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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tjeffries on September 10, 2006, at 7:17:04
I have been on every pill as far as ssri's go, and cannot tolerate them, I tried cymbalta, couldn't tolerate that.....now my pdoc has me on wellbutrin and ativan. Ok, I took 150 mg. of wellbutrin for nine days, then she said to up to 300 mg. So, for three days now, I am up to 300 mg. I am just so upset, as I have NOT noticed one change or anything. She said I would notice more "pep", and energy, lack of appetite, and maybe weight loss, and I have none of it. I still don't have the energy, and my appetite has not changed at all, and still feeling depressed. I thought this pill worked quickly....or does it take time to get in the system before I will notice any of these effects??? I just don't know what options I have anymore.....I am hoping it will kick in after awhile, and I will have more energy, and less sadness, and not constantly obsess about eating. any advice would be so appreciated. thanks.
Posted by Racer on September 10, 2006, at 10:36:20
In reply to FEEL HOPELESS......NEED OPINIONS PLEASE, posted by tjeffries on September 10, 2006, at 7:17:04
First of all, while Wellbutrin does seem to work faster than the SSRIs, that still means a few weeks. Not a few days, but a few weeks. So, give it a chance. Truly -- it kicked in for me towards two and a half weeks at about 300 mg, if I remember correctly. And I didn't get out of bed one day saying, "Wow, I've got pep and vim!" I got out of bed one morning, feeling no different in any way, then noticed I was singing silly songs I made up while cooking breakfast. That was a good hint for me that it was doing something...
And having taken the SSRIs and Cymbalta doesn't mean you're out of options if the Wellbutrin doesn't work. It only means that SSRIs and Cymbalta haven't worked for you. It also doesn't mean that a combination of Wellbutrin and SSRIs wouldn't work. All it means is that SSRIs on their own, at the doses you've tried so far, have not worked. Could be you never hit a therapeutic level. Could be you didn't stay on them long enough to benefit. Could be space aliens crept into your kitchen at night and replaced them with placebos... (OK, that last one was only there to make you smile. I hope it worked...)
Believe me -- I know it's hard. Back when I started Cymbalta, I was so anxious and freaked out by the drug, that the only thing that kept me on it was a good friend of mine who called me every single day from halfway across the country and reminded me that at that point I'd have had overwhelming adverse effects from a Flintstones chewable vitamin. I do know it's hard. Give it a chance, though.
And, if Wellbutrin isn't going to be your friend, there are a lot more drugs out there, ranging from TCAs and MAOI -- which are less friendly in some people's eyes -- to Remeron and Effexor, to augmenting agents combined with an SSRI or Wellbutrin.
Good luck. And I hope it kicks in for you.
Posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2006, at 13:09:23
In reply to FEEL HOPELESS......NEED OPINIONS PLEASE, posted by tjeffries on September 10, 2006, at 7:17:04
I've had the same experiences and tried augmentation too. And a few hospitalizations to try and find a combo that works. Oh well. Love Phillipa
Posted by Crazy Horse on September 11, 2006, at 10:53:08
In reply to FEEL HOPELESS......NEED OPINIONS PLEASE, posted by tjeffries on September 10, 2006, at 7:17:04
> I have been on every pill as far as ssri's go, and cannot tolerate them, I tried cymbalta, couldn't tolerate that.....now my pdoc has me on wellbutrin and ativan. Ok, I took 150 mg. of wellbutrin for nine days, then she said to up to 300 mg. So, for three days now, I am up to 300 mg. I am just so upset, as I have NOT noticed one change or anything. She said I would notice more "pep", and energy, lack of appetite, and maybe weight loss, and I have none of it. I still don't have the energy, and my appetite has not changed at all, and still feeling depressed. I thought this pill worked quickly....or does it take time to get in the system before I will notice any of these effects??? I just don't know what options I have anymore.....I am hoping it will kick in after awhile, and I will have more energy, and less sadness, and not constantly obsess about eating. any advice would be so appreciated. thanks.
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YES, 3-9 days is way to early to evaluate the effectiveness of wellbutrin..it will probably take weeks (sorry) and perhaps a month or more.Also, are you seeing a board certified Psychiatrist? Most G.P.'s are just not trained enough in mental/emotional illness to treat it effectively, this is precisely why i highly recommend a board certified Psychiatrist. They know of many "off label" medications, to treat the many types of depressive disorders. One such med. is Lyrica (an anticonvulsant drug) used off label for depressive/anxiety disorders and diabetic neuropathy. Lyrica has absolutely saved my life! 2.5 months ago i was suicidal, now on high dose Lyrica along with low dose Zoloft and Klonopin, I LOVE LIFE! Don't give up, there are many meds out there that may help you, Wellbutrin, with time may be one of them. Best wishes.
-Monte
Posted by Galennt on September 17, 2006, at 19:36:29
In reply to FEEL HOPELESS......NEED OPINIONS PLEASE, posted by tjeffries on September 10, 2006, at 7:17:04
Ditto to Racer. It took me more than two weeks at 300 before Wellbutrin began to kick in for me. For others it takes even longer. Don't give up.
gt
This is the end of the thread.
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