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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Zenclearer on October 28, 2003, at 21:52:59
In reply to Re: SWITCHING TO WB XL...ANY ADVICE?, posted by nemo kitty on October 28, 2003, at 20:58:45
If I were you, residing in Scripps Ranch right now, I would stop the Wellbutrin, or cut it down by more than half.
That's a LOT of stress and activation. More than anyone needs. :(
Posted by chicago77 on October 29, 2003, at 14:26:15
In reply to Re: SWITCHING TO WB XL...ANY ADVICE?, posted by nemo kitty on October 28, 2003, at 20:57:16
I. on the other hand, think that having all that stress is the WORST possible time to go off your antidepressant! I too have suffered a terrible loss this weekend and just had 3 final exam (in my PA Master's program). Was I stressed? Of course! Did I continue my meds? Absolutely! And I've been able to handle (to the best of my ability) taking these exams and bouncing around in the stages of grief... and, probably due to the meds, I've talked to the appropriate people about what I was going through and used a lot of coping skills.
Okay, enough of my tangent... my point was that you might want to reanalyze that day and a few days before that to see if there might be any events that would trigger that kind of emotional response. What kind of stress were/are you feeling? I can tell you that, from my current status, I am so mentally, emotionally and spiritually drained that I've had physical manifestations. My legs feel so heavy, my entire body feels weak and I too have dropped so many things in the last couple days that I can't even count them... luckily I haven't broken a toe!! (Sorry... heal quickly!!)
So, what's my point? I apologize for the rambling but my mind still isn't quite right. I've been taking WB XL for about a month now and, as I've said before, I feel that it's a blessing and a miracle. I wouldn't be so quick to associate the events that occurred with the change in med (although it is very possible). I would suggest trying it out a few more days and see if you feel the same. Keep in mind, however, that if you are stressed out about something (uhhh, like maybe some huge fires right outside your door?!), that you might be experiencing the depression/anxiety symptoms from that. Hang in there... things can only get better. My mantra through this whole grieving experience is "Everything happens for a reason." So I have to believe that God took him out of my life for a reason and there are still bigger and better plans for my life. That keeps me going (although suddenly I feel like I'm going to break down in tears). *sigh* Bottom line, don't just stop your meds. See how things go for a few more days and then decide if you were better off with the WB SR. Only you can decide that because only you know what's going on in your life and how you feel. Good luck... wishing you the best!!
Posted by nemo kitty on October 29, 2003, at 17:29:02
In reply to Re: SWITCHING TO WB XL...ANY ADVICE? » nemo kitty, posted by chicago77 on October 29, 2003, at 14:26:15
> I. on the other hand, think that having all that stress is the WORST possible time to go off your antidepressant! I too have suffered a terrible loss this weekend and just had 3 final exam (in my PA Master's program). Was I stressed? Of course! Did I continue my meds? Absolutely! And I've been able to handle (to the best of my ability) taking these exams and bouncing around in the stages of grief... and, probably due to the meds, I've talked to the appropriate people about what I was going through and used a lot of coping skills.
> Okay, enough of my tangent... my point was that you might want to reanalyze that day and a few days before that to see if there might be any events that would trigger that kind of emotional response. What kind of stress were/are you feeling? I can tell you that, from my current status, I am so mentally, emotionally and spiritually drained that I've had physical manifestations. My legs feel so heavy, my entire body feels weak and I too have dropped so many things in the last couple days that I can't even count them... luckily I haven't broken a toe!! (Sorry... heal quickly!!)
> So, what's my point? I apologize for the rambling but my mind still isn't quite right. I've been taking WB XL for about a month now and, as I've said before, I feel that it's a blessing and a miracle. I wouldn't be so quick to associate the events that occurred with the change in med (although it is very possible). I would suggest trying it out a few more days and see if you feel the same. Keep in mind, however, that if you are stressed out about something (uhhh, like maybe some huge fires right outside your door?!), that you might be experiencing the depression/anxiety symptoms from that. Hang in there... things can only get better. My mantra through this whole grieving experience is "Everything happens for a reason." So I have to believe that God took him out of my life for a reason and there are still bigger and better plans for my life. That keeps me going (although suddenly I feel like I'm going to break down in tears). *sigh* Bottom line, don't just stop your meds. See how things go for a few more days and then decide if you were better off with the WB SR. Only you can decide that because only you know what's going on in your life and how you feel. Good luck... wishing you the best!!Good luck to you! Sounds like we both have been under stress. Life is so hard sometimes, too hard. Another question?? YOU SAY YOU HAVE BEEN ON IT FOR A MONTH.....do you think it has made you angry at all?? I feel kind of short tempered or easily agitated (sp?)
