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Pristiq and Wellbutrin combo

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Posted 11/26/2019 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone! So here’s my story... I was on Pristiq for about 10 years and it was working quite well. I’ve also been sick with Lyme disease and coinfections which cause depression and anxiety and pain. In February my Dr decided to switch me to Cymbalta, that it might help more with pain. I wasn’t too happy to change since pristiq was still working. Cymbalta ended up causing gut problems and I ended up becoming sensitive to all grains and could only eat protein and veggies. After the summer we switched back to Pristiq 50mg. Month went by and I just was feeling terrible with lots of anxiety. Oh, also, in the past few months my hubby was diagnosed Bipolar and has been manic for over a year which has been extremely stressful. about 3 weeks ago my dose was raised to 100mg. Still not feeling any better but know it could take 4+ weeks to kick in. My Dr. added Wellbutrin 150 to help Pristiq work better.

I’m on my 2nd day of Wellbutrin and anxiety got better with 1st dose. My biggest side effect is increased pain. This is a problem bc I’m already on prescription pain meds for widespread pain and now my pain is not controlled. I’m wondering if any of you had increased pain when starting Wellbutrin and did it go away after a few weeks? I fight hard every day to control the pain and really don’t want to have pain 24 hours a day. Other than that, no major side effects, just a little nausea.
Posted 11/27/2019 9:20 AM (GMT 0)
It may be a start up side effect and or is having combo issues with pain meds. Pharmacist great info. Med combo specialists..other than shrinks.

Bugger about the cynbalta. Keep 💪. Of a stsrt up side egfect rife it out if ya can...
Within realistic limitations. HT
Posted 11/27/2019 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
I take Pristiq and Lexapro. Was thinking about Wellbutrin as the Lexapro has caused me to gain some weight. Not a lot but some.

Actually your Pristiq could take up to eight weeks to reach full potential. Be patient. I think you'll be feeling better soon. Sorry about the pain. I hope it subsides.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 11/27/2019 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
The pain is better today so hopefully it’s just a side effect the will go away soon or maybe it already has. Took 2 doses so far and it’s crazy how quickly it’s helping me! Had some trouble getting to sleep last night. I know that sleep can be a side effect but hopefully with time it will get better.

Getting by... last time I went on Pristiq it started helping within a week. Full effect took 4-6 weeks though. It was frustrating that I wasn’t feeling any effect and was just feeling horrible. Wellbutrin might be good for you to try. But if your combo is working for you, I don’t know if I would switch. You might want to wait till it’s not working as well and it’s time for an adjustment. I just found that the two times I stopped a medication when it was working and then went back to that med, it didn’t work when I went back to it. Just something to keep in mind in case Wellbutrin doesn’t work out and you want to go back to lexapro.
Posted 11/27/2019 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Inspiredby3,

I am so glad that the pain is better for you. I am glad that the meds are helping. I took Wellbutrin twice before. The second time was a high dose and I couldn't tolerate it at a high dose. So as long as I don't gain anymore weight I will stay on the Lexapro with the Pristiq. I like the Lexapro just not the weight gain. But it started acting quickly too. That always gives us hope.

I hope you have a good day and a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 11/28/2019 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Karen,

Yeah, the weight gain from these meds really stinks. So hard to lose it too when you have medical conditions that make it hard to exercise. I started losing weight the past couple months. All I changed was my diet. Because Cymbalta messed up my stomach and I can’t eat grains, I just eat protein and veggies. Since potatoes are a veggie, I can have mashed potatoes and things like that. Just cutting out the grains, the weight just keeps coming off! If I want to munch at night, I have some fruit or raw veggies (carrot sticks or veggie platter). Occasionally I’ll have some desert... but overall try to stay away from sweets bc of Lyme. Love chocolate covered cherries! They have health benefits and satisfy my sweet tooth. You might want to try cutting out grains too and see if you get some weight loss as well. It’s is nice when an antidepressant kicks in quickly. My anxiety was through the roof and didn’t think I could take another day.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving as well!

Hugs - Marta
Posted 11/28/2019 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Marta,

I like your name... My grandmother's name was Martha... Similar...

I lost 40 pounds in the last year due to diabetes. I gained five back because of the Lexapro. I can live with that if I don't gain anymore. I have a pretty strict diet with not many carbs. When I stick to it. But with Thanksgiving here today, I will probably eat more than I normally would. Not a lot of sweets but you know. I usually walk daily but I am in Michigan and the weather hasn't allowed much.

Chocolate covered cherries are my favorite. Liquid centers. I love them. Haven't had one in ages though.

I hope you have a lovely day today. Thanks for posting back.

Hugs, Karen...
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