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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Simcha on July 11, 2001, at 17:32:17
Ok, I'm new to this site. I'm relatively new to medication. I've been in therapy on and off for the past ten years.
I was put on Effexor XR in February because I was having a major depressive episode. I stabilized at 150mg per day. This seemed to be the majic bullet for me. The veil lifted one morning and has never returned!
Now I've been trying to have a sexual/romantic relationship. My genitals get numb. I can't maintain an erection. If I do maintain an erection it takes forever and a day to climax. Then I am numb at climax. This is not very fulfilling sex.
I saw a new psychiatrist, I just moved to a new state a few months ago. He told me that more than likely I will need to be medicated for the long haul, possibly for the rest of my life. I suspected this since I've been mildly depressed my whole life and I've had several major depressive episodes in my short 31 years of life. Both sides of my family have long histories of depression and addiction. He says that I might be fine for about 6-8 months without meds but that probably I would need them again.
I do have some shame about this. I have some old beliefs that to get meds for life is to be weak even though my intellectual self knows that I have a chemical imbalance that is most likely genetic. My Mother is a constant source for shame. She is still discounting all of my feelings and my experiences. I need to stop sharing my recovery with her. She triggers me terribly.
He suggested that we gradually taper the Effexor XR while slowly introducing the Wellbutrin SR. Here is the suggested schedule:
Week 1: EffexorXR 75mg + WellbutrinSR 100mg daily
The Effexor is taken in the morning. The Wellbutrin is taken after lunch.Week 2: EffexorXR 37.5mg + WellbutrinSR 150mg daily
The Effexor is taken in the morning. The Wellbutrin is taken after lunch.Then he wants to see me to see how this is going before he decides on the next level of changes.
I started week one today. I've been reading so much here about Effexor withdrawal and Wellbutrin side effects. It kind of makes me a little scared. I tolerated Effexor very well. If it weren't for the nasty lack of sexual performance I'd stay with it. I hope that this change is for the better.
I never want to go down into the pit of depression again. If it means never having a fulfilling sex life I just hope that God will grant me the strength to accept it.
Does anyone have anything positive to say about changing from Effexor to Wellbutrin?
Posted by Janelle on July 11, 2001, at 18:25:04
In reply to From Effexor XR to Wellbutrin SR, posted by Simcha on July 11, 2001, at 17:32:17
First, let me say LUCKY YOU - that EffexorXR has been the magic bullet (I have yet to find mine - it was Paxil, but after many - probably too many - years on it, it no longer worked and may even have been a factor in bringing on on hypomania). I was tapered off Paxil waaaaaaaay to quickly, had HORRIBLE withdrawal as I was going onto Celexa. Celexa worked minimally, but made me more agitated and anxious. I then went off Celexa gradually with no problems as I titrated up on Effexor XR feeling worse and worse. Doc has me holding at 75 mg till next appointment.
I suspect that I have also been mildly depressed my whole ADULT life (which is a bit longer than yours!) and I've had several major depressive episodes. I have depression in my family history also.
I "share" what you described as shame about this, and I "share" what you referred to as some old beliefs that to get meds for life is to be weak even though my intellectual self knows that I have a chemical imbalance that is most likely genetic. And MY mother is a constant source for pressure. She doesn't discount my feelings and my experiences, but does not understand them and she triggers me terribly.
As for your sexual problems, from what I hear and know, it sounds like ALL the SSRI a-d's (which is what Effexor is) mess up your sexual performance (both men and women).
I have heard both positive and negative things about Wellbutrin (and everyone reacts differently), but since it's NOT an SSRI, I think you'll NOT have the sexual problems you're having with EffexorXR.
HOWEVER, one thing I hear REPEATEDLY and my pdoc has also said this, is that Wellbutrin can make the person agitated, irritable, jumpy, etc., so if you already have these symptoms as part of your depression they could get worse, or if you don't have them, they could be a side effect of Wellbutrin.
For what it's worth, the schedule you typed out sounds good - as long as you taper off Effexor GRADUALLY (you may have to be on the minimal dose - 37.5 for quite some time), you should NOT have a problem with withdrawal. Plus, you haven't been on EffexorXR all that long, which should work in your favor in tapering off.
If you find the Wellbutrin is giving you any unpleasant side effects that don't dissipate, I'd say return to Effexor and I think there are meds your doc would know of to counteract the sexual problems. GOOD LUCK!
Posted by Simcha on July 11, 2001, at 19:43:19
In reply to Re: From Effexor XR to Wellbutrin SR, posted by Janelle on July 11, 2001, at 18:25:04
Janelle,
Thanks for the support and validation. I will report how this goes in here.
I do have a history of rage. I've heard that Wellbutrin can spark that in some people. I've dealt with much of my rage issues in therapy but you never know....
I've discussed this with my psychiatrist. He says he'll monitor this as we go along.
Why does medication get so complicated? :-(
> First, let me say LUCKY YOU - that EffexorXR has been the magic bullet (I have yet to find mine - it was Paxil, but after many - probably too many - years on it, it no longer worked and may even have been a factor in bringing on on hypomania). I was tapered off Paxil waaaaaaaay to quickly, had HORRIBLE withdrawal as I was going onto Celexa. Celexa worked minimally, but made me more agitated and anxious. I then went off Celexa gradually with no problems as I titrated up on Effexor XR feeling worse and worse. Doc has me holding at 75 mg till next appointment.
>
> I suspect that I have also been mildly depressed my whole ADULT life (which is a bit longer than yours!) and I've had several major depressive episodes. I have depression in my family history also.