What do you think?
Posted by nemo kitty on October 29, 2003, at 17:29:51
In reply to Re: SWITCHING TO WB XL...ANY ADVICE? » nemo kitty, posted by chicago77 on October 29, 2003, at 14:26:15
Also, did you have anxiety or just depression?
Posted by chicago77 on October 30, 2003, at 19:39:51
In reply to Re: SWITCHING TO WB XL...ANY ADVICE?, posted by nemo kitty on October 29, 2003, at 17:29:51
I haven't noticed any fits of anger, although I'm a quite even-tempered person and usually don't let things send me off into a rage. Sure, a few days ago while coping with my loss I felt like punching something or yelling and screaming. However, I maintained myself. Mostly I've felt sad about the events. However, in the month I've been on WB XL, I haven't seen any change in my temprement as far as anger is concerned. I am taking the WB for depression. I have not been diagnosed with anxiety nor do I feel that I have any symptoms of anxiety disorder. Let me know how things go with you on the XL (if you decide to stick with it). And I really hope that the anger and anxiety subside for you soon. Try to take some time for yourself to relax. Take care!
Posted by Dog on December 3, 2003, at 12:57:45
In reply to Re: SWITCHING TO WB XL...ANY ADVICE? » nemo kitty, posted by chicago77 on October 30, 2003, at 19:39:51
Posted by NG on February 20, 2004, at 5:58:21
In reply to Re: WELLBUTRIN;...Breaking SR pills, Watch out... » femlite, posted by Viridis on September 16, 2003, at 3:12:53
Viridis mentioned that the developer of Wellbutrin SR said that cutting the pills did not really affect the absorbtion rate. Based on this information, I started cutting some Wellbutrin XL pills in half--I wasn't paying attention to the difference between XL and SR. I'm backing off of that strategy for now, but I have a bunch of halved pills and halving the dosage would be useful.
So... I guess I'm wondering how you managed to get ahold of one of the actual developers to ask about this, so I could ask about XL.
The prescibing packet for both XL and SR say don't cut / divide pills.
> I've mentioned this here before, but the coating on WB SR pills has nothing whatsoever to do with the sustained-release effect.
>
> When I was on 150 mg SR and couldn't tolerate it, I called the company and spoke to one of the people who actually developed the SR version. He explained that the drug is imbedded in a slowly-dissolving wax, and the coating disappears almost immediately in your stomach. I was told that there was no danger in cutting the pills (they researched this), but they discourage this because:
>
> 1) It's hard to get exact dosing.
>
> 2) Once cut, the med can absorb moisture from the atmosphere and lose potency.
>
> His advice was to go ahead and cut the pills, just do only a few at a time to avoid water-absorption problems. He then faxed me graphs of uptake rates of cut vs. uncut pills, which showed a very slight increase in absorption rate in the first 15 minutes, then almost identical rates. My pdoc said this all made sense, and to try the lower dose with divided pills. It had about half the side effects, still intolerable for me.
>
> I have no idea whether this applies to other slow-release meds, but these are the facts (from the manufacturer/developer) for Wellbutrin SR.
Posted by mrporter1 on February 22, 2004, at 14:45:32
In reply to Re: WELLBUTRIN;...Cutting XL pills? » Viridis, posted by NG on February 20, 2004, at 5:58:21
It won't hurt you to divide XL tablets. But (big but) you'll lose the "XL-ness" - the drug will be released all at once instead of over the day. The tablet shell is the key.
> Viridis mentioned that the developer of Wellbutrin SR said that cutting the pills did not really affect the absorbtion rate. Based on this information, I started cutting some Wellbutrin XL pills in half--I wasn't paying attention to the difference between XL and SR. I'm backing off of that strategy for now, but I have a bunch of halved pills and halving the dosage would be useful.
>
> So... I guess I'm wondering how you managed to get ahold of one of the actual developers to ask about this, so I could ask about XL.
>
> The prescibing packet for both XL and SR say don't cut / divide pills.
>
> > I've mentioned this here before, but the coating on WB SR pills has nothing whatsoever to do with the sustained-release effect.
> >
> > When I was on 150 mg SR and couldn't tolerate it, I called the company and spoke to one of the people who actually developed the SR version. He explained that the drug is imbedded in a slowly-dissolving wax, and the coating disappears almost immediately in your stomach. I was told that there was no danger in cutting the pills (they researched this), but they discourage this because:
> >
> > 1) It's hard to get exact dosing.
> >
> > 2) Once cut, the med can absorb moisture from the atmosphere and lose potency.
