Posted by Elizabeth on March 5, 2000, at 7:59:08
In reply to What do you know about...., posted by Noa on March 2, 2000, at 14:17:51
> Wellbutrin, for instance?
I think I speak for the entire medical and pharmaceutical professions when I say, "not too much." :-) I don't think it's really clear what sort of depressed patients are more likely to respond to Wellbutrin. I do think that, if you're not sure that it caused particularly bad side effects last time you tried it, it's worth another try. BTW, you might try the SR if you used the immediate-release stuff last time.
> At what point do I say the effexor isn't doing it for me. I mean, it has been working, but what is it with these new episodes?
I think you know the answer to that.
> And if these episodes reflect a cycling a la bipolar family, why isn't the lithium helping. I did feel better initially with the lithium, but not anymore.
Take a look at the current issue of Arch Gen Psychiatry. There's some stuff on lithium efficacy there that might be relevant to you.
> So, I wonder if it is time to move on. I never gave Welbutrin a proper trial. It was a few years back, in combo with paxil, and I got diarrhea, which I attributed to the wellbutrin, but it all happened so fast, I realy am not sure.
Noa, I love how you're so grounded and aware. (You may not believe this...just trust me.) What I mean is, realizing you may have misattributed a side effect is an insight I don't see often, but it comes as no surprise from you.
> How do people feel about wellbutrin? Especially for an obviously refractory depression.
Because it has a novel pharmacological mechanism, I would say yes.
> I don't think I want to go with an MAOI, and the only time I took a tricyclic I wigged out bad on a small initial dose. The other SSRIs? I don't know if they offer anything new for me. Does Wellbutrin?
Which tricyclic? (and what exactly is "wigged out?" :-)
Why not an MAOI?
Which of the newer ADs (including SSRIs) have you tried, exactly?
> Is it worth trying? How would one do this--tapering off effexor? I assume it would be ok to overlap at some point.
Tapering off Effexor: very slowly! But you could certainly start Wellbutrin while you're tapering.
Best of luck, Noa.
poster:Elizabeth
thread:25503
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000302/msgs/26023.html