Posted by Kaysey on October 10, 2001, at 12:53:58
In reply to Re: pellmell, how are you doing with your combo? » Kaysey, posted by pellmell on October 9, 2001, at 16:58:37
> Kaysey,
>
> Nope, I haven't talked about this stuff yet...in fact, I'm still working through it myself. With the exception of the hair loss bit. I haven't noticed that I'm shedding any more than usual. :)
>
> As for anxiousness and irritability...yeah, when I took Wellbutrin alone I had a really bad case of both. What I'm doing to deal with it now probably isn't an option for you: I'm playing with my Effexor dose to try to find the right balance between sleepy-blah and anxiety-charged energy. I think 112.5 mg of Effexor XR does it for me, but I'm not sure when to take it. If I swallow the pills at night it seems to disrupt my sleep, but in the morning it makes me drowsy through the day. Argh! I'm sticking with the regular Wellbutrin program of one 100mg SR pill in the morning and another around 5.
>
> Let's keep talking about this...and good luck for now!
>
> Until next time,
> -pm
>
> > Hi!
> > You may have already posted the answers to my questions, forgive me if I don't recall, even though I try to keep up! Two weeks ago I added 100mg Wellbutrin SR to my 300mg Effexor (not SR, because I had to titrate up so slowly that I was splitting already-split pills). I had done really well on the Effexor alone (on it now for 5 months, one month at 300mg), but the fatigue and sleepiness had been way too much.
> > The Wellbutrin has helped some, and I realize that it may not have done its 'thing' time-wise, but I am still really draggy. I have my doctor's approval to up it to 100mgX2 if I want. My problem is that, I have occasionally suffered from anxiety (intensely so)with the Wellbutrin--the irritability subsided after the first four days--and my hair has fallen out (even with zinc and selenium supplements). Now I can live with that (to a point), but I am concerned that the extra 100mg per day will exacerbate the hair loss and anxiety (even if it helps the sleepiness). Have you had problems such as this, and how have you handled them?
> > Thanks very much
> > KayseyThanks for the info. Actually in addition to the thinning hair I am also experiencing extremely dry skin (I live in the Southeastern part of the US,and my skin looks like it usually does in the dead of winter). I am drinking more water (have to for the dry mouth), but my skin is still scaly. I experienced some of this when I began the Effexor, but not to this extent.
The 'tweaking' of Effexor that you are doing is of interest to me, because I really don't know how much of the dose of 300mg is helping beyond the 225mg dose. I didn't even see a dent in the depression until I hit 150mg, started feeling very good at 225, and to be honest,titrated up to 300mg, to see if some of the norepinephrine effects might kick in to alleviate or at least minimize the drowsiness (it hasn't). I am wondering about SLOWLY decreasing the effexor to see what impact it might have, and, in turn, perhaps going to WB SR 100mgX2 (instead of the one a day I am currently taking).
Except for the very first day that I took Effexor (the initial 37.5mg dose--wired me--but ONLY for that day), I have felt none of the energy, or alertness that many people report. As I mentioned in another post, it could actually be a 'sleeping pill' for me. I certainly have appreciated the decrease in depression and anxiety, but the too-relaxed/laid-back feeling is difficult to deal with.Thanks again for your help. The very best to you in your guaging process (seems like we are always trying to hone in on the right thing, doesn't it?), and let's continue to compare notes.
Kaysey
poster:Kaysey
thread:80615
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011007/msgs/80873.html