![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 37. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rfs on December 29, 2005, at 7:17:38
I have just registered and wanted to see if I could post. I have been reading posts for years and love this site, so,without hesitation I thought I would post(3-4 years). I have been taking Effexor since 1997. I have tried other SSRI's also. Prozac, Paxil (first) My shrink has added wellbutrin to the effexor but I am concerned because I have anxiety & insomnia along with the depression. Maybe once or twice a week, I take klonopin. Does the effexor plus wellbutrin combo make sense for someone with dep. & anxiety? I have the usual side effects with effexor. lack of sex drive, weight gain.
RFS
Posted by rfs on December 29, 2005, at 7:49:47
Greetings
I have been lurking for years, so I decided to post. I have tried before but had technical problems (dont know much about computers)I have anxiety & depression. I have been taking Effexor for 9 years,(300mg) New shrink wants to add 150mg of wellbutrin, I am concerened about anxiety and insomnia, This is my second day with the wellbutrin.
RFS
Posted by Phillipa on December 29, 2005, at 19:04:57
In reply to testing, posted by rfs on December 29, 2005, at 7:17:38
Welcome I heard wellbutrin gives you energy so I would think it might also cause anxiety. Anyone else? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on December 29, 2005, at 19:05:45
In reply to First Post, posted by rfs on December 29, 2005, at 7:49:47
See testing. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Declan on December 29, 2005, at 20:36:11
In reply to Re: testing » rfs, posted by Phillipa on December 29, 2005, at 19:04:57
All I know is that it's a cousin to a very substandard diet tablet (Tenuate/diethylpropion). And welcome from me too.
Declan
Posted by ed_uk on December 30, 2005, at 14:18:03
In reply to Re: testing, posted by Declan on December 29, 2005, at 20:36:11
Hi Deccie
Please share your opinion of diethylpropion :-)
I thought of you today when I was counting Seconal Pulvules...........and also when I was counting Tuinal Pulvules. I thought, Deccie doesn't like barbs ;-)
Love
Ed
Posted by ed_uk on December 30, 2005, at 14:20:25
In reply to testing, posted by rfs on December 29, 2005, at 7:17:38
Hi!
Welcome to babble.
>Does the effexor plus wellbutrin combo make sense for someone with dep. & anxiety?
It's not the most logical combination. Wellbutrin is generally most useful in the treatment of depression which is not associated with anxiety. Effexor + Wellbutrin is a popular combination.
Regards
Ed
Posted by declan on December 30, 2005, at 20:35:06
In reply to Re: testing » Declan, posted by ed_uk on December 30, 2005, at 14:18:03
Hi rfs
Happy new year and apologies for taking over your thread. Hi Eddy, Tenuate was one of those diet things you could get when they got rid of the euphoriants in 1970. They left phentermine, diethylpropion, propylhexedrine, maybe others. They're only for the fit. They are SO unpleasant, I dunno how I did it, I was 19 I guess.
Declan
Posted by ed_uk on December 31, 2005, at 8:37:02
In reply to Re: testing, posted by declan on December 30, 2005, at 20:35:06
Hi Dec
I thought phentermine was supposed to be quite 'pleasant'?
>They left phentermine, diethylpropion, propylhexedrine, maybe others.
Have you tried them all? How did they compare?
Ed x
Posted by rfs on December 31, 2005, at 11:15:55
In reply to Re: testing » declan, posted by ed_uk on December 31, 2005, at 8:37:02
> Hi Dec
>
> I thought phentermine was supposed to be quite 'pleasant'?
>
> >They left phentermine, diethylpropion, propylhexedrine, maybe others.
>
> Have you tried them all? How did they compare?
>
> Ed x
I have used phentermine and found it effective for weight loss, It also made me more social.Ray
Posted by ed_uk on December 31, 2005, at 12:40:53
In reply to testing, posted by rfs on December 29, 2005, at 7:17:38
Hi Ray
Why did your doc want to add Wellbutrin? ........because of the side effects of Effexor, or because Effexor alone wasn't sufficient as an antidepressant?
Ed
Posted by rfs on January 1, 2006, at 7:25:10
In reply to Re: testing » rfs, posted by ed_uk on December 31, 2005, at 12:40:53
Posted by rfs on January 1, 2006, at 7:25:49
In reply to Re: testing » rfs, posted by ed_uk on December 31, 2005, at 12:40:53
Posted by rfs on January 1, 2006, at 7:27:38
In reply to Re: testing » rfs, posted by ed_uk on December 31, 2005, at 12:40:53
> Hi Ray
>
> Why did your doc want to add Wellbutrin? ........because of the side effects of Effexor, or because Effexor alone wasn't sufficient as an antidepressant?
>
> EdHi Ed,
For both of those reasons. I was complaining about social anxiety also. Since I have been on Effexor for 9 years I figure whatever Combo I take will include Effexor. If I remember correctly, I was also feeling somewhat lethargic at the time.
So I ended up on 300mg, of effexor and 150mg of wellbutrin XL
Before AD, I experienced the following.
anxiety
depression
social phobia (Bunch of other phobias also)
OCD symptoms, otherwise I was fine LOL.
The AD have helped a lot.Before I ever took any AD, I would avoid people. When I began taking AD I had no problem being around others except I would hardly speak.
I don't know if this makes sense, but I think the ideal combo would be an AD + anti anxiety med combined with a stimulant.
History
I am 53 began taking AD at 43.
