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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Anyuser on January 26, 2002, at 12:21:22
Any satisfied Wellbutrin users out there? Can anybody confirm that Wellbutrin is as good as or better than SSRIs? Anybody tried both?
Posted by Tammy on January 26, 2002, at 13:05:41
In reply to Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by Anyuser on January 26, 2002, at 12:21:22
well ive been taking wellbutrin for only 11 days and im wondering the same........... i feel i deffinetly need an ssri added or something, im taking ativan to cover the anxiety till i go back to the dr's (then im asking him to add (zoloft).... but i want to hang in there the 4/6wks it takes to build up.... the posts i have read seem to be worth the wait...... it does have a seritonin effect, but probably not enough... :)
it maybe early but for the early stage i need more.............. to calm me from the early effects of wellbutrin first 7 days were tough getting alittle better..... anyone else?
thanx tammy
Posted by BLPBart on January 26, 2002, at 20:26:23
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by Tammy on January 26, 2002, at 13:05:41
I started on prozac which worked well for the depression but made me gain weight. My doctor switched me to wellbutrin and I hadn't been off it long before I had a bad time that appeared to be PMS. He suggested I go back on a low dose of prozac along with the wellbutrtin for the PMS. Recently I started having some side effects. These were extreme lethargy and fatigue, muscvle and joint paint and some others. WE decided that I should go off the prozac completely. I have been off the prozac now for only about three weeks although my doctor feels that that is long enough since I was only on 10 mg of hte prozac. So far I'm feeling fine and not having any signs of the depression returning. Plus, I think some of the side effects such as the lethargy are starting to go away.
> well ive been taking wellbutrin for only 11 days and im wondering the same........... i feel i deffinetly need an ssri added or something, im taking ativan to cover the anxiety till i go back to the dr's (then im asking him to add (zoloft).... but i want to hang in there the 4/6wks it takes to build up.... the posts i have read seem to be worth the wait...... it does have a seritonin effect, but probably not enough... :)
> it maybe early but for the early stage i need more.............. to calm me from the early effects of wellbutrin first 7 days were tough getting alittle better..... anyone else?
> thanx tammy
Posted by ST on January 29, 2002, at 2:00:58
In reply to Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by Anyuser on January 26, 2002, at 12:21:22
Hi,
I've been on Wellbutrin for about 6 years (300 mg). When I've tried to go off it, I become very depressed. It's definitely working. I felt it working within the first week of taking it, too. I also need to be on an SSRI (now it's Effexor) as well as Wellbutrin and have tried a number of them in combination. This med combo, working on my seratonin (SSRI) and the dopamine (Wellbutrin)levels was the key for me.
Sarah> Any satisfied Wellbutrin users out there? Can anybody confirm that Wellbutrin is as good as or better than SSRIs? Anybody tried both?
Posted by anniebananie on January 30, 2002, at 1:02:37
In reply to Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by Anyuser on January 26, 2002, at 12:21:22
> Any satisfied Wellbutrin users out there?
Can anybody confirm that Wellbutrin is as good as or better than SSRIs? Anybody tried both?Wellbutrin works pretty well for me. I've taken it on and off for nine or ten years. SSRI's have not worked well for me. Wellbutrin does kind of feel like one too many cups of coffee when you first start (and I'm not one generally prone to anxiety).
Take care,
Annie
Posted by Anyuser on January 30, 2002, at 9:38:18
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by anniebananie on January 30, 2002, at 1:02:37
Thank you for your response. What motivates you to stop taking the drug? Any specific side effect? I ask because I am considering taking Wellbutrin instead of an SSRI. SSRIs work for me, but I eventually tire of the side effects. Some of articles on Wellbutrin make it sound like a wonder drug, and I wonder why it is not more frequently prescribed.
Posted by anniebananie on January 30, 2002, at 23:10:49
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness » anniebananie, posted by Anyuser on January 30, 2002, at 9:38:18
> What motivates you to stop taking the drug? Any specific side effect?
I've stopped in the past mostly because I felt like I didn't need it any more, and there are a few side fx -- I grind my teeth in my sleep and find myself unable to relax the area between my eyebrows. So I use a mouthguard and have been thinking about botox... But a good friend of mine has no side effects. And there aren't the sexual side fx that SSRI's have. One thing that some people consider a drawback is that you have to take it more than once a day.
