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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cinn65 on July 6, 2002, at 22:54:03
I was wondering what experiences other Wellbutrin users have had on times of dosage. Should one dose be taken in the morning and then one 4 hours later? Should it not be taken later in the day so as not to interfere with sleep? Also, I just switched from Prozac to WB and my doctor has me taking (2) 150 mg tablets a day. Is this the regular dose or is this a high dose? Thanks! Cinn
Posted by EmilyAnn on July 7, 2002, at 1:03:11
In reply to Any Wellbutrin users out there?, posted by cinn65 on July 6, 2002, at 22:54:03
Cinn,
Hi. I think that is an ok dose for WB, but everyone is different. Welbutrin did not work at all for me. I took it a few years ago. I tried it again recently, but I became manic and freaked out, so I'm off it now!! But, it may NOT have been the WB...there were some other tinkering w/ my meds, so who knows what happened. All I know is that it has not worked for my depression in the past. But like I said, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT...people respond differently to the same meds, so I hope it will work for ya!-B
Posted by cinn65 on July 7, 2002, at 9:39:27
In reply to Re: Any Wellbutrin users out there?, posted by EmilyAnn on July 7, 2002, at 1:03:11
EmilyAnn,
Thanks for your input. I'm sorry it didn't work for you. I sure hope it does for me! It is the first non-SSRI I have tried. Good Luck
Cinn
Posted by cinn65 on July 7, 2002, at 9:39:37
In reply to Re: Any Wellbutrin users out there?, posted by EmilyAnn on July 7, 2002, at 1:03:11
EmilyAnn,
Thanks for your input. I'm sorry it didn't work for you. I sure hope it does for me! It is the first non-SSRI I have tried. Good Luck
Cinn
Posted by terra miller on July 7, 2002, at 12:36:06
In reply to Any Wellbutrin users out there?, posted by cinn65 on July 6, 2002, at 22:54:03
there's lots of information if you click on archived posts.
i don't tolerate SSRI's at all, but the non-SSRI's have all been great.
Anyway, you can take WB after 4 hours if you are taking the immediate release variety. If you are taking the sustained release variety, it's supposed to last longer than that..... unless you are like me. I had to switch to immediate release because the sustained release wore off too fast (I respond that way to all sustained releases... it's my metabolism.) They do feel different (the i.r. vs. s.r.) so don't think switching from one to the other will be equal. In the long run I think they are, but initially they felt pretty different to me.
You are right that it can interfere with sleep. You can try to take your first dose early, and then take your second dose in the early afternoon. I found I was ok as long as I took it by 2pm. You might still have trouble getting off to sleep and waking up early until you adjust. Some people use sleep aids. It helps to get into a bedtime routine that is calming and soothing, and don't exercise at night but during the day will help you sleep better. Some people also find having a benzo. to be helpful if needed for agitation. And drop the caffeine altogether if you can, and limit sugar intake. (These are just all things that I found with trial/error to make the WB use emotionally more smooth, but it's different for everybody of course.)
~terra
Posted by BLPBart on July 7, 2002, at 15:13:49
In reply to Re: Any Wellbutrin users out there? » cinn65, posted by terra miller on July 7, 2002, at 12:36:06
I was originally taking 300 mg/day wb SR, one 150 mg in the morning and the second 150 in the afternoon. After a while I tended to get really sloppy about it and would often forget to take the second one until it was too late (as in I didn't want to take it so late in the day because I was afraid it would make me stay awake). My pdoc thought that it was more important to worry about my non-compliance than seizures (which from what I understand is no worse with wb than with a lot of other ADs) and so has me take both together in the morning. I've been doing this for many months with no problems.
Posted by waterlily on July 8, 2002, at 18:52:32
In reply to Any Wellbutrin users out there?, posted by cinn65 on July 6, 2002, at 22:54:03
I'm on Wellbutrin SR 150mg twice a day - and yes, the dosage you're on is normal. I've been on Wellbutrin for over five years now and have found it to control my depression well for the most part. I still have episodes, but they aren't bad enough to make me quit my job or stop being a mother to my children. I try to keep a steady state of Wellbutrin in my bloodstream, so I space the doses about 12 hours apart. I usually end up taking it at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.. I have never had any problem sleeping, so taking it that late at night doesn't bother me.
Posted by cinn65 on July 9, 2002, at 13:02:23
In reply to Re: Any Wellbutrin users out there?, posted by waterlily on July 8, 2002, at 18:52:32
Thanks so much for relating your experiences. One other question: I tapered off of Prozac and then started WB. My prescription read, take 1 daily for 3 days, then 1 twice a day thereafter. From what I've read on here, this seems like it is kind of fast to get up to the full dose. Did anyone have any problems with starting WB like this? I am having a little dizziness and lightheadedness, but no too bad. I went back down to taking one a day for a few more days.
