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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Whisker on August 13, 2002, at 23:14:23
After many decades of indescribable daily suffering, I successfully took Meridia for compulsive appetite cravings. The compulsion completely stopped. It was absolutely miraculous!
Although Meridia is currently approved for weight loss I, personally, recommend it's off-label use for treating compulsive overeating disorders. In my case, compulsive overeating is not associated with anorexia, bulimia, or obesity. Instead, it's characterized by a binge/starve cycle. But I digress.
The downside of this Meridia miracle, for me, was the recurrence of my clinical depression. So, I stopped taking the Meridia and, having heard that it can decrease appetite, started taking Wellbutrin SR - with great hope. (Wellbutrin is about the only SSRI that I have never taken before.) Indeed, my depression lifted, but, unfortunately, my compulsive food cravings returned.
It's a horrifying Catch-22! At this point, I'm desperate enough to want to try taking both Wellbutrin and Meridia, together, to try to solve both problems simultaneously. My only hesitation is a fear of serotonin syndrome.
I'm interested in knowing how great the risk of SS would be if Wellbutrin and Meridia were combined. I'd also like to know whether, if taking both, the risk of SS would increase over time -- or, if I'm taking the necessary dosage of each ( but together) and have had no adverse reaction within a few days ( a week? two weeks?...), whether I've made it "over the hump" and don't have to worry about it anymore.
Noncombined personal therapeutic dosages (no adverse reactions):
..................Meridia: 15-30 mg per day
- - - - - - - - - - - - -depending upon which week of the menstrual cycle.
..................Wellbutrin SR: 400 mg per day
..................5'8" 130 lbs
Posted by Jerrympls on August 14, 2002, at 0:08:34
In reply to Meridia combined with Wellbutrin, posted by Whisker on August 13, 2002, at 23:14:23
You should know that Wellbutrin is NOT an SSRI nor is Meridia. Meridia blocks the reuptake of noradrenaline and serotonin and Wellbutrin blocks the reuptake of noradrenaline, dopamine and to a small degree serotonin as well. Both are chemically unrelated to SSRIs like Prozac, Zoloft, etc.
I'm no doctor, but from what I know you'd experience problems with high blood pressure if you combined the two more so than a serotonin syndrome. It's unusual that the Wellbutrin doesn't help you with the compulsive eating - its action in the brain is very similar to Meridia and Wellbutrin is chemically related to an older appetite suppressant.
I would be careful and consult your doctor. Mixing meds like these can be dangerous.
Good luck.
Posted by Christina on August 14, 2002, at 13:50:20
In reply to Meridia combined with Wellbutrin, posted by Whisker on August 13, 2002, at 23:14:23
Adderall also works as an appetite suppressant, and has helped me combat compulsive overeating.
Adderall is either v. similar, or the same, as Obetrol, which was marketed as a weight loss drug in the 1970s.
I also take Wellbutrin, but it's not working for me. I've gained weight on it, it makes me terribly constipated, and my compulsive overeating has returned somewhat.Everyone is different, but Adderall may be a good choice for you, but since it is a Class II drug, it may be difficult for you get your doc to prescribe it as an appetite supressant.
Posted by Christina on August 14, 2002, at 13:50:26
In reply to Meridia combined with Wellbutrin, posted by Whisker on August 13, 2002, at 23:14:23
Adderall also works as an appetite suppressant, and has helped me combat compulsive overeating.
Adderall is either v. similar, or the same, as Obetrol, which was marketed as a weight loss drug in the 1970s.
I also take Wellbutrin, but it's not working for me. I've gained weight on it, it makes me terribly constipated, and my compulsive overeating has returned somewhat.Everyone is different, but Adderall may be a good choice for you, but since it is a Class II drug, it may be difficult for you get your doc to prescribe it as an appetite supressant.
Posted by lereto on August 16, 2002, at 16:19:13
In reply to Meridia combined with Wellbutrin, posted by Whisker on August 13, 2002, at 23:14:23
I imagine this is not what you want to hear, but IMHO trying to manage compulsive overeating with meds is both dangerous and ultimately futile because you probably can't stay on the drugs forever. I am a compulsive overeater and I suggest Overeater's Anonymous. You do not have to be obese or anorexic to go. The only requirement is the desire to stop eating compulsively. It works for me.
This is the end of the thread.
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