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2004/04/14, 06:34 PM
Has anyone had experience with this antidepressant? I just got prescribed it and I'm scared i'll gain weight because half my problem is dealing with weight.
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2004/04/14, 08:04 PM
not to make you feel bad, but i've done quite a bit of research on antidepressents (however, not Wellbutrin directly) and from what i have gathered is they are not that effective from the get go. they CAN work, i'm not saying they can't, but they are not that successful. often times people will couple it with therapy to reduce relapse because antidepressants as a whole have about a 90% relapse rate. so no, i don't know a whole lot on Wellbutrin..i do know that if you couple it with therapy you will limit your need for it (reducing any possible weight gain) and most likely eventually lose any need for it. my father was on antidepressants. while it helped his mood temporarily, he became depressed again right after he got off it. then after he finally went to a therapist he has not been depressed (or as depressed) since.
as for possible weight gain, it could occur. it seems to be pretty common from what i have seen. but its nothing good consistant exercise and a clean diet can't remedy.
hope that helps at least in some minor way.
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Get your weight up, kid
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2004/04/14, 10:44 PM
kpolov, Wellbutrin is an antidepressant of the aminoketone class and normally does not cause weight gain, in fact, many report loosing weight while taking it.
jsom85, antidepressants only act on the brain chemistry for as long as you take them.....not change it. I'm a little confused with your post...are you saying that 90% who "stop" taking them go back into depression? I could see that but I don't see 90% unable to achieve a better quality of life if they are correctly prescribed and taken.
Anyway, you make a good point about the therapy...the two together will achieve better results than just the meds.
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2004/04/14, 10:55 PM
dfly is correct. One of the side effects of Wellbutrin can be weight loss.
There is a relatively high relapse rate when antidepressants are stopped, however, this has been clincally demonstrated to be caused by stopping the drug too soon or because of an inappropriate low dose.
You can find out more by going to wellbutrin-xl.com
Depression is not something you want to mess with. The meds take some time to work, but it's worth doing with a positive outlook. You can and will feel better, it's just a matter of proper brain chemical balance.
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Anni
Never pet a burning dog.
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2004/04/14, 10:59 PM
yes, most antidepressants have a 90% relapse (meaning after ending the usage of the medication, their symptoms resurface) rate. i'm sure Wellbutrin is not much different. although, this should not stop someone from taking them for improving the quality of life. it just is not the end-all-end-all to someone's depression. rather a temporary (should they stop taking them) relief to their depression. thats where the therapy comes in to make this better quality of life last without medication.
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Get your weight up, kid
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2004/04/14, 11:04 PM
good point anni, many people take antidepressants and feel better the next day when in fact they take weeks to take full effect and give any true results. i don't think i could ever tell anyone to not take antidepressants or any other psychotheraputic drug for that matter. i just would also ALWAYS reccomend therapy. because meds alone arn't the answers. neurochemical imbalances do get aided by meds, but are not the cause of depression rather the result of depression. mental illness can truly take a toll on the body.
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Get your weight up, kid
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2004/04/14, 11:28 PM
I have been on several antidepressants...zyban was the first, then zoloft, and then lastly Lexapro. I tried welbutrin as a stop smoking tool but that didn't work for me. It made me feel lethargic and just not myself. That was also before i was diagnosed with depression with anxiety disorder. when i quit all of the anti-depressants especially the soloft i had major withdrawel symptoms such as dizziness and nausea. Be careful if you ever run out of the medication you might get some of those withdrawel symptoms. I am turning to excercise and eating right to control the depression as well as other health issues i am fearful of.
Catherine
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The only stupid question is the one left unasked.
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2004/04/15, 09:30 AM
I had traumatic deppression. Brought on by a serious road accident and brain injury. I strongly believe the best elavation to your mental state is exercise and diet... I love heavy interval training on the bikes as it makes me smile. Coupled with stress busting exercises like setting a worry hour, a proper relaxation time, realistic things to achieve list, decision making, change how I speak to positive,accept what I cant change, change what I can, forward plan my year... I'm pill free now for a year. But everyday I still practise my old 'therapy' to keep myself on top!
