Have GAD and can't find the right med for both depression and GAD

[adnil111]

I have been on Wellbutrin 150mg since October and still had some depression but when I went on a higher dosage became more irritable and anxiety increased, i didn't like the way it made me feel. I also want to tell you I am drug sensitive.   P doc put me back on 150mg XL and I still have anxiety issues (and depression).  Buspar seemed to give me opposite effect,made me manic, she put me on antihistamines just made me excitable or sleepy.  She put me on Neurotin 300 mg. and my anxiety went through the roof.  I tried it for a couple of days and could not continue.  I called to tell her i want to go on SSRI s since i was on Paxil for 6 years and it helped tremendously but peetered out.  (I did tell her the weight gain and constipation was a problem and wanted something that would not have those side effects before starting Wellbutrin).  She just called me and said that my options are running low and that she thinks i am just anxious when taking a new drug!  I am very drug sensitive I told her.  she is now telling me that she is lowering the dosage of Neurotin to 100mg instead of 300mg and that it will take 2 months to get the full effect.  I wanted to tell her I CAN't wait 2 MONTHs to feel better!  She hasn't mentioned Benzos at all . At this point I don't know what to do.  I am thinking about calling my regular Dr. to ask him to give me an SSRI.  What is your opinion on this matter?  And what SSRI generic brand would work for my depression  and most of all this terrible anxiety that I feel 24/7??????? (My insurance only covers generic)  I need some kind of relief soon, this is such a dibilitating disorder...PLEASE HELP!  Oh and do you think I need a new P doc?  All I want to do is feel better!

[adnil111]

Thanks for your input, I needed to hear that.  As of now I decided to take action and wean off the Wellbutrin and drop my p doc.  I am going to another Dr. and  try Lexapro .  I hope this helps and gets me feeling less anxious all the time.  I know its trial and error and I lucked out when my dr. prescribed paxil for me and it worked like a charm for 6 years.  I didn't realize how difficult it can be to find the right med.  Thanks again for your reply!

[Paxiled]

Wellbutrin is a pure antidepressant, which means it can be very stimulating and usually isn't used if anxiety is a major issue except as an adjunct to an ssri for sexual dysfunction, and even then you have to watch for anxiety increasing.  Likewise, neurontin is a very tricky med; acting directly on GABA often increases anxiety, even for some taking GABA as a supplement.  I would get a different shrink and try another ssri, following your instincts.  Might not work, since Paxil is the strongest, but it does sound like the appropriate class of meds for what you're suffering.

[adnil111]

Thanks for your reply!  I also wanted to try an anti depressant in addition to the Wellbutrin, but she said it might be too much serotonin, funny that she worries now after trying to DOUBLE the Wellbutrin...i don't know what hes thinking because i think an SSRI would help the anxiety too, but I am going to change Drs., right now I have an appt w/ my regular Dr. to see what he says...I get anxiety just thinking about trying to figure out what to take next where it should be the drs. problem.  I would love to take nothing but don't think its possible because I hate the side effects.  Thanks again for being the only one to reply, I really needed some input to think i wasn't crazy after all.

[Sue357]

Hi.  I also suffer from GAD and depression.  I am on Klonopin 1 mg 3 times a day and it is working.  I am also on Celexa, 80 mg, wellbutrin 100 mg, lamictal 100 mg and serquel, 5o mg.  Sounds like a lot but it is finally starting to work.  I was having major anxiety attacks, especially through the holidays.  I would talk with your pdoc or find another who is willing to try benzos.  also, he had ramped up my wellbutrin and my anxiety went through the roof....