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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Erynn on May 25, 2000, at 16:21:52
I have been on Wellbutrin for exactly one week now,
and I can't see any improvement. How long will it take
to start working?I was on 150mg of Zoloft for 3 years, and the
effectivness has worn off. So, now the dr put me on
150mg Wellbutrin (2X/day) along with 50mg of Zoloft.
It doesn't seem to be doing any good. I haven't
crashed back to depression, but the downward spiral has
not stopped. Is it possible that the Zoloft was
reduced by too much? I am very concerned because I
start a new job in just a few weeks, and my symptoms
affect my performance. Do some people not respond to
Wellbutrin? - Erynn
Posted by allisonm on May 25, 2000, at 17:14:45
In reply to Wellbutrin; How long does it take to work?, posted by Erynn on May 25, 2000, at 16:21:52
Erin,
150mg 2X/day, so 300mg total per day? I would stick with it for a few more weeks. It took more than a week for Wellbutrin SR to kick in for me.You might also check the last few archived sets of postings. There are several dedicated to Wellbutrin with a number of very good posts by Cam W. who is a pharmicist and also takes Wellbutrin.
Take care.
Posted by CarolAnn on May 26, 2000, at 8:50:21
In reply to Wellbutrin; How long does it take to work?, posted by Erynn on May 25, 2000, at 16:21:52
Erin, Wellbutrin never did much for me until some other medications were added, but most people find it "miraculous" in their improvement. As far as "how long it takes", you really do need to give it at least 6 weeks (or even 8 wks) before you decide that it's not working. My Psychiatrist told me that a lot of medications(depending on the person) need that much time to kick in. Good Luck! CarolAnn
Posted by CarolAnn on May 26, 2000, at 8:51:56
In reply to Wellbutrin; How long does it take to work?, posted by Erynn on May 25, 2000, at 16:21:52
I'm so sorry, I spelled your name wrong in that first post! I was rushing. CarolAnn
Posted by allisonm on May 26, 2000, at 9:03:59
In reply to Re: Erynn, posted by CarolAnn on May 26, 2000, at 8:51:56
Ditto. I only noticed my misspelling after I posted. Apologies.
Posted by Erynn on May 26, 2000, at 21:12:06
In reply to Re: Erynn, posted by CarolAnn on May 26, 2000, at 8:51:56
Thanks for the feedback! I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can start to see a little improvement within the next few weeks!
Posted by allisonm on May 26, 2000, at 21:41:15
In reply to Re: Erynn, posted by Erynn on May 26, 2000, at 21:12:06
> Thanks for the feedback! I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can start to see a little improvement within the next few weeks!
Erynn,
If the side effects aren't bothering you (overly energized, shakes, insomnia, racing mind, irritability are a few), you might consider increasing the dose. In the US, I think the top dose is 400, although some have gone as high as 600mg.
Posted by ChrisK on May 27, 2000, at 7:01:48
In reply to Re: Erynn, posted by allisonm on May 26, 2000, at 21:41:15
Erynn,
I started to respond some to Wellbutrin after two weeks but I was still on Nortriptyline at the time. Once I dropped the Nortrip I had to increase my Wellbutrin from 150 mg to 300 mg. I currently take the SR version so I only take it once per day. I would say that if you aren't getting ANY effect within a month from the start you should talk to your doc about it.
Chris
Posted by BrendaF on May 27, 2000, at 8:09:20
In reply to Wellbutrin; How long does it take to work?, posted by Erynn on May 25, 2000, at 16:21:52
I've been on Wellbutrin 300mg a day for just a little over two weeks. I was very depressed (suicidal thoughts) because I had been off meds for 5 months (every now and then you gotta try). The Wellbutrin seemed to get rid of the worst of it within a week. Can't say that I'm jumping for joy or have become a social butterfly, but I have noted some small positive changes. For example, I had to stop and get gas on the way home the other day---normally, this feels like a huge task--get that leaden feeling--but I found that I did it without putting much thought into it......it was just getting gas, ya know? A small step, but in the right direction. You know, only you fellow depressed people could understand the significance of stopping to get gas......uh, you do understand, don't you?
Anyway, I agree that you should give it a little longer. Hope you have good luck with it! Take care :)
Posted by Noa on May 27, 2000, at 10:30:03
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin; How long does it take to work?, posted by BrendaF on May 27, 2000, at 8:09:20
>You know, only you
fellow depressed people could understand the significance of stopping to get gas.....You better believe it! When I am depressed, any stop is a monumental task. I usually don't have food at home and have to buy something every day or two (what a pathetic lifestyle I have developed through all this depression!) but often I have to go through this bargaining process with myself about stopping to get gas or pick up dinner, etc. Sometimes it is just too much. Now that I am feeling better, I notice it is not such a big deal.
Posted by BrendaF on May 27, 2000, at 11:37:12
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin; How long does it take to work?, posted by Noa on May 27, 2000, at 10:30:03
> >You know, only you
> fellow depressed people could understand the significance of stopping to get gas.....
>
> You better believe it! When I am depressed, any stop is a monumental task. I usually don't have food at home and have to buy something every day or two (what a pathetic lifestyle I have developed through all this depression!) but often I have to go through this bargaining process with myself about stopping to get gas or pick up dinner, etc. Sometimes it is just too much. Now that I am feeling better, I notice it is not such a big deal.
Noa,
It really is such a relief to talk to people who REALLY understand where you're coming from. Thanks!
Posted by Sara T on May 27, 2000, at 23:47:40
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin; How long does it take to work?, posted by BrendaF on May 27, 2000, at 8:09:20
> I've been on Wellbutrin 300mg a day for just a little over two weeks. I was very depressed (suicidal thoughts) because I had been off meds for 5 months (every now and then you gotta try). The Wellbutrin seemed to get rid of the worst of it within a week. Can't say that I'm jumping for joy or have become a social butterfly, but I have noted some small positive changes. For example, I had to stop and get gas on the way home the other day---normally, this feels like a huge task--get that leaden feeling--but I found that I did it without putting much thought into it......it was just getting gas, ya know? A small step, but in the right direction. You know, only you fellow depressed people could understand the significance of stopping to get gas......uh, you do understand, don't you?
>
> Anyway, I agree that you should give it a little longer. Hope you have good luck with it! Take care :)Yes, making stops is a real chore. Especially to the grocery store. All I want to do is head home and go to bed. Like alot of other things one has to do, simple things seem monumental. I do understand.
Sara T
This is the end of the thread.
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