Wellbutrin instead?

[Shellslove]

Hi guys...
I'm sorry if my requests for experience w/ a/d's are getting annoying! I'm just super confused right now, and could use some insight. My dr is messing around with my meds trying to find the right one, and I'm also doing some research. It's weird, I can go to him and mention and medicine and he'll be like, hmmm? let's see? check the internet, and give it to me? wtf? like he didn't know what I should have before that? He is a p-doc who is technically my sub dr/addictionologist - he knows his stuff in the area of addiction, subs, absolutely no benzos, etc. But when it comes to a/ds I feel less confident w/him! Anyway, I'll give you my summed up story below...but replace Prozac in the story w/Wellbutrin which we've been talking about. ANyone have experience? My depression come with sleepiness round the clock and lack of motivation...which I heard Wellbutrin is great for...but what about GAD? Anyone taken Wellbutrin for depression and anxiety? Or just depression? what was your experience? thanks!


My story: (again...sorry!)

I am currently rx'ed 16 mg subutex/daily which I am beginning to taper off of as of today. Starting with cutting back 2mg; down to 14 mg for the next 3 wks to a month -- we'll see how that goes. The subutex was rx'ed after a 10 yr on/off opiate habit; with the last 2 yrs becoming a full blown physical addiction (w/several relapses after going c/t.)

I am also on 150 mg Effexor/daily...this is my first time taking an a/d and I started in March 2008 on 75mg/daily; quickly going up to 150mg. In the past I have been dx'ed w/depression and anxiety but have been reluctant to use meds. I have taken benzos in the past, which worked, but I no longer take them as I am on subutex (interactions) and also due to the abuse potential of benzos. I've also taken Lexapro (didn't seem to do much but make me sleepy) and Zoloft which I hated with a passion- increased my anxiety and I was basically a shut in for 2 mos.

The Effexor, which I've been on for a yr + doesn't seem to be doing much- (either never did or it has come to a plateau.) I told my doctor a few mos ago and he wanted to give it some time....now that time has come. His suggestions were to go up in dose, which I was reluctant to do, or to try a new med. At first he said Cymbalta - but decided it is much like Effexor and would probably effect me the same...the he decided on Prozac. I think technically a predecessor to Effexor (which is a SNRI, and I think Prozac is an SSRI) - but my dr thinks it may be the right thing for me. He feels it's trial and error.

SO I will ween down to 37.5 mg Effexor quickly and begin on the Prozac. I know we can't give medical advice here, but does anyone have experience w/Prozac? If so, how long have you been on it? Have you ever taken other a/ds? What is your experience with Prozac and has it helped you? Any negative side effects or positive outcomes? Thanks in advance for sharing! Please PM me if you're more comfortable with that!

[Freedom1990]

What else are you doing for these issues beside the meds? Therapy, 12 step meetings, anything else?

[Kallista]

I took Wellbutrin and Zoloft (separately and together) for depression and anxiety. It was very helpful for depression. It helped some for anxiety, but not as much as the Zoloft did.

Zoloft and Prozac are both SSRIs. They botheffect serotonin. Wellbutrin effects dopamine and norephinephrine.

The one good thing about Wellbutrin is that it had very little discontinuation syndrome for me.

[Thanks2HP]

Hello,

Sorry to hear of your difficulty in finding something that works for you.

I tried Prozac years ago. It didn't help me. This was around 1999 I think. I remember trying others, Effexor... but then changed jobs and insurance and struggled on until about 2004.

In 2004 I started taking Lexapro with some success but took myself off of it in the summer of 2008 because of the sexual side effects. Shouldn't have done that without talking to my doctor and sponsor first but I did. Had a reaction to is when I started taking it again because the depression came back after a month or two. My p doc put me on Zoloft which helped but again with the sexual side effects. I'm now on Welbutrin which seemed like it worked at first but with the way the economy is, my fear of losing my job and my house, my anger with myself for not managing my finances better, etc, etc, I'm not sure if anything would work for me at this particular time. So I've been soldiering through it lately. I act "as if" I was ok but I'm not. I've been praying a lot. I've been in touch with my sponsor on almost a daily basis. I guess when it comes right down to it, I'm struggling with being powerless to change anything. I can't go back in time and make better decisions. I made the best decisions I could with the information I had at the time.

I wish you well and hope you find something that gives you some relief.

[vegnchik]

Hi! As you already know-all the psych meds work differently for each individual. What works for me may not help you at all. I believe Prozac was one of the first of the SSRI meds to be introduced. Before that the first mood stabilizer was Lithium!

There are a few helpful websites you may want to look at. Try googling Askapatient.com

Good luck to you!

[LosingmyMisery]

Been taking Wellbutrin for depression and anxiety for years. I had a 2 week adjustment period where I couldn't sleep and had no appetite. That passed and I now feel great. My emotions are in balance. I don't slip into the low, lows and can still feel emotion without feeling like a zombie. Today, I notice no side effects and I'm quite pleased with the results. Like it was mentioned above, everyone is different when it comes to adjusting and tolerating meds. I'm very sensitive to medication and can't tolerate many of them. I'm such a light weight, so I feel quite lucky to find a med that suits me well. Good luck!

[historyteach]

There's a bunch of information on medications in the research link above in the stickies.
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...formation.html (Research and information)
Please take a few minutes and look at the links. And be sure to discuss anything with your doctor too. Each of us are individuals and meds will react differently as a result.

Let us know how it goes. We're here for you!

Shalom!