Posted by Simus on March 18, 2004, at 16:12:56
In reply to wellbutrin??, posted by want info on March 18, 2004, at 15:05:47
> why are people who seem to be doing well wanting to ask about adding wellbutrin? that makes me nervous...isn't just lex enough for anyone? EM
I think the people that are considering asking for Wellbutrin are those not completely satisfied with the result of their SSRI. "Doing well" is a relative term. When I was, say, 90-95% of my old self, I was somewhat satisfied, and probably wouldn't have made a medicine change. But if I considered myself 80% or less than my old self, even though I was functional and considered myself "doing well" compared to a previous vegetative state, it would be worth it to me to seek additional help.
I will try to explain the medications to the best of my understanding - which you have to understand is limited. Lexapro is a SSRI. It targets the brain chemical serotonin. Wellbutrin is in a different class of antidepressants. It targets two completely different brain chemicals, dopamine and norepinephrine. That is why some people need either a SSRI (Lexapro), some need Wellbutrin, and some need a combination of the two. It depends on what brain chemical deficit is responsible for their depression. Sorry for the layman's answer. There are others on the site who are far better at explaining drugs than I am.
poster:Simus
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040313/msgs/325748.html