A pill may work, but you can't sit back and expect miracles. You have to find a path that works for you and accept the silly breathing exercises and stuff the psychiatrist tells you about. Neither pill or exercise is a cure, but when you have a go, you must do and not try!
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2004/04/15, 12:25 PM
I agree with neiltiley - there are studies that show that proper diet and regular exercise do more towards alleviating depression than most prescription drugs. BUT - if you are very depressed you are unlikely to do either. Start with therapy and meds, if necessary, and start a regular exercise program, walking counts. Try to eat small meals every 3 hours to stabilize blood sugar levels and eat clean, unprocessed foods 9less chemicals to mess with your system and less sugar to mess with your blood sugar).
Include fatty fish and healthy oils from nuts and seeds in your diet, they have also been shown to help alleviate depression.
There are a ton of books out there on techniques to combat depression - the one I am currently reading is good - "lift Your Mood Now' by John D. Preston, PSYD, it is very easy to understand and gives good techniques and explains different traetments, etc. Look at the library or online for similar books.
Good luck!
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If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
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2004/04/16, 12:40 AM
Good post ASIMMER...People who are depressed are usually not motivated enough to go and exercise right away. Start with therapy and meds THEN go to exercising. Anti-depressants ARE very effective when taken properly. Don't go to a website that is sponsored by a drug company such as Wellbutrin.com or whatever, because those are just propaganda from the drug companies. Your best source would be a guidebook for MEDICATIONS published by the AMA(American Medical Association) or the APA(American Pyschiatric Association). These are reliable sources of study that have more than enough proof that these meds ALONG WITH THERAPY can be very effective to combat depression. Exercise and healthy eating are also key to MAINTAINING a better state of mind, but you must first break through that depression plateau to the point where you are motivated enough to follow an exercise regimen. SOme people may have had bad experiences with Meds for whatever reason, they may not respond as well to certain meds or they didn't take them correctly. Whatever the reason, they are a small minority.
To answer the original question of weight gain and Wellbutrin XL, there may be some weight gain due to increase in appetite, but there could be some weight loss due to loss of appetite. The point is, different people respond in different ways to these meds. Don't expect to take the Wellbutrin and feel better immediately. Taking the med alone won't do much in the way of DEALING with the depression. It will help the chemical imbalance caused by depression, but the rest needs to be addressed in talk therapy.
As for NEILTILLY'S comment, its a whole different story when a head injury is involved. It is organic(physical), then it may become chemical and sometimes untreatable. I don't know your case, so I can't say it is untreatable for you. But I do know that depression from a head injury has to be dealt with differently than general depression.
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2004/04/16, 07:28 AM
kpolov, it looks like we've provided just enough information to add to the confusion. The fact is that, as far as I know, none of has a masters degree in psychology and so we aren't qualified to do more than tell you our own experiences with anti-depressants. You can't base your decision on whether or not to take the Wellbutrin on our unqualified opinions or the chance that you may gain or lose weight. If you do start to gain weight on the Wellbutrin, tell your doctor so he/she can change your meds, there are lots of other good ones available.
Talk to your doctor about your concerns regarding the medication, do some research on the internet including the wellbutrin website. It's not propaganda. There is good information there for both patients and physicians. Also check out the book that asimmer recommended, she's pretty smart.
A good diet along with exercise is going help you feel better, and that's something we can guarantee. Your brain isn't separate from your body, if you make one feel better you make the other feel better. The Wellbutrin is designed to help to give you the emotional well-being and energy to do those things.
Be patient and be kind to yourself. Acknowledging that there is a problem and seeking help to deal with it is often the most difficult part of the process, and you've already done it!
I'm not trying to offend any one, I'm just very concerned that we are going beyond what we should be doing here.
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Anni
Never pet a burning dog.
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2004/04/16, 08:17 AM
Thanks Anni313. I'm pretty new to FT so feel a bit nervous about voicing a negative opinion, but this thread was worrying me. My husband has on/off depression problems and is under a Doctor's care - one of his meds is Wellbutrin, that's what made me start reading. He is much happier when he is watching his diet and exercising, but sometimes the depression simply won't "let him". Depression is definately not something for the un-qualified to advise on and anit-depressant drugs are not something one can self-administer or alter doseage. Some can cause serious problems if stopped to suddenly also.