>
> I "share" what you described as shame about this, and I "share" what you referred to as some old beliefs that to get meds for life is to be weak even though my intellectual self knows that I have a chemical imbalance that is most likely genetic. And MY mother is a constant source for pressure. She doesn't discount my feelings and my experiences, but does not understand them and she triggers me terribly.
>
> As for your sexual problems, from what I hear and know, it sounds like ALL the SSRI a-d's (which is what Effexor is) mess up your sexual performance (both men and women).
>
> I have heard both positive and negative things about Wellbutrin (and everyone reacts differently), but since it's NOT an SSRI, I think you'll NOT have the sexual problems you're having with EffexorXR.
>
> HOWEVER, one thing I hear REPEATEDLY and my pdoc has also said this, is that Wellbutrin can make the person agitated, irritable, jumpy, etc., so if you already have these symptoms as part of your depression they could get worse, or if you don't have them, they could be a side effect of Wellbutrin.
>
> For what it's worth, the schedule you typed out sounds good - as long as you taper off Effexor GRADUALLY (you may have to be on the minimal dose - 37.5 for quite some time), you should NOT have a problem with withdrawal. Plus, you haven't been on EffexorXR all that long, which should work in your favor in tapering off.
>
> If you find the Wellbutrin is giving you any unpleasant side effects that don't dissipate, I'd say return to Effexor and I think there are meds your doc would know of to counteract the sexual problems. GOOD LUCK!
Posted by Janelle on July 11, 2001, at 20:16:56
In reply to From Effexor XR to Wellbutrin SR, posted by Simcha on July 11, 2001, at 17:32:17
Simcha, Glad I could be of some support and validation for you, and glad to hear that yoiu will report in here how things continue to go for you.
Although I have not heard of Wellbutrin sparking rage specifically, I would not be surprised if it DOES, seeing as how it is "known" for making people agitated, irritable, etc. With some people, perhaps like you who have a history of rage, Wellbutrin might spark rage, but if it does, at least you will be "familiar" with the feelings and recognize them so you could then tell your doctor and figure out if maybe a lower dose is best for you or if you should go off it period and try something else.
I wonder the same question -why does psychiatric medication have to be complicated? Why can't this stuff (both the illnesses and the meds) be clear cut?? :-(
good luck,
Janelle
Posted by Simcha on July 12, 2001, at 7:56:28
In reply to From Effexor XR to Wellbutrin SR, posted by Simcha on July 11, 2001, at 17:32:17
OK,
Today is day 2. Yesterday evening I noticed that I had some lethargy. After I took the Wellbutrin, just after lunch, I noticed that I had a hard time concentrating at work.
I hope that these symptoms are just hypochondria due to reading many posts on reducing Effexor and taking Wellbutrin. I do know from the experience of starting Effexor that some side effects are temporary and it takes weeks before you know if the med really works for you or not.
Seeing that today is only day 2, I'll be patient. I just want to keep sharing and listening because I need the support. I don't want to do this alone.
> Ok, I'm new to this site. I'm relatively new to medication. I've been in therapy on and off for the past ten years.
>
> I was put on Effexor XR in February because I was having a major depressive episode. I stabilized at 150mg per day. This seemed to be the majic bullet for me. The veil lifted one morning and has never returned!
>
> Now I've been trying to have a sexual/romantic relationship. My genitals get numb. I can't maintain an erection. If I do maintain an erection it takes forever and a day to climax. Then I am numb at climax. This is not very fulfilling sex.
>
> I saw a new psychiatrist, I just moved to a new state a few months ago. He told me that more than likely I will need to be medicated for the long haul, possibly for the rest of my life. I suspected this since I've been mildly depressed my whole life and I've had several major depressive episodes in my short 31 years of life. Both sides of my family have long histories of depression and addiction. He says that I might be fine for about 6-8 months without meds but that probably I would need them again.
>
> I do have some shame about this. I have some old beliefs that to get meds for life is to be weak even though my intellectual self knows that I have a chemical imbalance that is most likely genetic. My Mother is a constant source for shame. She is still discounting all of my feelings and my experiences. I need to stop sharing my recovery with her. She triggers me terribly.
>
> He suggested that we gradually taper the Effexor XR while slowly introducing the Wellbutrin SR. Here is the suggested schedule:
>
> Week 1: EffexorXR 75mg + WellbutrinSR 100mg daily
> The Effexor is taken in the morning. The Wellbutrin is taken after lunch.
>
> Week 2: EffexorXR 37.5mg + WellbutrinSR 150mg daily
> The Effexor is taken in the morning. The Wellbutrin is taken after lunch.
>
> Then he wants to see me to see how this is going before he decides on the next level of changes.
>
> I started week one today. I've been reading so much here about Effexor withdrawal and Wellbutrin side effects. It kind of makes me a little scared. I tolerated Effexor very well. If it weren't for the nasty lack of sexual performance I'd stay with it. I hope that this change is for the better.
>
> I never want to go down into the pit of depression again. If it means never having a fulfilling sex life I just hope that God will grant me the strength to accept it.
>
> Does anyone have anything positive to say about changing from Effexor to Wellbutrin?
Posted by Janelle on July 12, 2001, at 16:21:05
In reply to Re: From Effexor XR to Wellbutrin SR, posted by Simcha on July 12, 2001, at 7:56:28
Simcha - you're FAR from alone. At least you can WORK. I can't do that, and I feel very alone in this respect. I get the impression that many who post here are working, etc. I am in bad shape.
This is the end of the thread.
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