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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AndiCakes on July 8, 2003, at 8:07:57
I was taking Lexapro for 3 months. It was really great for me. It made me feel great. But I gained 12 pounds the last 2 months that I was on it. So I went back to my doctor and she prescribed Wellbutrin SR 150mg tab. I thought to myself, yeah I’m going to loss weight and get rid of the depression. Well this is true. But I have SEVERE HEADACHES. They get so bad that I have to leave work. I work in an office that has nothing but florescent lights. I have only been on Wellbutrin for 11 days now. My doc wanted me to up my dose to 2 a day after the first week. But I haven’t. Because the headaches are so bad. Does anyone else feel like this? Oh not to mention, the lights kill me. And sometimes when I move my head really fast to one side, it feels like my eyes haven’t caught. Sounds weird, I know. Has anyone had these problems? If so, did it get better? I haven’t even taken it today because I don’t want to feel bad.
Posted by jay beck on July 8, 2003, at 8:30:20
In reply to Wellbutrin, posted by AndiCakes on July 8, 2003, at 8:07:57
i was getting other side-effects from wellbutrin that really bothered me but i defently had an daily headache.
Posted by KRM123 on July 8, 2003, at 9:11:48
In reply to Wellbutrin, posted by AndiCakes on July 8, 2003, at 8:07:57
Andi,
I have just been on Wellbutrin 75mg twice a day for a week now. At first I noticed my appetite decrease but then I started getting really bad anxiety and yes I am very sensitive to light also. I can't go outside without sunglasses. I think I am going to discontinue the meds instead of upping the dose because I've been on 300mg before and it made me go totally insane. Good luck to you- hope the headaches go away...but if they don't within the next couple of days or next week then you might want to try something else.
Posted by Viridis on July 8, 2003, at 14:12:29
In reply to Wellbutrin, posted by AndiCakes on July 8, 2003, at 8:07:57
Funny you mention the light sensitivity -- I had the same reaction with WB, especially to fluorescent lights (maybe something to do with the rapid flickering, which you wouldn't normally notice?). I can also relate to the weird vision effects that you mentioned (eyes "not keeping up" with head movement). I didn't get headaches, but I did have a lot of other side effects, including severe anxiety and dizziness. WB seems to be one of those meds that are great for some people and awful for others.
I stuck with it for about two months and finally gave up, because the side effects just didn't go away, even at a relatively low dose (150 mg). Luckily, there are lots of other possibilities out there, so if things don't get better soon I'd suggest you talk with your doctor and try alternatives. You're bound to find something that works; it may just take some trial and error.
I recently started taking Strattera (for ADD, but it also has antidepressant properties for some). I was a bit apprehensive at first, since like WB it's a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. However, it's very different for me, and definitely helps my mood and concentration. I had some mild side effects like nausea at first, but these disappeared quickly. It also has a reputation for suppressing appetite and seems to do this to some extent for me, so it might be worth a shot if you're concerned about weight gain.
Posted by zeugma on July 8, 2003, at 20:57:38
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin » AndiCakes, posted by Viridis on July 8, 2003, at 14:12:29
I took Wellbutrin about ten years ago during a series of failed trials of drugs for depression and ADHD.
I was only on Wellbutrin for maybe two or threedays... it seemed to unhinge my perceptual and motor systems, so I was constantly dizzy, extremely light sensitive, walking into walls, and my eyes had that "hanging off my head" feeling. My pdoc at the time assured me (over a copy of the PDR she hauled out on my account) that none of these could be side effects of WEllbutrin. Unfortunately this experience was so negative that I gave up on medications for almost ten years.
I don't think it is known what WEllbutrin's mechanism of action is. At the ACNP website (4th geeneration) it is confidently asserted that WB is a dopamine/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, but the updated version (5th generation) tells us that its mechanisms are unknown. I have tolerated Strattera very well. Nortriptyline agrees with me very well too, and I think this response would generalize to other NE reuptake inhibitors (desipramine, reboxetine, etc.)
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on July 9, 2003, at 8:52:23
In reply to Wellbutrin, posted by AndiCakes on July 8, 2003, at 8:07:57
>And sometimes when I move my head really fast to one side, it feels like my eyes haven’t caught. Sounds weird, I know.
---------------How fast do you have to move your head to evoke this? Does it happen with all moving objects (when in a car, or running)?
Posted by paxvox on July 12, 2003, at 14:31:44
In reply to Wellbutrin, posted by AndiCakes on July 8, 2003, at 8:07:57
Wellbutin can have many untoward side effects at first, photophobia and headaches not least on the list. However, *MOST* side effects DO subside after a while for MOST people. I have been taking WB for almost 6 years, and have found it very helpful in treating my depression. I would urge you to stick with it for a month or so before giving up on it. You may also speak with your Dr. about using the 100mg SR tab rather than the 150mg. Interesting that you mention Lexapro, as I was considering adding it to my WB to see how that would help my anxiety issues. I lost a lot of weight (40+ lbs.) on WB, and would not want to add a med that would make me GAIN weight. Not that I was really overweight to begin with, I was in the normal parameters for my height, etc.., but I actually like the weight I am at now, and have found that I feel a lot better about my self image (especially when I see pictures of me when I was heavier). I weigh now, at 43, what I did at 17 (I am male), but I have much better muscle tone, and therefore feel "good" about myself. So, I guess I WILL add to this post, and request input from anyone who has ADDED Lexapro to a Wellbutrin treatment, and what the results were.
PAX
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