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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Brandi on August 12, 2000, at 12:53:34
In reply to Anyone else lost a lot of weight on Wellbutrin?, posted by Anne on December 24, 1999, at 1:38:01
I am experiencing the "stupids"!! Any suggestions? Is this something that can be reversed? Should I get off of Wellbutrin (300 mg/day)? Also, I lost 45 lbs. in 2 months after starting this miracle drug. Now, 2 yrs later, I am slowly gaining my weight back. Is this normal? Does ANYONE have any suggestions re: these problems?
p.s. I started taking Ritalin last month (10 mg/day)
Posted by ambrosialdelight on March 3, 2002, at 17:33:22
In reply to Anyone else lost a lot of weight on Wellbutrin?, posted by Anne on December 24, 1999, at 1:38:01
I lost a scary amount of weight during the first month I was on wellbutrin. It began in the first week right after I walked out of the hospital! I lost something like 10 lbs, which may not sound like much but I was already thin to begin with, and with me the boobs are first to go, so I was pretty mad about it. After the first month I began to gain weight again and I am now at or close to my usual weight, the only thing is that I am eating a lot more carbs and fat than I used to and I am not getting fat. I hope I can go back to eating somewhat healthy when I get off it. I didn't work out much before and I don't work out at all now, so it has to be the drug. As for the "stupids" I feel sharper, my strategic thinking is better. I don't have good memory, but then my memory was probably worse during the peak of my depression six months before hospitalization. I don't rely on memory that much (with obvious exceptions)- why remember things when you can figure them out on the spot just as easily?- maybe not an efficient approach, but sufficient for now. I am planning to start a post-bac in the fall, now that should be the real test! I am a little afraid, but I comfort myself with the thought that my brain works better when I am not depressed. I am rather terrified of becoming "slow".
Posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 13:18:39
In reply to Re: Anyone else lost a lot of weight on Wellbutrin?, posted by ambrosialdelight on March 3, 2002, at 17:33:22
Hi, can I ask how much of Wellbutrin are you on? I am on 150mg myself and didn't lose any weight. I was also on effexor too.
Renee
Posted by allisonm on March 6, 2002, at 21:27:59
In reply to Re: Anyone else lost a lot of weight on Wellbutrin? » ambrosialdelight, posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 13:18:39
I lost about 30 lbs. without trying, mostly, I think, because I lost my appetite.
Posted by Carlos on March 12, 2002, at 9:46:03
In reply to Re: Anyone else lost a lot of weight on Wellbutrin? » ambrosialdelight, posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 13:18:39
You probably didn't loose weight because of the effexor. I've noticed most SSRI's cause weight gain. I just recenly switched to 150mg once a day WB sr. I have noticed that my appetite is "in-check", but not non-exsistant. I'm a ameture body builder so my diet and work-out are important, though under SSRI's it was impossible to lose any fat for me.
> Hi, can I ask how much of Wellbutrin are you on? I am on 150mg myself and didn't lose any weight. I was also on effexor too.
>
> Renee
Posted by Reneeb on March 12, 2002, at 21:25:58
In reply to Re: Anyone else lost a lot of weight on Wellbutrin?, posted by Carlos on March 12, 2002, at 9:46:03
Thanks for the info.. I am glad to see that all this will come to an end. I am a triathete myself and was getting very discouraged at the weight gain.
Renee
Posted by Maureen on August 14, 2002, at 8:42:42
In reply to Re: Anyone else lost a lot of weight on Wellbutrin?, posted by Carlos on March 12, 2002, at 9:46:03
I have been on Wellbutrin 150mg twice a day for a month to stop smoking.It worked however I am having a terrible time falling asleep and when I do I wake up a few hours later and can't go back to sleep. I was hoping for the side affect of losing 15 lbs but that hasn't happened but at least I haven't gained the stop smoking weight.Do you think taking the second dose 6 hours after the first would help me go to sleep? I am also jittery,tired and a little slow. Also my migraines are worse.I only have to stay on this a few months but I do need to get some sleep.
Posted by Christina on August 14, 2002, at 13:28:00
In reply to Re: Anyone else lost a lot of weight on Wellbutrin?, posted by Michele on December 24, 1999, at 6:39:45
I'm gaining weight on this stupid med.
It doesn't work, and the side effects suck.
I'm currently looking at other options.
Posted by Maureen on August 15, 2002, at 7:49:27
In reply to Re: Anyone else lost a lot of weight on Wellbutrin?, posted by Christina on August 14, 2002, at 13:28:00
> I'm gaining weight on this stupid med.
> It doesn't work, and the side effects suck.