> >
> > His advice was to go ahead and cut the pills, just do only a few at a time to avoid water-absorption problems. He then faxed me graphs of uptake rates of cut vs. uncut pills, which showed a very slight increase in absorption rate in the first 15 minutes, then almost identical rates. My pdoc said this all made sense, and to try the lower dose with divided pills. It had about half the side effects, still intolerable for me.
> >
> > I have no idea whether this applies to other slow-release meds, but these are the facts (from the manufacturer/developer) for Wellbutrin SR.
>
>
Posted by Cybele on February 22, 2004, at 16:39:03
In reply to Re: WELLBUTRIN;...Cutting XL pills?, posted by mrporter1 on February 22, 2004, at 14:45:32
> It won't hurt you to divide XL tablets. But (big but) you'll lose the "XL-ness" - the drug will be released all at once instead of over the day. The tablet shell is the key.
>Are you positive about that? Someone on here had contacted the mfg, and found out that SRs are splittable and still retained their time-releaseness because the grains were encapsulated in a slow-dissolve coating, IIRC.
I wonder if the generic SRs are the same way?
Anyway, I finally have my PDOC appt tomorrow, for which I had to wait 3 months. I'll ask him about it.
Posted by NG on February 23, 2004, at 17:39:09
In reply to Re: WELLBUTRIN;...Cutting XL pills?, posted by mrporter1 on February 22, 2004, at 14:45:32
Well, I also must also politely ask if you have a source of information which contradicts or amends the information given by Viridis, who spoke to one of Wellbutrin SR's developers.
Thanks for your response!
mrporter1:
> It won't hurt you to divide XL tablets. But
>(big but) you'll lose the "XL-ness".Me:
>> Viridis mentioned that the developer of Wellbutrin SR said that cutting the pills did
>>not really affect the absorbtion rate.Vidridis' Original Post:
(at http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030912/msgs/260546.html)EXERPTS:
>>> I called the company and spoke to one of the people who actually developed the SR
>>> version...>>> He then faxed me graphs of uptake rates of cut vs. uncut pills, which showed a very
>>> slight increase in absorption rate in the first 15 minutes, then almost identical
>>> rates.
Posted by mrporter1 on February 25, 2004, at 11:36:54
In reply to Re: WELLBUTRIN;...Cutting XL pills? » mrporter1, posted by NG on February 23, 2004, at 17:39:09
Not sure about SR - speaking of XL.
> Well, I also must also politely ask if you have a source of information which contradicts or amends the information given by Viridis, who spoke to one of Wellbutrin SR's developers.
>
> Thanks for your response!
>
> mrporter1:
> > It won't hurt you to divide XL tablets. But
> >(big but) you'll lose the "XL-ness".
>
> Me:
> >> Viridis mentioned that the developer of Wellbutrin SR said that cutting the pills did
> >>not really affect the absorbtion rate.
>
> Vidridis' Original Post:
> (at http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030912/msgs/260546.html)
>
> EXERPTS:
>
> >>> I called the company and spoke to one of the people who actually developed the SR
> >>> version...
>
> >>> He then faxed me graphs of uptake rates of cut vs. uncut pills, which showed a very
> >>> slight increase in absorption rate in the first 15 minutes, then almost identical
> >>> rates.
Posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 2:10:56
In reply to Re: WELLBUTRIN;...Cutting XL pills? » NG, posted by mrporter1 on February 25, 2004, at 11:36:54
Hi-
Any bipolar people out there on a MS in conjunction with Wellbutrin? Is this too much of an activating med for BP folks?Katia
Posted by platinumbride on February 26, 2004, at 12:03:24
In reply to Bipolars on Wellbutrin? » mrporter1, posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 2:10:56
I am BP II and I cycle very rapidly...always have...
I am on Wellbutrin SR and it doesn't seem to make me cycle anymore than not being on it. I wondered if it would be too much for me, but it doesn't stimulate me at all. I am as nutty as I was before it!
Of course, the eternal caveat reamins: everyone is different.
Good luck, Katia
Diane
Posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 12:17:54
In reply to Re: Bipolars on Wellbutrin? » katia, posted by platinumbride on February 26, 2004, at 12:03:24
> I am BP II and I cycle very rapidly...always have...
>
> I am on Wellbutrin SR and it doesn't seem to make me cycle anymore than not being on it. I wondered if it would be too much for me, but it doesn't stimulate me at all. I am as nutty as I was before it!
>
> Of course, the eternal caveat reamins: everyone is different.
>
> Good luck, Katia
>
> Diane
>
Hi Diane,
But does it do anything good for you?
