![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 DissociativeJane on June 11, 2003, at 17:16:05
I am taking Wellbutrin SR 150mg 2x's per day for depression. I also attend therapy 2x's per week. I am not feeling suicidal any longer but as far as deression....i'm not sure how I feel. Sometimes I just feel so tired but can function. I was wondering if anyone here only takes Wellbutrin and what it does for you... thank you
Posted by paxvox on June 11, 2003, at 18:54:02
In reply to Wellbutrin solo!, posted by DissociativeJane on June 11, 2003, at 17:16:05
I take *only Wellbutrin* for depression, with Tranzene only to take the edge off the sleep problems. I have used it for 6 years. I guess it really depends a lot on what TYPE of depression you have. Different people respond very differently to the same med. There is no black and white in pyschopharmacology. Takes much trial and error. You did not say how long you have been on WB, that would be important to know. You REALLY shouldn't feel tired during the day on WB unless it's interfering with your sleep at night. If anything, you should feel somewhat hyped up. That is why I was wondering how long you have been taking it. I would give it at least 4-5 weeks to determine if it's working for you, and several months until you really see some major improvement.
PAX
Posted by Edgefield on June 11, 2003, at 20:07:51
In reply to Wellbutrin solo!, posted by DissociativeJane on June 11, 2003, at 17:16:05
I have been taking Wellbutrin SR a little over 4 weeks. I take 200mg first thing in the morning and it keeps me going until I lay down. When I go to bed I don't have any trouble falling asleep. This med. has been a blessing for me because I can not tolerate SSRIs. I've been more energized, motivated, and enthusiastic! I have read where many people have said that it isn't good for anxiety, but it has helped my anxiety and my depression (Thank God).
Paxvox...you said that it takes several months to feel the full benefit...about how many months did it take you, and what dosage? If after 4 weeks I'm doing this well I am really eager to see what another month has in store :)
God Bless
Posted by DissociativeJane on June 11, 2003, at 20:28:36
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin solo!, posted by paxvox on June 11, 2003, at 18:54:02
I have been taking Wellbutrin 150mg 2x's per day for several months. I was taking this along with Lexapro, but have been off Lexapro for a few days
Posted by allisonm on June 11, 2003, at 21:08:48
In reply to Wellbutrin solo!, posted by DissociativeJane on June 11, 2003, at 17:16:05
I have taken WB for four years and always have had to supplement with another AD of one sort of another. (I take 150mg 2x/a day also.)
I tried WB SR alone for a short time, but it was not enough. I became irritable.
Good luck.
Posted by Tree on June 12, 2003, at 7:26:11
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin solo!, posted by allisonm on June 11, 2003, at 21:08:48
I have been taking Wellbutrin SR for three and a half weeks. I was taking 150mg in the am and 150 in the early afternoon. I get a lot of energy, which is great - I needed it. I am somewhat hyper and my mind races. I have trouble sleeping at night, and am playing around with different meds. I thought it was causing my hair to fall out, but maybe not. Also, I wasn't comfortable with all the different sleep meds I've been trying. Yesterday I dropped the pm dose, took an epsom salt bath and an Ambien, and slept pretty well. I was able to fall back asleep three times after being woken up - once when a painting fell off my wall with a crash. Once when my teenage son fell down the stairs (did not ge hurt). And once when my husband closed a door loudly. That is really good for me. WB or not, I have insomnia.
So, the energy is great. As far as the depression, I still feel down about myself and I still cry and get emotional. But, I have just survived a battle with breast cancer, so realistically, I should be depressed and I don't know how much I can expect an AD to do. It has gotten me up and going though, so I am going to stick with it a little longer.
Sorry for the ramble. Good Luck.
Tree
Posted by allisonm on June 12, 2003, at 8:27:25
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin solo!, posted by Tree on June 12, 2003, at 7:26:11
Tree,
Congratulations on your victory over breast cancer!
On the Wellbutrin, you should be aware that it does have an energizing effect a few weeks after starting it. When I first started taking it, I got that burst of energy and got all sorts of things done. Then the energy surge went away (it is a side effect). The AD actually begins to work AFTER this side effect subsides. It can take 6 to 8 weeks for an AD to really begin working, so if you find the energy goes away, please please please don't give up on it! It's not pooping out, it's just starting to work!
Also, if you are having trouble sleeping, if you have not already, I would suggest eliminating all caffeine. I had to do this when I first began taking WB and after every increase in dose.
There are other things you can do to improve your "sleep hygiene" as my pdoc calls it:
- get up at the same time every day
-limit in-bed time to the usual amount before the sleep disturbance
-Stop nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, stimulants and other central nervous system-acting drugs.
-avoid daytime naps
-start a physical fitness program with vigorous (but gradually increasing) exercise early in the day
-avoid evening stimulation (ie, substitute radio or relaxed reading for TV)
-Try very hot, 20-minute body temperature-raising bath soaks near bedtime
-eat at regular times daily and avoid large meals at bedtime
-maintain comfortable sleeping conditionsSource: Q.R. Regestein: Sleep Disorders. In "Chemical Psychiatry for Medical Students." 1990. Page 578. Lippincott, Philadelphia, publisher
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.