Posted by Leighwit on April 25, 2002, at 10:45:52
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for the long haul?, posted by JohnL on October 24, 1999, at 4:23:38
The thread quoted from below responds to a person's concerns about Wellbutrin's affect on IQ. In the original post, the writer said she found this more tolerable than the loss of word retrieval and short-term memory from the SSRIs, but she was tired of "feeling stupid" and further, she wondered if it was reversible.
I have the same concerns. I think the net impact of Wellbutrin is better for me than the SSRIs were in terms of "brain fog" side effects, but that doesn't mean that I don't want my "own" brain back! I've been taking WB for several years now and primarily because of the irritability, I'm motivated to stop relying on WB for mediocre results.
I've tried all of the SSRIs, Serzone, Norpramine/Desiprimine, Reboxetine and Effexor. WB has, in fact, worked the best ~ it's the only thing that gets me off the couch and functioning day-to-day, but feeling stupid and angry all of the time is wearing me out physically and emotionally as well as mentally, over the long term.
Two questions:
1) Has anyone here taken WB for an extended period of time and found that their overall mental prowess fully returns (or not) when they stop using WB?
2) Has anyone taken Selegiline (whatever that is) with WB as suggested here (see post below)?
Thanks for any feedback on this.
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> Meanwhile, here's my hypothesis on the situation. Bear in mind it's just a guesstimate based on things I've read over time concerning Wellbutrin.
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> I've read that Wellbutrin early on has dopamine enhancing characteristics, but with continued use actually decreases dopamine synthesis. I have heard the complaint several times of Welbutrin making one feel stupid. But the complaints always came later in treatment. Not early. Thus my guess it is related to the mention of decreased dopamine synthesis over time. Decreased dopamine in senior citizens is hypothesized as a cause of mental deterioration.
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> If this guess is correct then a dopamine enhancing drug would reverse the symptom. The safest one that comes to my mind right away is Selegiline. It is used primarily for Parkinson's disease, but also as monotherapy or as an adjunct for depression. Could help with depression and boost mental function simultaneously. It is often used in senior citizens for that very purpose. And it's side effects are very mild. I believe it would be safe with Wellbutrin, much safer than with an SSRI, and only small doses would be needed anyway. Probably in the 5mg to 15mg per day range.
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poster:Leighwit
thread:13717
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020425/msgs/104100.html