Take care,
Annie
Posted by etz on November 5, 2002, at 21:33:22
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness » Anyuser, posted by anniebananie on January 30, 2002, at 23:10:49
if it helps any, i have been on wellbutrin for about 8 months now and it has been acompinied by a slew of other drugs; most of which i have been very unhappy with (some of these include prozac,celexa and efexor which is not really an ssri beacuse it effects norepinephrine as well, but it is similar). Wellbutrin is the only drug i have absolutely no complaints about, which is probably a relief to my doctors- there is a drug i don't complain about . i have problems with generalized anxiety and panic disorder, i worried that the wellbutrin might agrandize my nervousness, but i don't remeber having any trouble with it. when i started the drug i was a bit wired for a week or so, but that effect has since faded (much to my chagrin when i have a paper due).wellbutrin even had some positive effects that were additional to its anti depressant qualities. i lost a few pounds, which i needed after being on zyprexa (read as evil) and i quit smoking with no effort at all. lastly, my partner was pretty happy with wellbutrin as opposed to ssris, my sex drive was back and i was rearing to go . anyway i wish you the best of luck with any medication you try, and i hope this less than brief synopsis of my experience offers some help.
Posted by SSIR on December 30, 2002, at 21:53:48
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by etz on November 5, 2002, at 21:33:22
For the past 25 years I have suffered from panic attacks, post partum depression, ptsd and now GAD with secondary depression. I have been living under enormous stress for the past 6 years and have been on Zoloft (gave me sexual side effects and insomnia), Adavan (to counteract the insomnia), got off both when the depression went away, and then when my son was diagnosed with OCD was given Celexa and Xanax. I was OK for a while and then when I started feeling lously again, my doc switched me to Paxil. I then began to gain a lot of weight, so he took me off the Paxil. Currently, I feel very overwhelmed, tense, angry and out of control and anxious most of the time. I am able to relax somewhat and enjoy socializing, though I know I'll never really know what being calm feels like. Recently he put me on 10 mg of Lexapro per day with 2 mg of Xanax per day and added 200 mg of Wellbutrin to try to help me lose weight. Quite honestly, the only drug I feel any better from is the Xanax, but of course this is a problem since I don't want to build up a tolerance, take more and become addicted. As far as I'm concerned, I doubt that I'd feel any less anxious if I dropped the Lexapro & Wellbutrin. My doctor says it takes a long time for weight loss to kick in from Wellbutrin. I think this is ridiculous, I've been taking it for months and I'm still gaining weight (when I was on a higher dosage I was unable to concentrate at work). Any input from anyone would be appreciated, especially about Wellbutrin's effectiveness with weight loss
Posted by Ricardo on December 31, 2002, at 4:18:51
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by etz on November 5, 2002, at 21:33:22
Hi!
Paxil did help me with my depression, but the side-effects were terrible. When my doc put me on Wellbutrin, I was really worried about having a relapse. So far, it hasn't happened. I still feel as emotionally stable, or even more, as I was when I got off Paxil, and I haven't had any panic attacks ever since I made the change (I had had a few while on Paxil). For one thing, I DO want Wellbutrin to work out for me. At the moment, I just can't afford the side-effects of an SSRI. I would be willing to try some other AD, but that would have to be one that didn't interphere in my sex life, didn't put me to sleep and, above all, didn't have me put on weight. Wellbutrin has been doing the trick so far. By the way, my doctor put me on a very low dose (150mg once a day). Does anybody here know whether it's possible to do well on this dose or will I have to increase it eventually?
Posted by Kam on January 2, 2003, at 11:21:29
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by SSIR on December 30, 2002, at 21:53:48
I am now trying my 5th SSRI, I did try Wellbutrin, it actually seemed to be working but I began to get hives and had to switch again. As far as the weight gain, paxil which was my last one made me gain a little weight. I'm not sure about Wellbutrin, wasn't on it long enough. Had to stop the paxil for sexual side effects. I am now on Lexapro and hoping this is the one. I was bumbed when I found out I was allergic to the Wellbutrin, hope it works for you. I have the same concerns with the xanax but it works the best for me and I have been on it about a year now and have not had to increase my dosage. And my panic is severe. Wish you luck !!!
