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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Vera on November 21, 2003, at 16:54:52
Hope someone can help - I'm about to take Wellbutrin for the 1st time. In the past, I've been on Paxil, Elavil, Zoloft and Effexor, and one or two others I've forgotten. All caused the dibilitating side effect of diarrhea. Has anyone had this problem with Wellbutrin?? Thanx.
Posted by Flipsactown on November 21, 2003, at 18:07:58
In reply to About to try Wellbutrin, posted by Vera on November 21, 2003, at 16:54:52
I have taken all those A/D's you listed. Wellbutrin did not help with my depression and I did not have the problem you are referring to.
Flipsactown
> Hope someone can help - I'm about to take Wellbutrin for the 1st time. In the past, I've been on Paxil, Elavil, Zoloft and Effexor, and one or two others I've forgotten. All caused the dibilitating side effect of diarrhea. Has anyone had this problem with Wellbutrin?? Thanx.
Posted by Edgefield on November 21, 2003, at 19:27:39
In reply to About to try Wellbutrin, posted by Vera on November 21, 2003, at 16:54:52
I've taken Wellbutrin Sr and now the XL and I've never had that side effect. I am very pleased with how it has helped with my anxiety and anxiety related depression.
> Hope someone can help - I'm about to take Wellbutrin for the 1st time. In the past, I've been on Paxil, Elavil, Zoloft and Effexor, and one or two others I've forgotten. All caused the dibilitating side effect of diarrhea. Has anyone had this problem with Wellbutrin?? Thanx.
Posted by theo on November 22, 2003, at 8:48:46
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin » Vera, posted by Edgefield on November 21, 2003, at 19:27:39
What dose of the XL are you taking?
Posted by Vera on November 22, 2003, at 13:19:15
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin » Vera, posted by Edgefield on November 21, 2003, at 19:27:39
Should have included this! It's Wellbutrin SR, and initial dosage is 150mg, presumably to see how well I tolerate it. 1st dose was yesterday -
keeping my fingers crossed.....
Posted by Edgefield on November 22, 2003, at 17:29:40
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin » Edgefield, posted by theo on November 22, 2003, at 8:48:46
I'm taking 300mg. of Wellbutrin XL. I have been for almost three months.
> What dose of the XL are you taking?
Posted by Vera on November 22, 2003, at 18:00:47
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin » theo, posted by Edgefield on November 22, 2003, at 17:29:40
I hope I'll be able to tolerate it as well as you have! It's been prescribed to me for the same
reasons as you, and also for chronic pain. Thanx for responding.
Posted by theo on November 23, 2003, at 12:56:59
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin » theo, posted by Edgefield on November 22, 2003, at 17:29:40
I finally, after weeks, jumped from 150mg XL to 300mg. I feel great! I was so worried I would feel spun and uncomfortable like I would when I would try to increase my dose just 50mg with the SR. The XL is much smoother and I know at least all I have to do now is wait a few weeks to see if the increase is really better for me and if not, just go back to 150mg.
Posted by Vera on November 23, 2003, at 15:19:53
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin, posted by theo on November 23, 2003, at 12:56:59
Thanx for info - this is good to know in case the
"SR" gives me any trouble...esp. in the way that
upsets me the most. :-) This is day 4 & so far, so
good! As for what it's SUPPOSED to help with, I'm
really looking forward to those benefits.
Posted by Edgefield on November 23, 2003, at 18:20:20
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin, posted by theo on November 23, 2003, at 12:56:59
I'm glad to hear that you also like the XL. I also had several side effects on the SR, especially whenever I increased the dosage. The XL is wayyyyy better.
> I finally, after weeks, jumped from 150mg XL to 300mg. I feel great! I was so worried I would feel spun and uncomfortable like I would when I would try to increase my dose just 50mg with the SR. The XL is much smoother and I know at least all I have to do now is wait a few weeks to see if the increase is really better for me and if not, just go back to 150mg.
Posted by Vera on November 24, 2003, at 14:04:10
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin » theo, posted by Edgefield on November 23, 2003, at 18:20:20
Actually, I'm still taking the "SR", but if I have any side effects, I will ask to be put on the
"XL". I have no idea what the difference is, but
if you say "XL" better, that's definitely something I should discuss with pdoc. One thing I've noticed in past couple days is losing my balance when standing up. Did you have anything like that on SR? Do you mind if I ask what side
effects you had when you took it? Perhaps I should be forwarned!! Thanx again.