Paxil 50mg. 1 year
Effexor 300 mg. 9 years ( added Wellbutrin)
Klonopin 2-3 times a month.
Brief trial on prozac, remeron for sleepAny ideas on what meds might be better.
Thanks,
Ray
Posted by ed_uk on January 1, 2006, at 13:08:53
In reply to Re: testing » ed_uk, posted by rfs on January 1, 2006, at 7:27:38
Hi Ray
So you have you been taking Wellbutrin XL 150mg since December 28? How are you finding it so far?
Regards
Ed
Posted by rfs on January 1, 2006, at 20:49:07
In reply to Re: testing » rfs, posted by ed_uk on January 1, 2006, at 13:08:53
> Hi Ray
>
> So you have you been taking Wellbutrin XL 150mg since December 28? How are you finding it so far?
>
> Regards
>
> Ed
>Hi Ed,
I think it is to early to say for sure, however I do find myself doing more during the day, which is better then just sitting around and thinking about doing things. I think I participate more in conversations. If I get up to quicly I get slight ly light headed
I have increased my klonopin use.All in all,I would say so far so good, but only time will tell
Ray
Posted by ed_uk on January 1, 2006, at 23:17:07
In reply to Re: testing » ed_uk, posted by rfs on January 1, 2006, at 20:49:07
How is it affecting your anxiety and insomnia?
Ed
Posted by rfs on January 2, 2006, at 5:18:56
In reply to Re: testing » rfs, posted by ed_uk on January 1, 2006, at 23:17:07
> How is it affecting your anxiety and insomnia?
>
> EdHi Ed,
I have been sleeping better (Klonopin maybe) I feel a little more alert,and confident which is good. but I have been on vacation for 10 days so that reduces my anxiety level anyway, plus the klonopin is probably helping, even though I take a small dose .5mg not everyday I notice that I want to become involved in a group conversation, I will ask questions etc.
I still worry about becoming dependent on the klonopin (I have asked my Doc about other anti anxiety meds that are not addictive, he thinks Klonopin is best for me, and feels that I am not the type to become addicted based on my personality???. He also prescribes small amounts.Thank's again,
Ray
Posted by ed_uk on January 2, 2006, at 5:34:28
In reply to Re: testing » ed_uk, posted by rfs on January 2, 2006, at 5:18:56
Hi Ray
>I am not the type to become addicted
What are you afraid of? That you will abuse/misuse the Klonopin? That you will suffer withdrawal symptoms when you stop the Klonopin? Your personality does not affect the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Regards
Ed
Posted by rfs on January 2, 2006, at 6:31:06
In reply to Re: testing » rfs, posted by ed_uk on January 2, 2006, at 5:34:28
> Hi Ray
>
> >I am not the type to become addicted
>
> What are you afraid of? That you will abuse/misuse the Klonopin? That you will suffer withdrawal symptoms when you stop the Klonopin? Your personality does not affect the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
>
> Regards
>
> Ed
Hi Ed,You hit the nail on the head. I am afraid that I will end up abusing the Klonopin, and end up needing more & more. and ending up without any Klonopin and then going through withdrawal. I know that this is not completely logical, aince I am not afraid of the effect effexor has on many people (withdrawal difficulties),plus I am not thrilled about the effects of Klonopin, (tiredness & memory loss) Only difference is that I was on Effexor for years before I heard about the discontinuation problems.
Ray
Posted by ed_uk on January 2, 2006, at 6:49:42
In reply to Re: testing » ed_uk, posted by rfs on January 2, 2006, at 6:31:06
Hi Ray
>I am afraid that I will end up abusing the Klonopin, and end up needing more & more.
When you say 'abusing', what do you mean? Different people mean different things.
Ed
Posted by rfs on January 2, 2006, at 8:06:26
In reply to Re: testing » rfs, posted by ed_uk on January 2, 2006, at 6:49:42
> Hi Ray
>
> >I am afraid that I will end up abusing the Klonopin, and end up needing more & more.
>
> When you say 'abusing', what do you mean? Different people mean different things.
>
> EdEd,
What I mean is that I am worried that I will become dependent on them, needing higher doses and needing them to sleep and function and that if I were to stop I would go into withdrawal. I get the impression that my Pdoc thinks that Klonopin is not to be used daily. I don't have a great deal of confidence in him. He seems overly conservitive, but I go to him because he is in my health plan.Ray
Posted by ed_uk on January 2, 2006, at 8:16:32
In reply to Re: testing » ed_uk, posted by rfs on January 2, 2006, at 8:06:26
Hi Ray,
Do you fear that you may use Klonopin in a way which is not medicinal? eg. taking higher doses than you need to relieve your anxiety, taking very high doses in an attempt to 'get high', taking it even when you don't need it for anxiety/insomnia etc.
Ed
Posted by rfs on January 2, 2006, at 11:53:19
In reply to Re: testing » rfs, posted by ed_uk on January 2, 2006, at 8:16:32
> Hi Ray,
>
> Do you fear that you may use Klonopin in a way which is not medicinal? eg. taking higher doses than you need to relieve your anxiety, taking very high doses in an attempt to 'get high', taking it even when you don't need it for anxiety/insomnia etc.
>
> Ed
Hi Ed,Yes, that does worry me.
Ray
Posted by ed_uk on January 2, 2006, at 12:39:47
In reply to Re: testing, posted by rfs on January 2, 2006, at 11:53:19
Hi Ray
Have you ever used any other drug in a similar manner? eg. alcohol
Ed
Go forward in 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.