Katia
Posted by platinumbride on February 26, 2004, at 12:22:56
In reply to Re: Bipolars on Wellbutrin? » platinumbride, posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 12:17:54
Katia,
To be honest I don't think anything really does me any good...I stay on it because it helps my ravenous appetite, and I have a notion that it will improve my sex drive....The appetite supressing qualities are enough for me to stay on it for now.....
I think my sex drive is low because I am depressed, which means that as an AD it isnt;' doing @^&*^...or at least not much!
D
Posted by platinumbride on February 26, 2004, at 12:28:49
In reply to Re: Bipolars on Wellbutrin? » platinumbride, posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 12:17:54
Katia,
off the subject, what are you using as a mood stablizer?Cause I am wondering why I try so many different ones, and have eveb dabbled in seroquel, but still have major mood swings......
Sometiems i think i just need a hysterectomy or something lol
Posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 12:29:46
In reply to Re: Bipolars on Wellbutrin? » katia, posted by platinumbride on February 26, 2004, at 12:22:56
What else have you tried? Are you on a mood stabilizer too? if so, which one?
Maybe you're more serotonin/noreph. deficient rather than dopamine = Wellbutrin.
How long have you been on it?
Have you tried Paxil?
Katia
Posted by platinumbride on February 26, 2004, at 12:34:01
In reply to Re: Bipolars on Wellbutrin? » platinumbride, posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 12:29:46
I haven't been on paxil in years. I have been on them all...remeron and effexor included. For a time celexa and lamictal seemed to work, but not forever.....:-(
The mood stablizer du jour (which isn't stablizing at all ) is keppra.Thanks for your brain power in this :-)
Diane
What else have you tried? Are you on a mood stabilizer too? if so, which one?
>
> Maybe you're more serotonin/noreph. deficient rather than dopamine = Wellbutrin.
>
> How long have you been on it?
> Have you tried Paxil?
> Katia
Posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 12:43:00
In reply to Re: Bipolars on Wellbutrin? » katia, posted by platinumbride on February 26, 2004, at 12:34:01
What is keppra?
I just started Trileptal at 150mg for four days now.
I was off of meds for 5 weeks, except for Seroquel for sleep and 12g of fishoil. It was great, but now i'm feeling unstable again.It would be one thing to choose to go on meds and have them WORK. But same goes for me I've yet to find something that does.
I was on: Celexa, Effexor, zoloft, Serzone before I found out I was BPII. Then Depakote, Dep/Lamictal, Lamictal, Lam/Lithium, Lithium, then nothing. Now Triletpal.
I want now to try a MS with an AD as I've never done that before. I'm trynig to figure out which is the best one for me. I don't want to gain anymore weight, don't want to be agitated, want to be focused, and less anxious.
Did you gain weight on Paxil?
katia
Posted by sarahsundae on February 26, 2004, at 12:48:41
In reply to Re: Bipolars on Wellbutrin? » katia, posted by platinumbride on February 26, 2004, at 12:03:24
I am recently (finally) diagnosised as BPII and I am on Wellbutrin (I have a fear of gaining weight) and Topamax. Works for me.
Posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 12:55:30
In reply to Re: Bipolars on Wellbutrin?, posted by sarahsundae on February 26, 2004, at 12:48:41
Do you have anxiety? Is it better w/ WB? You don't become too agitated?
Posted by platinumbride on February 26, 2004, at 13:18:28
In reply to Re: Bipolars on Wellbutrin? » platinumbride, posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 12:43:00
What is keppra? It is a MS, so they say....really an anticonvulsant. Shrink also says it is a cognitive enhancer. I'll give it a shot for that purpose. I haven't seen much on this board about it. I think he just likes the idea that it is a cognitive enhancer.
I haven't done the heavy duty ones like lithium or depakote for reasons of weight...
I did topamax...gave me nothing but headaches.
Sigh......D
I did gain weight on paxil even though i was a gym rat at the time. I have gained weight and appetite with so many things...and I am now 5'1 at a glowing "venus of Willendorf" 240 lbs.
Posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 13:19:52
In reply to Re: Bipolars on Wellbutrin? » katia, posted by platinumbride on February 26, 2004, at 13:18:28
Does Keppra go by any other name? I'm in the US.
Katia
Posted by platinumbride on February 26, 2004, at 13:22:06
In reply to Re: Bipolars on Wellbutrin? » platinumbride, posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 13:19:52
Keppra.....look it up on www.drugstore.com
I'm in the US too
Posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 13:32:12
In reply to Re: Bipolars on Wellbutrin? » katia, posted by platinumbride on February 26, 2004, at 13:22:06
Interesting....I've never ever heard of that one before. Is it older? How does it work for you?
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