Wellbutrin crash... but not poopout

[redbamboo]

OK.  So I don't get the activating effect from the big WB, but about five hours after I take it... kapow.  That it, I've gotta take a nap.  Anybody else have this issue?  The nurse had never heard of it happening... but I know that doesn't mean a thing.

[revlow]

I can't tell you about WB specifically. I gave it a thorough trial; no anti-depressant effect, just a BIG fat headache that never went away.

But, as you know, these drugs are funny. Prozac...well, now...it put me to sleep! Yeah, like how often do you hear that?! (Still no anti-depressant effect, but I'll stop my lengthy saga here.)

[ScatterBrain_UK]

I did at first, but thankfully it went away. Norepinephrine can sometimes do that - some people start out by taking it in the evenings at first.

[Velvet Elvis]

By no means is it always the case, but I think individuals with ADD are more likely to have paradoxical reactions to meds that are normally stimulating.  You might want to look over a list of ADD symptoms and see it might be part of your problem.

[null0trooper]

OK.  So I don't get the activating effect from the big WB, but about five hours after I take it... kapow.  That it, I've gotta take a nap.  Anybody else have this issue?  The nurse had never heard of it happening... but I know that doesn't mean a thing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep. Happened to me.

Splitting the XL dosing minimized it, but the only way I could take WB in the morning without getting

keyboard imprints on my forehead by midmorning was with a stimulant and a stiff cup of coffee.

And yes, I do have ADD.

Now if you've a problem with insomnia, it *might* be just as well to shift to evening dosing - if you're

still able to get the benefits from the Wellbutrin through the remainder of the day.

[redbamboo]

I've said for eons that I've got alot of the symptoms for ADD... and I've also explained this to different pdocs.  They then inform me that if I can sit through movies (as I'm wont to do... I'm a movie fanatic) then I don't have it.

Thoughts on this?  I'm not well versed on ADD at all.  But lord knows I'm certainly not adHd, because I'm not hyper.  Not only am I not hyper, I'm generally exhausted and/or sedated.

Yippee.

So I've been on WB for... uh... well, months now.  And the sleepytime effect seems to be getting worse, but I've also got to assume that the season change may be contributing (because I freaking hate winter... oh yeah I do).

I've got new appointments lined up and I'm giving my old practitioners the boot.  While there are times that I appreciate being the boss in my medication, a thoughtful "Umhummm... you're probably right," is not, imho, a suitable session. 

Bejesus I've got a headache.  Damned trileptal. *sighs and goes to Wal-Mart for soap*

[revlow]

redbamboo:

Have your docs ruled out BPII? I have a lot of ADD symptoms myself. Was considered to have "refractory depression" up until recently (well actually, 1st doc to mention it as a possibility was in 1991, but then that was it). Been on almost every AD there is (since I'm 50, and I started taking meds at 18, that's a lot of 'em). Very treatment-resistant. However, I'm now titrating up on Lamictal (only at 137.5 now), and for the last couple of weeks have felt a real improvement. Looking back on it, I'm sure I was BPII all along -- really fit the profile.

And if you haven't already, I'd suggest going to: Mood swings without "manic" episodes: Bipolar II - more than plain depression, but never delusional or psychotic -- really good resource on BPII. Lots of solid info.

Good luck!

[null0trooper]

I've said for eons that I've got alot of the symptoms for ADD... and I've also explained this to different pdocs.  They then inform me that if I can sit through movies (as I'm wont to do... I'm a movie

fanatic) then I don't have it.Thoughts on this?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah. It's BS. One of the characteristic quirks of ADD/ADHD is "hyperfocus" - if it's providing the

right stimulus for you, you can do it/take it in for hours on end.

Your favorite thing is movies. Do you have any concept of time passing while watching one or

three? Do you notice anything or anyone else - or are you wrapped up in your own little world?

Have you noticed that you can be totally exhausted, but a Clint Eastwood marathon (for example)

can still keep you wide awake until 3AM?

I'm not well versed on ADD at all.  But lord knows I'm certainly not adHd, because I'm not hyper.  Not only am I not hyper, I'm generally exhausted and/or sedated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There's one style of ADD like that. There's also several styles of depression like that.

On the ADD side, Dr. Amen has written some well-recommended  books on the subject.

As to BPII: I think revlow is getting at the fact that BP/AD(H)D can be difficult to differentially

  diagnose - the symptoms overlap.  The treatments don't, unless you have both

(maybe not even then). It cannot hurt to be sure that biploar isn't an issue - unless

stimulant-induced mania is the way you find out. 

Yippee. So I've been on WB for... uh... well, months now.  And the sleepytime effect seems to be getting worse, but I've also got to assume that the season change may be contributing (because I freaking hate winter... oh yeah I do).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Of course, other meds could make you tired in spite of the WB. I'm sure SAD would increase the

tiredness as well.

As noted on the CrazyMeds site, there's a risk of NA depletion with drugs that are supposed  to

inhibit reuptake. Maybe supplementng with phenylalanine or tyrosine might help, or just increasing

your overall protein intake?

[revlow]

As to BPII: I think revlow is getting at the fact that BP/AD(H)D can be difficult to differentially

[redbamboo]

Hmmm... All very good information. I've got an intake appointment tomorrow morning so we'll see how that goes. 

(BTW, I've been diagnosed as schizo, borderline, bipolar.  Another diagnosis wouldn't surprise me a bit.  heh.)

[redbamboo]

Oh my dear sweet for the love of pete this is absolutely intolerable!

So I did my intake yesterday.  I went through all of my current issues, all of my previous issues, all of my issues with the future, etc. 

This was, btw, the first time that I've done an intake when I wasn't in the utter pits of despair.  I was quite even-tempered.  I think I've just gotten to the point where doing these interviews doesn't shake me up as much, and the whole situation, although it drives me to the verge of tears from time to time, has become a source of fascination.  It's like watching my own reality TV show.  Except I can't vote myself off.

Here's the low-down on my NEW diagnosis.  Diagnosises.  Diagnosi. 

PTSD.  And ADD.

We're clearing out the trileptal (thank goodness) and now adding buspar to the mix for my constant anxiety.  That's our first step, and we'll continue to discuss options as we go along.

The pdoc was very interested in my reaction to Wellbutrin, and I do think that had an impact on how she viewed my symptoms.  I dunno.

So there we have it.

[Bianca]

Glad the appointment went some what well.  Keep us updated on how the buspar reacts.  What else are you taking?  Did you stop the WB?

[redbamboo]

I'll still be taking Wellbutrin, or at least will be taking it through finals.