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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tree on June 1, 2003, at 8:26:13
Yesterday I was more depressed than ever. I just wanted to sit on my bed and every now and then I would just start to cry. I felt like I was worth nothing and not motivated to make anything of myself. Like I have no passion and my career was just forced and faked and not enjoyed, and I am not a good mother. I have no purpose in this world. I have been on Wellbutrin for two weeks. I only felt good and energetic and motivated for the first three or four days. I have been taking Clonazepam to sleep. Does this mean the Wellbutrin isn't working? Or could it be, as I have read in some postings here, that the Clonazepam is making my depression worse? Last night I tried Ambien instead, just to see. I have been tired for the past four days, but still need something to help me sleep - then I do sleep pretty much through the night. I was so hopeful that the W. would work, especially after how I felt those first few days. Any advice?
Tree
Posted by Squiggles on June 1, 2003, at 10:41:23
In reply to Not Doing Well, posted by Tree on June 1, 2003, at 8:26:13
Hi Tree,
I can't give you medically responsible
advice; but i do know some rules of thumb
about psychiatric drugs:- don't expect them to work right away;
don't expect to take a drug one night and
immediately feel marked results the next day --
some of these drugs have long "half-lives";- Klonopin should help you sleep, and if that
is the cause of your anxiety it will help;
however, if you are depressed, it won't do by
itself;- Wellbutrin is a stimulating anti-depressant,
so if you get more anxiety, that may be the reason;Looks to me like you should pay a visit to
your doctor for a review after a week or two
on these meds.I am sorry you are going through a rough time;
eventually you should get things right with the
help of your doctor, and you won't be so down
on yourself.Squiggles
Posted by cubbybear on June 1, 2003, at 11:02:10
In reply to Not Doing Well, posted by Tree on June 1, 2003, at 8:26:13
Hello Tree,
I've never taken Wellbutrin but first I'll say that I pretty much agree with Squiggles regarding giving it more time to work; second, when I was seriously depressed, I was also put on Clonazepam to help me sleep. It definitely helped that particular symptom of my depression
Posted by mrporter1 on June 1, 2003, at 11:20:27
In reply to Re: Not Doing Well, posted by cubbybear on June 1, 2003, at 11:02:10
Hi Tree,
I'm so sorry you're struggling. Keep in mind that Wellbutrin is your typical AD. It will take several weeks for it to really kick in. The stimulant feeling you felt at the beginning is probably a side effect and not the drug actually working. However, for most people you do get increased energy eventually.
The Klonopin can definitely make you depressed- especially the day after. At the time, it's great to manage anxiety - not sure if that's an issue for you. Ambien might be a better bet for sleep. Even better would be to make sure you're taking the Wellbutrin as early as possible. That might be the reason you can't sleep. Any benzos have the risk of making you feel more depressed when you come down from them.
I know it's hard to hear that it may take some time to feel better. That's the terrible joke for those with depression. If you're depressed you can't even imagine feeling better, much less Waiting for feel better.
Have you taken other things in the past? How have they worked for you? What's your current dosage of Wellbutrin?
Hang in there! You are not not not alone.
Take good care of yourself the very best you can.
Rachel
Posted by Snoozy on June 1, 2003, at 15:20:53
In reply to Not Doing Well, posted by Tree on June 1, 2003, at 8:26:13
Hi -
I'm sorry to hear you're not doing well. In my personal experience, I can remember times when I started or increased Wellbutrin, that I did feel worse for a while. I attributed it to insomnia/sleep deprivation. Even when I thought I was sleeping ok, I was actually waking up many times throughout the night.
While I have no personal experience with clonazepam, I know that for some people it does make their depression worse. Of course, it also helps some people. Frustrating, I know.
I know it's hard, but hang in there.
Posted by Kathii on June 1, 2003, at 16:20:32
In reply to Not Doing Well, posted by Tree on June 1, 2003, at 8:26:13
Hi Tree,
I'm sorry to hear you're so down right now. I'm on Wellbutrin, too, and it does take awhile for it to really kick in. If you take it twice a day make sure your last dose is around dinner time, it can keep you from getting to sleep. Same is true about caffeine - don't have any more after lunch time.
