Posted by Simcha on July 11, 2001, at 19:43:19
In reply to Re: From Effexor XR to Wellbutrin SR, posted by Janelle on July 11, 2001, at 18:25:04
Janelle,
Thanks for the support and validation. I will report how this goes in here.
I do have a history of rage. I've heard that Wellbutrin can spark that in some people. I've dealt with much of my rage issues in therapy but you never know....
I've discussed this with my psychiatrist. He says he'll monitor this as we go along.
Why does medication get so complicated? :-(
> First, let me say LUCKY YOU - that EffexorXR has been the magic bullet (I have yet to find mine - it was Paxil, but after many - probably too many - years on it, it no longer worked and may even have been a factor in bringing on on hypomania). I was tapered off Paxil waaaaaaaay to quickly, had HORRIBLE withdrawal as I was going onto Celexa. Celexa worked minimally, but made me more agitated and anxious. I then went off Celexa gradually with no problems as I titrated up on Effexor XR feeling worse and worse. Doc has me holding at 75 mg till next appointment.
>
> I suspect that I have also been mildly depressed my whole ADULT life (which is a bit longer than yours!) and I've had several major depressive episodes. I have depression in my family history also.
>
> I "share" what you described as shame about this, and I "share" what you referred to as some old beliefs that to get meds for life is to be weak even though my intellectual self knows that I have a chemical imbalance that is most likely genetic. And MY mother is a constant source for pressure. She doesn't discount my feelings and my experiences, but does not understand them and she triggers me terribly.
>
> As for your sexual problems, from what I hear and know, it sounds like ALL the SSRI a-d's (which is what Effexor is) mess up your sexual performance (both men and women).
>
> I have heard both positive and negative things about Wellbutrin (and everyone reacts differently), but since it's NOT an SSRI, I think you'll NOT have the sexual problems you're having with EffexorXR.
>
> HOWEVER, one thing I hear REPEATEDLY and my pdoc has also said this, is that Wellbutrin can make the person agitated, irritable, jumpy, etc., so if you already have these symptoms as part of your depression they could get worse, or if you don't have them, they could be a side effect of Wellbutrin.
>
> For what it's worth, the schedule you typed out sounds good - as long as you taper off Effexor GRADUALLY (you may have to be on the minimal dose - 37.5 for quite some time), you should NOT have a problem with withdrawal. Plus, you haven't been on EffexorXR all that long, which should work in your favor in tapering off.
>
> If you find the Wellbutrin is giving you any unpleasant side effects that don't dissipate, I'd say return to Effexor and I think there are meds your doc would know of to counteract the sexual problems. GOOD LUCK!
poster:Simcha
thread:69765
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010708/msgs/69787.html