Those of you who have also tried SSRIs, what did you notice were the biggest differences to you? I tolerated Prozac okay, but it just didn't keep me from depressive episodes. I have my hopes up that WB will be different than what I've tried before. Thanks and best of luck to all of you!
Cinn
Posted by waterlily on July 9, 2002, at 16:07:34
In reply to Re: Any Wellbutrin users out there?, posted by cinn65 on July 9, 2002, at 13:02:23
I was on Zoloft before I switched to Wellbutrin. My main complaint with Zoloft was that I felt emotionally numb - couldn't be real happy or real sad. My ten year old daughter, who has apparently inhereted depression from me, does just fine on Zoloft. I do not recall how the switch-over from Zoloft to Wellbutrin occurred, so I can't advise you on dosage increases. I have over the years tried adding meds to Wellbutrin to decrease anxiety. The one I'm on now, Serzone, gave me the most terrible side effects at first, but persevering paid off. I have none of the original side effects.
Posted by MomO3 on July 9, 2002, at 23:24:27
In reply to Re: Any Wellbutrin users out there?, posted by cinn65 on July 9, 2002, at 13:02:23
I have very little patience. Tapering up or off of a med is just not in my make-up. Perhaps if I find the right med or combo I can follow the directions. I just started the Wellbutrin and I was so depressed that just wanted it to work NOW... so I skipped the tapering and just started the 300mg a day. I haven't had any noticeable side effects... and I seem to be able to do without the (irritating) ritalin during the day.
Posted by terra miller on July 9, 2002, at 23:50:14
In reply to Re: Any Wellbutrin users out there?, posted by cinn65 on July 9, 2002, at 13:02:23
> Thanks so much for relating your experiences. One other question: I tapered off of Prozac and then started WB. My prescription read, take 1 daily for 3 days, then 1 twice a day thereafter. From what I've read on here, this seems like it is kind of fast to get up to the full dose. Did anyone have any problems with starting WB like this? I am having a little dizziness and lightheadedness, but no too bad.
Just listen to your body. When I first started, I tried the SR at first. I tried to increase as was commonly suggested, but it was too fast for me. So I backed down for a week, and then tried increasing and that was better. I felt dizzy and lightheaded, too.
> Those of you who have also tried SSRIs, what did you notice were the biggest differences to you?
I felt too numb and emotionally flat.... like a blanket was thrown over the top of me. On wellbutrin, I feel helped but not smothered. I really felt unlike myself on SSRI's. I feel with wellbutrin that I am still very much myself, but I have just the right help I need to maintain equilibrium.
I also liked serzone a lot, like waterlily mentioned. In me it worked similarly to how the wellbutrin feels, but less activating. And it was great to take at night. Effexor made me bounce off the walls and never come down.
terra
Posted by Leighwit on July 10, 2002, at 15:14:54
In reply to Re: Any Wellbutrin users out there? » cinn65, posted by terra miller on July 9, 2002, at 23:50:14
>.... On wellbutrin, I feel helped but not smothered. I really felt unlike myself on SSRI's. I feel with wellbutrin that I am still very much myself, but I have just the right help I need to maintain equilibrium.
>
> I also liked serzone a lot, like waterlily mentioned. In me it worked similarly to how the wellbutrin feels, but less activating. And it was great to take at night. Effexor made me bounce off the walls and never come down.
>
> terra
Terra,My experience mirrors yours in the areas you've written about above. I've had problems with irritability and agitation that might be caused by the WB (or might not -- neither my Pdoc nor I seem to know) and so now she's prescribed Xanax on as "as needed" basis.
I filled the script, but haven't used it yet. I don't know if I want to or not.
Have you ever used anything besides Serzone and SSRI's (I used Celexa for a while to take the edge off the WB but I gained 30 lbs. from it) to address irritability? Is that not an issue for you with WB?
