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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TrishP on June 7, 2005, at 6:45:28
I think I may have found something that works. I am taking both Wellbutrin and Effexor. I was afraid the combo would make me super hyper, but it actually has made me feel pretty calm. The Wellbutrin alone makes me hyper. The only thing that is bugging me about the Effexor is the constant dry mouth (drinking lots of water) and constipation. Any ideas that have worked for the constipation?
I've had to had Trazadone back at night to get a good night's sleep.
Posted by BLUED251 on June 7, 2005, at 11:19:57
In reply to Great Combo! Effex/Well..., posted by TrishP on June 7, 2005, at 6:45:28
This probably is not a good idea long term. Both medicines can have a strong effect on pulse and blood pressure and could be damaging to your body. My recent visit to a cardiologist enlightened me to the fact that too much neuropinephrine in the blood for too long can have serious cardiac implications later on in life. With these two meds you are really increasing blood levels so I would watch out.
Good luck
Posted by Minnie-Haha on June 7, 2005, at 19:44:58
In reply to Re: Great Combo! Effex/Well..., posted by BLUED251 on June 7, 2005, at 11:19:57
> This probably is not a good idea long term. Both medicines can have a strong effect on pulse and blood pressure and could be damaging to your body. My recent visit to a cardiologist enlightened me to the fact that too much neuropinephrine in the blood for too long can have serious cardiac implications later on in life. With these two meds you are really increasing blood levels so I would watch out.
They can increase your blood pressure, but they don't necessarily have to. But you should monitor your BP while you're on them.
As for the dry mouth: I try to keep gum and/or mints in my purse. And the constipation? A calcium/magnesium tablet in the evening may help you sleep better AND help with the constipation. (Magnesium... Milk of Magnesia... get it?) Of course, drink plenty of water and get lots of fiber -- fruits, veggies, whole grains.
Posted by Bill LL on June 9, 2005, at 7:30:59
In reply to Re: Great Combo! Effex/Well..., posted by Minnie-Haha on June 7, 2005, at 19:44:58
I agree that you should monitor your blood pressure. But for most people, this combination is very safe even for long term use.
> They can increase your blood pressure, but they don't necessarily have to. But you should monitor your BP while you're on them.
>
> As for the dry mouth: I try to keep gum and/or mints in my purse. And the constipation? A calcium/magnesium tablet in the evening may help you sleep better AND help with the constipation. (Magnesium... Milk of Magnesia... get it?) Of course, drink plenty of water and get lots of fiber -- fruits, veggies, whole grains.
>
>
Posted by SLS on June 9, 2005, at 8:02:49
In reply to Great Combo! Effex/Well..., posted by TrishP on June 7, 2005, at 6:45:28
It's a good combination. I don't think it will produce any cardiovascular effects that will imperil your life later on down the road. Go ahead and have your blood pressure checked. With Effexor, it is just good practice, but only infrequently does BP become a problem, and I am unaware of any additive or synergistic effects on cardiovascular events by combining it with Wellbutrin. If you go on to be dissatisfied with the Effexor, Lexapro might be a good drug to replace it with. Keep taking the Wellbutrin, though. I know one person who made this exact switch. She did well with Effexor/Wellbutrin, but is doing better with Lexapro/Wellbutrin.
I hope you continue to profit from the combination. I wouldn't give it a second thought...
- Scott
Posted by TrishP on June 9, 2005, at 8:10:27
In reply to Re: Great Combo! Effex/Well... » TrishP, posted by SLS on June 9, 2005, at 8:02:49
I actually have low blood pressure, so I haven't been bothered with my blood pressure from this combo. But I am having sleep problems. I took Trazadone and felt weird and couldn't get up the next morning. Not sure what is good to take with this combo to sleep?
Posted by Minnie-Haha on June 9, 2005, at 10:39:45
In reply to Re: Great Combo! Effex/Well..., posted by TrishP on June 9, 2005, at 8:10:27
> ... But I am having sleep problems. I took Trazadone and felt weird and couldn't get up the next morning. Not sure what is good to take with this combo to sleep?