Posted by Tony P on February 16, 2003, at 13:23:22
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by Ricardo on December 31, 2002, at 4:18:51
I also couldn't take Paxil. I have tried Wellbutrin a couple of times in the past year. It is so strongly activating that I experimented at one point with just 75mg once a day. I am now on 100mg XR 1/day and that seems to be the best for me - still have problems with sleep, and even stopping "doing things" long enough to take other meds and go to bed - Instead I get into keeping busy compulsively (like posting on the computer)! YYMV.
Wellbutrin is so different from the SSRI's (plus atypical SRIs like Serzone) that it's hard to compare. Techically, Wb strongly boosts DA (dopamine) and NE (norepinephrine), but has little effect on 5-HT (serotonin) receptors, while SRI's have strong effects on 5-HT and moderate effect on NE, varying with different drugs.
Wellbutrin certainly gives me a sense of wellbeing, zest for life, and enthusiasm for getting things done. But alone it may not be enough to deal with depression. I take Serzone (SRI) as well - some extra side-efects, but they're bearable.
Tony P
tonyp@shaw.ca
----------------------------------------
> Hi!
>
> Paxil did help me with my depression, but the side-effects were terrible. When my doc put me on Wellbutrin, I was really worried about having a relapse. So far, it hasn't happened. I still feel as emotionally stable, or even more, as I was when I got off Paxil, and I haven't had any panic attacks ever since I made the change (I had had a few while on Paxil). For one thing, I DO want Wellbutrin to work out for me. At the moment, I just can't afford the side-effects of an SSRI. I would be willing to try some other AD, but that would have to be one that didn't interphere in my sex life, didn't put me to sleep and, above all, didn't have me put on weight. Wellbutrin has been doing the trick so far. By the way, my doctor put me on a very low dose (150mg once a day). Does anybody here know whether it's possible to do well on this dose or will I have to increase it eventually?
Posted by jay beck on June 25, 2003, at 20:12:44
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by Kam on January 2, 2003, at 11:21:29
i was just put on wellbutrin last month and im deciding to quit using it. I experianced chest pain and i felt weakness. not like too much coffee, more like a slighty hard speed crash consistantly but without the deppresion. it is an effective anti-d, but it gave me incresed anxiety. if you have anxiety i REALLY suggest you dont try this one.
Posted by paxvox on June 26, 2003, at 18:38:46
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by jay beck on June 25, 2003, at 20:12:44
That really depends upon the dose you were taking. If you were at the "standard" 150mg SR x 2, then you may have had the symptoms you described. However, did your doc ever try to reduce you to the 100mg SR? I think WB can be an excellent med, but yes, it CAN cause those sort of side effects. When my doc tried to bump me up to 200mg SR x 2, I could not adjust to the chest pain/tightness etc... that you described. So, it IS very much a dose-related condition. Personally, if you haven't tried the smaller dose, but DID find good AD effects from WB, maybe you SHOULD try it before you write it off as "not for you."
PAX
Posted by mariarp on February 3, 2004, at 17:34:47
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by Tony P on February 16, 2003, at 13:23:22
I have been taking Wellbutrin about 2 months now. I feel a lot more anxiety as well, but less depressed.
When I first started taking it I had an allergic reaction. I began itching uncontrollably everywhere for days non-stop. I began taking half of a Benadryl with my dosage, in about a week the itching left.
Even with the itching I was determined to continue with it, because I quit smoking within 2 weeks of taking it (and not by choice). I am starting to lose weight (weight that I gained from Paroxetine).
As far as the depressions goes, it has helped, however, Paroxetine completely straightened me out. But I began to get depressed again when I began gaining weight. (about 60 pounds in a little over half a year)
Now with Wellbutrin I am awake as opposed to sleeping hours on end. Paroxetine also caused me to rarely be able to achieve an orgasm. Since I began Wellbutrin reaching a peak is no problem what-so-ever. I am beginning to love Wellbutrin, so long as it gets better with my depression.
