Shown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by 1980Monroe on December 15, 2003, at 10:12:23
I'm switching off adderall to wellbutrin for ADD. I usally know when adderall is starting to work because it seems to give me a feeling of motivation. Does wellbutrin do the same, since it effects both neurotransmitters(dopamine,norepinehrine) the same as amphetamine stimulates them? Is anyone experienced to its effects, appreciate any descriptions. THanks
Posted by Bill LL on December 15, 2003, at 10:21:43
In reply to wellbutrin effects?, posted by 1980Monroe on December 15, 2003, at 10:12:23
I just started on Wellbutrin last week for ADD. It's my first ADD medication. I also take Lexapro (30mg).
It does give motivation and helps with concentration. I didn't like the first dose, but the 2nd and 3rd day felt better.
Posted by theo on December 15, 2003, at 11:41:40
In reply to Re: wellbutrin effects?, posted by Bill LL on December 15, 2003, at 10:21:43
Which version (XL,SR) and dose are you taking?
Posted by Bill LL on December 15, 2003, at 12:58:37
In reply to Re: wellbutrin effects? » Bill LL, posted by theo on December 15, 2003, at 11:41:40
I take SR. At first, the doc was thinking of XL, but I told him that years a go when I took Wellbutrin with Prozac, it made me jittery.
He said that with 30 mg of Lexapro, he didn't think Wellbutrin would make me jittery this time. (Prozac was very activating for me).
But just in case it did make me jittery, he gave me the SR to take in the morning, and said that if I wanted to, I could take another in the afternoon.
> Which version (XL,SR) and dose are you taking?
Posted by Susan J on December 15, 2003, at 13:21:05
In reply to wellbutrin effects?, posted by 1980Monroe on December 15, 2003, at 10:12:23
>Hi,
I switched from Paxil (very depressing to me, physically) to WB, and it was a godsend. With WB, I felt anxious/angry/cranky, but *normally* energetic for the first time in years. I also felt weird twinges deep in my legs that freaked me out a bit. No need for blood clots! Not sure what it was, but they went away. The side effects did take a full six weeks to go away for me, and I still have some concentration trouble, but other than that, it's been great. It's very activating for me....which I desperately need.
Good luck! I hope it works for you.
Susan
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on December 15, 2003, at 13:49:12
In reply to wellbutrin effects?, posted by 1980Monroe on December 15, 2003, at 10:12:23
Is anyone experienced to its effects, appreciate any descriptions. THanks
------------I was put on it for attention problems, and I think that's it's helped a fair deal. It doesn't transform you into a diferent person, but it does makes you x% more able to focus on the task at hand, and isn't sedating. I still goof off, but when I'm working, I'm more productive and find things more interesting.
Dosages are individual. I need at least 300mg for a consistent effect. It does make you more irritable for the first 3-10 weeks, but nothing outrageous. Get the XL, if possible. It's much more even than the SR, which kind of leaves you with peaks and valleys.
Also, take it as soon as you wake up, because it takes a few hours to really kick in.
Posted by psychlover on December 15, 2003, at 20:57:57
In reply to Re: wellbutrin effects? » 1980Monroe, posted by Eddie Sylvano on December 15, 2003, at 13:49:12
I added WB to my Lexapro after I felt like the Lex was pooping out and I had no motivation. (Of course, as my friend pointed out, I have never been very motivated....) In any case, side effects gave me a few panic attacks the first week, some feelings of vertigo and lightheadedness. But I am really happy with this med! I feel a lot less depressed since I started XL 150 about a month ago. I upgraded to 300 XL to see if it could counter my SSRI sexual side effects as well. Since increasing the dose I get some tingling in my forearms occasionally, and my hamstrings feel like I have been doing some strenuous exercise for some strange reason, but I think these will wear off. Will let you know how it goes...
Keep posting, people! :-)
All the best,
psychlover (:-D
Posted by slinky on December 15, 2003, at 22:38:45
In reply to Re: very happy with WB!, posted by psychlover on December 15, 2003, at 20:57:57
I hope WBsr doesn't cause anxiety like prozac.
I want to quit the nicoteen fix so I can become a non smoking sober celebate..Oh what fun -not.
My pills are 150 mg and can't cut them in half..
hope I don't emotionally combust.
Posted by psychlover on December 15, 2003, at 22:44:17
In reply to Re: very happy with WB!, posted by slinky on December 15, 2003, at 22:38:45
Prozac was the first AD I tried over a year ago, and man did it f*** with me! I had major panic attacks and some other big words I can't remember, but I do remember calling an ambulance to take me to the hospital :'-(
Well, thank goodness, I switched off of Prozac after that, and after a few other trials I found Lexapro which I have been on for 8 months or so. Wellbutrin, which I added to my Lex about a month ago, caused some panic attacks the first week or so, but I'm now in my fourth week, with no problems. Of course, I do keep some benzos on hand in the event of a panic attack, and I do take 0.25 g Klonopin every night at bedtime.
