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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ayla on June 11, 2004, at 1:31:48
Hi all! I haven't been on here in awhile, I hope you are all well. So last time I was here I was only on Zoloft, then I kept getting my dose raised until I was at 150mg a day, after about 7 months, it wasn't doing it's job so dr. put me on Depakote (500mg a day)with the zoloft. After about 6 weeks of those together I was feeling worse so she put me on Effexor xr, I took that for 2 weeks and was VERY cranky and tired, I slept all day. So today was my last day on the Effexor and tomorrow I'm starting Wellbutrin sr. I am not getting any info. on these meds. and I would like to know what to expect so if anyone has had similar experiences with these meds or any with wellbutrin please tell me about it. Also if I have left anything out feel free to ask me questions. I am 21 years old and have only been on meds since september 03. Any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks soo much,
***Ayla***
Posted by Ayla on June 11, 2004, at 1:51:31
In reply to Medication rant/questions, posted by Ayla on June 11, 2004, at 1:31:48
Here were my reactions to each medication on the off chance that it might help answer my question,
Zoloft- shakey hands, diarrhea, and inability to...i'm not sure what's appropriate to say on here but anyone who should know what I'm talking about will ;) This was like the firs week or two then it was just a little weight gain (about 5 pounds)
Depakote- shakes,sweats,anxiety,diarrhea,heart burn
Effexor XR- Extremely tired ALL the time, very moody, can't concentrate at all (this one was really weird I called it brain fog)
Also my doc. once gave me Xanax for panic attacks but it had no effect whatsoever.
So tomorrow I take 1 150mg tablet of Wellbutrin SR
and another one the next day then two a day thereafter. I am to take it for two weeks and if it still needs help I will be put on either Prozac or Lithium in conjunction with the WellbutrinSR. Any input or experiences?
Posted by Racer on June 11, 2004, at 11:18:35
In reply to Re: Medication rant/questions, posted by Ayla on June 11, 2004, at 1:51:31
Here's my only comment:
Most of the protocols I've seen have talked about a four week trial of any drug that is not producing dangerous adverse reactions before making any changes. If, after four weeks, there is no improvement, THEN they look to the next step. I wonder why your doctor is trying Wellbutrin for two weeks and then planning a change? Also, while I'm not especially familiar with Wellbutrin, I've never had a three day ramp-up with any drug. It's usually been a case of a couple of weeks between dosage changes.
My advice, for what it's worth, is to ask your doctor to talk to you about the drugs and explain a little more to you about his protocol and his expectations and what you can expect from the drugs, good and bad effects, etc.
Good luck. I was on Wellbutrin for a couple of weeks -- even though I knew it was contraindicated, the one doctor prescribed it anyway -- and I thought at the time it was helping. I hope it helps you.
Posted by linkadge on June 11, 2004, at 13:31:29
In reply to Medication rant/questions, posted by Ayla on June 11, 2004, at 1:31:48
I'm also 21 and doing crappy. Wellbutrin may make you irritable, but should'nt make you tired.
Linkadge
Posted by partlycloudy on June 11, 2004, at 13:58:54
In reply to Medication rant/questions, posted by Ayla on June 11, 2004, at 1:31:48
Hello, I'm on effexor xr and we added wellbutrin xl (i cannot keep these initials straight - long lastings ones). It seems to be the right combo for me, but the wb has made me thirsty all the time, my eyeballs are dry too, and (ahem) I'm constipated. I get aggitated at various times throughout the day, but I'm learning meditation which helps a great deal.
All this is worth the benefits for me. I'm bipolar II, have GAD and panic attacks.
As far as other meds go, I also take xanax .5mg as needed for panic attack. A lower dose did not touch it. Also tried vistaril for that - no effect on me.
Posted by snapper on June 11, 2004, at 16:05:34
In reply to Re: Medication rant/questions » Ayla, posted by partlycloudy on June 11, 2004, at 13:58:54
> Hello, I'm on effexor xr and we added wellbutrin xl (i cannot keep these initials straight - long lastings ones). It seems to be the right combo for me, but the wb has made me thirsty all the time, my eyeballs are dry too, and (ahem) I'm constipated. I get aggitated at various times throughout the day, but I'm learning meditation which helps a great deal.
>
> All this is worth the benefits for me. I'm bipolar II, have GAD and panic attacks.
> As far as other meds go, I also take xanax .5mg as needed for panic attack. A lower dose did not touch it. Also tried vistaril for that - no effect on me.
>
>
FWIW , i don't think Vistaril has much of an anxolytic effect. Especially If you had GAD, BP II AND painic attack. Has your doc ever suggested Klonopin? it might be worth while. I'm also glad to hear that you are able to do meditation and that it,it is effective for you.
Good Luck
Snapper
Posted by Ayla on June 13, 2004, at 21:55:48
In reply to Re: Medication rant/questions, posted by snapper on June 11, 2004, at 16:05:34
Well I felt really weird yesterday and did'nt figure it out until last night while I was falling asleep. It was my 1st day of wellbutrin and I was (am) having Effexor withdrawal symptoms. I had no idea what was going on but I kept saying I was dizzy and it got worse eveytime I moved (even my eyes) and I felt this weird throbbing feeling. Then it occured to me that it must be those "shocks". I did'nt think it would happen cause it was only 2 weeks at the lowest dosage. It's really horrible!! I feel like I'm hung over or something, just drained. The wellbutrin seems okay (I hope) I am just guessing that it's the effexor because it seemed odd that she had me just abrubtly stop taking it and she (my doc.) said it shouldn't have any effect. I'm really starting to question my Dr.'s ability to handle my situation. She just started pulling names of medications out of a little book. Well that's it, and if this wellbutrin doesn't work for me I will not take another med. I don't feel comfotable putting my body through this. So hopefully I don't run into any really bad side effects with this one. I would still love to hear more about the effects it's had on other people.
Posted by watergirl on June 14, 2004, at 20:01:41
In reply to Re: Medication rant/questions UPDATE, posted by Ayla on June 13, 2004, at 21:55:48
Is the prescribing physician a Psychiatrist or a General Practioner??
I highly suggest seeing a Psychiatrist to prescibe psychotropic meds. They have way more experience with these meds. I had a horrible experience with my GP changing my antidepressant.
Best Wishes,
Cindy
Posted by watergirl on June 14, 2004, at 20:24:58
In reply to Re: Medication rant/questions UPDATE, posted by Ayla on June 13, 2004, at 21:55:48
Hi again,
I was on Effexor xr 225 mgs (which was prescribed by my GP when I mentioned that I thought I needed a higher dose of Paxil. He said "want to try something different" I thought what the heck, Ill give it a shot. Paxil was the only AD Id been on & for 7 years off and on. I never thought about side effects. Now I have developed a severe anxiety about changing and adding meds.), Effexor was not the right med for me! I wish I would have quit 2 weeks into it, but I wanted to give it a fair trial and continued for 3 months & my whole life fell apart. I then saw a pdoc.
She prescribed Wellbutrin 100 mgs to start off while I was tapering off of effexor. & Added a low dose of Trileptal. I was finally off the
Effexor and went up to 450mgs of Wellbutrin xl. Wellbutrin SAVED MY LIFE AND RESTORED MY SANITY! It is the best Med Ive ever taken.
Unfortunately, Im unable to take it now due to seizures. I was in ICU for 4 days. I dont think seizures are too common with Wellbutrin users, but there is a warning about it, & your doctor should have told you.Anyway.... How are you feeling on the Wellbutrin? The Effexor withdrawls eventually go away. Just hang in there.
Best wishes,
Cindy
This is the end of the thread.
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