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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by flipsactown on April 3, 2005, at 23:19:33
I have been taking Lexapro now for over 9 months, currently at 30mg. I had asked my pdoc for an increase in dosage, as I feel negatives thoughts and sadness returning. The sadness returned probably over 2 months now, but is steadily increasing. My pdoc instead added 150mg of Wellbutrin SR daily for 1 week and 150mg twice daily thereafter. I have taken Wellbutrin before with Prozac or Zoloft with not much difference in enhancing the A/D meds. I am also taking 100mg Trazodone nightly for sleep. Anyone have any success with Wellbutrin taken with Lexapro? Thanks.
FST
Posted by Chris O on April 3, 2005, at 23:34:49
In reply to Lexapro poop-out?, posted by flipsactown on April 3, 2005, at 23:19:33
Like you, I took Lexapro at 30-40mg/day for 8 or so months. I also felt its efficacy was lacking in many ways, though the side effects, beyond fatigue, were minimal. I did not try Wellbutrin with the Lex, but took a Celexa (20mg)/Wellbutrin (150mg) combo five years ago, which I now believe was more effective than the higher dose Lexapro alone. It's all so annoying though. Everyone is different and...it's just stupid trial and error until you get something that works.
Good luck,
Chris
Posted by flipsactown on April 4, 2005, at 7:39:04
In reply to I think Lexapro is a weak SSRI » flipsactown, posted by Chris O on April 3, 2005, at 23:34:49
Thanks for the response! I totally agree with you on the trial and error thing. It can be very frustrating, but alas, there is no other way, but with trial and error.
Out of curiosity, what A/D and/or meds are you on, currently, and are they effective? I have unipolar depression from chronic back pain, over 12 years now and have tried Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Desipramine, Elavil, Lithium, Lamictal, Nardil, and the current meds, Lexapro, Trazodone and Wellbutrin. The best combo was Prozac or Zoloft with Desipramine which worked well for me over 7 years until they all pooped out. Thanks again.
FST
> Like you, I took Lexapro at 30-40mg/day for 8 or so months. I also felt its efficacy was lacking in many ways, though the side effects, beyond fatigue, were minimal. I did not try Wellbutrin with the Lex, but took a Celexa (20mg)/Wellbutrin (150mg) combo five years ago, which I now believe was more effective than the higher dose Lexapro alone. It's all so annoying though. Everyone is different and...it's just stupid trial and error until you get something that works.
>
> Good luck,
> Chris
Posted by Bill LL on April 4, 2005, at 8:21:00
In reply to Re: I think Lexapro is a weak SSRI » Chris O, posted by flipsactown on April 4, 2005, at 7:39:04
I have never tried neurontin, but I thought that I read that it was good for mood problems associated with chronic pain.
When I took Lexapro, I did very well on 40 mg. It's possible that the addition of Wellbutrin will not be sufficient and that you will need a Lexapro dose increase.
Posted by flipsactown on April 4, 2005, at 11:26:18
In reply to Re: I think Lexapro is a weak SSRI, posted by Bill LL on April 4, 2005, at 8:21:00
Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into Neurontin. My pdoc insisted that I was at the maximum recommended dosage, but my research online indicated that 40 to 60mg is max. I am with Kaiser Health Plan. They tend to be on the conservative side. It is no use printing and showing him my research online because he will state he is following Kaiser's maximum recommended dose. I did it before on another A/D and he got all pushed out of shape for even trying to suggest otherwise.
FST
FST
> I have never tried neurontin, but I thought that I read that it was good for mood problems associated with chronic pain.
>
> When I took Lexapro, I did very well on 40 mg. It's possible that the addition of Wellbutrin will not be sufficient and that you will need a Lexapro dose increase.
Posted by Chris O on April 4, 2005, at 13:13:49
In reply to Re: I think Lexapro is a weak SSRI » Chris O, posted by flipsactown on April 4, 2005, at 7:39:04
Flip:
Oh, you're on Kaiser. How wonderful. I have heard a million horror stories from people using Kaiser. That's gotta suck big time.
Anyway, I just went off Lexapro in Janauary because I thought it wasn't working for me. I have been doing a kind of "natural supplement" trial and error since then, with not much luck. I'm taking 10-12 grams of inositol right now for my GAD, panic, and obsessive worrying. It seems to be having a mild to moderate effect at quelling some of my anxiety and panic. Before that, I tried fish oil and 5-HTP. Both worked okay for me as well.
The only other long-term AD I was on were a combo of Celexa 20mg and Wellbutrin 150mg for about a year. That combo seemed to work okay for me, but it was five years ago. It took was not strong enough at knocking out my anxiety, but...it seemed stronger than the Lexapro alone, if my memory serves correctly. But then again, my anxiety could have gotten worse since then, as everything seems to be going downhill for me as I get older (and I'm only 38, for gosh sakes!) Hey, I don't know the cause of your back pain, but have ever read John Sarno's The Mind Body Prescription? His whole speciality is trying to cure back pain without the use of meds. He's big on the whole "back pain is hugely mental" philosophy. It's an interesting read, good for me with my anxiety disorder too, and available at most libraries in the US. Anyway, just a thought. Sorry if you already know about it.
Keep trying. Maybe go for a higher dose of Lexapro, as it probably can't hurt. I wish you luck with the joyful Kaiser.
Good luck,
Chris
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2005, at 17:35:18
In reply to Re: I think Lexapro is a weak SSRI » flipsactown, posted by Chris O on April 4, 2005, at 13:13:49
What! An insurance company is now the prescriber? I thought doctors were the ones to Rx medications. It would be worth your while to pay the money and go outside the system to get what you need. That's outrageous! Fondly, Phillipa
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