Posted by 1980Monroe on December 15, 2003, at 22:53:30
In reply to Re: very happy with WB!, posted by slinky on December 15, 2003, at 22:38:45
How bad is this anxiety you have to go throught when taking wellbutrin? Is it intense or tolerable. I take an Amphetamine medication, and that gives me some anxiety, is wellbutrin worse? Can wellbutrin be compared to amphetamine in its effects, a feeling of well-being? I don't know, im just askin. any awnser is fine.
Posted by Viridis on December 15, 2003, at 23:21:45
In reply to man wellbutrin sounds like panic pills, posted by 1980Monroe on December 15, 2003, at 22:53:30
Wellbutrin seems to be a "love it or hate it" med. For me it caused severe anxiety and a whole range of strange side effects (light sensitivity, dizziness, etc.). I stuck with it for 2 months and then finally stopped. The side effects went away immediately. Yet, I know others who have had great success with it. I think the key is to start with a small dose and see how you react.
I've posted about this before, but you actually can cut the SR pills -- I confirmed this with the company, and the slow release has nothing to do with the coating. My doctor said fine, so I tried dividing the pills. Half of a 150 mg SR pill caused about half the side effects, but that still wasn't acceptable for me.
I have ADD, and Wellbutrin didn't help at all for that. However, I do well with Adderall and it doesn't cause me any anxiety.
Posted by slinky on December 16, 2003, at 2:00:00
In reply to Re: very happy with WB! » slinky, posted by psychlover on December 15, 2003, at 22:44:17
Celexa is my next choice to replace effexor..Lexapro after if it doesn't workI'm still taking 20mg prozac - it gets me out of bed -sometimes- but I'm so jumpy at slightest sound and get chest pains but it's just the anxiety. I'm a bit scared of starting WB but If I don't try I'll never know..maybe I should stop prozac first..hmmmmmmm It's reassurring to know the anxiety does cease with WB..and hopefully my smoking.
Posted by slinky on December 16, 2003, at 2:05:57
In reply to Re: man wellbutrin sounds like panic pills » 1980Monroe, posted by Viridis on December 15, 2003, at 23:21:45
>
> I've posted about this before, but you actually can cut the SR pills -- I confirmed this with the company, and the slow release has nothing to do with the coating. >I hope this is ok , it doesn't make sense that it would just be the coating that has slow release. I'm going to have to cut my pills to start with then see what happens...I'm scared of panicking..
I'm already very anxious :-)
Posted by Viridis on December 16, 2003, at 4:05:53
In reply to Re: man wellbutrin sounds like panic pills » Viridis, posted by slinky on December 16, 2003, at 2:05:57
I checked this with the pharm co. and actually spoke with one of the people who developed the SR version of Wellbutrin. The slow release is due to imbedding the med in a wax that gradually dissolves. He actually faxed me graphs of release rates of cut vs. uncut pills: release is slightly faster in the first 15 minutes for cut pills, then both are the same.
The reason they recommend not dividing the pills is that it's harder to get accurate dosing, plus they don't want people chewing them etc. The pills are somewhat hard to split, but a pill cutter (available at any pharmacy) works quite well.
Oh, one other thing -- once divided, the pills can absorb water from the atmosphere, which slowly degrades the med. So, the person I spoke with said just do a day or two's worth at a time.
Posted by slinky on December 16, 2003, at 4:40:31
In reply to Re: man wellbutrin sounds like panic pills » slinky, posted by Viridis on December 16, 2003, at 4:05:53
Posted by slinky on December 18, 2003, at 7:34:05
In reply to Re: Thanks (nm) » Viridis, posted by slinky on December 16, 2003, at 4:40:31
Posted by John2222 on December 18, 2003, at 21:48:29
In reply to Re: WB just spaces me out-? no anxiety (nm), posted by slinky on December 18, 2003, at 7:34:05
I previously took Effexor XR (112.5 mg/day) for about a year and a half, but gradually tapered off it after my depression receeded somewhat. I also didn't like the total numbness to the world that I felt while on Effexor. The more of it I took the sleepier I was all day.
So, I have switched to Wellbutrin XL for last 3 weeks, taking 150 XL per day.
Is anyone getting results with this dose? Is it effective? I know the "usual" adult dosage is 300 mg /day.
I am definitely more alert on Wellbutrin then Effexor, but I am feeling more sadness and lonliness on WB. I think Effexor did it's job by muting the anxiety and depressive feelings.
I'm just not sure WB is actually DOING anything.
What do you think?
Thanks for listening...
John, adult male 50+
Posted by psychlover on December 18, 2003, at 21:56:36
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin -- Anyone taking 150 XL?, posted by John2222 on December 18, 2003, at 21:48:29
I had a good response on WB XL 150 mg, meaning I felt a lot better than I was feeling before. But it didn't do anything for the sexual side effects of the Lexapro which I have been on for almost a year, so I upped the dose to XL 300 mg. I still feel good, no change in sexual side effects yet...
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