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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sometimesblue on September 21, 2007, at 13:10:51
I have been on Bupropion for about 3-4 weeks now, and i'm having very weird side effects...the kind that in the warning/side effects section of the pamphlet say "RARE BUT SERIOUS".
They are as follows:
*Mood Swings [though i didn't noticed until a co-worker pointed it out...not good] - within past 1-2 wks
*Irritability [within 1-2 wks]
*Dizziness [a lot recently, within past week]
*Flushing [first 2 weeks, not so much anymore]
*Increased sweating [first 2 wks, not so much anymore]
*Ringing in ears [first week]
*Uncontrolled movement [like muscle spasms, first week]Problem is, I like that it has no sexual side effects whatsoever [in fact, it's really done wonders for my sex life]. And, it has completely helped with depression, i feel so much better. I have more energy, and motivation. And, it didn't have any of the anxiety side effects.
So now what? My doc wants to try Cymbalta, but what will that entail? Will it be as effective in all the good ways as Bupropion?
Need advice from anyone please.
-SB
Posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2007, at 13:26:53
In reply to Need to get off BUPROPION, ugly side effects, HELP, posted by sometimesblue on September 21, 2007, at 13:10:51
I just know wellbutrin in one week at l50mg made me appear manic in the docs office and was hospitalized and taken off the med. Been on cymbalta also and it reved me up the second time too. Phillipa
Posted by ClearSkies on September 21, 2007, at 14:40:33
In reply to Need to get off BUPROPION, ugly side effects, HELP, posted by sometimesblue on September 21, 2007, at 13:10:51
Well, as you've noted, some of the side effects have lessened, so it's possible that with time that they'll improve even more. I know that for myself it sometimes takes a good 6 to 8 weeks on a medication for me to know whether it's a dud or not.
But side effects can be really prohibitive too. Keeping a daily chart might help you look at it more objectively. If you're feeling better overall, perhaps it's worth some of the uncomfortable side effects to stay on the med? Daily charting can be a real pain but it takes all the subjectiveness out of the decision. You can look back at several weeks' worth of records and say, "well, that particular side effect just about went away, so maybe I can live with it."
And there's my 2 cents. Keep the change.
ClearSkies
Posted by olysi79 on September 21, 2007, at 14:52:12
In reply to Need to get off BUPROPION, ugly side effects, HELP, posted by sometimesblue on September 21, 2007, at 13:10:51
My advice...
1)Pick up the phone, and call your doctor. let them know the side effects you are having, and how severe they are.
2) Ask others here if they have experienced similar side effects... BUT, when asking, be careful as everyone's experiences are different. I am taking the approach of asking people what they did about the side effects from this point forward if they experienced the same ones, so I don't get horror stories.
3) Call the pharmacist, see if they have heard of the side effects.
Posted by sometimesblue on September 21, 2007, at 15:20:37
In reply to Re: Need to get off BUPROPION, ugly side effects, HELP, posted by olysi79 on September 21, 2007, at 14:52:12
> My advice...
> 1)Pick up the phone, and call your doctor. let them know the side effects you are having, and how severe they are.
> 3) Call the pharmacist, see if they have heard of the side effects.Actually, that's not such a bad idea [#3]...i think i'll ask my pharmacist [at least that won't cost a co-pay].
I have called my doc and she wants me to come in. But the thing is that i don't want to change to another drug if i'm going to have to go thru the same cr*p i'm going through now....
1. How long should i wait to see if these symtoms will go away?
2. And, if they don't, what's the next best alternative?
My biggest concerns:
1. anorgasm
2. energy
3. focus
4. motivation
5. depression
6. anxiety[Probably in that order]...is there anything that will target these things, or at least help with depression and anxiety while helping with focus, energy and motivation WITHOUT the sexual side effects?
Or do i need a combo of meds to target all these concerns individually?
Oy-vey! What a mess i'm in!
-thanks for any advice you can give.
:o( SB
Posted by d0pamine on September 21, 2007, at 20:43:59
In reply to Need to get off BUPROPION, ugly side effects, HELP, posted by sometimesblue on September 21, 2007, at 13:10:51
Two words. Emsam. I had to stop bupropion because of the ringing as well. It can become permanent with continued use.