Posted by Edgefield on November 24, 2003, at 15:09:55
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin » Edgefield, posted by Vera on November 24, 2003, at 14:04:10
Oh, yes I did have that balance thing :) There is a name for that, but I forgot what my pdoc said, but whenever I stood up I could hear my heart beating in my ears, my head would kinda throb, and my head felt slightly heavy. I don't have that side effect anymore, an I don't remember it lasting very long.
You wanted to know about my other side effects:
Ringing in the ears
Dry mouth
Pain in my shoulders
dizzinessThe only one that bothered me the most was the pain in my shoulders. It made it difficult to sleep and move around. If my memory is correct that might be the only symptom that lasted awhile for me, but I only noticed it when I increased my dosage. When I switched from the SR to the XL I thought I would experience this side effect again, but I did not.
Keep me posted :)
> Actually, I'm still taking the "SR", but if I have any side effects, I will ask to be put on the
> "XL". I have no idea what the difference is, but
> if you say "XL" better, that's definitely something I should discuss with pdoc. One thing I've noticed in past couple days is losing my balance when standing up. Did you have anything like that on SR? Do you mind if I ask what side
> effects you had when you took it? Perhaps I should be forwarned!! Thanx again.
Posted by John2222 on November 24, 2003, at 19:13:42
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin » Vera, posted by Edgefield on November 24, 2003, at 15:09:55
I was taking Effexor XR which really worked well for GAD, but I was sleepy all the time.
I just started Wellbutrin XL 150 this week. So far I'm not tired at all, but wondered:
Is Wellbutrin supposed to raise seratonin levels? I don't think WB is a SSRI so just wondered how anyone else is doing on it that has been on other SSRI's?
Thanks...I'm hopeful on this one.
John
Posted by Vera on November 25, 2003, at 1:32:11
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin » Vera, posted by Edgefield on November 24, 2003, at 15:09:55
For Edgefield - thanx for info. Did you have all those symptoms when still at 150mgs? I have noticed a dry mouth w/accompanying bad taste. I
think you mean vertigo?? Yep, got a bit of that
I think. I almost fell today - good thing DR
table was there to grab! Funny, I have noticed more pain in shoulder area, but I also have fibromyalgia and symptoms are similar. The main thing, I guess, is that...so far..(& I'm knocking
on wood!) no "bathroom problems"!! Of this I am extremely grateful! Reall appreciate your help.
Posted by Waterlily on November 25, 2003, at 8:18:46
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin » Vera, posted by Edgefield on November 24, 2003, at 15:09:55
That dizziness/balance problem you're referring to is called orthostatic hypotension - where your blood pressure goes down temporarily while your body adjusts to standing up. My pdoc calls it 'orthostasis' and I used to have it with imipramine.
As far as Wellbutrin goes, I've been on it for seven years. It's worked reasonably well as an antidepressant (except lately), but I still have problems with anxiety. I don't experience any side effects from Wellbutrin that I can tell. I take the 150 mg of the SR version twice a day.
Posted by Vera on November 25, 2003, at 16:44:19
In reply to orthostatic hypotension, posted by Waterlily on November 25, 2003, at 8:18:46
Funny you should mention blood pressure I think I
heard that BP can rise when on Wellbutrin. Before
taking this, my BP was 114/76 - it was just checked yesterday, & it's now 146/90! Is your BP
higher after being on Wellbutrin? Also, how long
were you on 150mgs before going to 300mgs? Now
I'm afraid to go to a higher for fear of a stroke!
Hmmm, so it hasn't helped much for the anxiety...
well, I have more of that than depression, so, now
I have concerns about that, too. Well, I know everyone is different, so I'll just wait to see, I
guess! Thanx for info.
Posted by Edgefield on November 25, 2003, at 19:12:52
In reply to orthostatic hypotension, posted by Waterlily on November 25, 2003, at 8:18:46
That's the word I was looking for :) Thanks for giving me the name for the dizziness/balance problems I use to experience with Wellbutrin.
Do you think that after 7 years the Wellbutrin has stopped working? I've heard from others about their AD losing it's effectiveness after a period of time. Hmmm... I wonder how long I have?
Could you tell me your experience with imipramine? If the Wellbutrin didn't work I was going to try imipramine. I know someone who has been taking it for 13 years for anxiety disorder along with Klonopin.
Thanks again!
> That dizziness/balance problem you're referring to is called orthostatic hypotension - where your blood pressure goes down temporarily while your body adjusts to standing up. My pdoc calls it 'orthostasis' and I used to have it with imipramine.
>
> As far as Wellbutrin goes, I've been on it for seven years. It's worked reasonably well as an antidepressant (except lately), but I still have problems with anxiety. I don't experience any side effects from Wellbutrin that I can tell. I take the 150 mg of the SR version twice a day.
