Posted by Cam W. on August 13, 2000, at 10:07:20
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin Poop Out - Cam?..Anyone?, posted by amyw on August 12, 2000, at 21:09:35
> My son who is 18 had a dramatic effect from wellbutrin SR 300 mgs, but after two weeks, he already feels it wearing off and is reeally scared and discouraged. Plese tell me if you found an answer for your similar problem.
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> I am so worried about him.Amy - What may be happening with your son is that the start-up side effects, the side effects that occur when one starts antidepressant therapy, have begun to fade. With Wellbutrin™, these include CNS stimulation, anxiety, dizziness, tremor, etc. The initial CNS stimulation can make one feel great for the first little while, but this is not due to Wellbutrin's antidepressant effects. This is probably due to Wellbutrin trying to readjust the body's neurotransmitter system (perhaps norepinephrine and dopamine) to re-establish (re-connect?) the body's stress reaction system (HPA axis) which is dysfunctional in most people with depression.
While your son doesn't feel "great" anymore, this may indicate that the antidepressant is beginning to work (ie the neurotransmitters and their receptors have readjusted to more "normal" levels). Antidepressants do take 4 to 8 weeks (sometimes longer) to exert their effects. Earlier effects are due to the start-up side effects of the drug and/or placebo effect. One starts taking the antidepressant and right away begins to feel different. They equate this with the lifting of the depression, but actually what they are feeling are side effects. This is especially true in the case of Wellbutrin. That initial energy burst is possibly due to an increase in dopamine without a corresponding decrease (or readjustment) of dopamine receptors (especially in the brain's pleasure centre, the nucleus accumbens).
Many people on this board, including me, and many people in real life have experienced the initial "boost" from Wellbutrin. I believe that when this effect wears off, that it is an indication that the drug is beginning to work. Unfortunately, when one responds to an antidepressant, they return to a more "normal" level of functioning (which is far better than a depressed level of functioning) and not a "better than normal" level of functioning.
Your son may be starting to feel euthymic or even a little down. Give the Wellbutrin another 2 to 4 weeks and I'll bet (cyber-dollars) that he will feel better, just not as good as he has been, for the past couple of weeks.
I hope that this makes some sense - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:31767
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000811/msgs/42737.html