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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 Jarn on April 6, 2001, at 18:11:53
Hello, all.
Tomorrow, I start on Wellbutrin SR. I'm pretty nervous about it, truthfully. Mostly about the seizures, and also, the alcohol thing. I like to have 1 or 2 beers a week. Is this really a bad thing? What about that occasional toke? We're talking a puff or two every 6 months (party girl, ha ha)--still, I'm curious, because I consider "tinkering" with one's brain chemistry to be pretty serious stuff. The tokes I can live without, but I sure like to reward myself on Saturday night with a beer or 2 for having survived the work week!!
In the past, I've tried Prozac, which worked great on the moods, but alas, no orgasms :( so I stopped taking it.
St John's Wort was so-so, but it was a pain to remember to take 3 times a day, and seemed to stop working after several months. Plus, I was always worried about quality, etc.So, any thoughts on Wellbutrin?
thanks,
Jarn
Posted by MarkG on April 6, 2001, at 20:29:37
In reply to Wellbutrin, posted by Jarn on April 6, 2001, at 18:11:53
I took Wellbutrin SR for a couple of months. Overall, it did not seem to very effective for depression, but the increased drive, energy, and abscence of emotional numbing (like with other ADs) was welcome. Also, no sexual probs at all. I had no problems drinking with Wellbutrin, but then again I'm not a heavy drinker at all. I have read that Wellbutrin x marijuana interaction may cause hallucinations- but I'm not sure about this.I did have some anxiety and insomnia when I first started Wellbutrin but after a couple of weeks that was totally unoticable in me. In fact, I felt a little less anxious.
Best of luck,
Mark
Posted by allisonm on April 6, 2001, at 22:31:34
In reply to Wellbutrin, posted by Jarn on April 6, 2001, at 18:11:53
I have been on Wellbutrin since June of 1999, and at 400mg since April of 2000. It has been the most helpful of the 8 or 9 ADs I have tried. The seizure thing/chances are minimal. Yes, I drink alcohol, but in moderation. I had two margaritas tonight, more than is usual, with little effect.
Good luck.
Allison
Posted by Jarn on April 7, 2001, at 16:20:42
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, posted by allisonm on April 6, 2001, at 22:31:34
Thank you for the input. I'm willing to give this stuff a couple of months to see what it does.
I'm also finding this site to be very imformative, and helpful. Thank you Dr. Bob!!
Jarn
Posted by jacquie on April 8, 2001, at 4:54:07
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, posted by Jarn on April 7, 2001, at 16:20:42
Sorry to interrupt the post, but I aslo take Wellbutrin
and was wondering if any of you have had beneficial
results on a low dose versus the "therapeutic dose"
of 300mg per day. Given that I am hypersensitive to
any and all drugs I would prefer 150mg per day, but
wonder if this is an ideal situation or will I eventually
need the next 150. Sure does make you get up early
and I take Klonopin to sleep 3....0.5 per night.
Any thoughts and experiences would be appreciated.
Many thanks and again, I hope you don't take
offense that i jumped in here.
Jacquie
Posted by allisonm on April 8, 2001, at 11:24:19
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, posted by jacquie on April 8, 2001, at 4:54:07
Jacquie,
Not a problem at all. It's been my understanding that it's best to use the lowest amount possible that gives you good results. If you think 150 is working for you, perhaps talk with your pdoc about it. Or you might build up to 300 to see how that works, then perhaps taper back a little to see if you lose the effect.
Good luck.
Posted by Victoria on April 8, 2001, at 19:31:09
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin » jacquie, posted by allisonm on April 8, 2001, at 11:24:19
Hi there,
I have been taking Wellbutrin since the beginning of the year. I take the generic version and I started at 75mg a day then went to twice a day. (I am also chemically sensitive) Now I take 2 or 3 depending on my schedule and if I remember. SO my max is 225.
I had none of the usual side effects probably because I started so slow. I found literature supporting this.
I did possibly get a rare side effect though, a small patch of hair disappeared and may have been alopecia. My 3 year old had also pulled that section very hard so that may have been it but I can't be sure. Anyway, it is growing back slowly. I wasn't willing to give up on the WellB because it is working. (unless of course another patch appears or my hair thins)
Its not dramatic or anything but I definitely feel better. I have lost about 10lbs as well as quite a bit of muscle gain since I ride my bike everywhere. Gone from a size 16 to a 10. I have motivation to do more these days. Not as much as I would like but probably closer to normal.
As for the pot smoking, I read that it can cause psychosis so I advice against it. I did for the first two months but now stopped and feel better. (I was probably using it as self medication anyway)
Oh yeah, I was also smoking cigarettes and have been able to easily quit. (I used to smoke before my baby but started again during finals this last December and was quickly hooked again.)
Also, on the drinking I read that if you usually drink you shouldn't just stop but also don't drink a lot. HEavy drinking can always cause seizures, WB lowers that threshold, by how much I don't know.
I think that covers it. I have been meaning to post because you read so many bad things that it is easy to think that its not worth it. The thing is the success stories are mostly out living their lives. Some have stuck around to support others and I think that is great. This board has helped me out a lot and I just wanted to give back. Let me know if I can help any more.
This is the end of the thread.
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