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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by greywolf on March 29, 2004, at 17:14:28
I'd like your thoughts on using Wellbutrin (200mg/day, ramping up to 300) together with Xanax .5mg 3x/day. The Xanax has been added to help with some anxiety associated with a severe OCD problem.
I am concerned about Xanax. I've heard it has addictive properties, and requires increasing dosages with a low dosage cap that may be quickly exceeded.
Could you give me some practical advice on this? Are there some practical concerns I should be taking seriously?
Thanks.
Posted by rainyday on March 30, 2004, at 17:16:44
In reply to Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there?, posted by greywolf on March 29, 2004, at 17:14:28
Hey, I am on the same meds. Lets start a club.
I too was very apprehensive about using the xanax. I found, though, that since having the Rx my anxiety and panic attacks have reduced significantly. I think it is partly due to now having the ammunition to take out the anxiety.
My p-doc responded to my concerns about addiction as - it takes a LOT more than ,5mg per day to be addicted. Now I am on an as needed basis.
Fingers crossed.
Do not worry too much.
HAH
Posted by vjw on March 30, 2004, at 22:01:24
In reply to Re: Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there? » greywolf, posted by rainyday on March 30, 2004, at 17:16:44
> Hey, I am on the same meds. Lets start a club.
>
> I too was very apprehensive about using the xanax. I found, though, that since having the Rx my anxiety and panic attacks have reduced significantly. I think it is partly due to now having the ammunition to take out the anxiety.
>
> My p-doc responded to my concerns about addiction as - it takes a LOT more than ,5mg per day to be addicted. Now I am on an as needed basis.
>
>Really?? My doc reluctantly gave me .25 mg of Xanax because I couldn't handle the anxiety from the Wellbutrin, but without the WB, I can't get off the couch. She's worried about the addiction. It seems like a vicious cycle-taking one med to help you, and another to rid yourself of the se from the first!
You don't feel you are addicted to the Xanax at all?
Posted by Simus on March 31, 2004, at 1:34:24
In reply to Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there?, posted by greywolf on March 29, 2004, at 17:14:28
I am on 150mg of Wellbutrin and 1mg Xanax (at night for sleep). I haven't had trouble with addiction when taking the Xanax just once a day. I wouldn't take the extended release Xanax again though. But that is just me.
Good luck!
Posted by Simus on March 31, 2004, at 1:41:58
In reply to Re: Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there? » greywolf, posted by rainyday on March 30, 2004, at 17:16:44
> My p-doc responded to my concerns about addiction as - it takes a LOT more than ,5mg per day to be addicted.
I'm not so sure... That is a pretty low dose, but if someone had a history of drug abuse, it may just be the start of trouble. It would be wise to use it with caution (not fear), knowing that it can be addictive.
Now, having said that, Xanax has been a great blessing to me in tough times of anxiety and sleeplessness. Glad it worked for you too.
Posted by Simus on March 31, 2004, at 1:51:01
In reply to Re: Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there?, posted by vjw on March 30, 2004, at 22:01:24
> Really?? My doc reluctantly gave me .25 mg of Xanax because I couldn't handle the anxiety from the Wellbutrin, but without the WB, I can't get off the couch. She's worried about the addiction. It seems like a vicious cycle-taking one med to help you, and another to rid yourself of the se from the first!
>
> You don't feel you are addicted to the Xanax at all?
>
>
Is your doctor a psychiatrist? Sounds more like a family doctor's concerns. 0.25mg of Xanax is a very, very small amount. When I started the Wellbutrin, I don't know what I would have done without Xanax. Many people take Xanax or something similar to get them through the initial weeks of Wellbutrin, and then they can either reduce or eliminate the Xanax.
Good luck!
Posted by rainyday on March 31, 2004, at 6:25:14
In reply to Re: Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there?, posted by Simus on March 31, 2004, at 1:51:01
After my p-doc appointment yesterday, we have made the xanax "as needed" only. I had been taking one before bed to sleep, so last night was the first in a few weeks when I didn't take any meds.
I only woke up 3 times, but feel pretty shakey this morning.
I wish I didn't have to take ANYTHING right now. My mind and body feel polluted.
Posted by greywolf on March 31, 2004, at 8:04:46
In reply to Re: Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there? » Simus, posted by rainyday on March 31, 2004, at 6:25:14
Question for everyone: I'm very concerned about the sedating effect of Xanax if I were to take it during the day. My doctor acknowledged a potential for sedation, but says people respond differently to Xanax just as they do to other types of medication used to treat these disorders. My big concern is that I write all day, and if the cognitive processes are significantly dulled, I won't be able to get my work done. Not that I'm any genius, but I do need to function. Should I be concerned about Xanax?
Posted by simus on March 31, 2004, at 9:28:32
In reply to Re: Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there?, posted by greywolf on March 31, 2004, at 8:04:46
If I am very physically tired but my brain will just not "shut off" so I can sleep, Xanax absolutely knocks me out. But if I am well rested, I barely notice any effects from Xanax. It has never made me feel "drugged". But everyone is different. Good luck!
Posted by greywolf on March 31, 2004, at 12:18:34
In reply to Re: Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there? » greywolf, posted by simus on March 31, 2004, at 9:28:32
Thank you, Simus. Before I start taking the Xanax I need info from people like you.
Thanks for taking the time.
