![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sunnydays on November 3, 2006, at 16:00:54
Has anyone had any experiences on what Wellbutrin is like to start taking? I'm just about to start 150mg, going up to 300mg after a week, and I'm wondering what to expect. I'm adding it to 20mg Lexapro and am hoping that it will alleviate my depression some. Experiences?
sunnydays
Posted by bassman on November 3, 2006, at 16:40:39
In reply to Wellbutrin XL, posted by sunnydays on November 3, 2006, at 16:00:54
Most people feel a bit stimulated-sometimes too stimulated. I'd suggest dropping back to 150 for a couple weeks or so if the 300 makes you too anxious. My experience was that 150 caused very mild insomnia for a couple nights (just took longer to go to sleep/woke up a bit early). I was much less hungry during the day. I think it took months for it to actually work, and when it did, I found I had periods of intense fearfulness, which decreased significantly when I went down to 150. I thought the 150 probably wasn't doing anything, so I stopped taking it. Wrong. I started to need a couple naps a day. I started the 150 again and all is well. A high percentage of people that I know that have taken Wellbutrin found it too stimulating-OTOH, I suffer from panic disorder and shouldn't be taking Wellbutrin, but I think it is of help. My point was not to be surprised if it makes you agitated, give it enough time to see if it works, and you can sum up the experience in just two words: "you never know". :>} Best of luck and try not to worry...
Posted by tgo on November 3, 2006, at 17:16:56
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin XL, posted by bassman on November 3, 2006, at 16:40:39
When I took wellbutrin, it made me irritable, but your results may vary. I probably needed to take it in conjunction with something else because of the irritableness. My brother had the same reaction on it.
It increased my sex drive. I had to avoid caffeine on it, makes you real jittery uncomfortable. I got sick if I missed a dose. I would get this real weak feeling like I was hungry but eating wouldn't help and I finally realized that it happened everytime I was late taking a dose.
I lost weight on it the first time I took it, but not the second time. Your appetite will probably decrease. But, I put the weight back on after I stopped it.
Posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2006, at 19:33:53
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin XL, posted by tgo on November 3, 2006, at 17:16:56
Made me extremly axious and hyper even with benzos . I had to quit in a week it put me in the hospital. I too have panic and anxiety issues. Oh and I didn't tolerate lexapro either so that could be a clue. Love Phillipa
Posted by Racer on November 3, 2006, at 20:28:09
In reply to Wellbutrin XL, posted by sunnydays on November 3, 2006, at 16:00:54
Wellbutrin is my friend. :-D
When I started it, I didn't notice any start up effects. The only thing I noticed was that, when I went up to 300mg after either one or two weeks, I started singing while I cooked breakfast. While that's a terrible side effect for my husband to put up with, it may not be quite as bad for you. :-}
While it's not great at controlling my depression and/or anxiety, it's still good. In fact, I would have stuck with just the Wellbutrin XL -- at 450mg -- if our marriage counselor hadn't "recommended" that I see a psychopharmacologist she knows. Now I've added Zoloft, and -- we'll see. The jury's definitely out on this one...
But Wellbutrin may have caused a few mild headaches, and I can't say it's ever been helpful for anxiety for me -- although it's easier to deal with anxiety when the edge is off my depression -- otherwise it's been the most side effect free drug I've ever taken. I can hardly tell I'm on anything at all, really, except that it's taking a big edge off my depression.
I hope that helps.
Posted by sunnydays on November 4, 2006, at 10:25:04
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin XL » sunnydays, posted by Racer on November 3, 2006, at 20:28:09
Hi,
Thanks everyone. I just took the first one, so I'll see what happens. I'm hoping for a positive experience, but am prepared thanks to you that I could really experience anything.
I have a follow-up question. A friend is turning 21 tonight, and she doesn't drink heavily by any means, but she and a few friends are having a wine and cheese party tonight to celebrate. Since I'm going, I'm debating about having a glass of wine given that I just started taking this medication. Does anyone have any advice? It would be one glass or less because I'm only 20 and I have to walk quite a ways to get there, so I want to be especially sure not to get drunk. Any advice?
Thank you all so much! You're very helpful.sunnydays
Posted by bassman on November 4, 2006, at 11:05:55
In reply to Wellbutrin XL and alcohol, posted by sunnydays on November 4, 2006, at 10:25:04
I guess the traditional wisdom is that alcohol might increase side effects. But Wellbutrin has no alcohol warning other than the usual generic one of not taking a depressant (alcohol) while you're depressed. The CYA answer is to stay away from alcohol as if it were the Black Plague, but my guess is that few people pay much attention to that. I take Wellbutrin and drink wine and haven't seen any effect at all, but everyone is different. I hope that helps.
