Posted by Sassy on December 20, 1999, at 18:16:48
In reply to Re: Effexor and Wellbrutin, posted by Zannah on December 17, 1999, at 20:04:37
Hi Zannah,
Really appreciated your feedback and also Carol Ann's remarks.
Just for your information, I am taking 150 mg of the Effexor twice a day.
The fatigue is a little less than before and it does not affect my ability to do something, but I need to really motivate myself to do it.
I feel a little more comfortable doing things, probably because I'm use to the effect of the drug now, where I wasn't too sure whether I had it together or not, and slowed down making decisions.I may inquire about Adderall to see if this would be a good supplement at my next visit to the dr.
At least I know this effexor is working.
Good health and cheers!
Sassy
One thing for sure, is not having any anxiety.> > Been reading alot about Celexa, Wellbrutin and
> > Effexor. Just got off Celexa, >
> > Now taking Effexor, and it makes me sleepy. I
> > thought this was suppose to be a stimulating drug.
> > Does it make you sleepy at first and then stimulating? I need to keep my thoughts together.
>
> > HI Sassy,
> I have spent many days,weeks, & months trying to find an AD that does anything whatsoever to improve my depression, or whatever the hell it is that plagues me.
> Celexa was a complete bust-as Adam humorously puts it (about WB)-I might as well have been taking Pez.
> I have spent the past 4 months on WellbutrinSR 150, twice daily. After the first 2 wks. on WB, I had 6 miraculous days during which I experienced motivation, clear thinking, elevated mood and ENERGY. Then--nothing--except a 'bit' more energy than usual. Even that faded after a while. I even gained weight on it! I kept taking it b/c I hoped, somehow, that 'good feeling' might come back. I tries to increase to 450 mg., but cd. not tolerate it.
> My g.p. gave me a 3 week atarter pack of Effexor, which I began a month ago. One wk. at 37.5 mg., then 2 wks. at 75 mg.& a few days at 112.5mgs. I then got him to prescribe a few more (14), so I cd. give it a decent trial run before nixing it. I (w/out his knowledge) stayed on the WB as well, but kept it down to (1) 150 mg. SR each a.m., then took the Eff. later in the day.
> I must say, I ALSO thought Eff. was a stimulating AD, but nothing, not even sleep meds, have ever kicked my arse like the 'Effexor somnolence bomb'.
> I cd. not even drive for the first 10 days. I slept 16-20 hrs. a day, when I cd. (Obviously, I am not working at this time).
> Other AD's, mostly TCA's had this 'sleeping sickness' effect on me, but, it always abated after 5-6 days. Not the Effexor. I SO wanted it to work! And, after reading so many horror stories about Eff. 'withdrawal', I was really desperate for it to work. I saw my g.p. on Tues., he said, 'nix it' and try Remeron. I told I thought I was probably going to need an actual stimulant plus an AD to get any results. Ihave tried dexedrine (many yrs. ago, not Rx'd) & phentermine ( a diet drug). Both were great for my dep./lack of focus. When I mentioned the phen. to him, he told me I needed a pdoc, which I figured was probably the route I shd. have taken originally.But, I did see a psychologist for a while and was under the care of a neuro (back/spinal probs) & I was able to try many AD's thru their care. I even gave Ritilan a trial run. I got up to 60 mgs. a day. All it did was put me to sleep! (Excessive sleeping, fatigue is probably my most prominent dep. symptom.)
>
> > Wellbrutin sounds like it may be a good additive.
> > WB has done wonderfully 'stimulating' things for lots of people. You may be one of them! TRY it!
>
> > I have not experienced joy in many years and look forward to a day that I find something that really works.
> That stinks, you deserve better. But, it can be hard work finding the right 'formula'.
> >
> My soul wants to experience the pleasures of life, but my mind is too tired and my body doesn't have the energy.
> > I've been through the exercise and diet thing for years, but that doesn't do anything.
>
> Sassy,I could have written the above statement myself, word for word. I've had the 'physical' tests & all is in order, except for my brain, of course!
> >
> > Would like to hear more on Effexor and Wellbrutin.
> > This might be the one for me.
>
> I really hope you have great luck , and please keep us posted. I am on my 2nd day of Effexor weaning. I stopped the WB cold turkey.I have done THAT ONCE BEFORE W/NO ILL EFFECTS. (sorry, caps.)
> I am taking about 15 mgs. of Eff. each nite before bed. So far, just nausea, dizzy spells, weakness. Maybe I won't have too rough a time getting off it.
> And, after the new year, I'll start the 'shrink search'.
>
> Once again, the very best of luck to you~Zannah
poster:Sassy
thread:16963
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991212/msgs/17194.html