![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by FrequentFryer on February 11, 2007, at 2:41:42
???
Posted by rousseau on February 11, 2007, at 10:27:15
In reply to Bupropion - Any success stories taken alone, posted by FrequentFryer on February 11, 2007, at 2:41:42
Success stories using bupropion? I'm sure there are many, and I'm surprised you haven't heard from anyone by now. It's a very good drug, and there was a time that I responded very positively to this drug. I do believe that dosage is the key with this medication, however. I've heard so many people say they responded and felt better, but the dosages I would find they were taking ran the gamut from 75 mg. immediate release to 300 mg. of the more recent time release. It makes some people more anxious at any dose. It makes some people feel like living again. We intuitively know when something is good for us or not, and the last time I tried Wellbutrin, I felt "wired", as opposed to the first time I was prescribed it where, after the initial first few days of agitation, I felt almost euphoric. In manic-depressive illness, it's a game we play to find the right dosages of the right meds taken at the "right" time. My best response to Wellbutrin (bupropion) was early summer, just when I naturally cycle "up", so maybe I was becoming somewhat manic on this drug and didn't recognize this as that. Or maybe all this babble has corrupted my way of looking at life. Who knows? But yes, to answer your question, enhancing dopamine and norepinephrine can be very beneficial. It's all in the timing and "fit".
Posted by notfred on February 11, 2007, at 14:44:50
In reply to Bupropion - Any success stories taken alone, posted by FrequentFryer on February 11, 2007, at 2:41:42
I have been on 300 mgs Wellbrutin XL for over 2 years, it works well for me. AFAICT I am having no side effects.
Posted by FrequentFryer on February 11, 2007, at 16:20:43
In reply to Re: Bupropion - Any success stories taken alone, posted by notfred on February 11, 2007, at 14:44:50
Cool Thanks,
Nardil is my drug of choice but its making me way to fat & pooping out, (possibly becsuse of my binge drinking, Im going to try & get some maybe add it to the nardil,, if I get hypertensive maybe add it to effexor.
Posted by FrequentFryer on February 11, 2007, at 16:21:17
In reply to Re: Bupropion - Any success stories taken alone, posted by FrequentFryer on February 11, 2007, at 16:20:43
Anyone else got any tips for me?
Posted by linkadge on February 11, 2007, at 16:54:24
In reply to Re: Bupropion - Any success stories taken alone, posted by FrequentFryer on February 11, 2007, at 16:21:17
Here in Canada, I can only get SR or XR formulas for bupropion, and it always comes in large doses.
I am thin. 150mg on the first day would probably give me a seizure.
Is there any way to take less of this drug, if one is going to try it?
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on February 11, 2007, at 16:55:57
In reply to What happens if somebody needs *less* bupropion?, posted by linkadge on February 11, 2007, at 16:54:24
I mean, I do understand that they are trying to get you hooked on a higher dose, but....
Linkadge
Posted by notfred on February 11, 2007, at 17:17:13
In reply to What happens if somebody needs *less* bupropion?, posted by linkadge on February 11, 2007, at 16:54:24
> Here in Canada, I can only get SR or XR formulas for bupropion, and it always comes in large doses.
>
My feeling is it takes a decient sized dose to work at all. I want to go to 450 mgs.
Posted by iforgotmypassword on February 12, 2007, at 1:17:44
In reply to Re: What happens if somebody needs *less* bupropio, posted by notfred on February 11, 2007, at 17:17:13
i took wellbutrin. i weigh from 120-135 usually. i found the biggest problem with it is rage, which is a good reason to prescribe lamictal beforehand. the antiglutamate effect may help keep dopaminergic tolerance back as well. i am guessing lamictal would reduce the risk of seizure... and i thought the impression a long time ago was that certain ssris are even more likely to cause seizure than bupropion.
Posted by Klavot on February 12, 2007, at 4:58:02
In reply to What happens if somebody needs *less* bupropion?, posted by linkadge on February 11, 2007, at 16:54:24
What I've done in the past was to crush and dissolve a 150 mg SR tablet in fruit juice and then drink an appropriate fraction of that and spread over intervals so as to simulate SR properties.
Klavot
> Here in Canada, I can only get SR or XR formulas for bupropion, and it always comes in large doses.
>
> I am thin. 150mg on the first day would probably give me a seizure.
>
> Is there any way to take less of this drug, if one is going to try it?
