PROZAC WITH WELLBURTRIN

I have written many times about my battle with anxiety/depression starting about 2 yrs ago. My husband had open heart surgery; you may remember me.  I tried many SSRI etc with bad side effects, then went back on Prozac bacause I was having so much trouble with other drugs. (took 9 yrs. told I had poop out.)I started with liq. przc. Oct 24, 03 go to 20 Nov.19 I am still having side effects and it has been 6 weeks+. 7 hours to peak then I cry then it eases up. I have had a couple of set backs as well due to life issues but was working hard to overcome.  Still on Ativan 1/2 mg. at bedtime; I am still only sleeping 4 hours it is awfyl; but with the setbacks had to take 1/4 doses during the day one or two times.  I cut back my Prozac to about 14mg. for two weeks and was feeling better; had motivation, appitite again after months of none etc. then on day 12 I started crashing. Went back on 20mg. say my Therapist Psychiatrist - he wants me to start adding Wellbutrin.  He also said my Prozac side effects probably would not go away.  I forgot to ask if the wellbutrin would get rid of them.  I am, again, terrified to try something new again.  Why did I feel better and then crash?  He wants me to try Seroquil for sleep as well. He also suggested I take the Prozac at night.  I feel overwhelmed and confused and very scared; I have counceling appt. set for March, earliest they had. In the mean time I don't know where to go from here. If the Prozac is still giving me side effects, is it even working.  I don't feel normal having these supressed feelings all day then colapes into tears every day with a short reprieve in the evening.  This is not what I experienced the last time I took it.  I am 60, and I am sure Menopause has changed things; but I need help! Maybe I should not take anything.  I hate taking the Lorazepam; but I get anxious. I don't reach for it all the time because I don't want to depend on it; however since the crash after dropping the dose and trying to go back up I am more anxious. How long will it take for the 20 to kick back in?  One Psychiatrist tells me a couple of weeks or less the other says 4/6 weeks.  How can they have such different opinions.  One also tells me to take Loraz. 1/4 every 4/6 hours that the quality of my life is important and I shouldn't let myself feel miserable until the anxiety caused by the sudden drop in Prozac subsides.  Won't I become resistant to the Loraz.  Please answer all my questions I would really appreciate your take on this. I got a glimps of my old self last week now I am in a deep depression and feel helpless and fear I will never recover from all of this.  What caused this to happen?  I am devistated and want my life back.  Again, Please try to address all of my issues so I have some direction.  Sincere thanks  Pat

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Pat, the best advice I can give you is not about which medication to take, but to reenforce your thought that maybe you should not take anything, except perhaps a few doses of xanax when the anxiety spikes.  The reason is this.  Your ups and downs are probably not because of the medication level, or type of medications. It is because of your own mind processes, and dealing with the problems in life and the aftermath effects of your husbands surgery, and the tear in your illusion of safety.

The medications in situations like this can make it worse..trying to juggle, wait for the magic to occur, and also the clouding of your mind that comes with medication.

I just got a patient off of all her medicatioins, and she is so happy to have her mind back..that might be what is right for you.