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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by qbsbrown on February 22, 2004, at 13:43:10
I just began Amitriptyline (TCA) and the sedation is pretty bad. Will this fade away, or do you think that something like Wellbutrin would help with the energy levels?
Posted by zeugma on February 22, 2004, at 16:09:32
In reply to Wellbutrin the augmenter, posted by qbsbrown on February 22, 2004, at 13:43:10
Wellbutrin is contraindicated with TCA's, as it blocks their metabolism and can cause even worse side effects (if you can imagine) and even fatality, due to the inadvertently raised plasma level.
Stimulants like Ritalin or Dexedrine are a possibility. How much amitriptyline are you on? The sedation should eventually diminish. Or you could try nortriptyline which is a metabolite of amitrip, but less sedating/ more stimulating.
Posted by Sad Panda on February 23, 2004, at 9:50:19
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin the augmenter, posted by zeugma on February 22, 2004, at 16:09:32
> Wellbutrin is contraindicated with TCA's, as it blocks their metabolism and can cause even worse side effects (if you can imagine) and even fatality, due to the inadvertently raised plasma level.
>
> Stimulants like Ritalin or Dexedrine are a possibility. How much amitriptyline are you on? The sedation should eventually diminish. Or you could try nortriptyline which is a metabolite of amitrip, but less sedating/ more stimulating.
>
>Clomipramine may be worthy too.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 2:15:59
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin the augmenter, posted by zeugma on February 22, 2004, at 16:09:32
HI,
Has anyone had an experience on Wellbutrin as not causing anxiety, but rather HELPING it?
katia
Posted by Viridis on February 27, 2004, at 3:43:21
In reply to Wellbutrin - NOT cause anxiety?, posted by katia on February 26, 2004, at 2:15:59
If you're prone to anxiety, be extremely careful with this med. tt can be great for some people, but can also be highly anxiogenic. Insist on starting wth a low dose and see how you react.
Posted by katia on February 27, 2004, at 14:15:32
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin - NOT cause anxiety?, posted by Viridis on February 27, 2004, at 3:43:21
HI,
Thanks for your response. Yes, I know it's inclined towards revving up anxiety in people just as Paxil is with weight gain. I'm trying to decide between the two and wanted to hear ALL sides - like the positives ones where people didn't gain weight on Paxil and didn't gain anxiety from WB, but relaxed on it.I've started trileptal too and I'm getting slower now. I am sleeping with very little Seroquel and tonight I'm even probably going to try it w/o Seroquel. So that being, maybe WB could work b/c of the sedating effects of Trileptal?
This is all so hard to figure out! Pdocs are good but only to a 20minute point. I like to figure out which ones to choose from prior to going to an appt. as Iknow my body better than he does!
thanks-
Katia
BPII
Trileptal 125mg
Fish oil 12g
Seroquel 12g
Posted by SandyWeb on February 27, 2004, at 15:32:11
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin - NOT cause anxiety? » Viridis, posted by katia on February 27, 2004, at 14:15:32
I take Neurontin, and I find that it helps me TREMENDOUSLY when I begin another new med. I felt absolutely no anxiety when I began Wellbutrin, and the same with Celexa.
Neurontin keeps me calm during those initial start-up periods. And it works well as an adjunct to other meds.
As well, I've timed it so that every time I have to take a med, I take a Neurontin dose with it. For example, I'll take a dose of Wellbutrin at 2pm and I'll take a dose of Neurontin at the same time. It works out very well. At every dose, as well as over-all, Neurontin helps with those horrible freak-outs during start-up. *smile*
Sandy
Posted by katia on February 27, 2004, at 15:37:54
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin - NOT cause anxiety?, posted by SandyWeb on February 27, 2004, at 15:32:11
Thanks Sandy!
Good news to hear. Are you bipolar? I am and so I'm already on a mood stabilizer, so hopefully this will have the same calming effect.
Katia
BPII
Seroquel 12g
Fish oil 12g
Trileptal 125mg
Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 28, 2004, at 22:11:33
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin - NOT cause anxiety? » Viridis, posted by katia on February 27, 2004, at 14:15:32
I am pleased to report that after approximately three weeks of agitation and anxiety, it all seemed to vanish overnight into thin air. I then raised the dose to 300mg, and now the Wellbutrin is actually calming; I have way less anxiety than before the Wellbutrin or on 150mg of Wellbutrin. I am overjoyed that it's working this way. I did not expect it to.