Posted by theo on November 25, 2003, at 22:12:54
In reply to Re: orthostatic hypotension » Waterlily, posted by Vera on November 25, 2003, at 16:44:19
It's funny how things work differently. I just moved up to 300mg of Well XL a few days ago. I went for a checkup today and my blood pressure was 110/70, it's normally 120/80 or more!
Posted by theo on November 25, 2003, at 22:25:03
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin, posted by theo on November 23, 2003, at 12:56:59
I moved up to 300mg XL from 150 XL about four days ago and was on 150mg for around six weeks. Any ideas on how long it normally takes to feel the benefits when you increase the dose? I really don't feel any different than I did on 150mg so far.
Posted by Vera on November 26, 2003, at 13:02:04
In reply to Re: About to try Wellbutrin, posted by theo on November 25, 2003, at 22:25:03
....And can anyone tell me when I'll feel better
being on 150mgs? Been on Wellbutrin SL for a week
now. And has anyone had their blood pressure
rise from taking it? And does this dry mouth &
bad taste ever go away?? Thanx
Posted by Waterlily on November 26, 2003, at 16:50:24
In reply to Re: orthostatic hypotension » Waterlily, posted by Vera on November 25, 2003, at 16:44:19
Wellbutrin did not increase my BP. For about a year I was donating platelets every other week, so I had my blood pressure checked regularily. It has always been normal to low, but was especially low when I was on Serzone in addition to Wellbutrin. When I went off Serzone and was on Wellbutrin only, my BP returned to about 110/70.
If your BP is really that elevated I'd get it done a few more times, making sure you relax when it's done. Also you might want to ask about adding something to the Wellbutrin for anxiety.
I do not recall going from 150 to 300. I was on 200 mg for maybe a year or so, but it wasn't controlling my depression enough so my doc increased the dose. I've been on 300 for about six years.
> Funny you should mention blood pressure I think I
> heard that BP can rise when on Wellbutrin. Before
> taking this, my BP was 114/76 - it was just checked yesterday, & it's now 146/90! Is your BP
> higher after being on Wellbutrin? Also, how long
> were you on 150mgs before going to 300mgs? Now
> I'm afraid to go to a higher for fear of a stroke!
> Hmmm, so it hasn't helped much for the anxiety...
> well, I have more of that than depression, so, now
> I have concerns about that, too. Well, I know everyone is different, so I'll just wait to see, I
> guess! Thanx for info.
>
Posted by Waterlily on November 26, 2003, at 17:02:22
In reply to Re: orthostatic hypotension » Waterlily, posted by Edgefield on November 25, 2003, at 19:12:52
I'm not sure if the Wellbutrin has stopped working, but I'm seriously questioning it after the two month long depression I've just gotten out of (thanks to the addition of Luvox). I don't know what would happen if I were to reduce the dose now. I've tried to go off of Wellbutrin a few times before when that's all that I was on and I didn't do well, although the last time I tried was a few years ago.
Regarding imipramine, it was added to the Wellbutrin in an attempt to reduce anxiety. I think it worked to an extent - I still had some generalized anxiety, but it wasn't too bad and I never got panic attacks or severe anxiety for no reason. My doc had my blood levels drawn every 6 months and I was always on the border between high-normal and too high, even though I was on a low dose. The only bothersome side effect I had was dry mouth. That was part of the reason I went off of it - I was getting braces (still have them) and couldn't be dealing with a dry mouth and braces at the same time. The other reason I went off was because I wanted to see if something else would work better.
> That's the word I was looking for :) Thanks for giving me the name for the dizziness/balance problems I use to experience with Wellbutrin.
>
> Do you think that after 7 years the Wellbutrin has stopped working? I've heard from others about their AD losing it's effectiveness after a period of time. Hmmm... I wonder how long I have?
>
> Could you tell me your experience with imipramine? If the Wellbutrin didn't work I was going to try imipramine. I know someone who has been taking it for 13 years for anxiety disorder along with Klonopin.
>
> Thanks again!
>
> > That dizziness/balance problem you're referring to is called orthostatic hypotension - where your blood pressure goes down temporarily while your body adjusts to standing up. My pdoc calls it 'orthostasis' and I used to have it with imipramine.
> >
> > As far as Wellbutrin goes, I've been on it for seven years. It's worked reasonably well as an antidepressant (except lately), but I still have problems with anxiety. I don't experience any side effects from Wellbutrin that I can tell. I take the 150 mg of the SR version twice a day.
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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