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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 31. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sandra62 on March 1, 2007, at 20:09:26
I wondered if any of you with Bipolar have had experience taking Wellbutrin. I currently take 300 mg of Seroquel, 100 mg of Lamictal, 1 mg of Rivotril and 10 mg of Lexapro. I'm stable but on the low side. I take Lexapro because it's the only SSRI that doesn't give me sexual side effects but I'm not sure that it is working. My PDOC is waiting a bit to change anything as I've just recently switched from Zyprexa to Seroquel. But in the coming weeks I want to ask her about starting Wellbutrin instead of raising the dosage of Lexapro as I tried Wellbutrin before and it really seemed to lift my mood and was like an aphrodisiac, a very welcome side-effect! I'm just wondering if Wellbutrin is a wise choice for Bipolar. I also am trying to quit smoking and know that Wellbutrin (Bupropion/Zyban) has been known to help with this. Any thoughts? TIA.
Posted by Jeroen on March 2, 2007, at 8:49:41
In reply to Wellbutrin and Bipolar?, posted by Sandra62 on March 1, 2007, at 20:09:26
hi, i dont recommend lexapro and seroquel together, i did that and i got sick like a dog...
same with lexapro and geodon, bad idea!i take paxil and seroquel for year and it seems ok
Posted by Phillipa on March 2, 2007, at 11:04:36
In reply to Lexapro and seroquel dangerous combo, posted by Jeroen on March 2, 2007, at 8:49:41
I see nothing wrong with asking for wellbutrin. Especially since you good effects before good luck. Love Phillipa
Posted by Sandra62 on March 2, 2007, at 21:33:03
In reply to Re: Lexapro and seroquel dangerous combo, posted by Phillipa on March 2, 2007, at 11:04:36
Hi Jeroen, thanks for responding. So far I haven't been sick from taking Seroquel and Lexapro. Unless that anxiety I was experiencing a few days ago had something to do with that. I am suspecting withdrawal from Zyprexa, or not ideal dosing for Seroquel. I'm at 300 mg now and feel great.
Thanks Phillipa, I think I will ask my PDOC if I can switch over to Wellbutrin. I seem to recall some jittery effects when I gave it some thought though, I wonder if that's why I stopped it...? But that was long before I was diagnosed with Bipolar and was only being treated for depression so it was monotherapy. With Lamictal, Rivotril and Seroquel it may just be the right combo. We'll see what my PDOC says on Monday. Thanks again for responding.
Anyone else have any words of wisdom?
Posted by Jeroen on March 2, 2007, at 22:08:04
In reply to Re: Lexapro and seroquel dangerous combo, posted by Sandra62 on March 2, 2007, at 21:33:03
how iu take seroquel?
all in the PM?
Posted by yxibow on March 2, 2007, at 22:56:36
In reply to Lexapro and seroquel dangerous combo, posted by Jeroen on March 2, 2007, at 8:49:41
> hi, i dont recommend lexapro and seroquel together, i did that and i got sick like a dog...
>
>
> same with lexapro and geodon, bad idea!
>
> i take paxil and seroquel for year and it seems okI don't know if one can say these things are dangerous, everyone is different I think on things; for psychotic or hard to manage OCD, small amounts of any low potency atypical and any SSRI that works have been probably used and worked for someone.
But perhaps for you it was not the best idea.
Posted by Sandra62 on March 3, 2007, at 9:12:56
In reply to how iu take seroquel?, posted by Jeroen on March 2, 2007, at 22:08:04
Jeroen, I take 10 mg of Lexapro in the morning. I take 300 mg of Seroquel and 100 mg of Lamictal at night. I also take 1 mg of Rivotril (Clonazepam/Klonopin) during the day.
Posted by Broken on March 3, 2007, at 15:03:02
In reply to Re: how iu take seroquel?, posted by Sandra62 on March 3, 2007, at 9:12:56
Hi Sandra,
Just thought I'd mention this. I'm Bi-polar and took Welbutrin for a while. My main side effect was nightmares. It started slowly but got to the point that it was ruining my sleep, and I had to drop it completely. I'm sure that varies from person to person, but I just wanted you to be aware.
Take care
Posted by Sandra62 on March 3, 2007, at 15:13:04
In reply to Re: how iu take seroquel? » Sandra62, posted by Broken on March 3, 2007, at 15:03:02
Hi Broken, thanks for the heads up. I'm already getting very vivid dreams from Seroquel, man what a sleep I've been getting though.