Only advice I would give someone with concerns about mes - is "Talk to your doctor"
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2004/04/16, 08:46 AM
Actually Jdelts is qualified to discuss this....as are a few others....it is good to be wary of advice on this topic though. I have fought depression many years now. I would first take the Doctors advice. Take the meds, then let your self get caught up and on a even keel. After that you can look for other things to help. I do not take meds anymore and have not for 10 years..but that is me lifting and my family take care of my depression. Good luck!:big_smile:
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LIFT HEAVY! BECOME STRONG, LIKE BULL!
7707mutt@freetrainers.com
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2004/04/16, 10:31 AM
I was on prozac for a long time - depression due to post-traumatic stress disorder. I have been off meds for at least two years. I still have the occasional down day (but those are normal) and I have learned to change the way I think and perceieve things.
I do think that Doctors get kickbacks from drug companies and that you should get therapy and find out why you are depressed. many things we do in our lives cause changes in chemical reactions in our brains and can lead to depression. negative thought patterns mushroom and add to that. You can alter your brain chemistry with a healthier lifestyle - poor nutrition, lack of exercise and fatigue from poor sleep habits, stres - these things all change your hormones and the chemicals in your body.
If you fail to address lifestyle issues and rely on medications to treat the symptoms and not the cause, you really aren't going forward.
Talk to your doctor, but take it with a grain of salt and get yourself as much information as you can on cognitive therapy . We ahve a sliding fee therapist - and most places have some way to get you help if you can't afford it.
Doctors and drug companies will tell you that meds are the most effective - they profit from it. Again, studies show that exercise and lifestyle changes are more effective.
I will find you the sources for that info if you would like.
I am not saying stop meication abruptly, but don't rely on it forever. There is a better way.
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If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
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2004/04/16, 04:40 PM
ANNI313....I DO have a masters and then some, along with licensure in the United States. I actually wanted to clear up the confusion. I'll be happy to post my license number along with the credentials. I would NEVER give out false information and I'm very confident in the material I presented. I understand your concern and I'm not trying to come off like an a-hole towards you.:)
ASIMMER- I like your point on how people can "rely" on these meds and nothing else. This is where the reliability of these meds can get skewed. Drug companies throw out their propaganda to the public and people don't go for therapy because they rely too heavily on the med. Exercise and healthy eating are the way to go...ALONG with a good support system such as a therapist or family and friends who will listen. APA and the AMA agree as well, about exercise and healthy eating. Unfortunatelty we live in a fast-food society and not many people are motivated or are misinformed about these benefits. I wish it were as cut and dry as saying "exercise and eat right, and you'll feel better". I have stressed this to my clients, but only a handful have motivated themselves to do such.
MUTT...thanks for gettin' my back ol' buddy.
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2004/04/16, 05:50 PM
jdelts I'm so sorry, I thought your masters was in social work, not psychology. As you know, these are completely different specialties and so I'm sure you can understand my confusion. I apologize for my error. I think that's a great idea that when you are acting in a capacity in which you are invoking your license that you should use your credentials after your name. That way people who read your posts know that they are getting the advice of someone who is qualified to treat them for an illness like depression.
I absolutely did NOT state that you or anyone else was giving false information. What I said was that I think the thread goes beyond nutrition and fitness information.
Once again, I apologize for my error regarding the credentials of anyone who posted to this thread.
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Anni
Never pet a burning dog.
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2004/04/17, 08:51 AM
We love you , anni!:) You are right, this post does reach beyond the scope of exercise and fitness, actually I think most people's struggles with weight and reluctance to eat right/exercise consistently reach beyond exercise and fitness. The problems people have are never a simple one-solution case. There are multiple facets to all problems - social, personal, background, attitudes, we all live in a state of flux and imbalance. i am just saying control what you can - what you eat and how you treat your body. I think that eating a healthy diet and exercising carries over into all aspects of your life. Unfortunately, I cannot reach into the psyches of every person and heal the things that create their current state. I can only encourage what I know will help and be as supportive as possible.
