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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Racer on December 28, 2005, at 0:21:02
Of course, at this point there are so many variables in my life that I doubt anyone could say if the Wellbutrin is helping at all or not. Between the stress of the holidays, the short dark days, the stresses of my marriage, the messy house, Clomid, the stresses involved in trying to get pregnant, and the stress involved in changing pdocs and thinking about antidepressant options -- take your pick. One of those might be making it worse, or it might just be that yet another drug has started to conk out on me. Which would be a big problem, let me tell you. Wellbutrin is the only drug so far that was effective AND tolerable in terms of side effects.
And I hate the idea of taking something that makes me feel awful in so many other ways. But that's the depression talking, isn't it?
May I scream now?
By the way, I also just started using a light box -- could that be making this worse, while I adjust to it? Or is it supposed to help right away?
Oh, and I think the first thing I'm going to ask the new pdoc about is increasing the WB from 300mg to 450. Has anyone here had success on Wellbutrin alone? I know that I've asked that question before, but don't recall anyone actually saying, "Yes, I have," nor even, "It's helped as an adjunct, but not effective alone." I can't stand being this miserable, but every time I think about trying anything again, I get more depressed.
Hell. I know it's the depression making me negative about EVERYTHING, but I really am feeling at the end of my rope.
Thanks for reading my vent.
Posted by daisym on December 28, 2005, at 0:36:12
In reply to It's Official: I'm depressed, posted by Racer on December 28, 2005, at 0:21:02
I went on Wellbutrin last Feb and it really helped the depression. It was the anxiety it didn't touch so I had to add in cymbalta. And, as you know, it took a month for me to tolerate the combination. But it feels stablish now.
I feel sad these days but I'm sure it is the cold rain and the Holidays and too much family and...
Please don't discount the Clomid. Messing with your hormones is bound to make you feel down. Keep up your water intake, don't forget to eat ALOT of protein and don't deny yourself a piece of chocolate or two.
Posted by gardenergirl on December 28, 2005, at 4:17:34
In reply to It's Official: I'm depressed, posted by Racer on December 28, 2005, at 0:21:02
Daisy gives good advice, as always.
How are you using the light box?
--how close are you sitting?
--what time of day?
--How long?
I think I started out with 30 minutes and had headaches at first. I backed it down and went a bit slower, and that helped.
Make sure that the light is angled so that it "bathes your face", but don't look right into it. (Don't go into the light!!! ) :)
Hope you start to feel better soon, my dear friend.
gg
Posted by spriggy on December 28, 2005, at 14:21:34
In reply to Re: It's Official: I'm depressed » Racer, posted by gardenergirl on December 28, 2005, at 4:17:34
I started a lightbox about 6 weeks ago; I swear I felt a little worse at first.
I went down as well- from 30 minutes to 20 and then have gone back up to 25 and am now seeing improvement.
I think it takes a few weeks to get adjusted.
But the hormone thing is likely a part of this as well; and the winter months; and Christmas being over..
It's just a tough time for all of us how tend to suffer in this way.
I hope you feel better soon!
Posted by Laurie Beth on December 28, 2005, at 16:26:15
In reply to Re: It's Official: I'm depressed. Racer, posted by spriggy on December 28, 2005, at 14:21:34
Trying to conceive alone is stressful, especially if you're not sure it's going to happen, or if it's going to take a long time. And it actually *could* be 100% the Clomid.
I'm trying Wellbutrin by itself right now. I'm 3 weeks into the 300 mg trial. Not sure if it's helping at all yet, either; I've been very pessimistic about that (or, for that matter, about any med ever helping again - I was on Zoloft for several years between baby # 1 and baby # 2 (PPD # 1 and PPD # 2), but the Zoloft actually seemed to be making things quite a bit worse during this last PPD round, so I eventually tapered off. I'll try to remember to let you know what happens with me. I'm gonna go up to 450 mg for about 5 weeks if 300 doesn't work, then get off, with no specific plan for afterward (except maybe estrogen patch or something).
Posted by blueberry on December 28, 2005, at 17:42:16
In reply to It's Official: I'm depressed, posted by Racer on December 28, 2005, at 0:21:02
I'm so sorry you're feeling so bad Racer. Damn. I've felt that way most of 2005, and it is so painful, especially the part about not knowing where it is coming from and not knowing what the next option is.
Does clomid have depression as a possible side effect? Maybe try a lower dose of wellbutrin for a couple days instead of a higher dose? If that doesn't work, then a higher dose?
Whatever, I think you should call your doctor on the phone.
Posted by Phillipa on December 28, 2005, at 19:48:20
In reply to Re: It's Official: I'm depressed, posted by blueberry on December 28, 2005, at 17:42:16
Racer I'm sorry. It seems a lot of us are going through this now. We need to stick together. Thanks for the advise before. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Joslynn on December 30, 2005, at 11:31:23
In reply to It's Official: I'm depressed, posted by Racer on December 28, 2005, at 0:21:02
Could you put trying to get pregnant on hold for a while, until you get the depression sorted out?
Or were you not depressed until trying to get pregant, and that was what caused it?
I am just thinking it would be better for you and your family to take care of you first.
Or is there an age issue and it needs to be soon?
Good luck.
Posted by Racer on December 30, 2005, at 12:46:20
In reply to Re: It's Official: I'm depressed, posted by Joslynn on December 30, 2005, at 11:31:23
>
> Or is there an age issue and it needs to be soon?
>
> Good luck.There is an age issue. I'm plenty nine again this year, in a couple of months, and that makes me old enough the doctors want to bypass all this and just go straight to IVF. I'm gonna have a few more tests, and continue on the Clomid for another cycle or two before we commit to that, though.
Basically, though, there's no time to stop and hope to get me stabilized. And even if there was, I haven't been near stabilized with the depression in nearly three years now. If we try to wait until that happens -- especially since it would probably involve drugs which I couldn't take during pregnancy -- then my worst nightmare will come true.
Otherwise, it's not a bad idea, of course.
This is the end of the thread.
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