Posted by Sonny Liston on November 4, 2006, at 11:18:05
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin XL » sunnydays, posted by Racer on November 3, 2006, at 20:28:09
> Wellbutrin is my friend. :-D
>
> When I started it, I didn't notice any start up effects. The only thing I noticed was that, when I went up to 300mg after either one or two weeks, I started singing while I cooked breakfast. While that's a terrible side effect for my husband to put up with, it may not be quite as bad for you. :-}
>
> While it's not great at controlling my depression and/or anxiety, it's still good. In fact, I would have stuck with just the Wellbutrin XL -- at 450mg -- if our marriage counselor hadn't "recommended" that I see a psychopharmacologist she knows. Now I've added Zoloft, and -- we'll see. The jury's definitely out on this one...
>
> But Wellbutrin may have caused a few mild headaches, and I can't say it's ever been helpful for anxiety for me -- although it's easier to deal with anxiety when the edge is off my depression -- otherwise it's been the most side effect free drug I've ever taken. I can hardly tell I'm on anything at all, really, except that it's taking a big edge off my depression.
>
> I hope that helps.Racer,
How much Zoloft did you add. I'm taking 50 mgs of Zoloft and a buck 50 of Wellbutrin XL. It's weird the Wellbutrin makes me kinda of spacey and relaxed. Not focused too well lately. I'm on day 5 of XL. I do suffer from anxiety and I can't say it has increased. I have been sleeping better for what it's worth.. Coffee, soda etc in addition to XL makes me a bit uncomfortable though.
Posted by Racer on November 4, 2006, at 13:09:35
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin XL, posted by Sonny Liston on November 4, 2006, at 11:18:05
> >
> How much Zoloft did you add. I'm taking 50 mgs of Zoloft and a buck 50 of Wellbutrin XL.
I take 450mg Wellbutrin XL, and now added the Zoloft. I took 25mg for one week, raised to 50mg on Wednesday... Let's see... That means this is day four at 50mgs. So far, GI upset and diarrhea, along with increased depression. The increased depression, though, could be from discontinuing Ritalin or starting progesterone. Or from situational factors that are very bothersome right now.I'm also having a great deal of trouble focusing on anything. Which is making those situational factors much, much worse...
Posted by Phillipa on November 4, 2006, at 19:26:04
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin XL » Sonny Liston, posted by Racer on November 4, 2006, at 13:09:35
Racer I'm sorry so much going on. Love Phillipa
Posted by Sonny Liston on November 4, 2006, at 21:06:12
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin XL » Sonny Liston, posted by Racer on November 4, 2006, at 13:09:35
> > >
> > How much Zoloft did you add. I'm taking 50 mgs of Zoloft and a buck 50 of Wellbutrin XL.
>
>
> I take 450mg Wellbutrin XL, and now added the Zoloft. I took 25mg for one week, raised to 50mg on Wednesday... Let's see... That means this is day four at 50mgs. So far, GI upset and diarrhea, along with increased depression. The increased depression, though, could be from discontinuing Ritalin or starting progesterone. Or from situational factors that are very bothersome right now.
>
> I'm also having a great deal of trouble focusing on anything. Which is making those situational factors much, much worse...
I hear you. The stomach distress is pretty common for Zoloft as you know. I'm a bit mifffed since I thought Wellbutrin would increase focus. I guess I should give the Wellbutrin more time? But as you say it hard to deal with a family, work, stress etc when you feel a bit "high" for lack of better words.
Posted by Racer on November 5, 2006, at 13:23:27
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin XL, posted by Sonny Liston on November 4, 2006, at 21:06:12
> > > The increased depression, though, could be from discontinuing Ritalin or starting progesterone.
> > I'm also having a great deal of trouble focusing on anything. Which is making those situational factors much, much worse...
>
>
> I'm a bit mifffed since I thought Wellbutrin would increase focus. I guess I should give the Wellbutrin more time?I just didn't want you to get the wrong idea: I think the focus problems have more to do with stopping Ritalin or starting progesterone. I've been on Wellbutrin for a couple of years now, so I can't remember if it initially helped with focus or not.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on November 5, 2006, at 18:48:54
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin XL » Sonny Liston, posted by Racer on November 5, 2006, at 13:23:27
I know that progesterone in it's bioidentical state is calming but the synthetic version almost made me lose my mind. Love Phillipa
Posted by chiron on November 5, 2006, at 21:12:20
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin XL, posted by Sonny Liston on November 4, 2006, at 21:06:12
When I've gone on Wellbutrin or increased my dose, my mood increass for a couple of days, then it levels off. No side effects for me. Helps me with my weight.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.