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If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
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2004/04/18, 03:27 PM
I have one as well in Social Work....actually, more therapists are MSW's/CSW's and have more extensive training than psychologists in therapy. They are taught more eclectic approaches that can be more effective than a more narrow approach psychologists take. I'm trained in both but I rely heavily on my traing in social work. In New York, social workers can range from someone who make 20g's a year handing out welfare checks to 100g's as a psychotherapist. Its the CSW's(certified social workers) who are the clinicians. Unfortunately we are given the same label as all social workers thus our prestige and training is taken for granted.:( Just wanted to clear that up. Now back to nutrition and exercise!:)
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Quoting from anni313:
jdelts I'm so sorry, I thought your masters was in social work, not psychology. As you know, these are completely different specialties and so I'm sure you can understand my confusion. I apologize for my error. I think that's a great idea that when you are acting in a capacity in which you are invoking your license that you should use your credentials after your name. That way people who read your posts know that they are getting the advice of someone who is qualified to treat them for an illness like depression.
I absolutely did NOT state that you or anyone else was giving false information. What I said was that I think the thread goes beyond nutrition and fitness information.
Once again, I apologize for my error regarding the credentials of anyone who posted to this thread.
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AUGUST 14th...NEW YORK, NEW YORK...MUSCLEMANIA ATLANTIC STATES...I WILL BE VICTORIOUS.
LETS GO METS!!!
Jdelts@freetrainers.com
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2004/04/18, 05:19 PM
jdelts, do you have a masters in psychology as well? or a BA in psychology then a MSW/CSW as well?
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Get your weight up, kid
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2004/04/18, 09:56 PM
I am the MASTER!:laugh: What a waste of a degree!
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AUGUST 14th...NEW YORK, NEW YORK...MUSCLEMANIA ATLANTIC STATES...I WILL BE VICTORIOUS.
LETS GO METS!!!
Jdelts@freetrainers.com
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2004/04/19, 12:34 AM
i'm not getting it.......:(
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Get your weight up, kid
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2004/04/19, 01:53 PM
Yes.
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2004/04/22, 04:58 PM
I've been taking the Wellbutrin SR for 3 years now and think it is the best thing that ever happened to me. I wish I had had an understanding doc years ago that would have seen my problem. I too was reluctant to take something that would make me gain weight as me weight was part of the problem. And so many cause libido problems, which was not one of my problems. This med has not interferred with either one. I cant imagine my life without it now....I was a miserable person before. I do, of course stick to a nutrition/exercise plan along with the meds. My son recently went on it also and is also a much more balanced young man. It has really helped with his 'short fuse' also. I am no doc, just relating my experience with the drug as a very positive one. We are all different, but I would say try it for a while and be aware of any changes you think it might cause. I will say I had to take it for 3 months before I was sure that I was feeling better and that it wasnt just coincidence. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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~Victoria~
...Do not be discouraged; everyone who got where he is, started where he was.--anon
...There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.--Beverly Sills
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2004/04/28, 10:36 AM
I have been on Welbutrin SR before. Now, I'm on the XL. I can say it has done myself more good than I can tell you. I tried Prozac, but had every side effect you could imagine. I switched to Welbutrin and feel better than I ever have. I guess my brain is wired differently from most people, but I was a depressed kid from as far back as I can remember. The last straw came when I mapped out my own suicide and had written the notes to my family and friends. I won't say what caused me to change my mind, but something did...and I got the help I needed, including medication. Now, with the meds and an exercise and diet program, I do keep the depression at bay. When my doctor told me that weight loss was a possible side effect of Wellbutrin, I couldn't have him sign that prescription fast enough! :big_smile: It's a long road you have to stay with at all times. I can't promise I won't ever be depressed again, but my hope is it will be within what is considered normal. Please remember, not every anti-depressant will work for everyone. If you feel no difference after a decent period of time (mine took a little over two weeks), call your doctor and let them know. Let us know how it goes.
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