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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by raisinb on May 14, 2008, at 13:47:36
I just started taking Wellbutrin SR--100mg twice a day--about five days ago. I already feel significantly better, and the only side effects I seem to be experiencing are the common ones--loss of appetite and insomnia.
The loss of appetite I can deal with, but it's difficult to feel like I can go on just sleeping three or four hours a night (and that's after I take the max dose of Lunesta--I wouldn't sleep at all otherwise).
I'd like to believe this is just initial adjustment and the insomnia will go away. The Wellbutrin really seems to help my depression. Does anyone have experience with this issue?
Posted by michael on May 14, 2008, at 18:56:21
In reply to wellbutrin and insomnia, posted by raisinb on May 14, 2008, at 13:47:36
That's great that it's working so well for you.
That side effect may very well go away - but the only way to find out is to give it time, and wait and see what happens.
Sorry - that's not much of an answer, but both the insomnia & the diminished apetite often do go away. I don't know what to say as far as time frame, but I'd guess it may be as much as a few weeks...
While you're experiencing the insomnia, and since you're already having positive results, you'll probably not want to increase the dose - if you increase it at all - until the insomnia goes away. I may not have told you anything you don't already know, but that's all I've got... Oh, one last thought - worst case scenario, maybe you could try reducing your dose for a while, and titrating up more slowly. Good luck.
Michael
Posted by Phillipa on May 15, 2008, at 11:48:56
In reply to Re: wellbutrin and insomnia, posted by michael on May 14, 2008, at 18:56:21
I'm glad it's helping. I myself couldn't tolerate it as it made me hypomanic. Also was on a lot of benzos. Looks like you may have found a great drug for you. Any other sleeping med you doc could add? Lov Phillipa
Posted by ncrainbow on May 15, 2008, at 11:51:16
In reply to wellbutrin and insomnia, posted by raisinb on May 14, 2008, at 13:47:36
I have been on Wellbutrin XR for about a month. I am at 300 mg now. What is strange to me is that I have a history of chronic insomnia but I am not having it now. So, I caan only guess that it is the 1 mg of klonopin that I take between 30 minutes and an hour before bed that is both helping me fall asleep and stay asleep.
Are you or your doc totally anti-benzos...becuase if not, you could try .5 or 1 mg of Klonopin and see if it works.
My doc chose klonopin because of all the benzos out there, konopin is the only one with clinically documented mood stabilizing properties and I have a tendency toward hypomania. He gave it to me initially to help with my SSRI withdrawal and offset the hypomania but it has ended up being more of an effective sleeping tool and seems to offset the Zippy effect of Wellbutrin.
Posted by raisinb on May 15, 2008, at 13:51:40
In reply to Re: wellbutrin and insomnia, posted by ncrainbow on May 15, 2008, at 11:51:16
Hey everyone, thanks for the feedback. I called my doc and he said basically that it would probably subside, but it might take a couple of weeks. Until then, he said I just had to ride it out. Tough love I suppose.
So I will wait and see. If another week goes by and I still can't sleep I'll clamor for a benzo.
Posted by tootercat on May 17, 2008, at 19:06:32
In reply to Re: wellbutrin and insomnia, posted by raisinb on May 15, 2008, at 13:51:40
Hey there...I totally sympathize with your dilemna.
What finally has worked for me is taking my Wellbutrin (150 mg SR) with my 1 mg of lorazepam (ativan)in the morning.I get the benefit of the energy and stabilization of the wellbutrin and the anti-anxiety of the lorazepam (ativan) and I find that I can go to bead at a "normal" time and awaken at a more desirable time feeling well rested.
I originally started the ativan to help with insomnia due to perimenopausal symptoms. I would take it around 3-5 pm.(This was before I started taking the Wellbutrin for depression) It did not do what ambien (I HATE that stuff) does by knocking you out. Instead IT gently ramps you down - at least that's what it has done for me.
I made the shift to taking it in the morning so it could work as an antianxiety remedy to the anxious side effect of the Wellbutrin.
And I may yet make another change because I am in therapy beginning to deal with ADD OCD etc and Wellbutrin may not be the appropriate A/D.
Oh well at least I/we have choices. Our poor parents snad grandparents just had to suffer.....Ok well I think I may be rambling at this point......
Good luck and I hope you find a combo that works!
Toots
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