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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by nicki on February 24, 2005, at 12:12:15
Any experiences with wellbutrin? what's it used for? any side effects?
Posted by Mildred on February 24, 2005, at 12:41:14
In reply to what is wellbutrin used for, posted by nicki on February 24, 2005, at 12:12:15
> Any experiences with wellbutrin? what's it used for? any side effects?
Hi Nicki -
Wellbutrin is used for depression - it is also used as an aid to smoking cessation.
I am currently on Wellbutrin for depression, but I have never been on it alone - only in conjunction with Lexapro and Clonapin, so I'm not sure if the side effects I have noted were due to the Wellbutrin or to an attempt to discontinue Lexapro. Let me clarify that. I actually was on Wellbutrin alone for 4 weeks after I had discontinued Lexapro (from which I had weaned very slowly). During that time, I experienced nausea, dizziness, headaches - an inability to function. It is true that when I restarted the Lexapro, those symptoms disappeared. But before restarting the Lexapro, I had increased the Welllbutrin from 300 mg to 450. Then a few days after I resumed the Lexapro, I started to experience those same horrible feelings again. At that point, it was just 2 weeks since I had increased the Wellbutrin - which led me to believe that the effects may have come from the Wellbutrin and not the discontinuation of the Lexapro as I had originally thought.
But I am not sure. And I also think I may be quite atypical (although, what is typical . . . ?)
I experienced no side effects when starting the Wellbutrin. I was on Lexapro at the time, had been for about a year.
As far as its effectiveness - at this level, it is ok. I am not in depression, although I am not functioning at an optimal level, either. I am amotivated and a bit aimless. I have a friend who tried it to help him quit smoking and found it totally ineffective.
Hope that helps some - sorry I rambled a bit.
Posted by Spriggy on February 24, 2005, at 12:49:41
In reply to Re: what is wellbutrin used for » nicki, posted by Mildred on February 24, 2005, at 12:41:14
Well, I only took Wellbutrin for a few days and apparently, according to my pdoc if you have anxiety issues, it is not the drug of choice.
It is used for depression-- I know it helps with energy and motivation and also many people lose a few pounds while on it too.
It can be a very helpful drug if it's the right one for you.
If it's not the right one for you, you might want to jump out of your skin, not sleep, not eat, and generally feel like you are going insane.
But that's just me. ROFL
And that's me on about any medication so ignore me. I have one of those extremely sensitive central nervous system's.
Someone could blow a bubble on me and I would have to be hospitalized.
Posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2005, at 17:54:05
In reply to Re: what is wellbutrin used for, posted by Spriggy on February 24, 2005, at 12:49:41
It made me anxious enough that I was put in the hospital because the pdoc thought I was manic. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by stresser on February 25, 2005, at 7:29:18
In reply to Re: what is wellbutrin used for, posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2005, at 17:54:05
It made me feel as if I was manic also. I felt depressed and suicidal at times, and I couldn't understand what was going happening. (had an idea though) I had to quit taking it, and when I did that I felt much better. I also started Zoloft around a week later, and that helped very much. Wellbutrin was a nightmare for me. -L
Posted by banga on February 25, 2005, at 8:35:48
In reply to Re: what is wellbutrin used for, posted by stresser on February 25, 2005, at 7:29:18
A lot of people use it to augment other antidepressants, to increase energy and motivation. These days it seems rare to use it alone--I assume its antidepressant properties are a bit weak.
Posted by Dinah on February 25, 2005, at 14:43:51
In reply to Re: what is wellbutrin used for, posted by Spriggy on February 24, 2005, at 12:49:41
It's not just you. I nearly killed myself on it until I got the revelation that I hadn't always felt that bad. I only felt that bad on Wellbutrin. I stopped it, and the horrible feelings stopped along with it.
But that's just my experience. Well, not just *my* experience, but I'm sure it's not everyone's experience.
Posted by D minor on February 25, 2005, at 15:16:59
In reply to Re: what is wellbutrin used for » Spriggy, posted by Dinah on February 25, 2005, at 14:43:51
Hey,
I've had good results with Wellbutin as my only antidepressant. Initial side effects(tremmors, blurry vision) went away after just a short time. Now I'm at 300mg and it's a life saver. It is somewhat activating, which is good if you have down in the dumps depression. It is also often used for bipolar (which I supposedly have) because it's less likely than other antidepressants to cause mania.Good luck,
dm
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