Posted by CareBear04 on March 31, 2004, at 12:53:17
In reply to Re: Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there? ?simus, posted by greywolf on March 31, 2004, at 12:18:34
i started taking wellbutrin and xanax at the same time late in october or early november. my anxiety kept getting worse and worse over the next month, so my doctor increased my dose from 0.25 to 0.5, then 0.5 to 1mg. that seems like quite an increase over the course of a month. currently, i'm supposed to take 1mg four times a day. for sleep, i take klonopin. that actually seems sort of backwards to me-- since xanax is shorter-acting, it would probably be better for putting me to sleep and getting me up early, while klonopin during the day would keep me from having to dose the xanax four times a day. well, anyway...
i don't know where i'd be without wellbutrin and xanax. they're both great meds!
cb
Posted by simus on March 31, 2004, at 16:12:04
In reply to Re: Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there?, posted by CareBear04 on March 31, 2004, at 12:53:17
If you don't mind my asking, are those three drugs the only ones you are on? Any SSRIs? What dosage of Wellbutrin are you on? The reason I ask, is that maybe you are on too much Wellbutrin, or maybe an added SSRI would be effective for the anxiety so you don't have to take so much Xanax. 4mg a day sounds a little high - you could be getting into the range to be careful about the addictive properties of Xanax. But the bottom line is, if you and your doctor are satisfied, you have to do what is best for yourself.
Posted by CareBear04 on March 31, 2004, at 18:09:56
In reply to Re: Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there? ?CareBear04, posted by simus on March 31, 2004, at 16:12:04
hi simus,
nope, unfortunately, i'm on other drugs, too. i also take zoloft, lithium, and haldol. i take 450mg of wellbutrin, which i know is a high (the highest?) dose. my pdoc thought i might have some ADD traits and that more wellbutrin would help me focus. i know 4mg/day is a lot-- it FEELS like a lot to be popping those pills four times a day. i also take the original wellbutrin, so i have to take two pills three times a day. i've been on both the SR and the XL, and i don't know that they're any better. the SR was effective, but i couldn't stand the yucky rotten egg smell. the XL was convenient, but i didn't feel a thing when i was on it... also, the XL doesn't come in a once a day 450mg pill. any advice for coming off the xanax? when will i know that it's time to start tapering off? or will i be on it indefinitely? thanks for responding!
cb
Posted by simus on March 31, 2004, at 19:24:23
In reply to Re: Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there? » simus, posted by CareBear04 on March 31, 2004, at 18:09:56
> i also take zoloft, lithium, and haldol. i take 450mg of wellbutrin, which i know is a high (the highest?) dose. my pdoc thought i might have some ADD traits and that more wellbutrin would help me focus. i know 4mg/day is a lot-- it FEELS like a lot to be popping those pills four times a day. i also take the original wellbutrin, so i have to take two pills three times a day. i've been on both the SR and the XL, and i don't know that they're any better. the SR was effective, but i couldn't stand the yucky rotten egg smell. the XL was convenient, but i didn't feel a thing when i was on it... also, the XL doesn't come in a once a day 450mg pill.
Wow! That is a real symptom/medication juggling act. Of course you don't have to answer, but I assume the lithium is for Bi-Polar. I am not very familiar with the Haldol. Do you mind if I ask why you take it? I guess the bottom line is, if you are doing well on the drugs you are on, and obviously your doctor is comfortable with it and continually monitoring you, stick with it.
> any advice for coming off the xanax? when will i know that it's time to start tapering off? or will i be on it indefinitely? thanks for responding!
Oh my. Right now I wouldn't even consider coming off of Xanax. It can be your lifeline (relief from anxiety, ability to sleep) while on all those other drugs, as long as it isn't abused. And it doesn't sound like you are in danger of abusing it. When the time comes that you have so little anxiety that you are wondering why you are even on the Xanax, then try reducing the dosage (under medical supervision).
My heart goes out to you. God bless.
Posted by CareBear04 on March 31, 2004, at 22:27:25
In reply to Re: Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there? ?CareBear04, posted by simus on March 31, 2004, at 19:24:23
hi simus! thanks for responding!
i came to take haldol through a sort of process of elimination. i started on risperdal, then took zyprexa, seroquel, and abilify. these either made me too sleepy, too fat, or too agitated. going to the older antipsychotics, i took trilafon, which made me so tired that i would nap the day away. haldol makes me calm without making me sleepy. i take a really small dose twice a day and at night. originally, the AP was for paranoia and some hallucinations (i think we determined that these were due to ambien). i'm not hallucinating anymore, and i'm much less paranoid, so i don't know whether it's time to stop taking the haldol or whether my symptoms have improved simply because of the haldol. anyway, that's the long answer to your question about why i'm taking it.i hope there comes a time when i have so little anxiety that i don't need the xanax. i'm 21... if i take it all my life, that's a lot of years, and i want to have kids at some point and you can't take benzos during pregnancy.
thanks for your good thoughts, and i'm sending some your way, too.
cb
Posted by simus on March 31, 2004, at 23:40:10
In reply to Re: Any Xanax-Wellbutrin veterans out there? » simus, posted by CareBear04 on March 31, 2004, at 22:27:25
> i'm 21...
Oh, bless your heart. I hate to hear that someone so young has been through so much. I wish I could do more for you than offer some lame medicine advice. I am praying for you, sweetie, that this foul disease does not haunt you your entire life, and that you live long and happy and prosperous.
Keep taking the meds your doctor prescribed. But keep studying and looking for answers too. Perhaps there is a food allergy/sensitivity that is aggrivating your situation. Do you drink a lot of diet pop, or eat snacks that are heavily seasoned? Artificial sweeteners and food additives such as MSG (and too many others to name) absolutely cause horrible anxiety in me. Do you take vitamins and minerals? This may help. Some vitamins and minerals like magnesium, do have a calming effect. I am just grasping at straws here, but for me, some simple changes have made a tremendous difference in my anxiety level, and the overall quality of my life.
God bless. Let us know how you are doing.
This is the end of the thread.
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