Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 473986

Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

switch from wellbut. to effexor?

Posted by fires on March 22, 2005, at 11:42:32

Anyone know if it is safe to stop Wellbutrin 150 mg and immediately start Effexor XR 37.5 mg?

Kinda sad that I may have to make med. decisions based on patient info..

 

Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor?

Posted by Spriggy on March 22, 2005, at 13:21:25

In reply to switch from wellbut. to effexor?, posted by fires on March 22, 2005, at 11:42:32

Why are you deciding this and does your doctor know?

Wellbutrin and Effexor are different drugs; Wellbutrin hits norepinephrine and dopamine while Effexor targets the norepinephrine and seratonin.

So is Wellbutrin causing anxiety and that's why you are stopping?

 

Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor? » Spriggy

Posted by fires on March 22, 2005, at 14:35:06

In reply to Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor?, posted by Spriggy on March 22, 2005, at 13:21:25

> Why are you deciding this and does your doctor know?
>
> Wellbutrin and Effexor are different drugs; Wellbutrin hits norepinephrine and dopamine while Effexor targets the norepinephrine and seratonin.
>
> So is Wellbutrin causing anxiety and that's why you are stopping?

I was on Effexor XR 75 mg since early 2004 - until late 2004. It brought me out of major dep. Switched to Wellbutrin a few months ago with hopes that it would be better than Effex.. Now I feel I'm sliding back into major dep. I've posted several times about BP II, because it is being considered as a possible new dx.

I have a "problem" with the BP II dx since I was on Parnate for 15 years without any hypomania. I didn't experience any "hypomania" until I took too much Effexor or more than 150 mg Wellbutrin.

I don't have typical anxiety. What my pdoc calls anxiety = slight to mod. hyperactivity, physical ills, extreme brain tiredness.

When I feel like I do now, I can "go over the edge" without any additional warning(s), just like someone threw a switch. I didn't think I'd get to talk to my pdoc so fast, but they got me an appointment for tomorrow.(Found this out right after my post).

This won't make sense to many, but here's the plan(s) of action(s) I prefer in order:

1) continue Wellbutrin 150 mg and add more Klonopin to my 2 mg that I now take.

2) Switch back to Effexor 75 mg.

3)increase Wellbutrin to 300 mg, even if I become hypomanic (still not sure if I was really clinically hypomanic, or if it was med induced).

4)add Abilify to Wellbutrin or Effexor per above.

This is all complicated by the fact that I also have fibromyalgia, RLS/PLMD, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and more.

Sorry, too much info.

 

Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor?

Posted by Spriggy on March 22, 2005, at 14:50:16

In reply to Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor? » Spriggy, posted by fires on March 22, 2005, at 14:35:06

Oh wow, well since there is a lot going on, I won't even pretend to know what to tell you other than that I will pray for wisdom for your doctor visit tomorrow and that you feel better soon.

 

Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor?

Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 22, 2005, at 15:13:06

In reply to Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor? » Spriggy, posted by fires on March 22, 2005, at 14:35:06

> I was on Effexor XR 75 mg since early 2004 - until late 2004. It brought me out of major dep. Switched to Wellbutrin a few months ago with hopes that it would be better than Effex.. Now I feel I'm sliding back into major dep. I've posted several times about BP II, because it is being considered as a possible new dx.
>
> I have a "problem" with the BP II dx since I was on Parnate for 15 years without any hypomania. I didn't experience any "hypomania" until I took too much Effexor or more than 150 mg Wellbutrin.


You might have what's called Bipolar Type 3 (I think) which is drug induced mania.


> I don't have typical anxiety. What my pdoc calls anxiety = slight to mod. hyperactivity, physical ills, extreme brain tiredness.
>
> When I feel like I do now, I can "go over the edge" without any additional warning(s), just like someone threw a switch. I didn't think I'd get to talk to my pdoc so fast, but they got me an appointment for tomorrow.(Found this out right after my post).
>
> This won't make sense to many, but here's the plan(s) of action(s) I prefer in order:
>
> 1) continue Wellbutrin 150 mg and add more Klonopin to my 2 mg that I now take.
>
> 2) Switch back to Effexor 75 mg.
>
> 3)increase Wellbutrin to 300 mg, even if I become hypomanic (still not sure if I was really clinically hypomanic, or if it was med induced).
>
> 4)add Abilify to Wellbutrin or Effexor per above.


You're right: I don't get it!


> This is all complicated by the fact that I also have fibromyalgia, RLS/PLMD, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and more.

