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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Indigoblu on June 9, 2005, at 20:12:46
Hello there:
For over 4 years I have taken Effexor XR with dosage going between 300mg and 250mg depending on need. Lately more than ever I find I am a lot more lethargic and unmotivated. Someone mentioned that Wellbutrin taken in conjuction with the Effexor lifted them up a notch or so. Has anyone had any experience with this? I am going to ask my dr. tomorrow. Any other suggestions? It is so hard to explain to people who don't suffer how devastating the continual dullness in life is. Where can i find that little lift up to feel something inside again?Any suggestions about how to start off and any side effects that you noticed would be really very helpful.
I am very tired of being tired and unmotivated with my body and mind not connecting.
Looking forward to your suggestons.
Indigoblu
Posted by linkadge on June 9, 2005, at 20:28:49
In reply to Effexor XR and Wellbutrin, posted by Indigoblu on June 9, 2005, at 20:12:46
Yes, wellbutrin certainly is an option. Wellbutrin + SSRI or wellbutrin + effexor have been used fairly extensively.
If you find that your depression is less about anxiety and more about anhedonia, then wellbutrin may be particularly effective.
It may not be as effective if you are the anxious neurotic type, but still may be worth a try.
Good Luck
Linkadge
Posted by Indigoblu on June 9, 2005, at 20:33:31
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin, posted by linkadge on June 9, 2005, at 20:28:49
Thank you for your reply. Do you know of research which I can look up to learn more about the use of the two together and proper ways to start useage. Should it be simply added to my current 300 mg of Effexor SR or do I decrease my effexor and add wellbutrin. Here in my area a lot of patients were referred back to our GPs and they are not specialists when it comes to meds. It is a hit or miss situation at times and I am not wishing to put my health in jeopardy. The anehedia is a horrible place to live. Not really anxious only now and then, mostly just a blaahhh life it feels like and I know most people have more feelings about life than I have been having. I mean I used to have them. Where has it all gone to?
Indigoblu
Posted by linkadge on June 9, 2005, at 21:08:43
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin, posted by Indigoblu on June 9, 2005, at 20:33:31
Personally, I would cut the effexor back to say 225, and add wellbutrin very slowly. Some people find it overly energising, others fall asleep on it.
A doctor might have a different plan though.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on June 9, 2005, at 21:37:35
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin, posted by linkadge on June 9, 2005, at 21:08:43
Wellbutrin made me hypomanic. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Indigoblu on June 10, 2005, at 9:16:46
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin, posted by Phillipa on June 9, 2005, at 21:37:35
> Wellbutrin made me hypomanic. Fondly, Phillipa
Thanks Phillipa.
If I understand hypomanic correctly, you meant that you had lots of energy...is that correct? If that is the case, I could do with more as I feel like I am ALWAYS at a complete stop. In other words, if I was a car, left in neutral, it takes someone on the outside pushing the car down the road to get it started (ME).
Sometimes I think anything is better than the way I am feeling now and dealing with life. Perhaps after all this time, the effexor is no longer working for me.......at least that is what I am beginning to think as I see myself slowly slipping downwards (what a scarey feeling!).
Indigoblu
Posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2005, at 17:52:30
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin, posted by Indigoblu on June 10, 2005, at 9:16:46
Actually when I saw the pdoc I was talking really fast and he put me in the hospital. Not before prescribing seroquel which I couldn't take. Knocked me out. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on June 10, 2005, at 19:10:28
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin » Indigoblu, posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2005, at 17:52:30
Yeah, you've got to be carefull when you start to exhibit hypomanic signs.
I was always able to curb any drug induced hympomania infront of the doctors because I knew that a bipolar diagnosis for me is like a death sentence.
I had been on mood stabalizers, and really didn't want to go back down that road unless I was really dancing on the caffeteria tables or something.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on June 10, 2005, at 19:27:47
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin, posted by linkadge on June 10, 2005, at 19:10:28
>I had been on mood stabalizers, and really didn't want to go back down that road unless I was really dancing on the caffeteria tables or something.
Ahhh Link, I like your sense of humour!
~Ed
Posted by linkadge on June 12, 2005, at 16:29:03
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin » linkadge, posted by ed_uk on June 10, 2005, at 19:27:47
Its strange though. I may have some bipoliarity in me, but I take so much fish oil, I think it has an effect.
Before I took fish oil, I was kind of unable to weigh the pros and cons of things too much.
It seems that I am better now at saying, "hey this mood is going to land me on more zyprexa, and I don't want that, so lets just cut this out"
Linkadge
Posted by Jen2 on June 13, 2005, at 10:08:12
In reply to Effexor XR and Wellbutrin, posted by Indigoblu on June 9, 2005, at 20:12:46
Hi,
I was also experiencing terrific apathy on only Effexor (not good for a grad student who has a thesis to write this summer). That, plus the sexual side effects led me to ask my pdoc for Wellbutrin. So far so good. It has perked me up quite a bit (without increasing anxiety) and lessened the side effects somewhat. It's been a good combination for me (although I'm now having some other weird side effects, but there you go - these ones are not preventing me from living life, so I'm just going to ride them out).
Hope it works for you.
Jen
Posted by Indigoblu on June 13, 2005, at 11:09:23
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin, posted by Jen2 on June 13, 2005, at 10:08:12
Hi Jen:
Thanks for your message. How long have you been on wellbutrin? What are the wierd side effects? How has it impacted on your sleeping?My doc suggested I take in morning. Does anyone have any other different ideas on this?
Did I understand correctly that it can also help with weight loss and sexual interest? If so, does anyone have anything they can share?
What type of doseage are you taking with your effexor?
Thanx.
Indigoblu
Posted by jen2 on June 15, 2005, at 14:02:17
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin, posted by Indigoblu on June 13, 2005, at 11:09:23
Hi Indigoblu,
> Hi Jen:
> Thanks for your message.You're welcome.
> How long have you been on wellbutrin? What are the wierd side effects? How has it impacted on your sleeping?
The weird effects are menstrual issues (although that's most likely the effexor) and sporadic lactation (which I think others have commented on re: wellbutrin use). Plus gassiness and bloatedness. I haven't noticed any impact on sleeping.
> My doc suggested I take in morning. Does anyone have any other different ideas on this?
My doc suggested this too, but since I take my effexor at night I've just decided to do both at the same time. I haven't noticed any adverse effects.
> Did I understand correctly that it can also help with weight loss and sexual interest? If so, does anyone have anything they can share?
The sexual effect I got from effexor was not a loss of libido but rather an inability to achieve orgasm. I have noticed that the wellbutrin helps with that. In fact, that's why I asked my pdoc for it in the first place.
I don't think I've had any weight effects, whether positive or negative, from either med.
> What type of doseage are you taking with your effexor?
I'm only doing 75mg effexor at the moment (which seems to be working OK - it's hard enough to get off it at this dosage, let alone a higher one) and 150mg wellbutrin.
> Thanx.
> IndigobluCheers,
Jen
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