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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by woolav on July 11, 2005, at 11:54:57
my husband had to go to the doctor today, they are doing tests on his liver. (he has never been on meds before) but has been having pains. Anyway...he told the doc that he was very stressed from his job and they rx'd him wellbutrin... I thought this was an AD, not an anti-anxiety med.. Does anyone know why they would put him on that? BTW, this was a regular MD, not a pdoc.
Thanks
S
Posted by Racer on July 11, 2005, at 12:49:03
In reply to Question re: Wellbutrin.........., posted by woolav on July 11, 2005, at 11:54:57
Wellbutrin is an anti-depressant, and it's -- let's say -- not known to be sedating for most people. (ie: maybe more activating than is ideal for anxiety...)
That said, for many people, the anxiety gets under control when they feel more capable of handling the situations they're facing. In other words, mild depression can bring on symptoms of anxiety in a lot of people. That's largely what gets described as "work related stress," etc.
I guess I'm trying to say that it makes sense to me to try an antidepressant for stress, although if your husband is having *actual* anxiety, rather than job related stress symptoms, then Wellbutrin might not be the best choice for him. If he's "just" stressed out, though, it might be ideal, since the activating qualities of the drug might help him cope better, by being more productive.
Just a few thoughts, cheap at twice the price.
Posted by woolav on July 11, 2005, at 13:26:41
In reply to Re: Question re: Wellbutrin.........., posted by Racer on July 11, 2005, at 12:49:03
That sounds like good advise to me. I do think he just has job related stress, not an anxiety disorder -like me! So, maybe this will work for him. He really has no idea what type of med it is, since his GP gave it to him. I dont think I will say anything right now, because he knows what i have gone through with taking so many diff AD's, and all the side effects, etc..it might scare him from giving it a chance...
Thanks!!
S
Posted by TerraJo on July 13, 2005, at 6:45:32
In reply to Re: Question re: Wellbutrin.........., posted by woolav on July 11, 2005, at 13:26:41
i think that was pretty good advice from a GP who seems to know what he's doing. that's why i take it... for anxiety with mild depression sprinkled in there from stress.
if he finds the wellbutrin causing agitation, ask him to ask his doctor for xanax or klonopin to take the edge off. it is VERY normal to get edgy when first starting wellbutrin for the first 4-6 weeks. most docs routinely prescribe xanax or klonopin to take as needed while getting adjusted to the wellbutrin. then most people wean off and don't need the xanax or klonopin. it's usually just for that first weaning in period that it's really helpful.
and tell him to get off caffeine if he can do that. it will make the wellbutrin work better and decrease his stress. do it slowly (like 1/2 caf) if he's used to a lot of it, or that's just going to make him more crabby. but i still have decaf in the morning and my body allows me to trick it since the wellbutrin now acts like the morning stimulant, and coffee is just the hot stuff i drink to wake up.
t.
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