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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Es on August 9, 2001, at 23:13:05
Has anyone been given wellbutrin for migraines? How did it work? I take 150mg a day, and have been on it for a week now, have had one migraine, so can't say that it is working.....would appreciate any input...thank you....
Posted by Cam W. on August 9, 2001, at 23:32:16
In reply to Wellbutrin, posted by Es on August 9, 2001, at 23:13:05
Es - I have read a couple of letters to the editor in the journal Headache (Apr.'98 & Jan.'99, I believe). Since we do know that Wellbutrin blocks dopaminergic neurotransmission and modifies noradrenergic neurotransmission (but does not block reuptake), you would think that it should 'cause' headaches (which it does in some people, as a start-up side effect). There have been no controlled studies that I could find, in this area. This being said, Wellbutrin, by all rights, should not help with anxiety, but it seems to. Who knows, maybe it does stop migraines, but I can't think of a mechanism of action.
Sorry that I cannot be of much help.
Posted by Es on August 9, 2001, at 23:52:31
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin » Es, posted by Cam W. on August 9, 2001, at 23:32:16
> Cam, thank you for your information...the doctor gave me a choice between the wellbutrin and effexor, but I was real hesitant to start the effexor after reading some of these experiences. In you opinion, would the effexor have worked better? TY
Posted by Cam W. on August 10, 2001, at 4:13:54
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, posted by Es on August 9, 2001, at 23:52:31
Es - I believe that there is more evidence that Effexor would work for most people. There have been some preliminary reports of using Effexor for migraines. More so than for Wellbutrin, but everyone is different. It's the old "your mileage may vary" stuff.
Try the Wellbutrin for a month or two (if you are already using it) and see if it lessens the severity and incidence of migraines. Perhaps keep a diary of your migraines and their intensities. Then you can see if they will wane over time. Take your diary to your doctor's appointment and he/she will be able to see if the Wellbutrin is working or not.
If the Wellbutrin doesn't seem to be working, your doctor could always prescribe Effexor later. Keep a diary of your incidence of migraines for any drug you try. It will help assess if the treatment is working or if you need a dosage adjustment.
Good luck - Cam
Posted by Es on August 10, 2001, at 11:18:50
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin » Es, posted by Cam W. on August 10, 2001, at 4:13:54
> > Cam, thank you again for your post. I will stay with wellbutrin for a while longer, but have deffently noticed that I can't sleep, I take lorazapam in the P.M. 2@ 1mg. Even taking this doesn't help very much with the sleep. I I take celexa, or prozac, or any meds like this, they cause me leg cramps, which I hear is unusual, but they cause it in me, it is like servere charlie horses in the back of my legs, and in my feet. They ache so bad after a couple of days of taking them that I can hardly walk......the doctor said if the wellbutrin doens't work he wants to try me on some anti zezure medication. He said that they can cause weight gain sometimes, but said that he has found one with very little side effects. Do you know why he would want to do that? And do you know of any anti seisure meds that do not cause weight gain...and have very few side effects. I am a surviving cancer patient and I am on a few other things for that...maybe there is a interaction there, but I would think that my doctor, I have two, my gp, and one for the migraines, they both know what meds I take, but could it be possible that some might be interacting? Any help would be appreciated...ty
Posted by Cam W. on August 10, 2001, at 12:29:23
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, posted by Es on August 10, 2001, at 11:18:50
Es - When are you taking your second Wellbutrin dose? I found that I could take my second dose after 4:00pm or I couldn't sleep. I would make sure I took my first one of the day at least 8 hours (usually 10 or 11 hours) before 4pm. If you are taking the dose closer to bedtime, don't, you won't sleep (I gather you figured that out).
Hopefully it is only a timing of dose thing. Even if it isn't, and you are taking the second dose fairly early, most people do eventually get use to the activating effects of Wellbutrin. - Cam
Posted by Es on August 10, 2001, at 13:22:56
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, posted by Cam W. on August 10, 2001, at 12:29:23
> I took the 150 for the first 5 days and then added 150 at 4:00 in the afternoon, but only took it that way for 2 days, as I got so wired, I couldn't sleep but a couple of hours a night, so decided to go back to the 150mg @ 8:00am. I am still having problems sleeping even taking the one. Do you think that I will adjust in a few weeks and then could possibly start the second dose? One thing for sure it is making me energetic, and have gotton a lot of fishing and swimming in......and cleaning, too. Would like some help in the sleep department, like I said I take the lorazapam 1mg. @ 2 nightly. But my mind seems to want to not shut off, my body is tired, but my mind is wide awake.....ty
Posted by Cam W. on August 10, 2001, at 15:23:35
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, posted by Es on August 10, 2001, at 13:22:56
Es - The insomnia effects should wane over the 2 weeks. If you are that sensitive to the Wellbutrin, you may want to ask your doc to prescribe the 100mg SR tablets.
Have you noticed any decrease in the incidence of migraines? - Cam
Posted by Es on August 10, 2001, at 16:18:50
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin » Es, posted by Cam W. on August 10, 2001, at 15:23:35
> Es - The insomnia effects should wane over the 2 weeks. If you are that sensitive to the Wellbutrin, you may want to ask your doc to prescribe the 100mg SR tablets.
>
> Have you noticed any decrease in the incidence of migraines? - Camty....I was thinking about doing that, too. Will give it a couple more days and then call on monday if there is no improvement....hope all is well for you....God Bless you....
Posted by Es on August 10, 2001, at 16:20:44
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin » Es, posted by Cam W. on August 10, 2001, at 15:23:35
> Cam...didn't see your question about the migraines, I had one migraine, but took some zomig and it went away pretty fast....I will have to give it some time and see what happens,will let you know how it does work for me.....
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