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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christ_empowered on February 3, 2015, at 18:42:46
I take: 30 Abilify, 1200 Trileptal, 100 Lamictal, and now 200 Wellbturin SR, in 2 equal doses of 100mgs each.
Wellbutrin=awesome, at least for right now. I feel a little bit stimulated, but nothing too crazy, and I can concentrate a better. I'm smoking a little bit less already :-) .
The only downside is that, with this little bit of (much needed) "oomph" in terms of mood and energy levels, comes the startling realization: I've been depressed for a nice, long while.
So...I'm thinking I'll order some time release 5htp. Anybody know about dosing with that? I can order 100mgs or 200mgs tabs. I was thinking 200mgs tablet, 1 AM+1 PM, so 400mgs/day total intake.
What do y'all think? I'm hesitant to add anything, because SSRIs will throw the metabolism of all the other meds off, and I'm already on 4 daily meds, plus I have PRN neurontin and low-dose risperidone samples.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on February 3, 2015, at 18:50:04
In reply to wellbutrin sr: my new best friend, posted by Christ_empowered on February 3, 2015, at 18:42:46
>I'm hesitant to add anything
Do you think you'll actually need to add anything else? I'm wondering.... the peak effects of Wellbutrin don't normally occur immediately. In a few weeks time, you could be feeling better than you are now without any med changes.
Posted by Christ_empowered on February 3, 2015, at 18:56:18
In reply to Re: wellbutrin sr: my new best friend, posted by ed_uk2010 on February 3, 2015, at 18:50:04
Wise words, as always. I think right now I'm just noticing a mix of placebo (I'm actually DOING something about the low moods) and a mild stimulant effect. Give it time...
...easier said than done :-)
Posted by rjlockhart37 on February 3, 2015, at 19:01:00
In reply to Re: wellbutrin sr: my new best friend, posted by ed_uk2010 on February 3, 2015, at 18:50:04
CE there is the XL form of wellbutrin and im sure it's generic now, i took it when i was in high school 300mg once in the morning, it lasts all day, it releases 100mg 3 times a day serpeate......it's a great choice to bump up your dose with another release mechanism, wellubtrin SR have to redose
my best friend for 10 years has been Prozac but still my body adapts and it's frustrating to not get depressed
Posted by ed_uk2010 on February 3, 2015, at 19:12:21
In reply to Re: wellbutrin sr: my new best friend, posted by Christ_empowered on February 3, 2015, at 18:56:18
>I think right now I'm just noticing a mix of placebo (I'm actually DOING something about the low moods) and a mild stimulant effect. Give it time...
I think it's very encouraging that you're feeling somewhat better already. It's been quick and the dose it still low. If you aren't satisfied with the effects after 2-3 weeks you could increase to the (common/standard) dose of 150mg SR twice a day. RJ mentioned the 300mg XL once a day. I think that would be fine too, but does the XL have cost implications? I don't know, but so long as you can remember to take the dose it doesn't really matter.
I'm unsure whether or not adding 5-HTP would help. It might. I suppose there's a small risk that it might destabilise your mood due to your bipolar/schizoaffective-type diagnosis. I don't think it's that likely but it's probably wise to adjust one antidepressant at a time. What do you think?
Wellbutrin does seem like a good choice to help with your current symptoms eg. depressed mood and poor concentration. A serotonergic might be more suitable if depressed mood with anxiety was the problem.
I'm not particularly knowledgeable about 5-HTP but most people seem to take around 50-100mg two or three times a day.
Posted by Christ_empowered on February 3, 2015, at 20:51:13
In reply to Re: wellbutrin sr: my new best friend, posted by ed_uk2010 on February 3, 2015, at 19:12:21
do you believe there is a "shizoaffective disorder," distinct from bipolar I and schizophrenia? I've heard different opinions on that. Seems like pdcos say I'm schizophrenic OR bipolar, but nobody's said: schizoaffective. Maybe 1 shrink, back a few years ago, but he was old and old school, so...
...yeah.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on February 4, 2015, at 4:23:32
In reply to Re: wellbutrin sr: my new best friend, posted by Christ_empowered on February 3, 2015, at 20:51:13
>do you believe there is a "schizoaffective disorder," distinct from bipolar I and schizophrenia? I've heard different opinions on that.
Yeah... Some people's symptoms are clearly bipolar or clearly psychotic with no prominent mood symptoms, but many people are on the 'spectrum', if you like. Schizoaffective disorder covers this (large) group.
Posted by Phillipa on February 4, 2015, at 8:55:50
In reply to Re: wellbutrin sr: my new best friend, posted by ed_uk2010 on February 4, 2015, at 4:23:32
What is 5HP as seems a lot of people take this? Thanks PJ
Posted by ed_uk2010 on February 4, 2015, at 9:12:54
In reply to Re: wellbutrin sr: my new best friend » ed_uk2010, posted by Phillipa on February 4, 2015, at 8:55:50
> What is 5HP as seems a lot of people take this?
5-HTP is the substance which is converted to serotonin in the body. When taken by mouth, most of the 5-HTP is converted to serotonin in the blood stream. Unfortunately, this peripherally-produced serotonin cannot enter the brain. A smaller amount of the 5-HTP dose is able to enter the brain unmetabolised; this is thought to increase brain serotonin levels.
Posted by Phillipa on February 4, 2015, at 19:29:03
In reply to Re: wellbutrin sr: my new best friend » Phillipa, posted by ed_uk2010 on February 4, 2015, at 9:12:54
Thanks Ed sounds like nothing that great about it. PJ
Posted by Louisiana Sportsman on February 6, 2015, at 14:37:41
In reply to wellbutrin sr: my new best friend, posted by Christ_empowered on February 3, 2015, at 18:42:46
I think you're on an excellent regimen. No changes are needed IMO.
This is the end of the thread.
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