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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Wellbutrin side effects?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Wellbutrin side effects?
by Sarahberry, Apr 29, 2001 12:00AM
After taking Effexor for two years, I suddenly became profoundly depressed. I went to see a psychiatrist, who recommended that I shift to Wellbutrin, in part because of the sexual side effects I had experienced with Effexor and also because I've been struggling to quit smoking for about 4 years.
I tapered off of Effexor over three weeks (150-37.5) at the same time that I began taking Wellbutrin and increasing the dosage (100-300). The first thing that happened was that I started smoking again after having quit six months ago. Then I was really beginning to feel better (when I smoke the emotions are more "under control"), plus I really felt the Wellbutrin was starting to work.
I took my last Effexor three days ago and have been feeling terrible ever since. Dizzy, vague, blurry. Fatigued. Depressed, on the verge of weepy. My calves have been aching, and I occasionally feel a sharp pain below my left breast when I inhale. It's taking me 1-2 hours to get to sleep every night.
Should my doctor have kept me on the Effexor and merely added Wellbutrin? I've heard plenty of horror stories about Effexor withdrawal. How long before Wellbutrin kicks in? (If you tell me 4-6 weeks I might as well just quit my job, divorce my husband, and lock myself in a rubber room!)
Just FYI, I also take Levoxyl (150 mg. at night).
Thanks for your help.
I tapered off of Effexor over three weeks (150-37.5) at the same time that I began taking Wellbutrin and increasing the dosage (100-300). The first thing that happened was that I started smoking again after having quit six months ago. Then I was really beginning to feel better (when I smoke the emotions are more "under control"), plus I really felt the Wellbutrin was starting to work.
I took my last Effexor three days ago and have been feeling terrible ever since. Dizzy, vague, blurry. Fatigued. Depressed, on the verge of weepy. My calves have been aching, and I occasionally feel a sharp pain below my left breast when I inhale. It's taking me 1-2 hours to get to sleep every night.
Should my doctor have kept me on the Effexor and merely added Wellbutrin? I've heard plenty of horror stories about Effexor withdrawal. How long before Wellbutrin kicks in? (If you tell me 4-6 weeks I might as well just quit my job, divorce my husband, and lock myself in a rubber room!)
Just FYI, I also take Levoxyl (150 mg. at night).
Thanks for your help.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., May 02, 2001 12:00AM
, May 02, 2001 12:00AM
with regard to the tapering of effexor, it sounds like the taper was
appropriately slow; unfortunately, this patient still has symptoms of effexor
withdrawal. this is actually called a "cessation syndrome", since one does
not truly become addicted to effexor. it can be treated by substituting a
longed acting ssri, such as prozac and slowly tapering it. if the wellbutrin
is going to kick in, most likely you will get a response within the next two
weeks. there are no consistent guidelines for stopping one antidepressant
and starting another, certainly the method used by your psychiatrist
is commonly used.
appropriately slow; unfortunately, this patient still has symptoms of effexor
withdrawal. this is actually called a "cessation syndrome", since one does
not truly become addicted to effexor. it can be treated by substituting a
longed acting ssri, such as prozac and slowly tapering it. if the wellbutrin
is going to kick in, most likely you will get a response within the next two
weeks. there are no consistent guidelines for stopping one antidepressant
and starting another, certainly the method used by your psychiatrist
is commonly used.
Pete
I changed my Medication 8-7-07 to Welbutrin after being on Celexa for a 1 yr and 1 month.
I have benefited from the drug Celexa. The feelings of well-being, motivation, and maintaining even levels of brain- activity have been Great, (including ejaculate delay),
but I have gained approx. 30 lbs. I have been wanting to quit smoking and lose the weight, so I decided to switch.
I was offered Prozac.
I have a Major Depressive Disorder.
I am Not Bi-Polar, Manic, or been diagnosed with OCD or as a Paranoid Schitzophrenic. This drug is usually prescribed for these symptoms.
The change has not been good.
Less focused, having problems reading and understanding simple sentences. scattered thoughts. paranoid. reclusive. isolated. despondent. anxious, and never hungry.
But hey, I lost 9 lbs!
...Am I'm detoxing, becoming accustomed, or is this the Cake?? If not, then when will I feel the benefits?
Any suggestions will be very appreciated.
Thank you.