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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MomO3 on May 14, 2002, at 16:22:35
I am considering these two medications. I don't like the idea that I will be irritable on Wellbutrin and I know very little about Effexor.
I have already taken Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Celexa, with mixed results. I think these are the typical SSRIs?
I understand that Wellbutrin and Effexor are a little different than these other meds, but HOW?
Also how are they different from eachother? Are they used to treat the same problems??
THANKS!!!
Posted by allisonm on May 14, 2002, at 19:22:08
In reply to Effexor vs. Wellbutrin?, posted by MomO3 on May 14, 2002, at 16:22:35
Yes. Wellbutrin and Effexor XR are different from what you have been taking. These are not SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). However, Wellbutrin and Effexor are different from each other also. You will find more information about both on special pages made by pb members. You will find the hyperlinks to the pages at the bottom of Dr. Bob's Welcome at the top of this page.
Posted by Leighwit on May 14, 2002, at 19:45:11
In reply to Effexor vs. Wellbutrin?, posted by MomO3 on May 14, 2002, at 16:22:35
In my experience, Wellbutrin has been much easier to tolerate than Effexor was, and I've had better results with it. Both of them are activating ADs, and irritability can be a side effect of either one. Wellbutrin is widely known for its agitation effects in some people, but I think there's plenty of anecdotal evidence that Effexor isn't any better in that area, IMO. I also found the withdrawal symptoms from Effexor to be very harsh, yet with Wellbutrin (I went off it once nearly ten years ago) I didn't notice any physical discomfort at all when I stopped. FWIW. Wish you well.
Laurie
Posted by terra miller on May 14, 2002, at 20:52:45
In reply to Effexor vs. Wellbutrin?, posted by MomO3 on May 14, 2002, at 16:22:35
this is probably just my body chemistry, but i've tried both. i gave effexor a good 5 week trial and i simply could not calm down, even with a benzo. i was really really agitated. (not irritable, which feels different to me.) with wellbutrin, i was really really crabby/irritable, but i could tolerate it with a benzo and it started to improve after 4 weeks and was manageable probably by 7 weeks. i do think this is probably just me, though. :-)
~terra
Posted by allisonm on May 15, 2002, at 9:32:50
In reply to Effexor vs. Wellbutrin?, posted by MomO3 on May 14, 2002, at 16:22:35
I have been on both Effexor XR and Wellbutrin. I couldn't tolerate the Effexor for the same reasons given above. I was able to tolerate the Wellbutrin side fx and have been taking it as my primary AD since June of '99.
Good luck.
Allison
Posted by dave40252 on May 15, 2002, at 10:49:20
In reply to Effexor vs. Wellbutrin?, posted by MomO3 on May 14, 2002, at 16:22:35
I have been on both at one time or another and both together for a while. I really liked effexor - it was the best single med I have ever taken in terms of getting rid of my depression. Had bad sexual side effects though. I never had the problems getting on or off that others have described. Wellbutrin does not work as well for me, though it is still part of my current regimen,no side effects except for a little agitation (minor) for a few days that went away.
Good Luck
Posted by littlebaldy29 on May 15, 2002, at 15:04:50
In reply to Re: Effexor vs. Wellbutrin?, posted by dave40252 on May 15, 2002, at 10:49:20
I took Wellbutrin and became terribly manic and irritible. I gave it a good 2 months and found that I couldn't tolerate it and that it didn't help me depressions. I am now on effexor and love it. For the first time in my life I have had a depression-free April, the only side-effect I have noticed are strange dreams. I am also on Zyprexa and topamax for mood-stabilizer. Mentalhealth.com and psychguides.com are good resources also.
Posted by Mair on May 15, 2002, at 22:01:35
In reply to Re: Effexor vs. Wellbutrin?, posted by littlebaldy29 on May 15, 2002, at 15:04:50
The responses here demonstrate how idiosyncratically we all react to various medications. I thought effexor was awful and I took myself off it because I couldn't bear how it made me feel. I've been on WB for about 5 years and basically consider it to be free of side effects, although I know that's not really the case. Any agitation/irritability disipated within a matter of several days with each dosage increase.
Mair
Posted by ST on May 16, 2002, at 4:48:56
In reply to Re: Effexor vs. Wellbutrin? » MomO3, posted by Leighwit on May 14, 2002, at 19:45:11
Hi,
Wellbutrin has worked great for me. No agitation. No sexual side effects. I was kind of hyped up when I first started, which happens to me every time I start a new AD, but it goes away. I also augment with a bit of an SSRI, and have been on Serzone, Celexa and most recently Effexor.
Please think long and hard about starting Effexor. If you ever need to get off of it, the withdrawal symptoms are devastating. I've been weaning off it for almost 2 months, and have been sick as a dog every day. I'm down to 2 mg a day. If I skip a day of the 2 mg, my body REALLY freaks out. Also, while on Effexor I had no sex drive, was completely exhausted and very constipated.
Good luck!
Sarah
Posted by Marie416 on May 17, 2002, at 15:05:43
In reply to Re: Effexor vs. Wellbutrin?, posted by ST on May 16, 2002, at 4:48:56
Sounds like we had the same side effects from effexor, constipation, no sex drive and I too felt sick as a dog the month and half of weaning. Occasionally I still might get dizziness, very mild and I've been completely off it for 3 weeks now I guess. I suggest taking a long weekend and just stop taking it. My doctor was right when he said if I kept taking some everytime I got the withdrawal effects, I was just giving my body what it wanted and prolonging the agony.
Posted by ST on May 25, 2002, at 2:44:52
In reply to Me too...Sarah, posted by Marie416 on May 17, 2002, at 15:05:43
Hi,
I've been gone from the board for about a week....
When you finally got off Effexor, how long before you could start functioning? You said you're still experiencing the dizziness? How many milligrams was your last dose that you took?
This is my second day without ANY Effexor - I never thought I'd get here. I tried to go cold turkey several times and just couldn't.... There were days as I was lowering my dosage that I couldn't even work. I'm broke right now because I probably lost about $2,000 from cancelling on clients (I'm an outcall massage therapist), re-scheduling, working shorter days, sleeping 14 hours a night, not having any drive to call clients and make appts - all because I was slowly weaning myself from Effexor. I tried to go cold turkey or simply drop my dose drastically step by step and then it would get REALLY bad - I could barely stand up, let alone work.
It got to the point where I was breaking open my 75 mg capsules and taking ten granules a day. Then 9, then 8, then 7, then 6, then 5...I stopped the day after I licked 3 Effexor granules off my finger as my daily dose to stave off flu symtoms.
I have felt very weird today, but not like I had the flu. Some brain shocks and a little dizziness.
My advice to anyone considering Effexor:
If you think you will never want or need to get off of it, if you think you will never be a few hours late with one of your doses, if you are not sensitive to medication, then do it. Otherwise, think twice. I really wish I had spent more time on this board reading about Effexor before I made the decision.Sarah
> Sounds like we had the same side effects from effexor, constipation, no sex drive and I too felt sick as a dog the month and half of weaning. Occasionally I still might get dizziness, very mild and I've been completely off it for 3 weeks now I guess. I suggest taking a long weekend and just stop taking it. My doctor was right when he said if I kept taking some everytime I got the withdrawal effects, I was just giving my body what it wanted and prolonging the agony.
This is the end of the thread.
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