Posted by Racer on September 22, 2007, at 1:34:21
In reply to Good idea, but here are some other concerns... » olysi79, posted by sometimesblue on September 21, 2007, at 15:20:37
This are just off the point at the top of my head:
>
> 1. How long should i wait to see if these symtoms will go away?Depends on the specific side effect, and on its severity. My guess is that the mood swings are considered "severe," because they may indicate bipolar, and WB is not a great drug for bipolar.
If the side effects are tolerable, I'd say give it about four to eight weeks at a therapeutic dose. Just as it can take that long for an antidepressant to kick in, it can also take that long for the adjustment phase side effects to level out.
>
> 2. And, if they don't, what's the next best alternative?That's always hard to say. Your doctor suggested Cymbalta, which I think is well worth trying. My guess is that you'll likely have to work out a way to address some side effects -- as Olysi wisely noted, asking how to mitigate side effects can limit the horror stories. Here are my suggestions:
>
> My biggest concerns:
>
> 1. anorgasmThere are medications which can mitigate the anorgasmia from serotinergic medications. I used cyproheptidine successfully when I was on Effexor and on Cymbalta. Worked fine for me -- kinda like Viagra, you take a pill half an hour before you want to be able to roll around and scream, then you can do that successfully for about four to six hours. It doesn't work for everyone, but it's an anti-histimine, so the worst that happens if it doesn't work is -- it doesn't work. Also, it's an old drug -- dirt cheap.
Other options include WB to go with an SRI-type drug. There are others, but I forget.
> 2. energy
It might be that you want to try something like Provigil to augment whatever you take.
> 3. focus
See note above.
> 4. motivation
> 5. depressionThese are likely to go together. At least for me, if I am depressed, I am unmotivated. (Unfortunately, the only times I'm really motivated are those times I'm in a state of semi-starvation. I suppose that could be an option -- but it's not a good one...)
> 6. anxiety
Cymbalta is very good for this. I'm told EMSAM is good for all these things, but I haven't tried it.
I hope that helps.
Posted by curiousfish on September 23, 2007, at 16:39:15
In reply to Need to get off BUPROPION, ugly side effects, HELP, posted by sometimesblue on September 21, 2007, at 13:10:51
bupropion was an awful drug for me as well. i got practically all the irritibility side effects possible >_<. dizziness as well. and stomach discomfort. i also liked the lack of sexual side effects, but i just cant tolerate the drug. i replaced it with geodon which has worked much better (im bipolar)
Posted by sometimesblue on September 24, 2007, at 9:11:09
In reply to Re: Good idea, but here are some other concerns... » sometimesblue, posted by Racer on September 22, 2007, at 1:34:21
> Depends on the specific side effect, and on its severity. My guess is that the mood swings are considered "severe," because they may indicate bipolar, and WB is not a great drug for bipolar.I spoke to my pharmacist and he said if dizziness is one of the side effect than i should get on something else because that can turn into fainting which [obviously] would be a danger.
> > 1. anorgasm
>
> There are medications which can mitigate the anorgasmia from serotinergic medications. I used cyproheptidine successfully when I was on Effexor and on Cymbalta. Worked fine for me -- kinda like Viagra, you take a pill half an hour before you want to be able to roll around and scream, then you can do that successfully for about four to six hours. It doesn't work for everyone, but it's an anti-histimine, so the worst that happens if it doesn't work is -- it doesn't work. Also,
it's an old drug -- dirt cheap.Is there anything that can be taken regulary? Taking something 30 minutes before throws spontinaitely right out the window [which is always the best part of sex i think ;p ].
> Other options include WB to go with an SRI-type drug. There are others, but I forget.I was supposed to take it with Lexapro, but i thought the wellbutrin was more effective by itself [and i was supposed to eventually get off lexapro, i just jumped the gun i think...womp womp womp...]
> > 2. energy
>
> It might be that you want to try something like Provigil to augment whatever you take.I took Provigil sometime ago, but it's very expensive. I'll see if it's omething [my new] inusrance will cover.
Thanks for the advice...i'm writing all this down so i can "assist in my treatment" when i go to my doc [which is tomorrow].
