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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CraigF on February 5, 2000, at 18:08:04
I'll be kind at get to my questions before the long intro...
does the WB anxiety subside eventually? Is the weight loss a function of the appetite loss or does it eat away at you (I'm trying to add muscle bulk)? How about the mental functioning...and is it tough to ween off?
Now, the background...
I added WB Sr to my serzone to offset the zoning and to add vitality more than a month ago. At first started with one (100mg) in the morning, little benefit. Then I was taking 200mg Sr in the am and really noticed an effect. I loved it for a whileShortly, I noticed the return of the speedy mind that keeps me from concentrating at work. The shaking began, appetite all but dissappeared, and I turned so stupid. Losing words, flaking out, screwing up tasks.
Bad things for a writer/editor.I moved to taking 1 am and 1 pm. It still impedes my concentration and stops blood flow to my hands.
I don't want to come off Wellbutrin because it returned vitality, sexuality, assertiveness, but I can't sacrifice my job. Hoping the serzone would offset the WB side effects (even boosted myself from 350 to 400 mg) but the side effects seem to exist parallel to each other. Currently quite depressed. Haven't felt so hopeless and suicidal in some time.
Thanks
Posted by Renee N on February 5, 2000, at 19:21:19
In reply to Wellbutrin, The Stoopids, Weight loss, , posted by CraigF on February 5, 2000, at 18:08:04
> I'll be kind at get to my questions before the long intro...
>
> does the WB anxiety subside eventually? Is the weight loss a function of the appetite loss or does it eat away at you (I'm trying to add muscle bulk)? How about the mental functioning...and is it tough to ween off?
>
> Now, the background...
> I added WB Sr to my serzone to offset the zoning and to add vitality more than a month ago. At first started with one (100mg) in the morning, little benefit. Then I was taking 200mg Sr in the am and really noticed an effect. I loved it for a while
>
> Shortly, I noticed the return of the speedy mind that keeps me from concentrating at work. The shaking began, appetite all but dissappeared, and I turned so stupid. Losing words, flaking out, screwing up tasks.
> Bad things for a writer/editor.
>
> I moved to taking 1 am and 1 pm. It still impedes my concentration and stops blood flow to my hands.
>
> I don't want to come off Wellbutrin because it returned vitality, sexuality, assertiveness, but I can't sacrifice my job. Hoping the serzone would offset the WB side effects (even boosted myself from 350 to 400 mg) but the side effects seem to exist parallel to each other. Currently quite depressed. Haven't felt so hopeless and suicidal in some time.
>
> ThanksGood news, bad news...The anxiety subsides, but so does the increased libido,at least for me.
Posted by CraigF on February 6, 2000, at 0:53:16
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, The Stoopids, Weight loss, , posted by Renee N on February 5, 2000, at 19:21:19
Thanks, Renee
How long have you been taking WB and at what dose? Also, do you have any pre-existing problems with anxiety?
Posted by Renee N on February 6, 2000, at 10:16:25
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, The Stoopids, Weight loss, , posted by CraigF on February 6, 2000, at 0:53:16
> Thanks, Renee
>
> How long have you been taking WB and at what dose? Also, do you have any pre-existing problems with anxiety?I've taken it for 9 months. I went up to 450mg a day plus 60 mg ADDerall. My main presenting problem was ADD(no hyperactivity), but I believe I probably have some dythymia and anxiety as well. My pdoc now has me on 75mg Wellbutrin SR(I think he left this in in hopes that it would help with libido. No such luck.), 225 Effexor XR, and 30 mg. ADDerall. I still am very forgetful and have trouble with attention to details. I am less upset about these problems thanks to the Effexor. I have been messing with meds trying to help my ADD for over a year and am starting to think there is no help for me . I don't know how long to keep trying. I am thankful that my self berating and ruminating have diminished.
Posted by CraigF on February 6, 2000, at 11:42:13
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, The Stoopids, Weight loss, , posted by Renee N on February 6, 2000, at 10:16:25
They've got you on quite a mix...anyway, don't feel too discouraged, however, I feel skeptical about taking one drug that makes you feel happier about the negative side effects of another, rather than counteracting them.
Maybe the WB should go, if it is only causing you confusion. A lot of anxiety dissorders can seem identical to ADD. Maybe scale back to just the Effexor, wait a bit, and then add the adderal for the ADD if those symptoms still exist. Keep in mind I am not a doctor, just another poster, so I'm likely way off.
How was your weight loss? I can combat the appetite suppressant qualities and eat many protein supplements AND go to the gym regularly, but I still seem to be shrinking (and I'm thin to begin with)
Posted by Renee N on February 7, 2000, at 23:06:58
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, The Stoopids, Weight loss, , posted by CraigF on February 6, 2000, at 11:42:13
> They've got you on quite a mix...anyway, don't feel too discouraged, however, I feel skeptical about taking one drug that makes you feel happier about the negative side effects of another, rather than counteracting them.
>
> Maybe the WB should go, if it is only causing you confusion. A lot of anxiety dissorders can seem identical to ADD. Maybe scale back to just the Effexor, wait a bit, and then add the adderal for the ADD if those symptoms still exist. Keep in mind I am not a doctor, just another poster, so I'm likely way off.