> I'm currently looking at other options.I didnt take it last night and it is the first night I have slept in a week.I was terribly constipated and took a laxative and the cure was worse than the problem :( I am going to try just a half a pill only one time today and if it isnt better I am done with it.
Posted by menolly57 on August 18, 2002, at 17:40:55
In reply to Re: Anyone else lost a lot of weight on Wellbutrin?, posted by Maureen on August 15, 2002, at 7:49:27
I think Wellbutrin has suppressed my appetite to some degree, which has been a good thing for me lately. I can now fit back into many clothes that didn't fit anymore after my Paxil disaster. I think this has helped my mood in and of itself -- fat can be very depressing.
I do hope the weight doesn't all come back if and when I go off Wellbutrin. Now if I could just get rid of this damn taste in my mouth...
Posted by Lorelai on August 19, 2002, at 8:37:32
In reply to Re: Anyone else lost a lot of weight on Wellbutrin?, posted by menolly57 on August 18, 2002, at 17:40:55
I've only been on Wellbutrin for a few weeks. In this brief time I've lost around 8 lbs. and fit back into my old "skinny jeans," which I hadn't fit into for well over a year. I have to agree this is helping my depression in and of itself, as I'd gained weight using Depakote--a shocking 20 lbs. in a mere few months--and now have hopes of losing still more with Wellbutrin. I've had side effects with Wellbutrin (ringing in the ears, sleeplessness, irritation), but these seem to be falling to the wayside the longer I'm on the meds (all I can think is the body must grow used to Wellbutrin pretty quickly--at least this has been my experience). With Wellbutrin I'm simply not all that hungry. I do eat, but I've noticed my portions are smaller. I'm full sooner. I do still have dry mouth, but that's a small price to pay for feeling better about myself (: **
Posted by sharons on August 19, 2002, at 15:39:11
In reply to Re: Anyone else lost a lot of weight on Wellbutrin?, posted by ambrosialdelight on March 3, 2002, at 17:33:22
I have been on welbutrin for about a week and still have
the same cravings i have always had...when do you start losing
weight...your feedback is appreciated. thanks
Posted by Maureen on August 19, 2002, at 16:13:43
In reply to How fast did you lose your appetite?, posted by sharons on August 19, 2002, at 15:39:11
I have been on it for over a month and my appetite hasn't changed but at least I havent gained weight while I am quitting smoking and on the meds. However I have had to cut back to just a half a pill once a day because the side affects were so bad for me.
Posted by Lorelai on August 19, 2002, at 16:46:39
In reply to How fast did you lose your appetite?, posted by sharons on August 19, 2002, at 15:39:11
> I have been on welbutrin for about a week and still have
> the same cravings i have always had...when do you start losing
> weight...your feedback is appreciated. thanks**I lost my appetite immediately, from the very first dose. And started to lose weight that first week (3 lbs the first week, a few more the second, 2 the third week). I didn't pay much attention to it at first, just figured it was a loss of water weight or something, but then I threw on a pair of old jeans without realizing they were Levi's I hadn't fit into for a long time. I've always craved salty snacks--chips and nuts, that sort of thing. And I still eat them, but now I grab a handful instead of the whole bag. The Wellbutrin just seems to've given me more control (things don't taste as good either, so that's probably a factor). It's taken the edge off my usually hearty appetite. This has been an extremely positive thing for me since all my past experiences with meds have been pretty negative (before the Depakote weight gain of 20 lbs. I'd already gained 10 from Serzone. Was only able to lose a few lbs. on my own). I'd lost 15 lbs. on Prozac at one time, but I'm bipolar and it set off major manic episodes, so I had to discontinue using it. Back to Wellbutrin: I've heard a few people comment that they ate as usual and still lost weight (not sure why that would be--a faster metabolism, maybe?). Seem to recall one guy saying he merely stopped drinking alcohol and lost several lbs. on Wellbutrin. When I realized I was losing weight it gave me the incentive to get back on the treadmill and I'm just starting to do about 20 minutes a day. This has been great for me since I'm really short and extra weight doesn't look good at all on a short person. Keeping my fingers crossed this keeps up. Sorry to go on this long. It's such a shock to me to actually find a med with a positive side effect.**
Posted by Smilez on October 31, 2003, at 20:47:23
In reply to Re: How fast did you lose your appetite? » sharons, posted by Lorelai on August 19, 2002, at 16:46:39
I tried Paxil a few years back and gained close to 30 pounds in little over 2 months. I swore off all drugs after that but then massive anxieties, rages and depressions made life unbearable (job layoff after 10 years, divorce, and housing issues all within 2 months that have not remedied themselves yet).
