Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 15600

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Effexor XR and Wellbutrin..anyone on this combo?

Posted by Noa on November 21, 1999, at 11:31:21

I am not doing so well. John suggested maybe the serzone is not helping. I was once on wellbutrin with paxil for a few days, and had diarrhea, so the doc had me stop taking it but I am not convinced of the cause-effect. I wasn't keen on Wellbutrin at the time because at that time I was sticky picky about not wanting to dose 3x/day, which at this point is something I can't be picky about (I have various dosing times for all my meds now). So, before trying lithium, neurontin, or lamictal, I wonder if I should try the wellbutrin instead of the serzone. anyone combine effexor and wellbutrin? Also, if I go off the serzone, what will help with the sleep problems caused by the effexor? Does anyone think Effexor + Wellbutrin is a good combo? I am on as much effexor as I can tolerate, I think (375 mg), because I start to get extremely fidgety, twitchy, restless, from the serotonin. Also, this current bout of depression seems to have a hormonal component. I started feeling irritable, then depressed and overwhelmed the day before a whopper of a period started. Excuse the graphics, but I am bleeding what feels like gallons. It is not a pretty sight. Also, I havent wanted to eat anything. I don't know if it is just not wanting to go out to get something to eat (there is nothingin the apartment), cuz that usually doesn't stop me, I usuallly make one trip out for something. Also, I could have ordered in, which I do often, but havent wanted to. This is unusual for me, usually I eat a lot to numb myself.

 

Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin..anyone on this combo?

Posted by Dolly on November 21, 1999, at 18:27:17

In reply to Effexor XR and Wellbutrin..anyone on this combo?, posted by Noa on November 21, 1999, at 11:31:21

> I am not doing so well. John suggested maybe the serzone is not helping. I was once on wellbutrin with paxil for a few days, and had diarrhea, so the doc had me stop taking it but I am not convinced of the cause-effect. I wasn't keen on Wellbutrin at the time because at that time I was sticky picky about not wanting to dose 3x/day, which at this point is something I can't be picky about (I have various dosing times for all my meds now). So, before trying lithium, neurontin, or lamictal, I wonder if I should try the wellbutrin instead of the serzone. anyone combine effexor and wellbutrin? Also, if I go off the serzone, what will help with the sleep problems caused by the effexor? Does anyone think Effexor + Wellbutrin is a good combo? I am on as much effexor as I can tolerate, I think (375 mg), because I start to get extremely fidgety, twitchy, restless, from the serotonin. Also, this current bout of depression seems to have a hormonal component. I started feeling irritable, then depressed and overwhelmed the day before a whopper of a period started. Excuse the graphics, but I am bleeding what feels like gallons. It is not a pretty sight. Also, I havent wanted to eat anything. I don't know if it is just not wanting to go out to get something to eat (there is nothingin the apartment), cuz that usually doesn't stop me, I usuallly make one trip out for something. Also, I could have ordered in, which I do often, but havent wanted to. This is unusual for me, usually I eat a lot to numb myself.

This combo has been the best I've found so far after years of trying different meds and combos.

WellbutrinSR alone gave me the energy but not the desire to do things.
EffexorXR alone gave me the desire but not the energy to do things.
But the combination of the two have given me both.

A once in the morning dosage of 75 mg EffexorXR and 150 mg WellbutrinSR is what I take.
Side effects are: minor headaches, slight queasy stomach, and increased appetite.

Your mileage may vary.
Best of luck to you.

Dolly

 

Re:Effexor Problems

Posted by Been There! on November 21, 1999, at 20:57:58

In reply to Effexor XR and Wellbutrin..anyone on this combo?, posted by Noa on November 21, 1999, at 11:31:21

>a whopper of a period started...
> but I am bleeding what feels like gallons.

Hey Noa!
I was taking Effexor XR 225mg/day plus dexadrine
40mg/day (anxiety/s.phobia+ADD) with TERRIFIC results. That is
until I began to hemmorhage - we're talking
slaughter-house here! I am 45 and also on Premarin
0.625/dy (early menopause/intact uterus), so I wasn't even
having any periods prior to this. My sister (an RN)
checked her nurse's PDR and one SE bolded was "uterine
hemmorhage". From what I understand venlafaxine
causes increased conversion of adrenal hormones
into estrogen/progestrogen. Don't quote me, though,
because I really don't understand the mechanism, but
I believe there are several biochemical-type posters
out there who can help!

