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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by panic_attacK on April 14, 2005, at 19:18:34
I have been taking Lexapro and Remeron for anxiety/depression and to help ne sleep. They have been working GREAT but man, let me tell you.. I went from a size 7 to a size 13 (130lbs-185lbs). Is that ridicoulous or what? So my doc said "Would you like to try Wellbutrin" and I said sure.... I really hope that it helps me lose weight but also helps me depression. However, I already have a hell of a time sleeping, is Wellbutrin going to make it worse? I also have problems with stress and anxiety, will Wellbutrin make that worse too? My doc gave me 150mg SR... I am going to start on Saturday and only take 75mg to start. Any advice would be great (:
-Cyn
Posted by stresser on April 14, 2005, at 20:53:23
In reply to Going to start Wellbutrin for the FIRST TIME. OhOh, posted by panic_attacK on April 14, 2005, at 19:18:34
My daughter takes it and has no trouble at all. It is very weight neutral and some people do lose weight on it. It will make you very thirsty at first, so make sure you drink plenty of water. That alone will eliminate some water weight and you will feel like you have lost some weight in the beginning! I took it for a couple of years, but it made me really anxious, and I switched to Zoloft. I do remember it making me feel dizzy at first, but that lasted maybe one day. It's very stimulating, but not so much that you won't be able to sleep. If you do, maybe some tylenol pm will help. Melatonin will also help you fall asleep and is natural, as well. Please try not to be nervous, I think you will be just fine. You are starting on a low dosage, my daughter used to take 400mg. -L
Posted by Phillipa on April 14, 2005, at 21:04:22
In reply to Re: Going to start Wellbutrin for the FIRST TIME. OhOh, posted by stresser on April 14, 2005, at 20:53:23
It made me very nervous, but I'm nervous anyway. Good luck! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on April 14, 2005, at 22:25:43
In reply to Going to start Wellbutrin for the FIRST TIME. OhOh, posted by panic_attacK on April 14, 2005, at 19:18:34
How long did it take to gain the weight on those meds? Was it because you craved carbs? I hope you don't mind my asking.
Wellbutrin is known to be activating so take your dose in the morning and see how it goes.
Remeron knocked me out cold. I couldn't do anything but sleep. I couldn't get past the sedation and had to stop it. I gained weight on it because I couldn't be active.
Maxime
> I have been taking Lexapro and Remeron for anxiety/depression and to help ne sleep. They have been working GREAT but man, let me tell you.. I went from a size 7 to a size 13 (130lbs-185lbs). Is that ridicoulous or what? So my doc said "Would you like to try Wellbutrin" and I said sure.... I really hope that it helps me lose weight but also helps me depression. However, I already have a hell of a time sleeping, is Wellbutrin going to make it worse? I also have problems with stress and anxiety, will Wellbutrin make that worse too? My doc gave me 150mg SR... I am going to start on Saturday and only take 75mg to start. Any advice would be great (:
>
> -Cyn
Posted by theo on April 14, 2005, at 23:01:29
In reply to Going to start Wellbutrin for the FIRST TIME. OhOh, posted by panic_attacK on April 14, 2005, at 19:18:34
So is your target dose 150mg SR taken once in the morning?
Posted by Racer on April 14, 2005, at 23:01:56
In reply to Going to start Wellbutrin for the FIRST TIME. OhOh, posted by panic_attacK on April 14, 2005, at 19:18:34
I may not be typical, but my anxiety has gone DOWN on Wellbutrin XL! I sleep fine, and don't notice it being especially activating.
Just another case of our mileage varying...
Posted by lydia on April 14, 2005, at 23:03:24
In reply to Going to start Wellbutrin for the FIRST TIME. OhOh, posted by panic_attacK on April 14, 2005, at 19:18:34
Wellbutrin worked well for my depression, but really excabrated my anxiety (which was in turn devestating on my sleep). When I'm on SSRIs i actually LOSE weight...but I assume that's because they make me pretty hyper and very active.
Like Maxime said, Wellbutrin isn't a first choice for someone with anxiety, because it's known to be "activating". Gaining weight from meds that are so helpful with your mood must make you pretty ambivilant.
Just a thought- have you considered that the weight-gain might actually be unrelated to the meds?
My advice is to give the Wellbutrin a try for a couple weeks, see what happens.good luck.
Lydia
Posted by Maxime on April 14, 2005, at 23:45:59
In reply to Re: Going to start Wellbutrin for the FIRST TIME., posted by lydia on April 14, 2005, at 23:03:24
Actually Remeron and Lexapro are known "weight gainers", especially Remeron. Luckily I was too knocked out to walk to the fridge.
