbutrinXL for 6 months but it helps me so much EXCEPT my hair is falling out. Is there anything I can do about this?
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.