![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Stephania on May 31, 2001, at 9:57:42
Hi there.
I have been on Wellbutrin for a week and a day. My story starts out: I was on celexa for a year and a half. I helped at first..then a couple months ago, after the 15 lbs I gained...I started to get really aggitated. I was EXHAUSTED! ALL OF THE TIME! I felt my moods had become worse. So...My doc put me on Wellbutrin. I am off of the celexa now.
Trouble is...The reason for him putting me on the Wellbutrin was to get my moods under control and add a bit of calming to my life....I AM SO ANGRY AND AGGITATED. The tiniest thing escalates into something so huge. Now I just weened myself off celexa. So I need some advice on others that have taken or are on Wellbutrin. I would love this med to help. I just am so worried that it is making my moods worse. I live in NYC. Capital city of STRESS! Well, needless to say I don't need a med that will make me more aggitated.
My fits of rage are none like I have never experienced. It might be me coming off of the celexa, I really do not know. Any one out there? I would love some replies. Thanks!
Stephania
Posted by terra miller on May 31, 2001, at 12:24:30
In reply to On Wellbutrin! HELP, posted by Stephania on May 31, 2001, at 9:57:42
Hi.
From what I understand, this "major rage" thing is a common side-effect of starting Wellbutrin. It happens in the first weeks. I had it as well. It's realllly nasty ("I" was really nasty.) It is important, in my opinion and I'm not a doc at all, to increase slowly. Slowly increasing helps your body adjust without being hit with too many sideeffects.
You didn't mention what dose you started at and the dosing schedule your pdoc is recommending for you.
I've "tried" several meds. For me, this was the hardest med to "get on" because of the initial struggle to adjust to it. There were several weeks of high agitation as well. The rage went away for me. The agitation went away slower. Wellbutrin does leave you feeling with a bit more energy; I think the balance is between more energy and too much energy/agitation.
You aren't alone. I'm certain others will respond. They've been helpful for me. I'm currently taking the immediate release version of wellbutrin, 300mg/daily.
Hang in there!
Terra.
Posted by Stephania on May 31, 2001, at 12:45:09
In reply to Re: On Wellbutrin! HELP » Stephania, posted by terra miller on May 31, 2001, at 12:24:30
> >
Hi there!Thanks for your post. I only on 100mgs os sustained release...He said when I feel a bit more stable to increase to two times a day.
Yeah, My rage is so intense, I am hoping this will work for me. I gained weight on celexa and couldn't get it off. I gained about 15lbs but I am only 5' , so for me that was a lot of weight. I am hoping the Wellbutrin will work. I hate the side effects of the SSRI's, even though Wellbutrin is used for depression I am sure the exhaustion and weight gain won't apply.
Have you felt calmer know that you have been on it? HUH... I just hate the wait period ya know? Thanks a bunch:)
steph
Posted by Helen Church on May 31, 2001, at 20:06:31
In reply to On Wellbutrin! HELP, posted by Stephania on May 31, 2001, at 9:57:42
> Hi Stephania
Oh baby, do I KNOW what you're going through! The difference between celexa and wellbutrin is that celexa is an SSRI and wellbutrin is a dopamine drug.
I was on Zoloft, but switched to wellbutrin because it would supposedly give me my sex life back and I wouldn't suffer from the shits anymore.
Well, 4 days into Wellbutrin, I was so damned agitated, I lost it. I have two Jack Russell Terriers. The male (who is a Mac-Daddy s**t disturber) was being his usual self. He's 10 years old now. I snapped and lost my temper with him and spanked him. HE HAS NEVER BEEN SPANKED IN THE 10 YEARS he's been ALIVE. I was on the horn to my Doc an hour after it happened. (I spent that hour crying on the floor with my dogs begging forgiveness)
My Doctor has voiced his misgivings about Wellbutrin. He did not recommend it to me. I asked him for the change.
Steph, try Zoloft. I like it. If the Effexor doesn't work, I will go back to Zoloft. Gad, when you've tried everything, where do you go?
Thinkin of ya girl. Get off the Wellbutrin. It's whats stirrin you up, I guarantee it.
Hugs to you. I KNOW how you feel.
HelenChurch
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 1, 2001, at 2:02:55
In reply to Re: On Wellbutrin! HELP » Stephania, posted by terra miller on May 31, 2001, at 12:24:30
This may have not have anything with the topic discussed on the previous posts...
Proof that sexual dysfunction is caused more by Celexa than by other SSRI's.
1. Thomas, Kimberly V.. Holimon, Teresa D.. Citalopram versus other selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. 56(21):2242-2244, November 1, 1999.
2. PALLANTI, STEFANO MD. KORAN, LORRIN M. MD. Citalopram and Sexual Side Effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. American Journal of Psychiatry. 156(5):796, May 1999.