-Maria
Posted by SummerSanders on February 3, 2004, at 17:41:32
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by mariarp on February 3, 2004, at 17:34:47
This is interesting to me. I myself loved Paxil, but hated the 40 pounds I gained in a year..I am 5'1... I am worried about wellbutrin because of my anxiety and natural nervous personality. Does it make you nervous?
Posted by mariarp on February 3, 2004, at 17:45:28
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by Kam on January 2, 2003, at 11:21:29
> I am now trying my 5th SSRI, I did try Wellbutrin, it actually seemed to be working but I began to get hives and had to switch again. As far as the weight gain, paxil which was my last one made me gain a little weight. I'm not sure about Wellbutrin, wasn't on it long enough. Had to stop the paxil for sexual side effects. I am now on Lexapro and hoping this is the one. I was bumbed when I found out I was allergic to the Wellbutrin, hope it works for you. I have the same concerns with the xanax but it works the best for me and I have been on it about a year now and have not had to increase my dosage. And my panic is severe. Wish you luck !!!
______________________________________________You said when you took Wellbutrin you broke out in hives. I had a similar reaction, however, I started taking half a benadryl every morning for about a week/week and a half. Then I decided to stop the benadryl and see if the problem persisted (to see if I should tell my psych) I was very excited to find out the allergic reaction had subsided. (I guess I just needed a while for my body to get used to it) So I was wondering if you had tried Benadryl. It might help, unless you have found another AD that works for you.
-mariarp
Posted by MB on February 3, 2004, at 20:48:32
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by SummerSanders on February 3, 2004, at 17:41:32
> This is interesting to me. I myself loved Paxil, but hated the 40 pounds I gained in a year..I am 5'1... I am worried about wellbutrin because of my anxiety and natural nervous personality. Does it make you nervous?
When I first started Wellbutrin (or whenever I first *start* it: I've tried it a number of times) I have had a considerable amount of anxiety with it. However, here's what I've learned. In the past, doctors have usually started me at too high of a dose. I've been started at 150mg a day for two weeks, and then bumped to 300mg a day. This was way too fast for me!!! A better titration schedule for me this time around has been 100mg/day for almost six weeks and then bumping up to 100mg 2x day (where I am now). For me, but not for some friends I know on WB, coffee can be a a big factor. When I *first* started taking WB, if I drank *ANY* coffee, I flew into a *bad* panic. I had to avoid coffee like the plague. I can now drink a couple cups a day for a boost without getting anxious. Lastly, Klonopin has been a Godsend. Before, I needed an SSRI along for the ride to treat my anxiety. Wellbutrin alone wasn't enough to treat my anxiety. I needed another antidepressant, an SSRI. But on the SSRIs, all I wanted to do was to sleep all day. Sure they gave me the typical startup akathisia/insomnia, but once I adjusted, they turned me into an unmotivated sloth. Now with the Klonopin (1mg 3x day), I can keep the Wellbutrin as my only antidepressant (no SSRI), and my anxiety is taken care of. It also helped with the initial "getting used to" phase of the Wellbutrin initiation. The Klonopin *did* make me drowsy at first, but that went away really quickly (unlike with the SSRIs, which, seemed to make me more drowsey and fatigued the *longer* I was on them). On the Klonopin/Wellbutrin combo, I have no sexual side effects, and I don't need to take a two hour nap every day like I've had to on the SSRIs. Also, comming off of SSRIs, for me, has been horrible. Comming off of Wellbutrin seemed to have no withdrawal effects other than the return of the depression. Klonopin *is* somewhat difficult to come off of: there is considerable rebound anxiety. But for me, I would rather come off of Klonopin any day than go through the incapacitating withdrawals of SSRI discontinuation.MB
MB
Posted by mariarp on February 3, 2004, at 23:11:28
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin effectiveness, posted by SummerSanders on February 3, 2004, at 17:41:32
Paxil made my hands shake (when I was awake), when I switched to Wellbutrin I was hoping this would sub-side, however, I still have the jitters.
I have also noticed I seem to have cold hands a lot of the time, although I don't feel cold.
About being nervous I am not sure because I have been taking other meds for schizo-affective disorder from depression. So I can say I don't feel nervous, but that is probably because of the other meds.
This is the end of the thread.
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