Your pdoc should have you scheduled to come in after being on the Wellbutrin for a month to see how you're doing. If not, make an appointment for then. In the meantime try to put off making any major decisions or doing anything stressful.
Good luck and give us an update.
Posted by Tree on June 1, 2003, at 17:01:09
In reply to Re: Not Doing Well » Tree, posted by Kathii on June 1, 2003, at 16:20:32
Thanks everyone. I am taking 150mg at 7 or 8am, and another 150 at 2 or 3pm. I have been getting real tired in the afternoon, and by bedtime, I am exhausted, but my mind is awake and won't let me sleep. I drink one cup of green tea with caffeine in the morning, no more tea or soda or anything like that the rest of the day.
About four years ago, I went on Zoloft. I barely slept for four weeks, so took Ambien. After four weeks, I started feeling pretty good, but kind of flat and had no interest in sex. Strangely enough, I got pregnant! And, so, decided to go off it.
I am scheduled for a follw-up appointment in a couple of weeks and am committed to sticking this out for 4-6 weeks. I am worried about the tiredness, because I didn't expect it as a side effect especially after the initial energy rush. Hopefully it will get better.
Right now my family is criticizing me and yelling at me for my choice of what to make for dinner. Like I really need this!
Tree
Posted by ace on June 1, 2003, at 23:23:05
In reply to Not Doing Well, posted by Tree on June 1, 2003, at 8:26:13
> Yesterday I was more depressed than ever. I just wanted to sit on my bed and every now and then I would just start to cry. I felt like I was worth nothing and not motivated to make anything of myself. Like I have no passion and my career was just forced and faked and not enjoyed, and I am not a good mother. I have no purpose in this world. I have been on Wellbutrin for two weeks. I only felt good and energetic and motivated for the first three or four days. I have been taking Clonazepam to sleep. Does this mean the Wellbutrin isn't working? Or could it be, as I have read in some postings here, that the Clonazepam is making my depression worse? Last night I tried Ambien instead, just to see. I have been tired for the past four days, but still need something to help me sleep - then I do sleep pretty much through the night. I was so hopeful that the W. would work, especially after how I felt those first few days. Any advice?
>
> TreeSorry to hear you feel so bad,
First of all, the Wellbutrin probably wouldn't have kicked in by now. Your initial response may have been placebo or an actual biochemical effect. I don't know, but I'd say more likely the latter.
Yes, I believe any benzo (including) clonazepam can induce depression in certain people. For instance...a lot of the time when I take Xanax there is a depression...not always. I would say Valium is the safest.
The guys and gals on the site are going to say "here goes Ace again!", but have you considered an MAOI? They are THE most potent antidepressants and their restrictictions are very small.
Hope everything works out for you, Tree. Just don't give in! Even when that's all you feel you can do!
Ace.
Posted by bookgurl99 on June 1, 2003, at 23:38:39
In reply to Not Doing Well, posted by Tree on June 1, 2003, at 8:26:13
Hey,
sorry to hear that you're not doing well, but remember that you're not alone. many on PB have been there before; i remember feeling what you're feeling now a year ago at age 26, previously at age 23, and once at 18, and earlier at 15. almost every time medication helped. and every time i forget what it was like until it returns. and that's the beauty; in a few short months, you will feel better and this feeling of sorrow won't be so heavy on you.
if you feel that your career is forced right now or that you're a bad mother, it's probably that depression does make you feel like you do not want to do anything. you are forcing things in a sense, because you are until the joy of life returns to you.
hang in there. maybe you can try Cymbalta or another med instead of wellbutrin, or give it a few more weeks. you can hang in there; think of how far you've come.
books
Posted by NorthEven on June 2, 2003, at 11:08:25
In reply to Not Doing Well, posted by Tree on June 1, 2003, at 8:26:13
Hi Tree,
Hang in there Tree!! Just calm yourself and wait a little, the meds are slow to work! On my side, it took a month to get the "feel better" effect, and yes the first 3 weeks where really "weird", up, down, crying ect... alot of things are going on up there! After a while you'll get ok.