Anyway, I stopped the Effexor, and went on the merry-go-round
Prozac (felt fine but didn't care!), Nortryp (REAL zombie), Celexa
(like dilute PZAC). PDoc added valium 0.5mg PRN.
Still nothing. But we decided to try the Effexor again, but this
time I only take 1/2 of 75mg AM&PM. Much better - no bleeding
but still off. Now I'm the above stuff plus 1/2 Celexa (10mg) which
seems to be working. Even my husband says I'm much better than he's
seen in a very long time.
BTW - I tried Wellbutrin, and became THE MOST RAGING BITCH in the
world. Threw that stuff out after one week!

Let your doc know about this. Mine said he would
send me to a endrocrinologist if I had more bleeding.
But it sounds like you might need a med overhaul
anyway. It's tough, and backing off the Effexor was
THE worst but you can do it. Good Luck!! Keep posting.

 

Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin..anyone on this combo?

Posted by Scott L. Schofield on November 22, 1999, at 8:18:29

In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin..anyone on this combo?, posted by Dolly on November 21, 1999, at 18:27:17

What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?


In Re: Effexor XR and Wellbutrin combination

> This combo has been the best I've found so far after years of trying different meds and combos.
>
> WellbutrinSR alone gave me the energy but not the desire to do things.
> EffexorXR alone gave me the desire but not the energy to do things.
> But the combination of the two have given me both.
>
> A once in the morning dosage of 75 mg EffexorXR and 150 mg WellbutrinSR is what I take.
> Side effects are: minor headaches, slight queasy stomach, and increased appetite.

 

Re:Effexor Problems

Posted by Hisgirl77 on February 9, 2002, at 16:47:22

In reply to Re:Effexor Problems, posted by Been There! on November 21, 1999, at 20:57:58

.
> BTW - I tried Wellbutrin, and became THE MOST RAGING BITCH in the
> world. Threw that stuff out after one week!
>
> Hi. Im new here. I have been on Effexor 225mg since 12/13/2001. While that drug has appeared to be a miracle drug for me in terns of functioning, it was determined that that was only considered a "partial remission". So, Wellbutrin 100 mg per day was added to the Effexor hoping to enhnace it. Well, after about 3 days on it, the exact same thing occurred to me. I was told I "look possessed" and that everything about my previous start-to-look-healthier demeanor changed. So, I also threw away the Wellbutrin, and was given Depakote 750mg, 2X a day. Since then, the Depakote has made me tired, and my sleepiness and so called "vegetative state" is recurring. I almost wish for the extreme energy the Wellbutrin gave. At least I was awake at night, instead of in bed by 9 or 10PM.

Anybody have aby comments for this? Im gonna be consulting my Pdoc soon to change meds.

Thanks

 

Re:Effexor Problems » Hisgirl77

Posted by Reneeb on February 9, 2002, at 17:32:25

In reply to Re:Effexor Problems, posted by Hisgirl77 on February 9, 2002, at 16:47:22

> Hi, I am on effexor and wellbutrin. Actually, I am trying to wean off of effexor as we speak. I am taking 300mg of wellbutrin in the morning and was taking 150mg of effexor at night. I thought I was feeling pretty good til I started to wean myself off of effexor. Im on 75mg right now. I have been at that does for a week and and can't believe how much more energy I have. I didn't realize how zoned out I really was. Effexor didn't make me feel sad or happy, just there.

The actual reason I was weaning myself down was because of weight gain. Now I'm glad I did it because of the energy I have. I feel like I used to before I was on effexor. I see my doctor next week and I am going to see if I should stay at a low dose like 35mg or just get off it completely??? I seem to do fine on the wellbutrin.

Renee

 

Re:Effexor Problems

Posted by Konrad on August 6, 2004, at 23:22:40

In reply to Re:Effexor Problems » Hisgirl77, posted by Reneeb on February 9, 2002, at 17:32:25

My husband has been on Effexor for years. 75mg did basically nothing for him. 5 years ago, when his dosage was upped to 150 and he added Trazadone at night, he really improved! In fact some people called him hyper. I liked his energy and motivation.