>
> How was your weight loss? I can combat the appetite suppressant qualities and eat many protein supplements AND go to the gym regularly, but I still seem to be shrinking (and I'm thin to begin with)Craig,
I was already loosing weight when I started on the Wellbutrin. After being overweight for over a decade I had taken off about 30 pounds in the year and a half before I started the meds. The stimulants depress appetite and I believe they also increase metabolism,. Wellbutrin alone and Wellbutrin along with stimulants cannot be fairly compared. I did lose 12 more pounds when on the stimulants and then Wellbutrin and stimulants. I gained back 6 pounds over the holidays, which was when I started the Effexor. I'm 5'2" . A couple of years ago I weighed 164. Right now I'm at 128. I lost through low fat and exercise. I eat a lot of foodbut mostly low fat. I do eat sweets as long as they are low fat. I indulge myself with pizza once a week. If you want to gain weight, go for meat and cheese I guess. But how's your cholesterol and blood pressure?! No wonder we feel anxious, there's so much to worry about! ;)
Posted by cat on April 20, 2002, at 9:32:21
In reply to Wellbutrin, The Stoopids, Weight loss, , posted by CraigF on February 5, 2000, at 18:08:04
I have been taking Wellbutrin for about two months now, and have lost fifteen pounds. How long can I expect this to keep up. I couldn't be happier. I have been taking Depakote for years for seizures, and my weight has been steadily rising. This is a refreshing switch.
-Cat
Posted by paxvox2000 on April 20, 2002, at 20:04:13
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, The Stoopids, Weight loss, , posted by cat on April 20, 2002, at 9:32:21
Well, along with dietary changes, the weight loss can go on indefinitely. I have gone from 195 to 163 in about 2 years on WB...BUT after I totally eliminated alcohol from my "diet". Those carbs in beer must have made a big difference. I don't look like a bean pole or anything (as I still workout)but my BMI is like 21, and my body fat level is like 5%. It's almost funny, as I am now wearing jeans I bought 20 years ago (and never threw away) that I haven't worn in about 17 years.
PAX
Posted by Reneb on April 21, 2002, at 21:14:53
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, The Stoopids, Weight loss, » cat, posted by paxvox2000 on April 20, 2002, at 20:04:13
> Well, along with dietary changes, the weight loss can go on indefinitely. I have gone from 195 to 163 in about 2 years on WB...BUT after I totally eliminated alcohol from my "diet". Those carbs in beer must have made a big difference. I don't look like a bean pole or anything (as I still workout)but my BMI is like 21, and my body fat level is like 5%. It's almost funny, as I am now wearing jeans I bought 20 years ago (and never threw away) that I haven't worn in about 17 years.
>
>
> PAXHi Guys, I don't know but I am having the opposite
I have gained 10 pounds and exercise daily??? But I was also on effexor and I think thats what put the weight on. I wish the wellbutrin had that affect on me.
Good Luck,
Renee
Posted by cat on April 28, 2002, at 16:04:25
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, The Stoopids, Weight loss, » cat, posted by paxvox2000 on April 20, 2002, at 20:04:13
It's funny though, I ate the way that I always had (junk in the middle of the night) and I am almost 15 lbs less. Then it stopped. Maybe I need to throw the junk out?? That is what made me so impressed by the medication in the first place :) Thanks.
Cat
Posted by northernfox on July 11, 2002, at 23:40:34
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, The Stoopids, Weight loss, , posted by Renee N on February 7, 2000, at 23:06:58
Just started back on Wellbutrin after some dimwit of a doctor took me off of it. I got a new doctor and he put me back on it. I do know that when I was previously on the WB that I had begun to lose weight. This doctor I have now is mostly using it because I have adult ADD. So we will see how it does one more time.
northernfox
Posted by Marie416 on July 17, 2002, at 13:32:48
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, The Stoopids, Weight loss,, posted by cat on April 28, 2002, at 16:04:25
This is so not fair. I started taking Wellbutrin as I was coming off of effexor because I couldn't tolerate the 15 lb weight gain and no sex drive. I quit smoking shortly after starting Wellbutrin and gained another 10 lbs or so (was actually eating less too when I quit) I've been exercising 4 times a week, intensely, cut down on food intake and I am not losing an ounce and the sex drive has not improved much either. I have yet to hear one story like mine from Wellbutrin. Everyone seems to have a greater sex drive and loses weight.
Posted by Leighwit on July 18, 2002, at 18:56:15
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, The Stoopids, Weight loss,, posted by Marie416 on July 17, 2002, at 13:32:48
> This is so not fair. I started taking Wellbutrin as I was coming off of effexor because I couldn't tolerate the 15 lb weight gain and no sex drive. I quit smoking shortly after starting Wellbutrin and gained another 10 lbs or so (was actually eating less too when I quit) I've been exercising 4 times a week, intensely, cut down on food intake and I am not losing an ounce and the sex drive has not improved much either. I have yet to hear one story like mine from Wellbutrin. Everyone seems to have a greater sex drive and loses weight.
Not everyone, Marie. I've had the same experience (including the quitting smoking while on WB) to a "t"...
I don't think they know how ADs correspond with weight gain or loss. My endocrinologist pretty much said that himself. It's a crap shoot, and the variables are barely worth identifying because not enough data exists to make sense of them.
Not much help, I know. But I wanted you to know that you are not alone in your experience.
Laurie
This is the end of the thread.
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