Laurie
Posted by terra miller on July 10, 2002, at 23:17:10
In reply to Re: Any Wellbutrin users out there? » terra miller, posted by Leighwit on July 10, 2002, at 15:14:54
hi.
use your prescription :-)
i also have xanax. it's perfect for me. when agitation gets too much, i only have to take .25mg once (ie: as needed) and i always think to myself, "why didn't i do this sooner?!" then the agitation calms way down for days; even weeks. i have therapy stuff and other ways of dealing with agitation that i don't think is necessarily wellbutrin induced (the panic-thing). i can go a month without taking a xanax. i can sometimes go three days in a row. but i've never needed it more often then that. it's been just the little bit that i've needed.
i've tried ativan, and it was too much benzo for me.
i tried zoloft and got suicidal. i could only tolerate prozac for a week. i refused to go on paxil or celexa because i didn't want to gain weight. i loved serzone, but i got these weird eye-lightning flashes that preventing me from reaching therapeutic doses. i tried buspar and trazadone, which both seemed to painfully effect my bladder instead... meds went to the wrong part of the brain, pdoc said.
so now i've got xanax and ambien (for sleep, as needed.) for me the agitation has gotten less and less. i also dropped all caffeine and sugar intake, which did wonders for leveling me out.
it took me several tries to get my xanax dose right. i learned that getting sleepy was a sign that i probably took too large of a dose. it made me a little sick to my stomach and disoriented, too i noticed. (i was originally prescribed .5mg.) now i don't get sick to my stomach, but sometimes i get tired which now to me is an indication that i've been too stressed out. if i don't get tired, i notice that i all of a sudden am calmer and thinking more clearly and making better decisions. that's when i know it was exactly what i needed, and that i didn't wait until i was completely stressed out before i took it (ie: waited too long)
i definitely recommend cutting out the caffeine if you haven't done that already. that's the very biggest thing for me to contribute to the agitation.
~terra
Posted by Leighwit on July 11, 2002, at 9:53:29
In reply to the irritability thing » Leighwit, posted by terra miller on July 10, 2002, at 23:17:10
Terra,
Thanks! I think I will try the Xanax at the .25mg dosage and see how that works. I do drink coffee and having given up smoking just two years ago, I'm really not ready to come clean with the caffeine. Probably not the best decision ~ will give it some more thought. Thanks for the suggestion. And for your other comments as well!
laurie
Posted by Anyuser on July 11, 2002, at 10:15:42
In reply to Re: the irritability thing » terra miller, posted by Leighwit on July 11, 2002, at 9:53:29
I used to live for coffee, but on Wellbutrin I can't handle even the caffeine in a Diet Coke.
Posted by terra miller on July 11, 2002, at 11:29:10
In reply to Re: the irritability thing » terra miller, posted by Leighwit on July 11, 2002, at 9:53:29
i went through very similar stages. i gave up smoking but didn't want to give up coffee. i would go off, and then try to see if just one cup in the morning and no caffeine any other time of the day would be ok. but i couldn't handle it. so now i drink decaf. in the morning and do just fine. i can't do tea or sodas either. i used to be able to drink cups and cups of coffee and caffeinated soda during the day.
Posted by Leighwit on July 11, 2002, at 11:44:11
In reply to Re: the irritability thing » Leighwit, posted by terra miller on July 11, 2002, at 11:29:10
Okay, Terra ~ I'm convinced I should give some decaf a try. I just hope I can wake up (cerebrally that is) in the mornings without it. The "brainfog" (diminished short-term memory, concentration problems, decreased vocabularly) that I blame on WB is challenging enough without being sleepy to boot. On the other hand, what you're saying about caffeine and WB and irritability makes sense. Enough so, that I'm going to give decaf a try. Wish me luck.
Thanks more.
laurie> i went through very similar stages. i gave up smoking but didn't want to give up coffee. i would go off, and then try to see if just one cup in the morning and no caffeine any other time of the day would be ok. but i couldn't handle it. so now i drink decaf. in the morning and do just fine. i can't do tea or sodas either. i used to be able to drink cups and cups of coffee and caffeinated soda during the day.
Posted by waterlily on July 11, 2002, at 14:12:01
In reply to the irritability thing » Leighwit, posted by terra miller on July 10, 2002, at 23:17:10
> i also have xanax. it's perfect for me. when agitation gets too much, i only have to take .25mg once (ie: as needed) and i always think to myself, "why didn't i do this sooner?!" then the agitation calms way down for days; even weeks.
Exactly the way I feel. My husband keeps asking me why I don't take Ativan more often. It makes me feel so much better, but I fear addiction.
> i've tried ativan, and it was too much benzo for me.
Strange how that goes. I tried Xanax, but it was too much for me. Guaranteed to put me straight to sleep, even at low doses. Ativan works better for me.
> it took me several tries to get my xanax dose right. i learned that getting sleepy was a sign that i probably took too large of a dose. > ~terra
Those benzos are tricky to get right. I use Ativan for airplane trips. If I take too little, I am panicky; if I take too much, I'm falling asleep before we even board the plane. It took me some fiddling, but now I find that if I take .5 mg every hour or two, it has the sedating effect without making me too drowsy. When I'm at home and the constant anxiety is getting to me, I take .5 mg and am generally okay for several hours.