My doctor prescribed Wellbutrin and Zonegram. I have not/will not take the Zonegram as it is sulfabased. But I am VERY happy with the Wellbutrin!!!
I don't "need" to eat everytime I am stressed or depressed now. I don't "need" to finish my plate. I am still craving carbs (chocolate!!) but in smaller quantities.
Mentally - I feel more organized every day, which is giving me an optimism I haven't had in a long time that things are evening out.
Physically - I am not wired in the least, but I am more motivated to clean house, run my errands and do all the other things that were too difficult in my depressed state to do. I am functioning more like my old self. (well, more than I have been)
Sleep - I am taking 50mg of Benadryl before bed and my one 100mg Wellbutrin in the morning and sleeping very well. Maybe more than ever!!! I slept 9-10 hours a night three times this week and I usually suffer the worst insomnia with racing thoughts and oversensitivity to every noise in the neighborhood. Noises out side from loud/rude neighbors don't make me grit my teeth in resentment like they had been and I can relax into sleep now.
It is only one week into my treatment, and no weight lost but NONE GAINED, I feel this might really work out.
Posted by deepdarkhole on November 3, 2003, at 19:43:52
In reply to New Wellbutrin user - happy so far, posted by Smilez on October 31, 2003, at 20:47:23
Good for you! I too just started taking wellbutrin 100mg a day. However, I am so dizzy I am beginning to wonder if I can continue!
Any suggestions?
Posted by Smilez on November 6, 2003, at 21:18:23
In reply to Re: New Wellbutrin user - happy so far, posted by deepdarkhole on November 3, 2003, at 19:43:52
I was dizzy only a very few isolated events so it wasn't a problem for me. However, the day I went from 100 to 150, I could barely hold my head up as I felt TIRED. I remember I slept 10 hours that night and the second day, again, I felt like a heavy dead weight and I just laid like a brick on my couch.
THAT phase passed quickly and I am back to par again. (yay) I have been on the 150mgs now for 5 or 6 days.
Posted by Clayton on November 7, 2003, at 9:24:39
In reply to Re: New Wellbutrin user - happy so far, posted by Smilez on November 6, 2003, at 21:18:23
Hi!
If you are willing to share and as your time permits, would you tell me about your symptoms? Why was Effexor prescribed for you?
I've been on Paxil for three years and it was only about 20% efficacious in controlling SAD and mood depresion.
I found a new pdoc and he is great! We are loooking for optopns re: antidepressant(s) that brings norepinepine into play and your med is one such option. But, goodness, just look at the horror stories about Efexxor on this site.
On my first visit, the new doc added Remaron as an adjunct to the Paxil. Remaron is unique. It works by increasing production of both seraronin and norepinephine, not by reuptake inhibition. It works in 3 days to a week (not 6 weeks like the SSRIs) and doen't eliminate your libido.
For me, it (Remaron), in conjunction with Paxil, was the keys to the kingdom. My mood is up 90%. I have not has a single SAD attack in the five months I'v beeen on this conbo. I'm doing things I haven't done for decades. It set me free.
Remaron & Paxil are synegistic on the seratonin side as one increases production and the other keeps it in you brain. But the doc (the only really good pdoc I've ever seen) prescribed too high a dose of Remaron. That resulted in way too much seratonin and I suddenly became bipolar for the first time in my life. (Crying and wailing followed by ranting - not like me AT ALL). So we've diled back the Remaron dose and I was given Zyprexa as a short term treatment for the bipolar symptons until the seraonin is dialed in correctly. But we both agree that norepinephrine was the major reason Remaron helped so much and are now vigilant about watching the seratonin levels.
We are considering continuing the Remaron for SOME seratonin support and dumping the SSRI Paxil in exchange for Strattera, a SNRI. This shifts the synergistic action to the norepinephrine side. ( I'm a little wary of dumping the med approved for SAD by the FDA), but I think it's a good idea, given that I have an amotivational syndrome, too.
But we want to consider all options and that is why I'm asking about the SSNRI, Effexor. Anything you are willing to share about your symptoms and Effexor's efficacy and effects and side-effects is greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much!
.
Posted by theo on November 7, 2003, at 16:27:22
In reply to Re: New Wellbutrin user - happy so far, posted by Smilez on November 6, 2003, at 21:18:23
Are you taking SR or XL?
