Depression out of control - worsened by Welbutrin SR

Conky · 03-06-2003, 12:03 AM

I don't quite know where to start but to say that I feel like I have lost complete control of my emotions. I had been on Effexor XR for ~1 year and felt like I had reached a plateau. I talked with one of the Pediatric Neurologists I work with and "we" decided to wean me off the Effexor (take 1 every other day for a week) and start on Wellbutrin (we chose Welbutrin b/c I also need to lose ~50lbs and I need all the help I can get). So I started on Welbutrin on Saturday 2/28 and my nightmare began. I have been a total b-tch to everybody, massive mood swings, nausea, constipation, and complete loss of control over my emotions!! I went to work this morning at the office and I couldn't even take care of the patients without tearing up. One of the other doctors asked me if I was ok and I feel completely apart, I mean I was completely unable to gain my composure. This made me feel like sh-t. I'm a wreck- one of the other nurses I work with gave me a half a Xanax b/c I couldn't calm down and quit crying. Keep in mind this is also going along with extreme nausea, constipation and profuse sweating at times. I went to a new Internal Medicine doctor this afternoon (recommended by the other docs I work with who all have "pediatric specialities"). My wonderful and loving DH took me b/c I couldn't drive and I poured my heart out to her and she actually listened to me and my complex hx that goes along with PCOS. Obviousally, I'm stopping the Wellbutrin and she started me on "Lexapro" which I will start tomorrow am. I'm really upset with myself b/c I can't control my emotions. I've been very difficult to live with (my dh denies it) but I know I have been. I hope and pray that this new med will help. I just wanted to share my story with everybody and let them know how I'm trying to help myself. I'm getting labwork done and I have a follow up appt in 3 weeks. It's like therapy for me typing this and reading other peoples stories that let me know I'm not the only one with anxiety and depression from PCOS. Thank you for reading this.
~Connie~

Bonbon77 · 03-06-2003, 03:08 AM

I'm so sorry that you are having such a hard time with your meds right now. Its not easy to have all of this going on. It's okay to lose control of your emotions sometimes your only human it happens to all of us at one point or another. Don't beat yourself up over it. Easier said than done I know! I wish you the best of luck with your new meds and I hope you are feeling better soon. Keep us posted!

Lendi · 03-06-2003, 11:17 PM

I'm so sorry you had such a bad reaction the the wellbutrin. I had heard of others that had that as well. Seems to either work really well or really not. I'm glad you were with others who could help you. Do be so hard on yourself about your emotions. Sometimes our bodies just act up and we can't control everything. It sounds as though your DH loves you a lot and understands you. Give yourself a chance to level out. I'm glad you found an understanding Dr. Hope she figures lots out for you! Good luck with the lexapro. Hugs, Lendi

CTCyster · 03-07-2003, 02:16 PM

Conky,

I can remember when I was first diagnosed with Major depression/panic- my doctor told me that sometimes it takes a lot of trial and error with different meds, different combos, different dosages, etc. I'm sorry the Wellbutrin was not the right med for you- but don't give up hope. The Lexapro could be just what you need.

Hope things are looking up for you soon, Conky- (((((HUGS)))))!

*Aimee*

Conky · 03-07-2003, 03:24 PM

Thanks to all for the kind thoughts and well wishes. I am doing some better and I feel like I'm nearing the right track. It's nice to know that I'm not alone and there are people who understand what I'm going through.
Thank you,
Connie

Lendi · 03-07-2003, 08:24 PM

I'm glad to hear you are starting to perk up a little. Like Aimee said, it can take awhile to get just the right med and dose figured out. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Hugs, Lendi

santa'sbaby · 03-07-2003, 10:59 PM

I know the feeling, I have changed meds so often that I was going to be running out of options. However the Effexor XR is working for me now, for how long? no one knows.

Everyones chemistry is different. You will find the right pill. It just takes time.

Hang In There!

April

Pattyannruss · 03-09-2003, 03:23 PM

It really is a hard time right now.
But it can get better.

I noticed I was having anxiety problems. They put me on Wellbuterin and that is when it got real weird for me. I couldn't handle it.
I stopped taking it with in 2 weeks. The next visit to the dR I told her about about it and we just by passed it.

My story is someone complicated. I don't have what I would call full time depression/anxiety. I have PMDD(premenstal disforic disorder) The really BAD form of PMS.

I suffered through each month. For over a year while I talked to the dr I kept telling her I can't take antidepressents 24/7.
They make me mean. I kept telling her I needed something that I could take onle with I had an attack.

So finally last fall, through all my other medical issues I was having an axiety attack(didn't know at the time) My mom gave me a Xanax(she had offered several times before this, but I declined)
It worked great. So I went back to my DR.
Told her about it. She wanted me to try Sarafen first.(prozac base) Well low and behold I started itching with in 3 hrs of taking it.
Then she puts me on Lexapro, I had bad nightmares and severe muscle pain with in 24 hrs of it!

So I went back and asked her if there is a reason I should not have the Xanax. She seemed like she was stumbling, I said I want to try it.
So I figured how much I needed.Which for me my anxiety was triggered by my "mondays" at work. So I asked for 2 pills four times a month to see how I did. That has been 6 months and I'm doing fine. I still have an RX from Nov. Because I have been doing better. Now the only real problem is when AF is getting ready to head in. 3 weeks agao I threw a roast back at a freaked customer(True witch, mean to all the checkers)

So I took one and did fine from there.

I'm sorry, I have rambled on and on.

What I'm try to say is if a med is not working right, you don't have to keep taking it.(Don't go cold turkey)
Contact the dr and discuss a new med.

2 Months ago when I got the Xanax, she disclosed that they have found Welbuterin actually causes anxiety in the majority of the people. Yet that is what they gave out for anxiety??, not anymore from what she said.

Let me know how you do on the Lexapro.
I heard it does good for some.(just not me

)

Patty

cdjain · 03-12-2003, 04:09 PM

I was only recently diagnosed. But I have been on antidepressents for 3 years. I was unaware that my chemical inbalance could be caused by this syndrom. Thank you for the information. Now that I know maybe I can understand why I have had a problem with my emotions for many year. Thank you for all the wonderful information.

Conky · 03-19-2003, 08:27 PM

Thanks to all of you for your kind words and thoughts. I've been doing so much better, it's like night and day. I feel good and I have energy. I've been working a lot and the Lexapro is apparently doing wonders. My DH said "I think your back to your old self". I think that sums it up. Thanks to everybody....

Connie