Still interested to hear from anyone with Bipolar that has taken Wellbutrin, and what other meds you may augment it with and results.
Posted by kilgor trout on March 3, 2007, at 21:41:28
In reply to Wellbutrin, posted by Sandra62 on March 3, 2007, at 15:13:04
I've been on wellbutrin for about 6 years, bipolar for many more...
I think the wellbutrin has been a great stablizer for me. (I take 200mg 2x per day)
AND Lamictal (200mg 2x per day)However, I have had some major cycling over the last 5 years.
I have had some wonderful periods of balance, but the pressure of my stress-filled career seems to destabilize be repeatedly. 3 jobs in 3 years.
I am thinking about adding seroquel to my mix (My doc recommended -- having had crappy results with Zyprexa and Abilify)
So I am off to sero-land... wish me well, and help keep me from gaining 50 pounds.
Posted by med_empowered on March 4, 2007, at 1:13:29
In reply to Wellbutrin and Bipolar?, posted by Sandra62 on March 1, 2007, at 20:09:26
as antidepressants in bipolar go, wellbutrin is usually a pretty good call. There are side effects, which can be very bad (its very stimulant-ish), but it also seems to be pretty good in terms of switching--if you can tolerate it, its less likely to cause mania, akathisia, or accelerated cycling than the TCA drugs or the SSRI drugs.
Posted by Sandra62 on March 4, 2007, at 14:48:21
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, posted by kilgor trout on March 3, 2007, at 21:41:28
Hi kilgor trout, thanks for your response. I too am hoping not to gain any weight with Seroquel, I put on 25 lbs with Zyprexa and it's been hell trying to lose it. I've heard that Wellbutrin can be a good appetite suppressant so maybe adding it will help. I'm also trying to quit smoking so hoping for that possible benefit as well.
Good luck in sero-land!
Posted by Sandra62 on March 4, 2007, at 14:49:26
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Bipolar?, posted by med_empowered on March 4, 2007, at 1:13:29
Thanks for your response med_empowered, I'll see what my PDOC says on Monday about trying it out.
Posted by yxibow on March 4, 2007, at 15:43:39
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, posted by Sandra62 on March 4, 2007, at 14:48:21
> Hi kilgor trout, thanks for your response. I too am hoping not to gain any weight with Seroquel, I put on 25 lbs with Zyprexa and it's been hell trying to lose it. I've heard that Wellbutrin can be a good appetite suppressant so maybe adding it will help. I'm also trying to quit smoking so hoping for that possible benefit as well.
>
> Good luck in sero-land!
Wellbutrin (buproprion) was derived from an ancient diet drug called Tenuate (diethylproprion) which is related to the amphetamine class. Its rather stimulating, I don't know if I would purely use it for an appetite suppressant, but if it served a double duty as an antidepressant addon I suppose there is not too much harm there.
Posted by Sandra62 on March 4, 2007, at 15:47:26
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin » Sandra62, posted by yxibow on March 4, 2007, at 15:43:39
Hi yxibow, thanks for your response. How interesting! I'm going to Google that 'ancient drug'. Let's hope my PDOC is on board with this switch. I have been low for a year now with 10 mg of Lexapro, 100 mg of Lamictal, 10 mg of Zyprexa until I now have switched to 300 mg of Seroquel, and 1 mg Rivotril. I feel I need more of a stimulant, hopefully I can make the switch to Wellbutrin and it does the trick!
Anyone else with insight?
Posted by Sandra62 on March 4, 2007, at 16:51:51
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin » Sandra62, posted by yxibow on March 4, 2007, at 15:43:39
Hi I found the following article on the aforementioned connection between the diet drug and Wellbutrin by yxibow:
http://fatnews.com/index.php?/weblog/comments/737/
Very interesting! Maybe taking Wellbutrin will help me drop the pounds I gained from Zyprexa, and maybe help suppress my appetite that I seem to be getting from Seroquel, mostly nighttime eating. Not hungry in the day.
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 6, 2007, at 11:02:34
In reply to Lexapro and seroquel dangerous combo, posted by Jeroen on March 2, 2007, at 8:49:41
I took lexapro and seroquel for a year and some. It didnt make me sick. But the lexapro made my ups and downs a bit worse with my BPII. But my psych and I didnt know about my BPII at the time.