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 7, 2003, at 18:04:16
In reply to Re: Effexor question » Smilez, posted by Clayton on November 7, 2003, at 9:24:39
Considering Effexor: A ?, Smilez or » Clayton
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 7, 2003, at 14:01:38
If Effexor works for you, it can be solid gold. Even if it works for you, the doctor may stop it because it raises your blood pressure sky-high (as in my case). If it doesn't work or only partway, the Side Effects (SE's) are unacceptable. And it seems to be a given that stopping Effexor once you've started for awhile is darn near impossible for some people and extremely difficult for the majority of the remainder.
I wouldn't recommend it except as a last line of defense. Plus, I wouldn't recommend trying it while you are also on another Anti-Depressant (AD). Adding the complexities of another AD to Effexor plus the reaction that results from combining the 2 (or more) boggles my mind.
It has serious SE's and serious withdrawal.
On the other hand, I wish I could remain on it. Effexor plus Strattera (added later on) really worked for me.
And p.s. I responded well to both paxil and effexor. if paxil worked for you... ? who knows.
Good Luck,
KDi in TX
> But we want to consider all options and that is why I'm asking about the SSNRI, Effexor. Anything you are willing to share about your symptoms and Effexor's efficacy and effects and side-effects is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thank you so much!----
Re: Considering Effexor: A ?, Smilez or
Posted by awatts on November 7, 2003, at 17:19:43
In reply to Considering Effexor: A ?, Smilez or » Clayton, posted by KimberlyDi on November 7, 2003, at 14:01:38
> If Effexor works for you, it can be solid gold. Even if it works for you, the doctor may stop it because it raises your blood pressure sky-high (as in my case).
The bp thing was easily fixed for me. My bp went to 160/105. 20mg of Inderal(propranolol) 4 times a day brought in back down to 115/65. I take 225mg of Effexor ER. Effexor is the only AD that has ever worked for me, and I've tried most of them.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 7, 2003, at 18:07:21
In reply to Re: Effexor question » Smilez, posted by Clayton on November 7, 2003, at 9:24:39
Re: Effexor
Posted by highhopes on November 7, 2003, at 14:56:55
hi clayton,
i took part in a clinical trial for effexor xr. i got the placebo! after 6 months, one of the psychiatrists in the study told me i had generalized anxiety disorder and could benefit from effexor. he also described it as excessive worry. there is certainly social anxiety, too. i avoided most social situations.
the only negative side effects i felt from effexor were when i forgot to take it. then the withdrawal you read about began right away.
i still think it was worth it. many people have not experienced any withdrawal from effexor. maybe your doctor knows a way to avoid it.
Posted by Clayton on November 8, 2003, at 16:18:45
In reply to Redirected: Considering Effexor: A ?, posted by Dr. Bob on November 7, 2003, at 18:04:16
Hi Doc,
Have you considered Remaron in combination with Stratera? That creates a synergy on support of the norepinephrine levels.
I'm on Paxil plus Remaron and it's been a REAL LIFE SAVER. My synergistic support is on seratonin levels (and this recently caused a one-time bipolar episode - the Remaron was dosed too high). We are seriously considering swapping the Paxil for Stratera. I'm reading all the posts in your forum and the scientific/reseach literatue too before making a decision. My pdoc and I both came up with this notion independantly. He'll do it if I ask. I need info and my best judgement. Do you have any advice?
I'm a little afraid of abandoning Paxil as it's the "approved" Social Anxiety drug (add Zoloft now too). But prior to the additional of Remaron, when I was on Paxil alone for about a year, it was only about 20% effective at controlling SAD. I have not had a single SAD attack since I started Remaron five months ago. It got me off Xanax with relative ease, I was an addicted and abusing Xanax user.
Thanks for your input. Every biy of knowledge helps!
Kindest Regards
Posted by Smilez on November 9, 2003, at 19:24:24
In reply to Re: New Wellbutrin user - happy so far » Smilez, posted by theo on November 7, 2003, at 16:27:22
I am taking SR.
Posted by Smilez on November 9, 2003, at 19:28:52
In reply to Re: Effexor question » Smilez, posted by Clayton on November 7, 2003, at 9:24:39
Effexor? Is that the same as Zonegram? My doctor only prescribed Zonegram and Wellbutrin for me and I am not taking the Zonegram.
My symptoms were (according to the doc) some bipolar II symptoms (whatever that means), ADD and depression.
Posted by galkeepinon on November 10, 2003, at 1:17:31
In reply to Re: Clayton, posted by Smilez on November 9, 2003, at 19:28:52
>>>>Effexor? Is that the same as Zonegram?
Effexor and Zonegran are 2 different medications. :-)
My doctor only prescribed Zonegram and Wellbutrin for me and I am not taking the Zonegram.
>
> My symptoms were (according to the doc) some bipolar II symptoms (whatever that means), ADD and depression.
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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