Posted by froggyanna on June 14, 2003, at 13:57:34
In reply to Re: Keep the Strattera updates coming!-appetite, posted by Gale Fox on June 10, 2003, at 8:06:02
> A word about Wellbutrin & Strattera and appetite/weight loss. One of the side effects of Wellbutrin is weight loss. I lost 30 lbs in 4.5 months on Wellbutrin (that was the 30 lbs I'd gained on Paxil over the past 6 years).
>
> My pdoc tells me that appetite supression is one of the side effects of Strattera, and I'd have to ssay that's been true for me also. So I suggest monitoring your weight and food intake if you're on one or both of these meds. (I'm currently taking 80 mg Strattera & 100 mg Wellbutrin)
Hi Gale,Yes, I'm also currently taking 80mg Straterra at night and 200mg Wellbutrin 2 times a day. 45mg buspiron at night as well. I HAVE been taking 100mg Zoloft for several years, but the pdoc has suggested that I stop taking it and see if the Wellbutrin can act as the antidepressant. I gradually increased the amount of Wellbutrin I was taking, while still taking the Zoloft. Now that I'm on 200mg 2x/day for a few days, I've stopped taking the Zoloft and we'll see how that goes.
Weight loss would NOT be a problem for me at all, since I am 5'7" and weigh about 280 pounds. I need to weigh HALF of me!! I'm really glad that I've found these meds (assuming that they turn out to be right for me in all other respects). In addition to a SIGNIFICANTLY reduced appetite, I'm seeing some gradual improvements in my ability to concentrate and move forward with tasks without much trouble. I still procrastinate, and I'm hoping I'll find a way to clear that up. Also, I'm experiencing some mild physical shakiness that feels not quite right.
Here's the big thing for me, though: I recently had some major health tests done (sleep study, bone densitometry, and stress echocardiogram). I'm 51, so my internist thought it prudent to look at all these things (I have sleep apnea - that's why the sleep study.) Also blood tests. My thyroid tests came back "normal" but we may be tweaking with that a bit (that's another thread). My densitometry test shows that I have "severe" osteoPENIA in my lower lumbar region. That's the stage before osteoporosis. And the stress test (treadmill) revealed that I have an "area of abnormality" in my heart and they suspect that not enough blood is getting there. My overall cholesterol is good, but my triglycerides are skyhigh and the HDL (good stuff) is way low. I have to have a repeat stress test, with something they put in your veins so they can see your heart in more detail. My internist tells me that if they find a blocked artery, they will probably have to put a "balloon" inside it to open it up. That was pretty shocking to hear, but he says it's not major surgery.
What made me sad is that before hearing this, I had just made up my mind to join my local Curves for Women and start getting the exercise I so desperately need. I asked the doc if I could go ahead and do this and he said NO! I have to wait until we figure out what needs to be done about my heart.
I immediately did an internet search, hoping I could find some information on "natural" ways of increasing your heart health (better late than never). For those who are interested, I found a WONDERFUL page of info about an herb called Arjuna, and I'm going to be taking this as soon as it comes in the mail: http://www.planetherbs.com/articles/Arjuna.htm
Sorry for going a little off track, but y'know, we are all these things, not just our brains....
froggyanna
poster:froggyanna
thread:133458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030614/msgs/233969.html