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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Beckett on August 22, 2012, at 17:49:28
Is there any reason to take Wellbutrin for a few days to see if it will work diffferently if it had little effect on the first day? It does not seem to be the sort of med that is cumulative in effect, but I might be very wrong. Anyone know?
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 22, 2012, at 18:24:53
In reply to Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one..., posted by Beckett on August 22, 2012, at 17:49:28
In general you need to give antidepressants 4 - 6 weeks trial at theraputic dose levels before you dismiss them.
I would be extremely suprised if you felt any benifit on day one or two, or even five or six. It isnt like taking Advil for a headache, where you feel better in half an hour, its a slow process
Posted by Beckett on August 22, 2012, at 20:43:41
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one..., posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 22, 2012, at 18:24:53
Wellbutrin is an atypical antidepressant. I thought it may possess different qualities.
Posted by rjlockhart37 on August 22, 2012, at 21:50:32
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one..., posted by Beckett on August 22, 2012, at 20:43:41
wellbutrin takes a while to work....but yea it should have a like a mild effect when first take it....but the effect grows within a couple weeks....bupropion in my terms is a mild stimulant that widely used....
you might want to check out Aplenzin...its a new form thats cleaner than wellbutrin...but its really expesive...
my case wellbutrin had no effect at all....even after weeks....nothing....
rj
Posted by Phillipa on August 22, 2012, at 23:27:37
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one..., posted by rjlockhart37 on August 22, 2012, at 21:50:32
Took it for one week once and when I saw the pdoc he thought I was hypomanic and hospitalized me. I was tripping over the dog leash when walked him. I was immediately taken off it and put on heavy sedatives given seroquel taken off in hospital next day as almost fainted and couldn't speak. Strangest ever reaction. If Have anxiety very stimulating but if given for bipolar it's used. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on August 23, 2012, at 6:03:48
In reply to Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one..., posted by Beckett on August 22, 2012, at 17:49:28
> Is there any reason to take Wellbutrin for a few days to see if it will work diffferently if it had little effect on the first day? It does not seem to be the sort of med that is cumulative in effect, but I might be very wrong. Anyone know?
I don't know for sure, but I have never heard of such a thing. I would treat Wellbutrin as you would any other "traditional" antidepressant. Whether or not you feel energized during the first few days does not determine the ultimate outcome. I was told it was a good sign, though, to experience a transient improvement "blip" during the first few days. I would stay with it. Be aware that almost any antidepressant can precipitate mania in vulnerable individuals. However, Wellbutrin has been considered the antidepressant least likely to do this. It certainly can, though.
What do you need to have happen? Why are you taking Wellbutrin? What anti-manic drugs are you taking? For depression, combining Wellbutrin with Lamictal might be particularly effective. Have you tried Abilify? I apologize for not remembering everything you have tried recently.
- Scott
Posted by Beckett on August 23, 2012, at 10:00:16
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one... » Beckett, posted by SLS on August 23, 2012, at 6:03:48
I do not know what to do. After taking care of my anxiety successfully with topopmax, we thought to treat the remaining depression somewhat gently. I have still been too fatigued to eat, but at least I could rest now that the anxiety has abated. Well one day of lowest dose Wellbutrin and I had a terrible night's sleep and I have that morning knot in my stomach. I feel awful. Shoot.
Thank you all for the information. I really did not know wellbutrin's effects were cumulative! Does anyone have any idea/experience what to expect if I were to continue regarding this emerging anxiety? A blip?
Posted by Beckett on August 23, 2012, at 10:50:36
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one... » Beckett, posted by SLS on August 23, 2012, at 6:03:48
I've decided not to take it again until I speak to my doctor. I do not want to reexperience any of the anxiety unless he says it will lessen and there will be more of a payoff for me.
Scott, I forgot to answer your question about Abilify. I did try a round of it and can not tolerate it.
Thanks again for answering everyone.
Posted by SLS on August 23, 2012, at 12:57:52
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one..., posted by Beckett on August 23, 2012, at 10:00:16
> I do not know what to do. After taking care of my anxiety successfully with topopmax, we thought to treat the remaining depression somewhat gently.
I'm glad to hear that Topamax has been helpful for you. Any PTSD in your history? If so, you might take a look at prazosin.
Apparently, Wellbutrin is not very gentle when there is pre-existing anxiety. It tends to make GAD worse.
Did you ever get around to trying Saphris?
I don't recall how you reacted to Seroquel.
- Scott
Posted by Raisinb on August 23, 2012, at 21:07:17
In reply to Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one..., posted by Beckett on August 22, 2012, at 17:49:28
Wellbutrin kicked in after about a day and a half for me, but then triggered a hypo manic episode. I didn't know it then, but apparently that's evidence of a bipolar spectrum dx.
I think for straight depression, you should give it a week or so at least. A lot of people feel it day one, but that doesn't mean it couldn't work for you after it builds up in your system a bit.
Posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2012, at 20:18:22
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one... » Beckett, posted by Raisinb on August 23, 2012, at 21:07:17
But why as isn't wellbutrin one of the ad's someone with bipolar can take? Phillipa
Posted by Raisinb on August 24, 2012, at 21:37:44
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one... » Raisinb, posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2012, at 20:18:22
I don't know. I'm still a little skeptical of the typical
Pdoc response that just because I got hypo manic on wellbutrin, I must be bipolar. Wellbutrin is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, so wouldn't it make sense that my brain was flooded with dopamine when I started it?Anyway, either way, I wasn't on a mood stabilizer at the time, so that may have been a factor.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 26, 2012, at 19:22:25
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one... » Phillipa, posted by Raisinb on August 24, 2012, at 21:37:44
They dont say that bupropion NEVER induces mania, they say it is less likely to that the other options - and I'd think that any bipolar patient treated with an AD should be on a mood stabaliser as well
Posted by Phillipa on August 26, 2012, at 20:44:31
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one..., posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 26, 2012, at 19:22:25
I agree. Was my question to a neighbor who said she's bipolar 2 and taking wellbutrin maximum dose and no other meds. She just switched to zoloft 50mg. I said to her I don't think you are bipolar then? Phillipa
Posted by phidippus on August 28, 2012, at 22:59:10
In reply to Wellbutrin: if no effect on day one..., posted by Beckett on August 22, 2012, at 17:49:28
Whoa, its going to take a few weeks for the Wellbutrin to become effective-changes and improvement will be gradual.
Stick with it for a little more than a month.
Eric
This is the end of the thread.
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