Posted by terra miller on July 11, 2002, at 23:19:51
In reply to Re: the irritability thing » terra miller, posted by Leighwit on July 11, 2002, at 11:44:11
wow- good for you! don't expect it to be easy; but maybe it will be, which would be very cool. i had to do it gradually. i did half caf/decaf for at least a month and then got down to one scoop of caf/the rest decaf. finally i was ready to go all the way, but i was scared to do it. (you'd think i was going off a major psych. med or something! <giggle>) but i'll tell you, now if i think it won't hurt if i just put one scoop of regular into the mix i totally notice.
it helps if it's really hot. maybe it tricks the brain or something.
i sure know about the brain fog. it does stink.
let us know how it goes.
terra
Posted by terra miller on July 11, 2002, at 23:32:56
In reply to Re: the irritability thing, posted by waterlily on July 11, 2002, at 14:12:01
>My husband keeps asking me why I don't take Ativan more often. It makes me feel so much better, but I fear addiction.yea, me too. i underuse it all the time (don't take it when i should) we're probably the types that won't get addicted because we're so concerned that we will! if anything, i am totally dependent on my wellbutrin. miss a dose and i become a major crab to live with.
> > i've tried ativan, and it was too much benzo for me.
>
> Strange how that goes. I tried Xanax, but it was too much for me. Guaranteed to put me straight to sleep, even at low doses. Ativan works better for me.
isn't that funny how one med for one person can be so different for somebody else? i remember once i had to go the ER because i couldn't stop throwing up cuz of a panic attack, and they gave me ativan. nothing. apparently i was supposed to get really sleepy and relaxed. :-) my therapist just looked at me with these big eyes like he couldn't believe it didn't effect me. oh well. :-) i tried it later when my pdoc suggested it, but then it stayed too long in my system for me. i like how xanax kicks in right away and then i'm done with it; that's my nature of handling problems so i don't like feeling relaxed for too long. (did that make any sense???) :-)terra
Posted by waterlily on July 12, 2002, at 17:38:48
In reply to benzos » waterlily, posted by terra miller on July 11, 2002, at 23:32:56
i underuse it all the time (don't take it when i should) we're probably the types that won't get addicted because we're so concerned that we will! if anything, i am totally dependent on my wellbutrin. miss a dose and i become a major crab to live with.Exactly. I don't use it because I fear addiction. That's the same reason I don't drink alcohol. I'm flying this coming Thursday and I am definitely going to take it. Interesting story....I had mentioned to my ten year old daughter that I take medication when I fly, but that I have to be careful with the dosage because one time I almost fell asleep. I should have told her that this was a normal dose (1 mg). Anyway, she sees a psychologist for depression/anxiety and has told her about how scared she is of flying. I think she is completely exaggerating, but she has her therapist convinced that she needs a benzo to fly. I took her to her psychiatrist (not mine) the other day. He has me stay in with her during the appointment. She was laying it on thick about how scared she is to fly, obviously trying to get him to prescribe her something. She told her psychiatrist that I OVERDOSED ON ATIVAN!!!! I could have just died. Fortunately I was able to calmly explain the real story. He kept grinning at me the whole time, so I'm sure that he knows that she was exaggerating. Still, it's an experience I'd prefer never to repeat. He ended up telling me to give her Benadryl to make her sleepy if she has problems.
Posted by judy1 on July 15, 2002, at 11:09:13
In reply to benzos » waterlily, posted by terra miller on July 11, 2002, at 23:32:56
My pdoc pretty much says what you wrote- that the vast majority of his anxiety/panic patients underuse their benzos. If I am in the midst of a panic attack, I take 2mg (I know a lot) of xanax sub-ling- and it's gone. All the benzos effect different people differently, ativan doesn't do a lot for me- but klonopin and xanax do. Take care, judy
Posted by Schuyler on July 15, 2002, at 15:29:51
In reply to Any Wellbutrin users out there?, posted by cinn65 on July 6, 2002, at 22:54:03
> I was wondering what experiences other Wellbutrin users have had on times of dosage. Should one dose be taken in the morning and then one 4 hours later? Should it not be taken later in the day so as not to interfere with sleep? Also, I just switched from Prozac to WB and my doctor has me taking (2) 150 mg tablets a day. Is this the regular dose or is this a high dose? Thanks! Cinn
I take 100 mg, immediate release, twice/day. 300 mg made me very sensitive to loud noises. I have taken WB for 12-13 years, 100 mg in the morning, 100 mg at bedtime, and I don't think it disrupts my sleep. The package insert says to take two WB doses 12 hours apart, but my pdoc recently told me to take the second dose after 5-6 hours. Go figure.
Schuyler
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