Considering your fibromyalgia and RLS/PLMD, I think Cymbalta might be a good antidepressant for you. I have chronic neck and back pain, and the Cymbalta has been GREAT for that. Others here have also reported excellent pain relief from Cymbalta. (When I was on 60mg, I slept like a baby. I had to cut back to 40mg 'cause my blood pressure went up a little. It's still effective, though not quite AS effective.) It also did wonders for my depression AND anxiety (though some here have reported that it increased their anxiety). I am augmenting the Cymbalta with Wellbutrin XL 150mg, and so far, so good.

I am Bipolar Type 2, so no matter what antidepressants I take, I always take a mood stabilizer. Currently, 300-450mg Trileptal. I used Depakote the first 2-3 years, but gained weight so switched to Trileptal, which has worked well for me, though NOT as a monotherapy.

Please be careful with the Wellbutrin. If you are BP2, it could "activate" you. I wouldn't recommend it as a first-line choice AD for a BP2 type.

Good luck!

 

Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor? » Minnie-Haha

Posted by fires on March 22, 2005, at 15:26:10

In reply to Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor?, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 22, 2005, at 15:13:06

<snip>
> You're right: I don't get it!
>
>
> > This is all complicated by the fact that I also have fibromyalgia, RLS/PLMD, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and more.
>
> Considering your fibromyalgia and RLS/PLMD, I think Cymbalta might be a good antidepressant for you. I have chronic neck and back pain, and the Cymbalta has been GREAT for that. Others here have also reported excellent pain relief from Cymbalta. (When I was on 60mg, I slept like a baby. I had to cut back to 40mg 'cause my blood pressure went up a little. It's still effective, though not quite AS effective.) It also did wonders for my depression AND anxiety (though some here have reported that it increased their anxiety). I am augmenting the Cymbalta with Wellbutrin XL 150mg, and so far, so good.

I took Cymbalta for 24 days but had to stop it do to severe lethargy -- i was hoping it wold go away, but not so.

>
> I am Bipolar Type 2, so no matter what antidepressants I take, I always take a mood stabilizer. Currently, 300-450mg Trileptal. I used Depakote the first 2-3 years, but gained weight so switched to Trileptal, which has worked well for me, though NOT as a monotherapy.

I tried Lamictal, but too sedating.

>
> Please be careful with the Wellbutrin. If you are BP2, it could "activate" you. I wouldn't recommend it as a first-line choice AD for a BP2 type.

I just read that Wellbutrin was one of the preferred ADs for BP II. BP II is very controversial to say the least.

>
> Good luck!

Thanks

 

Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor? » fires

Posted by Colleen D. on March 22, 2005, at 15:58:59

In reply to switch from wellbut. to effexor?, posted by fires on March 22, 2005, at 11:42:32

You could also try taking Wellbutrin and Effexor together. Right now I'm taking Cymbalta, Wellbutrin and Klonopin, and so far it's been a great combo. I also have chronic pain in joints but haven't been diagnosed with fibro. Anyway, I wish you luck in finding something that helps.

Colleen

 

Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor?

Posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2005, at 17:18:31

In reply to Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor? » fires, posted by Colleen D. on March 22, 2005, at 15:58:59

I know that cymbalta has been approved for peripheral neuropathy. When I took it I didn't have any body pains, but I didn't think it did anything for anxiety/depression. You need a good doc with the medical conditions that complicate the picture. Good luck at your appointment. Fondly, phillipa

 

Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor? » fires

Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 22, 2005, at 17:53:51

In reply to Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor? » Minnie-Haha, posted by fires on March 22, 2005, at 15:26:10

> I took Cymbalta for 24 days but had to stop it do to severe lethargy -- i was hoping it wold go away, but not so.

Dang!

> I tried Lamictal, but too sedating.

Do you mean Trileptal? Either way... dang!

> I just read that Wellbutrin was one of the preferred ADs for BP II. BP II is very controversial to say the least.

Aren't we lucky? I, too, have grappled with my DX, but I'm trying to let go a bit now and just find the therapy that works (best?) for me.

I said it before, but good luck.

 

Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor? » Phillipa

Posted by fires on March 22, 2005, at 17:56:14

In reply to Re: switch from wellbut. to effexor?, posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2005, at 17:18:31

> I know that cymbalta has been approved for peripheral neuropathy. When I took it I didn't have any body pains, but I didn't think it did anything for anxiety/depression. You need a good doc with the medical conditions that complicate the picture. Good luck at your appointment. Fondly, phillipa

Problem is I have 4 main docs and others I see once a year.

I've mentioned these before, but no one else seems to have them: I just came out of my 2nd bad dep. period today. The first one started about 9:00AM and lasted a couple of hours, while the 2nd one started about 2:00 PM and just now let up some.

I don't feel great between episodes, but relatively better. It's because of these episodes that I think Klonopin may be of value.



This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] 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.