Posted by sometimesblue on September 24, 2007, at 9:14:43
In reply to Re: Need to get off BUPROPION, ugly side effects, HELP, posted by curiousfish on September 23, 2007, at 16:39:15
> bupropion was an awful drug for me as well. i got practically all the irritibility side effects possible >_<. dizziness as well. and stomach discomfort. i also liked the lack of sexual side effects, but i just cant tolerate the drug. i replaced it with geodon which has worked much better (im bipolar)
I'm starting to think i may be bipolar. I've been doing a lot of research on this and one of the "signs" is if AD's don't work for you. This will be the 4th one that has not worked for me...
Now, i don't have "mental health coverage" so can a regular doctor diagnose Bipolar? How do i approach the subject?
thanks,
SB
Posted by stargazer2 on September 24, 2007, at 9:56:21
In reply to Need to get off BUPROPION, ugly side effects, HELP, posted by sometimesblue on September 21, 2007, at 13:10:51
Also, are you on the generic buproprion called Budeprion? I believe others have had difficulty with this generic version of Wellbutrin.
With all the various generics being manufactured, is there any consistency between the brand name and the generics of which there may be several for each brand name.
For anyone to compare experiences with another, there are so many variables not the least is which generic are you on...
The generic buproprion I was given was called Budeprion (Teva), which the pharmacist claimed was the same as buproprion but I was never convinced. It just did not work the same as the first generic Wellbutrin I was on.
I have no faith at all in the generics anymore since there are so many floating around and all of them have different components and even the supposedly "inactive " ingredients can cause the medication to work differently, case in point Nardil. It was reformulated in 2003 and those stable on the brand name for years found themselves destabalized and some were hospitalized after taking the "new" generic version that worked completely differntly due to "inactive" components.
Just my thoughts on comparing meds. Before we can compare one med to another we have to know who is the manufacturor of the generic else it could be like comparing apples to oranges.
stargazer
Posted by sometimesblue on September 24, 2007, at 11:06:45
In reply to How much Buproprion are you on? Generic type?, posted by stargazer2 on September 24, 2007, at 9:56:21
Posted by curiousfish on September 24, 2007, at 18:40:24
In reply to Bipolar huh? Maybe..., posted by sometimesblue on September 24, 2007, at 9:14:43
> > bupropion was an awful drug for me as well. i got practically all the irritibility side effects possible >_<. dizziness as well. and stomach discomfort. i also liked the lack of sexual side effects, but i just cant tolerate the drug. i replaced it with geodon which has worked much better (im bipolar)
>
> I'm starting to think i may be bipolar. I've been doing a lot of research on this and one of the "signs" is if AD's don't work for you. This will be the 4th one that has not worked for me...
>
> Now, i don't have "mental health coverage" so can a regular doctor diagnose Bipolar? How do i approach the subject?
>
> thanks,
> SB
>
>my bipolar case was not clear cut. actually, my psych doc and therapist had no idea what was wrong with me!! my psych doc was ready to refer me to someone else in frustration because nothing was working and i was very acute. she initially diagnosed me with an anxiety disorder, but i only got anxious when depressed. my 'mania' is actually hypomania.. and my depression is 'agitated'.
wellbutrin + bipolar = DISASTER..
even with a mood stabilizer, wellbutrin was a bad drug for me!
Posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2007, at 20:57:05
In reply to Re: Bipolar huh? Maybe..., posted by curiousfish on September 24, 2007, at 18:40:24
What if it's the opposite get depressed if anxious? Phillipa
Posted by curiousfish on September 25, 2007, at 0:42:36
In reply to Re: Bipolar huh? Maybe... » curiousfish, posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2007, at 20:57:05
> What if it's the opposite get depressed if anxious? Phillipa
hard to know really..its so complex. for me, looking back, there were also other signs of bipolar. not only was i hyperanxious, i was having rage attacks. and the anxiety was a periodical occurance.
Posted by sometimesblue on September 26, 2007, at 10:44:21
In reply to Re: Bipolar huh? Maybe..., posted by curiousfish on September 25, 2007, at 0:42:36
This is the end of the thread.
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