[FJRPC]

Seems many here have moved back and forth between mixes of meds. I looked and didn't see my particular swap mentioned.

300mg Welbutrin (generic) + 20mg Paxil (generic) daily right now. New PCP says to wean off the W, then wean off the P, then begin the L.

I have to say that in my experience, the P has helped me more thatn the W. I still have the same general feelings that I had before taking it, but the P seems to have taken the edge off my anxiety.

I've read a lot about weight gain with L. I really don't want that. I've had no real change with the other meds, except what I've controlled via impulse and portion control.

Some have said that W has positive sexual side effects. I must have missed those. Any reports on sexuality and the Lexapro?

[shrimp1957]

Originally Posted by FJRPC

Seems many here have moved back and forth between mixes of meds. I looked and didn't see my particular swap mentioned.

300mg Welbutrin (generic) + 20mg Paxil (generic) daily right now. New PCP says to wean off the W, then wean off the P, then begin the L.

I have to say that in my experience, the P has helped me more thatn the W. I still have the same general feelings that I had before taking it, but the P seems to have taken the edge off my anxiety.

I've read a lot about weight gain with L. I really don't want that. I've had no real change with the other meds, except what I've controlled via impulse and portion control.

Some have said that W has positive sexual side effects. I must have missed those. Any reports on sexuality and the Lexapro?

I've been on all 3 and am currently on Lexapro. Welbutrin did nothing for me, Paxil Cr I gained weight with, but it helped my depression and my anxiety attacks, Lexapro has helped both, as well, but without the weight gain. Have not noticed any difference on sexualtity with any of them. However, I may not be one to answer that as my husband was disabled and quite ill for 7 years and just passed away. I was on all 3 before and during that time.

I do think Paxil CR (it's time released) is better than regular Paxil & even Lexapro, but you have to decide which will be worse....feeling good and weighing more or feeling ok. I am not sure my Lexapro is at the right dose now due to multiple dealths in a 2 month period and unemployment....

Just food for thought.

[anxietygirl]

my doctor added welbutrin to the lexapro and this is the third day on wellbutrin and i feel like i am on speed, a mild speed. I don't see how this is a good idea to give to someone who is having anxiety. Did you feel wired while taking wellbutrin?

[FJRPC]

Originally Posted by anxietygirl

my doctor added welbutrin to the lexapro and this is the third day on wellbutrin and i feel like i am on speed, a mild speed. I don't see how this is a good idea to give to someone who is having anxiety. Did you feel wired while taking wellbutrin?

I think I did feel a little peppier when I first started, but it evened out after a while.

[sunrise]

FJRPC, what is the reason for changing your meds? Were they not working? What symptoms were they not controlling? Did they cause undesirable side effects?

Paxil and Lexapro are both SSRIs. Both also are supposed to help with anxiety (not all SSRIs do). Paxil is notorious for promoting weight gain. Could that be why your doc is switching you to Lexapro? Have you gained weight on Paxil? Some people also gain weight on Lexapro, but it is not supposed to be as bad as Paxil in that regard. My H was on Lexapro and didn't gain any, but he is a regular exerciser and eats healthful foods.

Wellbutrin works on a different neurotransmitter--dopamine. If you need more dopamine, then it can help. If you need more serotonin, then the SSRIs are the ones for you. I need dopamine so I take Wellbutrin. It is also often given to people who feel too tired (or have sexual dysfunction) while on an SSRI. Maybe fatigue is why your doc gave it to you in addition to Paxil.

Although you do need to do a gradual wean off the Paxil, coming off Wellbutrin does not cause the same problems. Take it down in a step or two over a week or two and you should be fine. Sounds like your doc has a plan. Paxil can be a lot harder to come off, but perhaps if your doc starts you on Lexapro while weaning off of Paxil, you won't have difficulty.

Good luck.

[FJRPC]

::UPDATE::

WOW! I don't know what else to say.

Kicking the Wellbutirn was pretty easy. Stayed on the Paxil while decreasing dosage of Wellbutirn over 15 days. Felt better with 100mg wellbutrin and the 20mg paxil. Had that speedy feeling that gets all the chores done

After stopping the wellbutrin, time to cut the paxil, and what a f'd up deal! I feel worse than I ever did on any recreational drugs I ever took, and far worse than before any meds at all. Dizzy, confused, hearing little sounds in my head...this SUCKS!

So I called the pdoc and she said go ahead and start the celexa (couldn't afford the lexapro). First one today, so will need to hang tight a while and see what happens, but I can tell you that I feel like I can barely walk, much less drive a car. Took our new dog for a walk yesterday and in a moment of vertigo, stepped wrong and tweaked my ankle some.

F this. I hate that there's some chemical in my brain keeping me from doing common tasks.

I'll give the celexa a week or so to spool up, but my focus is going to be to get out from under the thumb of this alchemy. It can't be good, it just can't.

I'm sitting here typing this and the keys on the laptop are swimming occasionally as I look back and forth. If I look up out the window...whoa!..."please hold on to the bar..."

I have $hit to do! I can't be debilitated like this! I'm supposed to be positive and looking for work, and I can't even run the fcuking vacuum!

SUNRISE, no weight gain to complain about, just a feeling like I was swallowing all this stuff and felt just as morose as I did before taking any of it. No motivation, no interest in anything, no positive feelings of any kind...There was some significant weight gain pretty quickly when the wellbutrin stopped and I was just on paxil, so I'm glad to be kicking that stuff. Who knows what the celexa will do.

So pdoc says she has a different view about what I should be taking. We'll see...but as of now, I feel worse (physically) than I ever have...EVER.

Going back for a second T visit once I can leave the house without falling down, and I want root cause analysis to fix whatever's wrong. I want to be chem free, dammit!

[madisgram]

sometimes when meds are changed or adjusted there is a slump affect. perhaps that's what's going on with you right now.i have taken celexa and i am now on lexapro for bpd. they both have improved my sense of well being and no wieght gain. hope you find the answers you need.

[sunrise]

Thanks for the update, FJRPC. I sure hope you feel better soon. Many experience what you are feeling when they come off of SSRIs. Apparently, it should get better.

I'll give the celexa a week or so to spool up, but my focus is going to be to get out from under the thumb of this alchemy. It can't be good, it just can't.

If you really want to take the celexa (it seems you are also saying you want to be med-free), I don't think 1 week is long enough for it to be up to full strength in your system. And your initial dose is probably low also. May take several weeks.

For what it's worth, I've heard that it is generally harder to stop Paxil than Celexa, but everyone is different.

I can't be debilitated like this! I'm supposed to be positive and looking for work, and I can't even run the fcuking vacuum!

Wellbutrin might help with that. Since it wasn't hard for you to come off of (common experience), it might help to add it back. You can always stop easily later. I know you want to get off of the drugs completely, so it's just a suggestion....

So pdoc says she has a different view about what I should be taking.

Different than what or who? Than what she is putting you on, the Celexa? Than what you think you should be on/off? I hope she shares her plan with you so she can take your input into account.

Good luck and hang in there.