Posted by Sandra62 on March 7, 2007, at 16:52:30
In reply to Re: Lexapro and seroquel dangerous combo, posted by TheMeanReds on March 6, 2007, at 11:02:34
Well my PDOC decided not to switch to Wellbutrin just yet but to raise my dosage of Lexapro from 10 mg to 20 mg. I sincerely hope that it works. I'm tired of feeling on the low side. I miss my mania at times, no creativity here for months!
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 8, 2007, at 10:28:04
In reply to Re: Lexapro and seroquel dangerous combo, posted by Sandra62 on March 7, 2007, at 16:52:30
I know what you mean. sometimes im bad and skip a dose of my lamictal. Im an artist, well at least id like to think so. And I miss my having my vino, my little cigars, and music, and 3 canvases going at once. It is my fav pass time if it has to be indoors.
> Well my PDOC decided not to switch to Wellbutrin just yet but to raise my dosage of Lexapro from 10 mg to 20 mg. I sincerely hope that it works. I'm tired of feeling on the low side. I miss my mania at times, no creativity here for months!
Posted by Sandra62 on March 8, 2007, at 14:06:44
In reply to missed creativity » Sandra62, posted by TheMeanReds on March 8, 2007, at 10:28:04
Hi TheMeanReds, this is exactly how I feel. Thanks for helping me not feel so alone! Here's to finding our creativity in our midst again soon!
Posted by kilgor trout on March 8, 2007, at 14:32:57
In reply to Re: missed creativity, posted by Sandra62 on March 8, 2007, at 14:06:44
I can't say it's the wellbutrin... Or the lamictal (but the lamictal is more recent) but I have not written a song in 1.5 years. My guitar is gathering dust.
So I've got to examine the chemistry vs. the emotional lows vs. the stress of work and not being able to work...
I am going to get my guitar out right now...
Cheers!
Posted by Sandra62 on March 8, 2007, at 14:36:46
In reply to Re: missed creativity, posted by kilgor trout on March 8, 2007, at 14:32:57
Hi! My guitar and keyboard would have dust on themm if my maid, bless her soul, didn't clean them for me. I had a real creative surge last year when I first started Lamictal as monotherapy and wrote 6 songs in a couple of days. Then I went totally manic and had to start Zyprexa. Those songs are now just on paper and I don't know if I even remember how they go. I have a home recording studio and I'm determined to get those songs recorded, and as well the old ones I have on cassette to digital and publish them on the web with garageband or something to share with the world. Now if only Lexapro would kick in! I'm still sure that Wellbutrin is the ticket but my PDOC wants to give the dosage raise of Lexapro from 10 mg to 20 mg a fair shot. Which is 6 LONG weeks. Bring it on!
Posted by ralphrost on March 8, 2007, at 20:39:05
In reply to Re: missed creativity, posted by kilgor trout on March 8, 2007, at 14:32:57
I agree...
Every medicine I took seemed to take away the last bit of funny thoughts that used to amuse me once and a while. Also, I play the violin and lately it feels more like a manual activity than making music. Weird.
Hope I'm wrong and that in a near (or distant) future I come back here saying that that was only the depression itself.
My best wishes,
Ralph
> I can't say it's the wellbutrin... Or the lamictal (but the lamictal is more recent) but I have not written a song in 1.5 years. My guitar is gathering dust.
>
> So I've got to examine the chemistry vs. the emotional lows vs. the stress of work and not being able to work...
>
> I am going to get my guitar out right now...
>
> Cheers!
Posted by randermin on March 12, 2007, at 22:30:12
In reply to missed creativity » Sandra62, posted by TheMeanReds on March 8, 2007, at 10:28:04
> I know what you mean. sometimes im bad and skip a dose of my lamictal. Im an artist, well at least id like to think so. And I miss my having my vino, my little cigars, and music, and 3 canvases going at once. It is my fav pass time if it has to be indoors.
>
>
lamictal affects your creativity?
Posted by Sandra62 on March 12, 2007, at 22:34:41
In reply to Re: missed creativity, posted by randermin on March 12, 2007, at 22:30:12
Lamictal as monotherapy made me have hypomania and as a result some wonderful vibrant creativity where I wrote songs day and night, it was wonderful! I was sure they would be hits ;) But unfortunately I got too high and had to be squelched with Zyprexa and since have not touched my guitar or keyboard or wanted to sing for months. I'm working with my PDOC to find a better way.
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