Are you taking Wellbutrin XL? That interfered with my sleep (I was taking 150mg). So I switched to Wellbutrin SR 200mg, which I only take in the morning, and I seem to sleep a little better.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on June 9, 2005, at 10:41:36
In reply to Re: Great Combo! Effex/Well... » TrishP, posted by Minnie-Haha on June 9, 2005, at 10:39:45
> Are you taking Wellbutrin XL? That interfered with my sleep (I was taking 150mg). So I switched to Wellbutrin SR 200mg, which I only take in the morning, and I seem to sleep a little better.
I also take Ambien occasionally, but I wouldn't want to take it every night.
Posted by SLS on June 9, 2005, at 18:18:37
In reply to Re: Great Combo! Effex/Well..., posted by TrishP on June 9, 2005, at 8:10:27
> I actually have low blood pressure, so I haven't been bothered with my blood pressure from this combo. But I am having sleep problems. I took Trazadone and felt weird and couldn't get up the next morning. Not sure what is good to take with this combo to sleep?
Could you better describe your sleep problems? When did this problem start? Do you have trouble initially falling asleep? One you are asleep, do you stay asleep? What time is your sleep the most disturbed?
I'm probably not a good one to ask about sleeping medication. There is a plethora of alternatives, all of which seem to work for most people. I have no real favorites. I like benzodiazepines. I would have no hesitation to take Ativan or Restoril. There are many others. I also would not hesitate to try Ambien or Sonata. I think it takes a bit of experimentation to discover which works best for you.
Ed_UK is a lot sharper than I am when it comes to these issues. Perhaps he can add a few comments here.
If you want to try using another antidepressant for sleep instead of trazodone, try Remeron. If for some reason all of these alternatives are contraindicated for you; you just don't like them, you can always try using very small dosages of Seroquel.
Perhaps you can simply take less trazodone and take it earlier in the evening so that its levels are lower by morning.
I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful. Just stay away from Dalmane. It is a yucky drug that builds up in the body and alters cognitive function all day long.
- Scott
Posted by pulse on June 11, 2005, at 20:20:27
In reply to Re: Great Combo! Effex/Well..., posted by TrishP on June 9, 2005, at 8:10:27
i'd second remeron over trazadone anyday, just be advised of the infamous weight gain issue. but remeron gives the best sleep ever. plus, effexor + remeron is a much touted 'super combo.'
pdocs in my area are no longer much prescribing trazadone. why i don't know. i do know that traz made me feel extremely weird, and gave me serious tummy aches. it's a cousin to serzone (i.e. gasoline in a pill - if you're prone to GI problems, so same deal there). oddly, altho this last go 'round i was only on traz briefly, i felt it was VERY harsh to discontinue.
for effexor constipation i would recommend magnesium, but definitely NOT calcium, which for many is constipating in & of itself.
Posted by Jen2 on June 13, 2005, at 9:56:22
In reply to Re: Great Combo! Effex/Well..., posted by pulse on June 11, 2005, at 20:20:27
I'm on Effexor and Wellbutrin and I find it a really good combination also. However - have any of the women experienced these side effects...?
- menstrual effects (at least four days late per month - which constantly freaks me out - this could be the Effexor...?)
- lactation (I remember somebody talking about this at some point a while ago, but would like to hear if anyone else experiences this - I think it's the Wellbutrin)
- gassiness and bloating (although this might be from the soy lattes I drink - one a day - then again, maybe all that pseudo-estrogen in the soy is contributing to my other issues...)
Any info would be appreciated.
Jen
Posted by pulse on June 13, 2005, at 15:07:46
In reply to Re: Great Combo! Effex/Well... Weird SE's, posted by Jen2 on June 13, 2005, at 9:56:22
i can't manage the lower GI side-effects of effexor. can't come close to handling the (as if swallowing razor wire) upper GI + gas side-effects of Wellbutrin. soy is most definitely very rough for many who have irritable bowel syndrome, which some have said here they felt was caused by effexor.
best of luck trying to solve this puzzle!
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