Since then, every time he felt a little down, his doctor added more drug. Now his doctor has him all the way up to 450mg of Effexon XR and he has turned into a zombie. So his doctor added Wellbutin. So far all he does now is sleep and sit in front of the TV. Seems to have no energy or desire to do anything. He is so mellow I wonder if he even knows where he is. He also seems to have lots of confusion. What can I do? I have tried to talk to him about what is happening, but he wants to follow his doctor's advice.
Feeling Frustrated

 

Re:Effexor Problems » Konrad

Posted by KaraS on August 9, 2004, at 14:23:28

In reply to Re:Effexor Problems, posted by Konrad on August 6, 2004, at 23:22:40

> My husband has been on Effexor for years. 75mg did basically nothing for him. 5 years ago, when his dosage was upped to 150 and he added Trazadone at night, he really improved! In fact some people called him hyper. I liked his energy and motivation.
>
> Since then, every time he felt a little down, his doctor added more drug. Now his doctor has him all the way up to 450mg of Effexon XR and he has turned into a zombie. So his doctor added Wellbutin. So far all he does now is sleep and sit in front of the TV. Seems to have no energy or desire to do anything. He is so mellow I wonder if he even knows where he is. He also seems to have lots of confusion. What can I do? I have tried to talk to him about what is happening, but he wants to follow his doctor's advice.
> Feeling Frustrated


I take it you haven't been able to get him to see another doctor for a second opinion? He must like the lack of anxiety but you'd think that at some point he'd get tired of the safety of his condition and want more stimulation ... and want to join the rest of the world again.

 

Re:Effexor Problems

Posted by Konrad on August 9, 2004, at 22:32:35

In reply to Re:Effexor Problems » Konrad, posted by KaraS on August 9, 2004, at 14:23:28

> > My husband has been on Effexor for years. 75mg did basically nothing for him. 5 years ago, when his dosage was upped to 150 and he added Trazadone at night, he really improved! In fact some people called him hyper. I liked his energy and motivation.
> >
> > Since then, every time he felt a little down, his doctor added more drug. Now his doctor has him all the way up to 450mg of Effexon XR and he has turned into a zombie. So his doctor added Wellbutin. So far all he does now is sleep and sit in front of the TV. Seems to have no energy or desire to do anything. He is so mellow I wonder if he even knows where he is. He also seems to have lots of confusion. What can I do? I have tried to talk to him about what is happening, but he wants to follow his doctor's advice.
> > Feeling Frustrated
>
>
> I take it you haven't been able to get him to see another doctor for a second opinion? He must like the lack of anxiety but you'd think that at some point he'd get tired of the safety of his condition and want more stimulation ... and want to join the rest of the world again.

Until today, no, I have not been able to convince him to get a 2nd opinion. Today he told me that he wants to see another doctor and in the meantime he is stopping the Wellbutin and 150mg of the Effexor XR. Any clues as to what we can expect from this reduction? Has anyone had experience with this dosage of Effexor XR? (450mgs)
>
>

 

Re:Effexor Problems » Konrad

Posted by KaraS on August 9, 2004, at 23:33:27

In reply to Re:Effexor Problems, posted by Konrad on August 9, 2004, at 22:32:35

> > > My husband has been on Effexor for years. 75mg did basically nothing for him. 5 years ago, when his dosage was upped to 150 and he added Trazadone at night, he really improved! In fact some people called him hyper. I liked his energy and motivation.
> > >
> > > Since then, every time he felt a little down, his doctor added more drug. Now his doctor has him all the way up to 450mg of Effexon XR and he has turned into a zombie. So his doctor added Wellbutin. So far all he does now is sleep and sit in front of the TV. Seems to have no energy or desire to do anything. He is so mellow I wonder if he even knows where he is. He also seems to have lots of confusion. What can I do? I have tried to talk to him about what is happening, but he wants to follow his doctor's advice.
> > > Feeling Frustrated
> >
> >
> > I take it you haven't been able to get him to see another doctor for a second opinion? He must like the lack of anxiety but you'd think that at some point he'd get tired of the safety of his condition and want more stimulation ... and want to join the rest of the world again.
>
> Until today, no, I have not been able to convince him to get a 2nd opinion. Today he told me that he wants to see another doctor and in the meantime he is stopping the Wellbutin and 150mg of the Effexor XR. Any clues as to what we can expect from this reduction? Has anyone had experience with this dosage of Effexor XR? (450mgs)
> >
> >
>
That's a good sign. He must not be happy with things the way they are then. I have reduced on Effexor. At one point I got up to 225 mg. and now I'm on around 9 mg (so I'm almost off of it entirely). I had no side effects at all when I was reducing until I got to the lower doses like 75 or 37.5 mg. He may not have a problem. If he does, he can always go back up by 75 mg., adjust to that dosage and then decrease again by 75 mg.

I don't know if people have much of a problem going off of Wellbutrin. You might want to do a search and see what other people on the boards here have had to say about it.



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