Hi everyone... I am so glad that this forum is here and that I can post my feelings on depression.

That being said... I have suffered from depression off and on for the past 4 years. In the beginning, I had it REALLY bad. My therapist treated me with high doses of Serzone and Wellbutrin. During that treatment I lost 60 pounds and became happy again . I was then weaned off my meds with no problems. Fast forward 4 years.... My lifestyle is completely changed. I now have a 14 month old, a 9-5, and a car (formula for laziness). I have not been able to lose the weight from my pregnancy. My doctor, after doing labs to rule out a thyroid problem, has diagnosed me with severe depression. I have been taking Wellbutrin since April but he wants to either up my dosage or put me on something else. I am hesitant to take Serzone again because of the sedative effect.

So here is my question to those on Wellbutrin: If you are taking it as a combo with something else, what is the combination? Has it helped or hurt your weight loss?

thanks in advance

I take wellbutrin and it is for depression but the combination of meds is for Bipolar so I don't think that will help you.

Thank you
Candice

Hi There --

I am on Wellbutrin and Lexapro and it is the best thing for me -- it's really working well. Best, there is no weight gain involved. I'd been on Paxil before, and I do think it was interfering with my loss. The Lexapro does a good job with my depression without affecting weight loss!
Lexapro is very new, so you might have to ask your Dr. about it --

Cheers --

HI,
I am familiar with Wellbutrum and Lexapro. I have heard they are great together and work well for most. Both should not cause weight gain and this would allow the brain to be hit on both ends with the two differnet medication and should be great for depression. I know Wellbutrum does wonder for those trying to quit smoking. You should talk with your Doctor.

Hello,

I first started Welbutrin about 5 years ago, and I was thrilled with the weight loss and energy. But, true to my nature, I began to play with the dose, to increase what I felt were the positive effects.

When that wasn't enough anymore, I went to the Dr., and asked for something different. He put me on Effexor. I started smoking again, as soon as I went off the Welbutrin, so I asked the Dr if I could go on both. He said fine.

So, then I was taking Effexor, Welbutrin, AND smoking.

I went off all the meds, so that I could detox, (boy did I have night sweats), because I had gained all the weight back, and then I thought, after I had cleaned up, if I went back on the meds I 'd lose weight again.


Crazy crazy thinking. The meds just don't work for me anymore. I went off everything again, and I started Atkins on December 20. I'm taking vitamens, and I feel great. After getting through the nightsweating detox again, and then detoxing flour and sugar... I don't want any of that in my body.

Anyway, that a little part of my story.

Jane

Hi,
I am glad to know you are doing well and have found what works for your body. It was a big step to detox from all medication and trust your gut, you are a winner, and continue to take care of yourself and listen to your body.
Nalah

Thanks Nailah!

I needed to hear that today.

Jane

Sorry to hear of your problems. I've been taking Wellbutrin for over 10 years. I take 150 mg three times a day. I started out at one a day, then a few years later went up to 2 a day and now it's 3 a day. It's been a miracle drug for me.

A few times I've tried to wean myself off it to see if I would be alright without it, but the depression comes on like a sinking fog around me and I end right back taking 3 a day. I dislike taking psychotropic drugs, but sometimes we just have to in order to have any kind of quality of life...and sometimes just to survive.

I hope the best for you.

Hi,

OOPS! Don't know what happened with the last post.

My husband suffers from bi-polar and depression. He is on wellbutrin (3/day), and has been on Zyprexa AND Effexor since July. I don't think it really helps him. He has gained at least 25 pounds since he started. All he does is sleep or watch TV, and has very little interest in anything else. He already wasn't the most motivated person in the whole world, and I think it is worse now.

I have mentioned this to his doctor, and they only up his meds. They say that the symptoms I describe are depression. I fear it is too many meds.

-Beth

Umm, yeah . . . that sounds right.

Look, I'm certainly no medical doctor, but your husband's condition does not sound good. When you say you are talking to his doctor, are you talking about his psychiatrist or his primary care physician? I ask because it is important that he see a specialist. His PCP might be a great doctor and a nice guy etc., but he does not have the expertise necessary to treat what appears to be a serious condition.

I get this all thge time in my online arthritis community; people have this serious arthritis and are seeing their regular doctor and not a rheumatologist -- no wonder they are not getting the care they need!

So if he =is= seeing his regular physician see if you can get him to a psychiatrist. And make sure it is a psychiatrist and not a psychologist. Nothing wrong with the latter; I have seen both types of doctors and they both have their place in a good mental health regime. But the difference is that a psychiatrist is also a medical doctor, while a psychiatrist has essentially a PhD in mental health. Both degrees are impressive, but the medical doctor knows the most about medicine and can prescibe your husband what he needs -- and not what he doesn't need!

Good luck, and feel free to write me --

Raharris - Thanks for responding. I appreciate your support. I should have been more specific. DH is seeing (and has been seeing for at least 5 years) a psychiatrist.

Hi Elizabeth,
I'm also bi-polar so I understand what your husband is going through. I also gained 30 pounds 2-3 years back because of a severe depression and combo of meds. I had zippo motivation but then again it's never been real high. It could be your husband is over medicated as you have suggested. I was too at one time and was not even aware of it but my husband was. It seemed like the doctor kept on upping my meds and/or changing them to find the right combo. Finally this summer I found a good combo and so far I am still pretty stable. Still have ups and downs but not as severe or as long lasting as they use to be.

I now take neurotin, effexor, celexa, seroquel (low dose of seroquel which is in the same class of zyprexa) and occasionally ambien. At one time they had me on 300-350mg of seroquel which made me like a zombie. Now only take 25mg at night to help me sleep. It could be his dosage of zyprexa is too high. Please talk to his doctor again and ask him all the questions you need too. When I was at my sickest, my husband really helped by talking to the doctor about his doubts with the medications etc. He got pretty aggressive while I sat there and cried. Boy was I a basket case!

Anyway, my point is don't give up, your husband and the right doctor will find the right combination of meds. Unfortunatley it takes time but is well worth it.

You must be pretty special because I know how mental illness effects the entire family, especially the spouse. I am so glad my husband didn't give up on me and so is he!

Nancy,



Thank you so much for posting your response. It gives me comfort to know that others are going through similar circumstances, although I am sorry that you too, have to endure this difficult problem.

You are correct about this being difficult for the whole family. It is. So very difficult. Many times I wonder if I can continue - If I even should continue, because it takes it's toll on all of us, and there are two small children involved here.

Your post yesterday came at a time when I needed a little encouragement, and I thank you sincerely.

Good luck to you, and take good care of yourself.

-Beth

I just started on wellbutrin but Im also on Depakote and phenobarb.I have anxiety and epilepsy and depression.Im also going thru menopause .I've gained so much weight it's not funny .the Docter told me it's cause of the menopause.is this true and what can I do ?and how many of the people here had good luck with wellbutrin?I was on prozac for awhile but that didn't help me .my Docter told me it might make me lose weight .HA.I hate being so fat its so depressing