3. Rosen, Raymond C. PhD. Lane, Roger M. MD. Menza, Matthew MD. Effects of SSRIs on Sexual Function: A Critical Review. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 19(1):67-85, February 1999.
Posted by Mair on June 1, 2001, at 21:57:30
In reply to Wellbutrin, posted by SalArmy4me on June 1, 2001, at 2:02:55
>Of all the ADs I have taken I have always tolerated WB the best. I'm now at 400 mgs and have been for the last few years. I noticed side effects at the beginning and with each successive increase in dosage, but the side effects went away after about a week to 10 days. I don't recall the agitation altho I've experienced plenty of agitation trying to augment the WB with Zoloft and with Serzone. The zoloft was so awful I had to get off it after only a month, and it seemed to take 2 more months before I felt like I had before I started it. I'm still playing around with serzone. My biggest problem with WB is that it's clearly not adequate enough for me by itself, and I have been unsuccessful at finding an augmentation drug that increases the anti-depressant effect. Thus I stick with WB because I do tolerate it well and it's probably better than nothing, but I'm always looking for a different combination.
WB was all that was advertised in other respects. I merely look at an ssri and my sexual functioning disappears. WB does not have this effect at all for me, and I have lost weight since I started taking this drug altho the weight loss was very slow and gradual.
Remember, we all react to these drugs very idiosyncratically. It's extremely frustrating.
Mair
Posted by roo on June 2, 2001, at 13:04:50
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, posted by Mair on June 1, 2001, at 21:57:30
I so _SO_ want to be able to take Wellbutrin...I've
tried it 2 different times in my life and each time
for about a month. I was unable to tolerate the agitation
and irritability, and didn't notice an improvement
with my depression. Could it be that I just needed to
wait these things out. Sometimes I _still_ think of
giving it another try b/c I want to be on an AD that
dosen't kill my sex life so badly. But my depression
relief is so much quicker and complete with the ssri's.
I respond so much better to them. But I still think...
could I just wait it out with the wellbutrin and get a
good response? Have any Wellbutrin lovers out there
had to wait a month or so for the agitation to subside?
I got in horrific fights with my sister when I was on t
the stuff...I was a loose cannon...
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 2, 2001, at 13:58:26
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, posted by roo on June 2, 2001, at 13:04:50
Why not just take them both at the same time?
Posted by terra miller on June 2, 2001, at 21:44:47
In reply to Re: On Wellbutrin! HELP terra miller, posted by Stephania on May 31, 2001, at 12:45:09
hi
i found wellbutrin to take my appetite away almost completely for food... and completely for liquids which is bad so i have to make sure i drink water throughout the day.
people usually lose weight with wellbutrin and i've felt real good about where i've been at.
terra.
Posted by terra miller on June 2, 2001, at 21:49:26
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, posted by roo on June 2, 2001, at 13:04:50
hi
for me it was a pretty tough 4-5 weeks to ride out that rage-agitation. it's strong the first couple of days so much that you want to throw in the towel. it's hard to stick with it. but this is turning out to be a great drug for me. it was worth waiting through. so, yes, it took about 5 weeks to level out. i recently increased and there was a similar adjustment period, but it was only for 2-3 days thankfully.
take care, terra
Posted by Lolita on June 3, 2001, at 22:49:46
In reply to On Wellbutrin! HELP, posted by Stephania on May 31, 2001, at 9:57:42
Coming off of Celexa to switch to Wellbutrin has been the most agitating and frustrating experience. I am only a few steps behind you, and hoping to hear that it will get better from here!
Posted by bonnie_ann on June 4, 2001, at 19:37:46
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin, posted by roo on June 2, 2001, at 13:04:50
> I so _SO_ want to be able to take Wellbutrin...I've
> tried it 2 different times in my life and each time
> for about a month. I was unable to tolerate the agitation
> and irritability, and didn't notice an improvement
> with my depression. Could it be that I just needed to
> wait these things out. Sometimes I _still_ think of
> giving it another try b/c I want to be on an AD that
> dosen't kill my sex life so badly. But my depression
> relief is so much quicker and complete with the ssri's.
> I respond so much better to them. But I still think...
> could I just wait it out with the wellbutrin and get a
> good response? Have any Wellbutrin lovers out there
> had to wait a month or so for the agitation to subside?
> I got in horrific fights with my sister when I was on t
> the stuff...I was a loose cannon...Did you try the Instant Release version?
I first tried 150 SR and after one day I knew I couldn't tolerate it.
So I added the 75mg to my Celexa and gradually increased it to 3 x a day, The only thing I really noticed was I was shaking a little and I definately had more energy and less intrest in junk food, And I am seriously considering ditching the Celexa all together.
I was waiting for the new Celexa but I have no idea how long it will take to be approved and I can always go back.
start low and go slow.
bonnie
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.