Maxime
> Just a thought- have you considered that the weight-gain might actually be unrelated to the meds?
> My advice is to give the Wellbutrin a try for a couple weeks, see what happens.
>
> good luck.
> Lydia
Posted by panic_attacK on April 15, 2005, at 20:40:32
In reply to Re: Going to start Wellbutrin for the FIRST TIME., posted by lydia on April 14, 2005, at 23:03:24
Hey guys....... My target dose is 150mg in the morning but I will start off with 1/2 a dose for a day or two. I have been on several different meds over the years that have contributed to my weight gain such as Serzone, then Leaxpro & Remeron. I am constantly hungry but only eat 3 times a day... but I eat A LOT of carbs. I love bread and cheese (Pizza, grilled cheese, and cheeseburgers). That's what I eat mostly :\ I know I need a change in diet. I always ate this way though and was fine until I started taking these meds. Well, I will give it a try first thing tomorrow morning :) I have anxiety problems/panic attacks, so I don't know if this will be good for me!! Shoot, well I will let you guys know how it makes me feel and if it works out... Thanks everyone :)
Posted by lydia on April 15, 2005, at 22:38:02
In reply to Re: Going to start Wellbutrin for the FIRST TIME., posted by panic_attacK on April 15, 2005, at 20:40:32
Good Luck! Please keep us updated!
lydia
Posted by panic_attacK on April 16, 2005, at 17:35:06
In reply to Re: Going to start Wellbutrin for the FIRST TIME. » panic_attacK, posted by lydia on April 15, 2005, at 22:38:02
I took my first dose this morning at 9:30 am.... I only took 1/2 a pill (75mg) and had NO side effects. I have had so much energy today and have felt so great all day. I have not had this much energy in YEARS!!! I cleaned my car for the first time in 2 years.. i did ALL my laundry, I cleaned my room, I walked the dog, and I only ate ONCE today. I am getting a little hungry though ;) Is it possible to be having such good effects on the FIRST day>? Doesn't it take a few weeks to start working? I don't understand how it is effecting me so well so soon. It didn't cut my cigarette cravings though, yet. So far, I love this stuff. I will take my full 150mg SR pill tomorrow morning :)
Posted by MidnightBlue on April 16, 2005, at 22:05:32
In reply to WOW I LOVE WELLBUTRIN, posted by panic_attacK on April 16, 2005, at 17:35:06
When I first tried Wellbutrin I had a positive response within a day or two. It took a higher dose for it to fully kick in. Please note there is a fine line (at least there was for me) between enough and too much. If you feel too energized and nervous back down some.
Posted by stresser on April 17, 2005, at 10:24:16
In reply to WOW I LOVE WELLBUTRIN, posted by panic_attacK on April 16, 2005, at 17:35:06
I am happy for you! This may be the medication you have been looking for and have finally found it. -L
Posted by banga on April 17, 2005, at 18:08:11
In reply to WOW I LOVE WELLBUTRIN, posted by panic_attacK on April 16, 2005, at 17:35:06
> I took my first dose this morning at 9:30 am.... I only took 1/2 a pill (75mg) and had NO side effects. I have had so much energy today and have felt so great all day. I have not had this much energy in YEARS!!!
My guess is that the energizing effects of Wellbutrin can set in rather quickly, but the antidepressant effects take longer to truly take effect.
I had the same thing happen with desipramine--quite rapidly I felt more energized and able to get things done--and actually get up at 7am!; but true antidepressant qualities took a while to appear.
Posted by paulbwell on April 19, 2005, at 22:42:18
In reply to Re: WOW I LOVE WELLBUTRIN, posted by banga on April 17, 2005, at 18:08:11
Well wellbutrin is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor like Ritalin, but i guess it has other longer acting effects. Thats what you prolly felt, the initial stim action which MAY fade.
Posted by stargazer on April 20, 2005, at 7:42:16
In reply to Re: WOW I LOVE WELLBUTRIN » banga, posted by paulbwell on April 19, 2005, at 22:42:18
Although I have felt immediate effects from some of the meds I have taken, the long term effects will be much more subtle, more like feeling just 'Normal' not GREAT' or 'Euphoric'. As we all know, the improvements with any meds are meant to feel like you are comfortable with who you are, not a super charged version of oneself, although that can feel pretty good too. The GREAT effects don't typically last indefinately.
I find the balance between a depressed mood and a good or normal one to be very hard to define.
I think this is from being so used to depression for so long.Some of these immediate feelings of being energized like you described can be termed hypomania and have to be monitored closely to make sure they don't turn into true mania, which in and of itself can be dangerous, as people with bipolar disease can attest.
