Anyone here on Welbutrin???

[moosmom]

Thanks Brody's Mum. You're SO right! I refused Prozac (he wanted me to go on that and then suggested Welbutrin when I said no).

The agency is confident I'll find something soon. I still have my BB&B job and they'll up my hours IF I don't find something soon. I've also been putting out my resume and watching Careerbuilder.com.

[Catty1]

I was on Paxil. Changed to Wellbutrin. I came to call it Hellbutrin.

I would take one, and within an hour, go through instant menopause - crying jag, shaky legs, hot flash and SWEAT.

(I switched because I thought Paxil was decreasing my sex drive; I found a new boyfriend BORING. Guess what? He WAS boring!!!! )

Each SSRI affects different receptors in the brain. I don't know why they wouldn't just increase the Paxil for you either.

I am now on Cipralex 20mg, a new cousin to Paxil, and feel fine!

I also learned that Wellbutrin is also that other drug Zyban that is often prescribed to help people stop smoking. No WONDER so many people stop taking it.

I stuck it out as I knew side effects could go on for 2 weeks...but they never got better. So I took myself off. Plus I was going thru Paxil withdrawl - I was told there would be a "transition". Yeah, like crossing an exploding bridge transition!

Best advice I ever got - from a dentist decades ago - he told me: "I am the expert - you are the boss."

Wise words...no one knows your body like you do, hon. Contact a local mental health centre if you want some backup...and talk to a nurse if you can, at your doctor's. They are often more tuned in than drs are.

It will get better hon!

hugs hugs hugs
Catty1

[moosmom]

Thanks Catty1. I've gone through Paxil withdrawal too a couple of times from either running out of the meds or forgetting to take them. It's awful!

I've called a couple of agencies to find a good therapist that does a "sliding scale" fee. Before I left for Michigan, I had this WONDERFUL therapist that I truly adored. I kept in contact with her while I was in Michigan just as a friend. If only she were closer and I could afford her fee. She helped me tremendously.

I really wish I didn't have to be on any meds at all. But I know that I have to be, just like a diabetic on insulin. For some reasons my gene pool needed filtering and I inherited the "crappy" stuff filtered out.

Each SSRI affects different receptors in the brain. I don't know why they wouldn't just increase the Paxil for you either.

That's why I said I believe the doctors and pharmaceutical companies are in cahoots because I've repeatedly asked to be upped to 40 mgs and they kept saying they don't make it anymore. Well, they do because I called the pharmaceutical company. Which really makes me mistrust some doctors, including the one I'm going to.

I've signed up for Partnership for Prescription Assistance, so hopefully the $97/month for Paxil will cost less if nothing through the program. I've heard wonderful things about it.

Thanks Catty1! You and all the fantastic people here are one of the reasons why I love this place so much!!

[dogzr#1]

My mom was on Paxil and Welbutrin, but they didn't help with her anxiety at all. I don't remember the side effects she would have, but I know she would feel terrible. She tried to get off of Welbutrin but her withdrawal was worse than the actual side effects. So her doctor changed her to Effexor 75mg( that's what it says on the bottle) and she feels fine!

[caseysmom]

My daughter has a friend who found her brother, he hung himself. He was on a drug for depression. I know he was having problems also but it made me wonder if the drug caused it. I am glad your kitties and David made you decide against it, that would definetely not solve anything for you, life is precious even thought I know its really hard sometimes.

I am glad you are doing better.

[JenBKR]

Oh how scary! What I hate about doctors (and drug companies) is that they never tell you the whole story. Most drugs for depression (SSRIs) don't necessarily work forever, your body will start to build up an immunity to it. You can either take a higher dose of the drug you're on, try a different drug, or try a combination of drugs. The problem is that docs don't tell you that your body may have this effect, so when this happens to someone, they start to get depressed again. Not only that, they start to think that they will never really get better, because they think that even medication can't help them. That's where the sucicidal thoughts can come in (not to mention that every drug does not work ideally for every person, and it sounds like Wellbutrin was not a good fit for you).

On a side note, I noticed that you put david's picture there with your cats, which made me smile. I know how much he cares about you, so when you get depressed try to think about him. Hey, have you guys ever actually met?

Donna, if you ever need to talk just PM me, I have been through depression myself and so has my mom, so I do understand what you are going through. ((((hugs))))

[catnapper]

Oh Donna ((((HUGS))))

I am so sorry that you're in such a low place right now. I wish I could be there to hug you in person and help you. I am praying the results of the MRI come back with good news, and not news of a tumor. If it is a tumor, please let pray its benign and operable~!

