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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 katieb on January 7, 2003, at 9:50:26
i've posted on and off here about my major weight gain problems from paxil and celexa (i'm diagnosed w/ GAD). i am now up 30-40 pounds since starting these drugs even though i am exercising for an hour 4 times a week. most of my anxiety/depression is because of my weight now!
i really want to try wellbutrin. i've read so much of the medical literature on it's weight reduction properties. problem is, my doctor wanted to try all these other things before moving to wellbutrin. i was on effexor for 4 months with no results and major brain foggyiness.
can anyone give me suggestions of how to stress to my dr. that i just want to try the wellbutrin? could anyone who's on it let me know some of the other positive things so i could explain those to my dr.? i'm really feeling desperate for some medical intervention for this weight gain and the psychological side effects!
Posted by BrittPark on January 7, 2003, at 10:47:27
In reply to help me get prescribed wellbutrin!, posted by katieb on January 7, 2003, at 9:50:26
I'd put it to your doctor something like this: "I've been on drugs x, y, and z, and all they've done is make me gain weight, could we try Wellbutrin?" Basically say what you said in your post. If your doctor is reasonable he should respond positively. BTW, is your doctor a psychiatrist or a GP? If he/she is a GP, I strongly suggest you find a psychiatrist. GPs, in general, are not qualified to handle complex mental illnesses.
Best of luck,
Britt
Posted by viridis on January 7, 2003, at 13:37:26
In reply to help me get prescribed wellbutrin!, posted by katieb on January 7, 2003, at 9:50:26
I agree with BrittPark, and if your doctor isn't willing to be flexible, I'd try another (and the advice to see a psychiatrist is very good).
I would be careful with Wellbutrin if you have an anxiety disorder, though. It was prescribed by a GP (at my request) and really increased anxiety for me, with some strange side effects. A friend of mine had a severe panic reaction to it. The psychiatrist I'm seeing now wasn't surprised at my reaction, and said that he's very careful using WB in anxiety patients.
I'd start with a very low dose, say 37.5 mg. By the way, you can safely divide the slow-release "SR" pills, despite what some doctors will say. I checked this with the manufacturer, and one of the people who developed the SR version assured me that cutting up the pills is fine -- just don't let the cut pills sit around more than a couple of days, as they absorb water from the atmosphere and become ineffective.
Posted by katieb on January 7, 2003, at 20:34:26
In reply to help me get prescribed wellbutrin!, posted by katieb on January 7, 2003, at 9:50:26
thanks for the advice. i'm actually seeing an RN in the behavioral medicine division of my HMO. if my appointment does not go well on friday i have discussed with my family financial solutions to seeing a psychiatrist not on my insurance.
re the anxiety - i will be very aware of it. these past few weeks i've been feeling much more depression than anxiety though.
thanks for all the advice!!
Posted by wingedcat on January 8, 2003, at 4:38:05
In reply to Re: help me get prescribed wellbutrin! » katieb, posted by viridis on January 7, 2003, at 13:37:26
I'm so glad that you mentioned that it was ok to split the SR pills. I was just about to call the doctor and ask for a smaller size pill (I think the smallest SR size is 100mg), but your suggestion will save me a lot of money :)
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