Perhaps this may have to do with the fact that I have pretty bad ADD. I am on Trileptal (900mg) as well, and would urge you to go with Wellbutrin first, as it:
1) Has somewhat less propensity to induce mania
2) Could help in preventing mania due to inhibition of dopamine release
3) Has a more benign side effect profile assuming you do not get agitation/anxiety in the long run
4) Has no significant withdrawl syndrome
5) Is less emotionally bluntingFor as long as this works this way, I will be able to stave off using MAOIs. I'm now wondering if I need 900mg of Trileptal, or if the dosage could be decreased, as I'm feeling a little flat and sedated. I suppose I should give this some time to see how it turns out in at least 4 weeks. I cannot be emphatic enough: I'm so glad I waited out the psychic pain that I experienced starting it, although the Trileptal helped tremendously with that.
Posted by PsychoSage on February 29, 2004, at 9:43:35
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin - NOT cause anxiety? YES! » katia, posted by Chairman_MAO on February 28, 2004, at 22:11:33
> I am pleased to report that after approximately three weeks of agitation and anxiety, it all seemed to vanish overnight into thin air. I then raised the dose to 300mg, and now the Wellbutrin is actually calming; I have way less anxiety than before the Wellbutrin or on 150mg of Wellbutrin. I am overjoyed that it's working this way. I did not expect it to.
>
> Perhaps this may have to do with the fact that I have pretty bad ADD. I am on Trileptal (900mg) as well, and would urge you to go with Wellbutrin first, as it:
>
> 1) Has somewhat less propensity to induce mania
> 2) Could help in preventing mania due to inhibition of dopamine release
> 3) Has a more benign side effect profile assuming you do not get agitation/anxiety in the long run
> 4) Has no significant withdrawl syndrome
> 5) Is less emotionally blunting
>
> For as long as this works this way, I will be able to stave off using MAOIs. I'm now wondering if I need 900mg of Trileptal, or if the dosage could be decreased, as I'm feeling a little flat and sedated. I suppose I should give this some time to see how it turns out in at least 4 weeks. I cannot be emphatic enough: I'm so glad I waited out the psychic pain that I experienced starting it, although the Trileptal helped tremendously with that.
Are you bipolar MAO? I am on 300 of wellbutrin and 1200 of Trileptal. I experienced similar wellbutrin side effects, but I think that's thw way I am naturally too.I think that Wellbutrin needs a month or two at 150 before a person can decide what to do. Some people need the first dose and some need the typical 300.
Any mood stabilizer can make you flat sometimes, but I think you have to consider all the positive aspects of a MS. Not only can they prevent mania, but they also can be helpful for hypomanic symptoms which are subtle and psychotic symptoms which is not an idea often expressed, but it was suggested by my prescriber. i have also just recently found info about mood stabilizers being adjuncts for the treatment of psychotic disorders.
Posted by katia on March 1, 2004, at 1:23:22
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin - NOT cause anxiety? YES! » Chairman_MAO, posted by PsychoSage on February 29, 2004, at 9:43:35
Great!
Now we've got three of us in the Trileptal/Wellbutrin crowd! I think WB may be for me too. Sage, good point about keeping it at 150mg for at least a month. I already only need minimal meds anyway. Maybe I'll do this. I just can't gain any more weight, so Paxil is out.Thanks MAO for the positive words.
BOth of you keep in touch.
Katia
Posted by NG on March 10, 2004, at 21:45:29
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin - NOT cause anxiety? YES!, posted by katia on March 1, 2004, at 1:23:22
> Great!
> Now we've got three of us in the Trileptal/Wellbutrin crowd! I think WB may be for me too. Sage, good point about keeping it at 150mg for at least a month. I already only need minimal meds anyway. Maybe I'll do this. I just can't gain any more weight, so Paxil is out.I've never heard about Trileptal before. Could you give me a brief intro as to what it is, Katia? (Or anyone?)
[I'm BPII or cyclothymic, rapid cycling, depressive tendencies, some anxiety issues, and currently on 200mg Lamictal, 150mg Wellbutrin.'
Posted by katia on March 11, 2004, at 15:56:02
In reply to Trileptal, posted by NG on March 10, 2004, at 21:45:29
Hi again,
Triletpal is a mood stabilizer (MS) VERY similar to Tegretol. it's a newer version with an extra oxygen molecule or something like that (very little difference)except that it has less side effects than Tegretol.
The big three MSs are lithium, tegretol, and depakote.
Katia
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