Good luck, I also take Wellbutrin SR 150 once a day and it has helped me greatly.
Posted by tendency on April 22, 2005, at 11:01:58
In reply to WOW I LOVE WELLBUTRIN, posted by panic_attacK on April 16, 2005, at 17:35:06
> I took my first dose this morning at 9:30 am.... I only took 1/2 a pill (75mg) and had NO side effects. I have had so much energy today and have felt so great all day. I have not had this much energy in YEARS!!! I cleaned my car for the first time in 2 years.. i did ALL my laundry, I cleaned my room, I walked the dog, and I only ate ONCE today. I am getting a little hungry though ;) Is it possible to be having such good effects on the FIRST day>? Doesn't it take a few weeks to start working? I don't understand how it is effecting me so well so soon. It didn't cut my cigarette cravings though, yet. So far, I love this stuff. I will take my full 150mg SR pill tomorrow morning :)
how's it working now?
Posted by xxNightOwl28 on April 23, 2005, at 8:31:32
In reply to Re: WOW I LOVE WELLBUTRIN, posted by stargazer on April 20, 2005, at 7:42:16
Dont you guys think that it might be just a thought in your head that you suddenly are expecting a drug feeling so you think that the drug is working so fast just because you expect it??
I am on Effexor 150mg and I am starting to dislike it, because it makes me tired, however the Wellbutrin you are talking about sounds good.
Posted by Cybele on April 24, 2005, at 10:52:01
In reply to Re: WOW I LOVE WELLBUTRIN, posted by xxNightOwl28 on April 23, 2005, at 8:31:32
> Dont you guys think that it might be just a thought in your head that you suddenly are expecting a drug feeling so you think that the drug is working so fast just because you expect it??
Wellbutrin definitely has effects right away, altho they are not necessarily the positive effects of "Wellbutrin the Antidepressant," which might take a few weeks to kick in (if they kick in at all). It's like WB is two meds: the side-effect starting med and the long term AD med.
WB is used to help people stop smoking and to help with other addictions. I have "gone back on WB" 4 or 5 times in my life, and it always helps me get a handle on tendency to self-medicate with carbs (and to a lesser extent, alcohol: a big glass of wine when the kids start stressing me out in the evening). This effect goes away within a few weeks, but it gives you a boost in developing new good habits or just forgetting about bad habits long enough that you might drop them for good.
It can also give you more energy right away, and for people who have been depressed for a long time this can have an immediate positive effect on their frame of mind, to help break the cycle of depression and to try new things/make changes in your life. Get out of town! Start taking a walk every morning! Start going to Weight Watchers meetings! Declutter your house! Stop watching so much TV!
For a few people, starting WB can also trigger 1-3 days of a state called 'hypomania' which is positively intoxicating for most people, and can help you get your life back on track if used productively. You feel incredibly creative, you are witty again, you are fun, you don't want to sleep, you might think of sex a lot, you might get the courage up to quit a soul-sucking job... If you've had a medication-induced hypomania this will sound familiar (as it will be familiar to people with bipolar). People can also make bad decisions in a hypomania, of course, but I can't help but think bad decisions are better than coasting along in life making no decisions or changes.
Last, some people do not react well to starting WB and may find themselves cranky and unable to sleep. I have a sort of unusual reaction to WB in that I must not be metabolizing it in the evening, or my REM sleep latency is reduced--literally--to zero. This means that if someone wakes me up 5 minutes after I fall asleep, they will wake me up from a dream. As a result, I cannot take WB-SR 2x a day (or take WB-XL) or else I am sleepy all the time from lack of non-REM sleep. I am (currently) taking 200mg of WB-SR in the mornings.
HTH...
Posted by Cybele on April 24, 2005, at 11:01:22
In reply to Re: Going to start Wellbutrin for the FIRST TIME. » panic_attacK, posted by Maxime on April 14, 2005, at 22:25:43
> How long did it take to gain the weight on those meds? Was it because you craved carbs? I hope you don't mind my asking.
I gained 20 pounds on Effexor-XR, which I took for 5 months. So that is about a pound a week. I was not eating much more than before and I continued exercising (tough spinning classes 3x a week). At most I should have gained 2-3 pounds in that period, eating the little bit extra that I was. It definitely slowed down my metabolism. After I went off Effexor my metabolism seems to be better, but I can't lose that weight. I am eating more (self-medicating with carbs to tame cortisol response to stress in my life) and staying at the same weight. I went back on WB a week ago and have followed my eating plan (Weight Watchers) all week and have lost 5 pounds. When stressed (e.g. kids start arguing in the back seat of the car), I will briefly think of food (a learned response), but then the thought just drifts away.
HTH...
This is the end of the thread.
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