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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Racer on October 14, 2006, at 2:34:58
I posted this as part of another question, but since I didn't get any comments, thought I'd post it here, too:
My husband's GP has started trying antidepressants for him. This started out as our marriage counselor's suggest -- treat his dysthymia, and see if things improve. So, he's had three week trials of Lexapro and Effexor XR, neither of which showed any improvement whatsoever. (Yeah, I know, only three weeks, but keep reading...) Lexapro caused severe constipation, disrupted sleep, and that's about it. Those were enough to move on to Effexor, though, since there were no benefits whatever from the Lexapro anyway. Effexor XR caused constipation, irritability -- which may have been partly excessive stress at work -- and flatulence. If the doctor hadn't said stop the Effexor, I'd have had to make him stop anyway...
Now the GP has him starting Wellbutrin XL...
Here's the thing: the GP has told Hubby that he has OCD, and the Lexapro/Effexor were also supposed to treat that. The GP is/was telling Hubby that he isn't going to prescribe another thing that's integral to what he says is a manifestation of Hubby's OCD. But I've never, ever heard that Wellbutrin is at all helpful for OCD, anyway! Is he completely off base? Or am I?
GP has also kinda fired Hubby -- told him to see a different doctor because of that "integral to the manifestation of Hubby's OCD" thing... I can't wait to see what happens next with that...
So, those of you who are brilliant -- and you know who you are -- what do you think?
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 14, 2006, at 7:44:47
In reply to Wellbutrin for OCD?, posted by Racer on October 14, 2006, at 2:34:58
Hiya
I'm no expert, but well, erm, so your husband has dysthymia and OCD? Well I mean sometimes its important not to jump to labels - I mean its the symptoms that matter, rather than the label.
But anyway, wellbutrin is a slightly un-conventional choice I guess for OCD. With me, it made my anxiety shoot through the roof, and I think this is a well documented side effect, so it might not be the best drug for someone with OCD.
But, its more commonly presribed for things like dysthymia... actually low-dose amisulpride is good for dysthymia - there are studies out there showing this. Wellbutrin and amisulpride both influence the dopamine receptors (although in different ways I think), so perhaps your GP was just thinking about treating the dysthymia and then hoping that the OCD would improve...
But I probably think that as you suggested in your previous post, your husbands GP was probably like 'done an SSRI, done an SSNRI, um, well the only thing left I feel comfortable prescribing as a GP (I'm no pdoc) is wellbutrin..' but who knows....
How's your husbands health otherwise?
Perhaps CBT would be useful for your husband?
In my experience, I personally don't rate the SSRIs/SSNRIs myself, but whatever helps, take it.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on October 14, 2006, at 9:15:24
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for OCD? » Racer, posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 14, 2006, at 7:44:47
It made my anxiety go through the roof too, but I just remembered that I have a friend who takes it for anxiety/depression/OCD symptoms. (The OCD may be more mild than the other 2 though). FWIW, he is a psychologist working with a highly respected pdoc. So, I guess it can be done.
Best,
EE
Posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2006, at 10:43:11
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for OCD?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on October 14, 2006, at 9:15:24
Wellbutrin put me in the hospital made my anxiety climb through the roof. How come not luvox? It's approved for OCD. And it has the least anxiety profile most sedating if he has anxiety. Hope he starts to feel better. Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on October 15, 2006, at 2:47:30
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for OCD?, posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2006, at 10:43:11
Wellbutrin is not good for OCD, if you suffer from generalized anxiety and OCD, at least from my experience. I took it with a little Klonopin -- partially because I needed to counteract its hyperactive effects and partially to cover any issues with seizures (not particularly present with SR and XR unless there is a seizure disorder present).
Eventually I had some very modest depression improvement, hyperactive sexual thoughts and impulses (okay, feeling good about sex I suppose is depression lifting though sometimes excessive -- anyhow.. :P), and I couldn't fall asleep for pure OCD obsessions and repetitive thoughts created by the fact that Wellbutrin is related to Tenuate, a no longer prescribed (I think still available) diet drug that is related to the phenylamines (amphetamine class drugs).
-- tidings
Jay
Posted by HappyGirl on October 15, 2006, at 8:24:37
In reply to Wellbutrin for OCD?, posted by Racer on October 14, 2006, at 2:34:58
Hi:
For me, Bipolar II with ultra-rapid-cycler, Wellbutrin SR(In my case, not XL) is good for energy along with depressant efficacy. However, if WB alone, I get anxiety, not terrible, but very anxious feelings. Then, I've been on Trazodone which has 'calming' along with good sleeping-aid. Also, Zyprexa 5 mg. makes 'balanced-out' not to get anxious feelings.
H.G.
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