Sorry to ear that your family does not like your choice of meal! They could cook it? and leave mom treat herself for a while?
Hang in there...
Have a great day!
Posted by Kathii on June 2, 2003, at 18:30:57
In reply to Re: Not Doing Well, posted by Tree on June 1, 2003, at 17:01:09
> Thanks everyone. I am taking 150mg at 7 or 8am, and another 150 at 2 or 3pm. I have been getting real tired in the afternoon, and by bedtime, I am exhausted, but my mind is awake and won't let me sleep. I drink one cup of green tea with caffeine in the morning, no more tea or soda or anything like that the rest of the day.
>
> About four years ago, I went on Zoloft. I barely slept for four weeks, so took Ambien. After four weeks, I started feeling pretty good, but kind of flat and had no interest in sex. Strangely enough, I got pregnant! And, so, decided to go off it.
>
> I am scheduled for a follw-up appointment in a couple of weeks and am committed to sticking this out for 4-6 weeks. I am worried about the tiredness, because I didn't expect it as a side effect especially after the initial energy rush. Hopefully it will get better.
>
> Right now my family is criticizing me and yelling at me for my choice of what to make for dinner. Like I really need this!
>
> TreeHi Tree,
Give the Wellbutrin time to kick in, I know it's frustrating, but you'll know in a couple of weeks whether it will work for you.
Too bad your family isn't being supportive - all the more important for you to support YOU! If dinner is a frequent problem, write down what the family will eat, get a calendar and put together menus - it will help with the grocery shopping, too.
I have the same problem with my brain wanting to stay up when my body is ready to crash. I try to slow down about 2 hours before I go to bed. I take a shower and put on my jammies, pick out clothes for tomorrow, doors get checked, lights dimmed or turned off, get the bedroom ready (turn on AC or fan), and just ease into bed. Your brain isn't going to be able to shut off if 15 minutes before you were up running around the house, trying to get things done.
Keep us updated!
Kathi
Posted by Squiggles on June 2, 2003, at 18:40:15
In reply to Re: Not Doing Well, posted by Kathii on June 2, 2003, at 18:30:57
If the Wellbutrin is increasing your
anxiety every day, you might give your
dr. a call about stretching out the
trial period.Squiggles
Posted by nmk on June 3, 2003, at 13:06:44
In reply to Not Doing Well, posted by Tree on June 1, 2003, at 8:26:13
I know that 4-6 weeks seems like an eternity when you are waiting to get some relief but hang in there. If this isn't the medication for you, there are many others for you to try.
Regarding the "bad mother" thing...I fall into that same mode of thinking when I am horribly depressed. Thoughts such as "I am a horrible mother", "what is this illness doing to my children?", "they would be better off without me", etc., etc., race through my head. This is your depression talking and those thoughts will dissipate as you recover. If anything, you are a stronger person for raising kids and working while battling this illness.
Take care and keep us posted.
Nicole
Posted by Tree on June 3, 2003, at 17:55:31
In reply to Re: Not Doing Well » Tree, posted by nmk on June 3, 2003, at 13:06:44
I can't thank you all enough for your advice, wisdom, and compassion. I find it so comforting to check my computer and find so many who take the time to post. There really isn't anyone else to talk to about this, who knows what I'm going through.I feel somewhat better today, and had more energy. I was thinking that the mood swings and teariness, irritability, etc., was all me, but now I have some perspective and I realize that a lot of this stuff may be from the drug. Maybe I'm not as bad as I think? Anyway, it's hard to remember that I've only been taking it for a little over two weeks. It's also hard to remembr how I felt before I began the Wellbutrin. My memory stinks. I am going to try to be patient for a few more weeks and see what happens, (even though impatience seems to be one of the side effects!). Thank you all so much.
Tree
Posted by NorthEven on June 3, 2003, at 19:57:01
In reply to Re: Not Doing Well, posted by Tree on June 3, 2003, at 17:55:31
"There really isn't anyone else to talk to about this, who knows what I'm going through"
This forum is very supportive, many good peoples here! Don't hesitate to post, it's anonymous so...
And keep us informed of your situation.
Have a great day Tree!
This is the end of the thread.
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