My doctor changed my meds...

[Banned]

I saw my doctor today and was hoping she'd increase my Wellbutrin to 300mgs / day. Instead, she left me on 150 and introduced Effexor as well. She thinks my dysthymia is "morphing" into a more severe depressive disorder, which dysthymia is known to do I guess.

Is anyone else taking both simulataneously? Have you had any problems? I guess it's quite common she said, except most people start on Effexor and add Wellbutrin, not the other way around.

I'm scared to death of introducing a new med. I go back in two weeks. Part of me is hoping it won't do anything or it will have side effects so I can just go on a higher dose of Wellbutrin, which I'm used to and don't mind being on. But, she said she thinks I need an SSRI as well.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

I think you're doctor probably knows what she's doing.

Increasing the Wellbutrin might induce agitation. Also, Wellbutrin primarily seems to affect dopamine, as I understand it, whereas adding in the Effexor will have a greater impact on serotonin and norepinephrine - with the two medications together, you're sort of covering all the bases. And Wellbutrin tends to counteract the side-effects some people get from the SSRIs.

 

[Halo]

HI BG,

I just thought that I would let you know that I was one of those people that was on Effexor for quite some time and then added in Wellbutrin. For me, I did not notice much difference when I added in the Wellbutrin but then again I have trouble noticing much difference with many of the medications. FYI - I did not have many side effects while on Effexor until I got to a high dose and then I noticed a few.

I agree with Dr. B. that your doctor probably knows what she/he is doing and the only thing that we can do is trust them and give them honest feedback on how we are feeling.

Good luck and I hope the new meds work.
Talk to you soon.
Nancy

 

[Banned]

Thanks guys.

I have no doubt that my doctor knows what she's doing; I'm just afraid of trying something new, especially since my regular therapist is leaving this Saturday til September. My doctor wants to see me regularly over the summer and especially while I'm transitioning to the Effexor, so hopefully it will go ok. I'm just scared. And besides, this means I'm getting worse, not better.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

It doesn't mean you're getting worse, BG. It simply means that the doctor feels the Wellbutrin is not doing what you want it to do. That happens quite frequently with this type of medication. It's difficult to predict how any individual will respond - what works oerfectly for one person doesn't work very well for another - so it's often a matter of some trial and error.

 

[Banned]

I have to go back tomorrow - I was up all night vomiting from this medication. I'm no doctor but that can't be a good thing Anyway, I'll see how things go tomorrow I guess. I guess this is where the trial and error comes in, right Dr. B?!

 

[Cat Dancer]

Ugh. I really hope you can get all that straightened out. That definitely doesn't sound like a good thing.

 

[Peanut]

BG, I hope you start feeling better. I can remember being so sick from trying different medications--and it always seemed like it got especially bad at night. It sounds like you have really positive attitude about it though and at least you see your doctor tomorrow. Hopefully he/she can do something to help alleviate the nausea.
Good luck tomorrow (and tonight)!

 

[Halo]

Hi BG,

I am really sorry that your new medication is not working for you and making you physically sick. I can relate as when I increased the Effexor to 112.5 from 75 mg that is when I got sick. I would have to keep jumping off the bus because I was getting sick from the motion. We finally realized that I could not tolerate a higher dose of the meds and we decreased it back to 75 mg. Things were better after that...no more sickness. Maybe this is a side effect...I don't know.

I hope that your doctor's appointment goes well today and let me know how it turns out.

Take Care
Nancy

 

[jkb]

I Hope You Are Feeling Better. Thoughts Are With You.

 

[Banned]

Thanks everyone.

She took me off the Effexor all together and said pretty much any SSRI would have the same effect on me. Combined with some other problems I have, it just isn't worth making my body miserable. Instead she upped my Wellbutrin to 2x daily because I have a good history with it and seem to respond to it quite well. I go back in about three weeks for a follow-up.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Good luck, BG.

 

[Halo]

I am glad for you BG that you were able to figure it out and stop the Effexor and increase the Wellbutrin. Good for you. Let us know how it turns out after the increase in Well.

Nancy