Posted by Cam W. on December 7, 2000, at 16:30:47
In reply to Re: Help with Wellbutrin please..... » Cam W., posted by Soraya on December 7, 2000, at 15:45:35
Soraya - I did notice the ringing in my ears every now and then, usually when it was really quiet. It was like what you get after leaving an arena after a Grateful Dead concert, only a lot less intense. It wasn't really intense, though. If it was at a level where it bothered me 2 months after stabilizing on the drug, I would ask my doc to change meds. I don't think that the ringing in the ears will cause any damage, but I am not positive. I haven't heard of any structural damage occurring (maybe that's because I can't hear anymore, ha ha).
As with any antidepressant, Wellbutrin should be taken for at least 9 months after resolution of the depressive symptom (or about 1 year) for acute depressions. It takes this long for the body to "set" in non-depressed mode. If you stop before this, the body always takes the path of least resistance and will revert back to the depressive mix of neurotransmitters and receptors. The body needs to be retrained to work in non-depressed mode. Also, during the year, you will need to work on whatever problem caused the depression in the first place.
As for long term Wellbutrin use. I had been taking Wellbutrin for about 2 - 3 years until my doctor took me off of it about 3 weeks ago (but maybe I'm not the best person to use as an example of long term effects. It's hard to tell which deficits I had before starting the Wellbutrin and which I aquired after). I know of many people who have been taking Wellbutrin for several years, with no obvious problems).
Hope this helps - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:50095
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001130/msgs/50153.html