![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Monte on July 1, 1999, at 1:40:24
I'm a sedentary executive male, 43, 5-11, 300 lbs., in good health but,
too, a compulsive smoker. While my career is successful, my long-suffering
significant other is asthmatic and our relationship is severely
strained chiefly over my smoking addiction. (We spend more time apart than
together but, thank goodness, we share custody of the dog!) Initially,
I chose WellbutrinSR150 (instead of Zyban alone) for the theraputic
benefits of both (thinking there would be better results for both my
smoking and minor depression). I was frightened by the seizure
aspect, but, in time (starting with two daily and later raising to three)
discovered that after nine weeks of faithful use, the urge to smoke
was entirely gone (and, if a cigarette was just too tempting in social
situations, lighting-up had no pleasure in that the rush of niccotine
was absent). Unfortunately, after not smoking for a few weeks, I, like
a fool, quit taking the product and, inevitably, would shortly
thereafter resume smoking. Then, after going back to square one,
the regimen was resumed. I am now in my third attempt to quit
forever, but am hopeful that taking another medication along with
the Wellbutrin would allow me to more effectively deal with my
depression. While my family physician has not been forthcoming with
a recommendation, he is supportive of me in this quest and has said
that he would be interested in what data I might glean from my
numerous internet contacts. So, fellow lurkers, will someone please
comment specifically as regards taking Wellbutrin along with another
anti-anxiety drug? Many thanks for your good counsel.
Faithfully, /Monte
Posted by Jane on July 7, 1999, at 7:37:38
In reply to WellbutrinSR TOGETHER w/ other ANTI-ANXIETY DRUGS?, posted by Monte on July 1, 1999, at 1:40:24
> I'm a sedentary executive male, 43, 5-11, 300 lbs., in good health but,
> too, a compulsive smoker. While my career is successful, my long-suffering
> significant other is asthmatic and our relationship is severely
> strained chiefly over my smoking addiction. (We spend more time apart than
> together but, thank goodness, we share custody of the dog!) Initially,
> I chose WellbutrinSR150 (instead of Zyban alone) for the theraputic
> benefits of both (thinking there would be better results for both my
> smoking and minor depression). I was frightened by the seizure
> aspect, but, in time (starting with two daily and later raising to three)
> discovered that after nine weeks of faithful use, the urge to smoke
> was entirely gone (and, if a cigarette was just too tempting in social
> situations, lighting-up had no pleasure in that the rush of niccotine
> was absent). Unfortunately, after not smoking for a few weeks, I, like
> a fool, quit taking the product and, inevitably, would shortly
> thereafter resume smoking. Then, after going back to square one,
> the regimen was resumed. I am now in my third attempt to quit
> forever, but am hopeful that taking another medication along with
> the Wellbutrin would allow me to more effectively deal with my
> depression. While my family physician has not been forthcoming with
> a recommendation, he is supportive of me in this quest and has said
> that he would be interested in what data I might glean from my
> numerous internet contacts. So, fellow lurkers, will someone please
> comment specifically as regards taking Wellbutrin along with another
> anti-anxiety drug? Many thanks for your good counsel.
> Faithfully, /MonteMonte, I am a healthy 40 year old non-smoker who started taking wellbutrin sr 300mg/day for depressions. This was after a long and unsuccessful use of other anti-depressants. Wellbutrin has pulled me out of depression but has added some side effects that I'm not sure I can live with. I have insomnia, jitters and "busy head." My doctor gave me ativan (anti-anxiety) 1 mg at night which usually helps me sleep. However, it is not recommended for long term use. Ativan also has a side effect for me, i. e., lack of sexual response, non orgasmic many times. My libido has returned but my response is hindered by ativan. This, of course, causes problems in a marriage and is also a source of add'l anxiety for me. I'll be going back to my doctor soon and see what other options there are. thanks
Posted by anna on July 10, 1999, at 12:13:05
In reply to WellbutrinSR TOGETHER w/ other ANTI-ANXIETY DRUGS?, posted by Monte on July 1, 1999, at 1:40:24
> I'm a sedentary executive male, 43, 5-11, 300 lbs., in good health but,
> too, a compulsive smoker. While my career is successful, my long-suffering
> significant other is asthmatic and our relationship is severely
> strained chiefly over my smoking addiction. (We spend more time apart than
> together but, thank goodness, we share custody of the dog!) Initially,
> I chose WellbutrinSR150 (instead of Zyban alone) for the theraputic
> benefits of both (thinking there would be better results for both my
> smoking and minor depression). I was frightened by the seizure
> aspect, but, in time (starting with two daily and later raising to three)
> discovered that after nine weeks of faithful use, the urge to smoke
> was entirely gone (and, if a cigarette was just too tempting in social
> situations, lighting-up had no pleasure in that the rush of niccotine
> was absent). Unfortunately, after not smoking for a few weeks, I, like
> a fool, quit taking the product and, inevitably, would shortly
> thereafter resume smoking. Then, after going back to square one,
> the regimen was resumed. I am now in my third attempt to quit
> forever, but am hopeful that taking another medication along with
> the Wellbutrin would allow me to more effectively deal with my
> depression. While my family physician has not been forthcoming with
> a recommendation, he is supportive of me in this quest and has said
> that he would be interested in what data I might glean from my
> numerous internet contacts. So, fellow lurkers, will someone please
> comment specifically as regards taking Wellbutrin along with another
> anti-anxiety drug? Many thanks for your good counsel.
> Faithfully, /MonteHi Monte, i'm trying to give up smoking at the moment too. I dont have much trouble with cravings, just with sticking to it- it helps clear my brain fog. Anyway, Nicotine patches are really helpful and Xanax or valium in the short term may help with anxiety, but check with your doc that they are safe with wellbutrin.Good Luck, I hope next week we can post that we are now non smokers. My husband has never smoked so its a bit of an issue with us too especially when i must give up for medical reasons. keep in touch. Anna
Posted by JohnL on July 10, 1999, at 18:00:48
In reply to Re: WellbutrinSR TOGETHER w/ other ANTI-ANXIETY DRUGS?, posted by anna on July 10, 1999, at 12:13:05
Hi Monte, I was browsing through pharmacology tips and noticed some doctors are having success with Buspirone for stopping smoking. It also happens to be an anti-anxiety drug and is also used for depression. Wellbutrin+Buspar I would think to be a great combination for a variety of reasons. Personally, I tried Buspar with several antindepressants, and alone, but could not tolerate it for long because it is one of the drugs that really worsens my tinnitus. It is overall though rather easy on side effects, if any. I too smoke, and noticed when I was on Buspar my cigs tasted terrible and didn't give me the satisfaction I was accustomed to. So I wasn't surprised when I read that doctors are having success with it in smoking cessation. I've tried Wellbutrin too (also bad tinnitus), and it made cigs unenjoyable, but Buspar even more so than Wellbutrin. If it weren't for my tinnitus, Wellbutrin+Buspar is very likely what I would be doing. Hope this helps. JohnL.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.