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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 B2chica on June 26, 2008, at 12:28:58
what are my options besides wellbutrin.
i know i'm being impatient, but wellbutrin worked so quickly for me before. this is my fourth day and i feel my depression coming on. i need to call my pdoc but i want to present with an option.
however i really don't want to give up on wellbutrin either.. i'm only at 150 (to start, he's' really freaky about the chance of siezures and want's me at 150 for two weeks) but i'm feeling bad already. i don't want two weeks of crying. actually more than that.but just incase. are there any other options out there for me?
i seem sensitive to SSRI's (bipolar) and it triggers my cycling but mostly my hypomania.
any suggestions?
i'm currently on:
Geodon 80mg
ritalin 20
topamax 100
lexapro 5 (coming off)
wellbutrin 150 (getting on)and xanax PRN.
b2c.
Posted by Phillipa on June 26, 2008, at 13:34:19
In reply to looking for NON-SSRI -AD suggestions, posted by B2chica on June 26, 2008, at 12:28:58
Could be the chemistry changes going with withdrawal and adding a new med at the same time. Ask your pdoc don't think it's enought time. personal opinion. Phillipa
Posted by B2chica on June 26, 2008, at 14:08:33
In reply to Re: looking for NON-SSRI -AD suggestions » B2chica, posted by Phillipa on June 26, 2008, at 13:34:19
i know it's not enough time. but i was just wondering what (if any) are my other options.
because after my pregnancy(and nursing) i went back to wellbutrin for three weeks and never worked. maybe even that wasn't enough time but i was so bad by the end i ended up in the hospital so they could help me out quickly.i guess i dont know of any other AD that aren't SSRI (besides the old Tricyclics).
that's what i'm wanting to know.thanks
Posted by X-ray on June 26, 2008, at 16:18:19
In reply to looking for NON-SSRI -AD suggestions, posted by B2chica on June 26, 2008, at 12:28:58
Hi B2chica,
I think that Remeron might be a good option.
You will surely get a good night's sleep, if you take 30 mg of this drug in the evening.I'm going to see a new doc on the 10th of July, and I'm planning to discuss the combo of Remeron and Wellbutrin with him.
Best regards,
X-ray
Posted by B2chica on June 27, 2008, at 7:53:42
In reply to Re: looking for NON-SSRI -AD suggestions, posted by X-ray on June 26, 2008, at 16:18:19
thanks
i'll keep that in mind.
i'm on the generic of wellbutrin, so if this doesn't pan out i might ask to get a script of the namebrand WellbutrinXL first, then keep your combo in mind.so are there no other AD's that aren't SSRI's out there?
Posted by Racer on June 27, 2008, at 16:06:47
In reply to Re: looking for NON-SSRI -AD suggestions, posted by B2chica on June 27, 2008, at 7:53:42
>
> so are there no other AD's that aren't SSRI's out there?
>Non-SSRI antidepressants? There are a ton of them: the tricyclics; MAOIs; novel agents such as Wellbutrin; Remeron; Serzone; dual action medications such as Effexor and Cymbalta; augmenting agents such as Lamictal or Abilify; some medications which aren't available in the US; and probably a few others I'm not remembering right now.
My guess is that it's not just a non-SSRI medication you're asking about. You're looking for something which will relieve your distress more rapidly than what you're on. That's a whole lot harder.
Honestly -- if Wellbutrin has worked in the past for you, I'd recommend giving it some more time. Although it does tend to work a bit faster than the SSRIs, I know that it's never worked for me in less than about ten days. It's hard to wait when you've been in so much pain, but if you don't give it time, it won't work at all, you know?
I hope the Wellbutrin does kick in for you, and that it does so soon. Good luck.
Posted by Lucie Lu on June 27, 2008, at 21:59:41
In reply to looking for NON-SSRI -AD suggestions, posted by B2chica on June 26, 2008, at 12:28:58
B2c, I replied on the other board but not so much about the meds. Racer listed the A/D options although other meds might have some A/D properties. Tricyclics and MAOIs could be problematic or dangerous given what else you are taking, so wellbutrin is probably the best if it works for you. SSRIs are not recommmended if hypomania or bipolar present so I'm a little surprised your pdoc would have you try lex. Are you going off it because it didn't work or because it worked but caused rapid mood fluctuations? I've been on wellbutrin for a long time, couldn't take SSRIs same reason. WB alone worked well most of the time but occasionally I'd need stronger downside protection so added the mood stabilizer lamotrigine (lamictal). That combo has worked very well for me and very tolerable in terms of side effects. Many posters have commented on the variability in wellbutrin formulations and I've had the same experience. For me, the XL lasts too long in my system and increases my insomnia so I've settled on the SR, 200 mgs in the am and 100 mgs early afternoon. It's less convenient than the one-a-day formulation but for me is worth it. My daughter has had a similar experience, she gets headaches >200 mgs if on the XL but not on the SR. Not sure if there are also differences in generic vs brand but the formulation itself has mattered. There is a useful explanatory section on wikipedia under bupropion, section dosage and administration, may clear up some of the name confusion and options.Also, anytime I decrease dosage of any psych med my body is used to, I do it VERY VERY slowly - even when the pdoc and pharm company say you can stop abruptly with no ill effects! Some people are *exquisitely* sensitive to changes in neurotransmitter levels and can have intensely negative reactions in response, e.g. sudden increase in depression, sluggishness, irritability, etc. to changes in meds. So be on the lookout if this potentially describes you too.
Finally, many of us are on multiple meds and NO ONE really knows for sure how a given mixture will affect an individual! I have had a different response to the same med depending upon the exact mix of other meds I'm taking at the time. I only raise that issue because in the context of wellbutrin, that is another variable in addition to formulation. So WB may yet work for you as an A/D over the longer term.
Hope this helps!
-LL
Posted by B2chica on June 30, 2008, at 14:20:45
In reply to Re: looking for NON-SSRI -AD suggestions » B2chica, posted by Racer on June 27, 2008, at 16:06:47
thanks Racer.
in a calmer mind now. finally broke down and taking xanax for anxiety. i upped my lex back to 10 its helping till i talk to pdoc tomorrow.i DO want wellbutrin to work again. and i AM willing to wait if it will work. but you were spot on. it was very hard to be patient when you are in pain.
the hardest was that i had been feeling So good lately. functioning back to normal actually. well ok, too good. i was spiking with hypomania. so to go from long term hypomania to depression was devestating.
and i hate these d@mn intrusive thoughts.
but i am calmer now and more rational. i AM willing to wait. i really really want wellbutrin to work for me again. it was the best when i was on it. No spikes and NO breakthrough depression which was what i was getting on the lexapro.thanks again.
b2c.
Posted by B2chica on June 30, 2008, at 14:24:35
In reply to Re: looking for NON-SSRI -AD suggestions, posted by Lucie Lu on June 27, 2008, at 21:59:41
yes LL, the flux in mood is why i wanted the switch. at first the ups were manageable, and quite nice to be honest. but then became annoying and intrusinve to my life, causing some discourse in my marriage. But there was also a downswing that i kept getting. pdoc was pretty sure it was cuz of the AD.
i havent mentioned that my gut thinks it could be because of the moodstabilizer too. mostly cuz i wanted off the lex first. and wanted to try wellbutrin again.it was great before and i'm willing to wait.
thanks for your responses.
b2c
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