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
Posted by rousseau on February 12, 2007, at 9:46:01
In reply to Re: What happens if somebody needs *less* bupropion?, posted by Klavot on February 12, 2007, at 4:58:02
When I first started taking Prozac, my psychiatrist recommended that I open a 20 mg capsule and dissolve it in water and take 1/4 cup per day for the first week, increasing it each week until I was up to the "full" 20 mg dose. Well, as we all know, each one of us responds to medications uniquely, so in your case and realizing your sensitivities (and lack of access to low-dose bupropion immediate release), what the previous poster suggested is a great idea to work around your sensitivity issues. You can tailor the dose to fit you instead of the having to worry that it might overwhelm your biochemistry or even cause a seizure. I think it's great that you respect your sensitivities, and think it's also important that you don't let anyone push you into dosages that you don't feel comfortable with despite the advice of well-meaning professionals and/or lay people. So, if all you have is 150 XL or SR, do what that smart person suggested and crush the darn pill, dissolve it in water, and then take whatever measured portion you think will be adequate and "safe" for you to start. I have no idea (haven't looked) as to how water soluble bupropion is, but hopefully you can get it dissolved and go from there. You're doing well to listen to your body. Smart. I hope this has helped to augment the previous poster's advice. Sometimes we have to be do-it-yourself-people, but you might want to let your doc know what you're doing as well. Bye!
Posted by linkadge on February 12, 2007, at 16:43:19
In reply to Re: What happens if somebody needs *less* bupropion?, posted by Klavot on February 12, 2007, at 4:58:02
That sounds like a fairly good idea. How does it make you feel taking the drug in that way? Does this make you feel unstable?
Linkadge
Posted by Klavot on February 13, 2007, at 1:27:23
In reply to Re: What happens if somebody needs *less* bupropion?, posted by linkadge on February 12, 2007, at 16:43:19
> That sounds like a fairly good idea. How does it make you feel taking the drug in that way? Does this make you feel unstable?
>
> LinkadgeI'm not sure what you mean by "unstable", so the answer is probably "no". I have never been that good at "reading" my body, but for what it's worth, it did not feel particularly different from taking Wellbutrin the normal way.
I might add that Wellbutrin dissolves only with great difficulty and patience, even after having crushed the tablet, plus the stuff tastes *awful*, which is why I always used fruit juice rather than water.
I hope that helps you.
Klavot
Posted by Klavot on February 13, 2007, at 1:33:42
In reply to Re: What happens if somebody needs *less* bupropion? » linkadge, posted by Klavot on February 13, 2007, at 1:27:23
> > That sounds like a fairly good idea. How does it make you feel taking the drug in that way? Does this make you feel unstable?
> >
> > LinkadgeIf by "unstable" you mean "guilty", as in a dysfunctional user of prescription medication, then the answer is "yes" - I always felt like a bit of a junkie tampering with Wellbutrin like that. It reminded me somewhat of some of those weird people on Vault of Erowid who actually crush and *snort* the stuff - yes, snort, I kid you not!?!
What I did carried my doctor's blessing though.
Klavot
Posted by Klavot on February 13, 2007, at 1:47:07
In reply to Re: What happens if somebody needs *less* bupropion?, posted by Klavot on February 13, 2007, at 1:33:42
At the moment I am not using any medication. I feel pretty depressed I must say, and irritable and anxious and pessimistic, I start crying spontaneously, etc. Plus I have developed a problem with chewing my hands when I am anxious, to the point where I develop blisters. The other day I nearly bit off one of my fingers, I kid you not. But the problem is that when I use the medication (Welloft), I seem to lose motivation and I become content with mediocrity. I have decided to go without medication until I finish school, even if that means having poor quality of life for the next few years, at least I will finish my studies successfully.
Maybe some time I'll try Provigil, though I doubt my doctor will be prepared to go that route. I definitely dream too much while asleep, and I definitely suffer from daytime drowsiness, without actually having narcolepsy.
Klavot
Posted by linkadge on February 13, 2007, at 11:51:16
In reply to Re: What happens if somebody needs *less* bupropion? » linkadge, posted by Klavot on February 13, 2007, at 1:27:23
I guess I was wondering if consuming it this way led to surges of drug effect and then drug absence, but you answered my question.
Linkadge
Posted by ralphrost on February 15, 2007, at 18:23:11
In reply to Re: What happens if somebody needs *less* bupropion?, posted by Klavot on February 13, 2007, at 1:47:07
Hello Klavot,
it's iteresting that i also use to feel weird on medications, similarly to what you described, and i tried many already.
Currently i'm trying Tianeptine (20 days, 2x 12,5mg/day), and i feel wasted. Today i slept almost all day long, and have no interest on anything. Nothing catches my attention or changes such a flat and stupid mood.
Many times i've asked myself if the medication is actually making me more depressed... So i rarely am able to stay on anything for more than one month.
I don't know if it's some sort of sensitivity issue, but i don't what to do now...
Best wishes,
Ralph
Posted by KayeBaby on February 16, 2007, at 4:26:11
In reply to Re: What happens if somebody needs *less* bupropion?, posted by linkadge on February 12, 2007, at 16:43:19
Linkadge,
I have taken this med off and on for years. I did much searching for the answer on whether or no it is ok to split WButrin and have it on good authority that is ok to split the SR vesion due to the drug being evenly distributed through the entire tablet with a waxy encapsulation-not just a couting on the outside.I have taken it this way with no troubles or strange dips of any sort in the release of the med that I could tell.
I do better on a lower amount too. 75 sr a day is good for me.
Peace,
Kaye
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.