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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Emotional Wreck on December 22, 2003, at 20:00:31
Ever since my daughter was born 8 years ago, my emotions have not been the same. I become very emotional and cried at the drop of a hat, and the anxiety gets so severe I feel like I just want to crawl out of my skin. Over the past eight years, doctors have put me on many different medications: Paxil, Zoloft, Buspar, Paxil CR, Effexor and now am being switched to Wellbutrin. I am chronically fatigued all the time, with no explanation according to doctors. They have run every test possible and always tell me everything thing is normal, except I don't feel normal. The side effects have varied with each medication, and the effectiveness, of course, has varied also. The Zoloft did not do anything for the anxiety; Paxil had horrible night sweats; don't even remember the Buspar; so far, the Paxil CR was the worst. I was on this medication for approximately 6 months and experienced night sweats, headaches, horrible brain fog and indifference. My obgyn put me on some mild estrogen supplements to try and balance my hormone levels, and this has helped with the "over-emotional" state I experience. I stopped taking the Paxil CR about a month after I started taking the hormones (hoping I didn't need them anymore), but I became very mean. The weepiness was greatly reduced, but I was ready to argue and fight with anyone. I didn't go looking for trouble, but welcomed any confrontation that came my way. And the worst part was I didn't feel bad about being so mean. My doctor placed me on the Effexor at this point, and it did help with the mean attitude I was feeling, but it absolutely killed my sex drive. Needless to say, my husband was not happy. He is a wonderful, patient man that has been very great in dealing with my constant ups and downs, and this side effect just did not seem fair. Today, my doctor gave me some sample of Wellbutrin to try and I am wondering what side effects are most common, and what I might be in for this time.
Posted by Tony P on December 22, 2003, at 20:53:14
In reply to Side effects of Wellbutrin?, posted by Emotional Wreck on December 22, 2003, at 20:00:31
I hesitate to predict for you, YMMV and all that, but here's my experience and smattering of knowledge re Wellbutrin.
It is a very activating AD for me and most people, and allows feelings of pleasure and even joy to surface, which some other AD's tend to suppress. Sexual side effects are absent or even positive. The down side - and bear in mind that I am hypersensitive to stimulating meds - is anxiety, both mental and physical shakiness, insomnia, weight loss OR gain (most lose wt. due to increased metabolism, I gained weight due to greatly improved appetite!). There can also be a kind of hypomania at higher doses (300 mg/day). The latter may be a marker for the newly being discussed Bipolar Type 3.
Re the latter, check with friends and family and see if they think your personality has changed drastically and negatively while on Wellbutrin. Mine did!
Tony P
Posted by Emotional Wreck on December 22, 2003, at 21:00:40
In reply to Re: Side effects of Wellbutrin?, posted by Tony P on December 22, 2003, at 20:53:14
Thanks for the insight. I hope is will help my attitude, but not increase the anxiety. Willing to give it a try.
Posted by John2222 on December 22, 2003, at 23:02:30
In reply to Side effects of Wellbutrin?, posted by Emotional Wreck on December 22, 2003, at 20:00:31
I took Effexor XR (112.5 mg/day) for about last year and half. I had some of the same experiences with it as you: I felt better but was tired a lot and felt "emotionally numb". Looking back, I will say it really relieved the anxiety and depression, but I was always wanting and trying to reduce the dose so I wouldn't sleep all day.
My dr suggested Wellbutrin XL and after tapering off of Effexor slowly (that's a whole nother story!...), I am now taking Wellbutrin 150 XL.
Any idea of how long it should take to make a difference? I'm definitely more alert, more motivated, nap much less often and do more, and I have my emotional feelings back.
But I have this "loneliness" and sort of sad feeling especially with Christmas and listening to Christmas choral music which I have always loved. So, I'm not sure if it's the seasonal emotions or what now.
I expect that my dr. will want to increase the dose to Wellbutrin 300 XL when I go back in a couple weeks.
I did feel really good with Effexor, but I just seemed out of touch with the world and like I was sleeping my life away.
Anyone else with experience in switching from Effexor to Wellbutrin?
*john*
Posted by KellyD on December 23, 2003, at 0:36:37
In reply to Side effects of Wellbutrin?, posted by Emotional Wreck on December 22, 2003, at 20:00:31
I did a trial of Wellbutrin XL at 150mgs. The only problem I had was increased anxiety - which I couldn't take. But, bear in mind, my biggest problem is anxiety and not so much depression. I liked the activating properties - it just gave me too much norepinephrine.
Some have found it to work great for them, and I hope you are one of them.
Kelly
Posted by Tony P on December 23, 2003, at 6:23:42
In reply to Re: Side effects of Wellbutrin?, posted by John2222 on December 22, 2003, at 23:02:30
>Any idea of how long it should take to make a
>difference? I'm definitely more alert, more
>motivated, nap much less often and do more, and >I have my emotional feelings back.For me,Wellbutrin kicks in in 3 days exactly (!). There is a continuing improvement after that for about two weeks. Some people experience decrease in side-effects and increase in well-being over longer term; can;t say I did.
Most AD seem to me to mobilize "stuffed" feelings, most often sadness, sometimes anger; with Wellbutrin, joy was added to the list. Some mood stabilizers seem to have the opposite effect, but that's anoter post.
Tony
Posted by Pattie on December 23, 2003, at 6:38:48
In reply to Side effects of Wellbutrin?, posted by Emotional Wreck on December 22, 2003, at 20:00:31
Wellbutrin SR didn't really start working for me till dosage was increased to 400mg. No side effects that come to mind.
good luck!
Posted by Laree on December 23, 2003, at 11:03:28
In reply to Re: Side effects of Wellbutrin?, posted by Pattie on December 23, 2003, at 6:38:48
One side effect that I experienced very briefly while on Wellbutrin SR (100 mg.) happened to be a few anger/rage episodes. I tend to have a quick temper, but my reaction was drastic. I almost stopped taking it about the 3rd day in, but my dr. urged me to continue, so I did. That side-effect wore off in a few days, thank goodness! Since then, my dosage has been gradually increased to 200 mg./day. I have noticed on 200 mg. that I have had very dry, scratchy, red eyes lately. A pharmacist alluded that it may be the Wellbutrin--Pdoc acknowledged this as well? Also, I think the Wellbutrin 200 mg. tends to make my face flush, especially in the evening. I would not recommend this AD if you are taking an AD strictly for anxiety, but if you have depression with sluggishness etc., it may help you out. However, I have found that SSRI's work out best for me--both my roommate and I (ironically!) are on a (daily) combination of Lexapro and Wellbutrin. She had more anxiety than I did, I guess, but the combo has been great for her. I am new to it, but the addition of Lexapro has REALLY been the helper with my seasonal aff. disorder/depression. The main reason I asked my pdoc about switching to Wellbutrin was the weight issue, as many people tend to lose weight while on Wellbutrin. I have not experienced this side-effect, I think my weight has remained relatively stable since being put on it. However, now with the Lexapro, I think I may be losing some weight, because my carb cravings have gone waaay down. Good luck!
Posted by Emotional Wreck on December 23, 2003, at 20:56:07
In reply to Re: Side effects of Wellbutrin?, posted by Laree on December 23, 2003, at 11:03:28
I appreciate the help and support everyone has given me with their postings. I feel a little better informed. Thanks again!!
This is the end of the thread.
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