I have no experience with either drug, but YES the doctors are in cohoots with the drug companies. My doctor admitted it -- he said the more you prescribe of their drug, the more free samples and stuff they give. He said he mostly prescribes so he gets free samples to give to people like you and me. He has given me several months' worth of free samples because of this practice. I guess it evens out - help those that need it and make those that have good benefits pay more

[moosmom]

JenBKR,

One of the reasons I'm switching doctors is because THIS particular practice wouldn't up it to 40 mgs and complete the PPA paperwork unless I came into see him (I was just there a few weeks prior - nothing had changed since then). I felt that all this jerk wanted to do was bill an office visit. They refused to send in my paperwork (they still have it as a matter of face) to PPA. A friend of mine who is an accupuncturist, said I should report the practice to the Medical Board. I'm seriously thinking about it.

David and I talk on the phone daily, although we've never met. He's a wonderful friend who has given me his shoulder MANY times to cry on, even if it is over the phone.

I was on effexor prior to paxil. THAT stuff is NASTY!!!!!! We'll see what happens on Saturday. Thanks for being there for me. You're such a great friend and I appreciate your help. At least I'm over this particular meltdown.

HUGS

Donna

[JenBKR]

JenBKR,

One of the reasons I'm switching doctors is because THIS particular practice wouldn't up it to 40 mgs and complete the PPA paperwork unless I came into see him (I was just there a few weeks prior - nothing had changed since then). I felt that all this jerk wanted to do was bill an office visit. They refused to send in my paperwork (they still have it as a matter of face) to PPA. A friend of mine who is an accupuncturist, said I should report the practice to the Medical Board. I'm seriously thinking about it.

That's ridiculous! I think you are exactly right, they just wanted to bill you the office visit. I sure hope you can find a better doctor! Kim brought up a good point, can your doctor give you samples of your medication? My sister's on Effexor and has no insurance, and our doctor gives her samples all the time because she can't afford it otherwise. If this doctor doesn't, maybe your next doc can.

[davidpizzica]

Oh how scary! What I hate about doctors (and drug companies) is that they never tell you the whole story. Most drugs for depression (SSRIs) don't necessarily work forever, your body will start to build up an immunity to it. You can either take a higher dose of the drug you're on, try a different drug, or try a combination of drugs. The problem is that docs don't tell you that your body may have this effect, so when this happens to someone, they start to get depressed again. Not only that, they start to think that they will never really get better, because they think that even medication can't help them. That's where the sucicidal thoughts can come in (not to mention that every drug does not work ideally for every person, and it sounds like Wellbutrin was not a good fit for you).

On a side note, I noticed that you put david's picture there with your cats, which made me smile. I know how much he cares about you, so when you get depressed try to think about him. Hey, have you guys ever actually met?

Donna, if you ever need to talk just PM me, I have been through depression myself and so has my mom, so I do understand what you are going through. ((((hugs))))

Not yet, Jen, but when I talk to her on the phome she seems to brighten up. I ALWAYS want to be there for her!

[JenBKR]

Not yet, Jen, but when I talk to her on the phome she seems to brighten up. I ALWAYS want to be there for her!

Alright, you two are just too cute, I think you need to meet up!!

[trayi52]

Donna, I was on Webutrin for a while. Made me want to drive my car into a telephone pole. I will never be able to take that stuff again. It really gave me quite a scare. I am now on Celexa, and Cymbalta. Quite a few other meds to go with it too. These are the main ones though. Topomax is another, Abilify too.

Hope you get to feeling better, Donna.

Willie

[ashleycat]

Hey yall. I'm currently going nuts here. I've had the hardest past few days myself. I've taken those things when I was younger. But not for very long at all.

Ask your doc about Lexapro. My hubby is a pharmacist and he says it should be better.

Hugs... I know I need help right now too. Unfortunetly I don't get to see the counselor till Wed when hubby can watch human baby.

[moosmom]

I'm going to ask my Dr. about Lexapro. I've been on Paxil for a long time and I really think that I've built up an immunity to it. I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks everybody. You guys are the BEST!!!!

[Edwina's Secretary]

I took Zyban to quit smoking. I only took it for four weeks because of the side-effects....sleeplessness in my case, but it was VERY effective for my smoking. Haven't had a cigarette since (over five years.)

Here in California a doctor will lose his/her license to practice medicine if they prescribe anti-depressants or sleeping pills without an office visit with the patient.

You may be cussing the wrong party!