Posted by DharmaBum on September 8, 2007, at 1:12:55
Just to contribute to the General Body of Experience for anyone who may benefit:
I was taking Effexor at 225mg and not happy with a lack of motivation and feeling. I started tapering off the Effexor and had no physical problems getting down to 150. Felt a bit peppier but under 125 or so, whew, I was one cranky, irritable SOB. I had to be careful at work not to unload on a couple folks. But at least I was feeling SOMETHING.
The pdoc knew I wanted a change after 4 - 5 yrs. being more numb than I initially realized, so we agreed upon a trial of Wellbutrin as an adjunct to the Effexor. I started on 75 mg SR, with the Effexor at 150.
So far so good! The Wellbutrin has had an energizing effect and I do not feel so uncaring about... everything. I'm back to the gym, riding my bike, and in general just more in the swing of things.
Downside: the tinnitus, which came on like gangbusters during my last depressive peak (in the form of a panic attack)and is somehow related to my body/brain chemistry (not typical tinnitus), is a bit cranked up. I'm hoping it simmers back down. Also, I can tell when the SR Wellbutrin is metabolized later in the day. There is perhaps a "mini-crash" associated with that but it's not too bad; part of it just being really tired from work, which is a bit stressful these days. Personally, I've got to take it easy with my two cups of coffee in the morning and nurse them, as I wasa vit wound up (and not in a good way...) from the caffeine/Wellbutrin combo when I slammed them as usual (I was warned about this from the pdoc). The Wellbutrin pretty much feels like two cups of coffee to begin with, so maybe I'll decaffeinate.
I'm able to sleep, which is cool, as major insomnia was also part of my symptoms. I think the Effexor deals with anxiety and irritability and the Wellbutrin compensates for the otherwise numbing and amotivational aspect of the SSRI.
Not sure if we will bump up to 150mg of Wellbutrin; still early. For now, I am happy with the change.
Good luck to you in your quest for balance.
poster:DharmaBum
thread:781552
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070831/msgs/781552.html