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Posted 6/4/2009 11:11 AM (GMT -5)
Hi Everyone,

I have chronic pain and my doctor wanted me to try cymbalta. It turns out that I'm not covered. So, it wrote a prescription for Wellbutrin. I am not normally a depressed person but right now my husband and I are having so many problems and can't see much light. He has tremendous faith and I do my best but am scared.

I read the reviews on it and it's half and half. Has anyone here had experience with it?

Some side effects sound terrible and the thought as well as the thought of getting off them.

Some people love them and some people not. I know it's an individual thing. But if it gave me some help, I'd be grateful. We've been going on 4 years of nothing but bad things happening to us.

I am scared but thought to give it a try. My husband is totally against them and have been resisting them all along, but just maybe they'll help.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thank you. Now, I'll ask the Chronic Pain board. Every board here has been helpful.

 

Posted 6/4/2009 11:33 AM (GMT -5)
Hi Denim,

Often antidepressants do help with pain. I liked wellbutrin when I took it, but when I went to a higher dose, I couldn't sleep at night. And it made everything taste funny. But that doesn't mean that will happen to you. I think, like you said, everybody is different and we all have different side effects.

I really hope that the wellbutrin will work for you. It sounds like you could use some relief. I have chronic pain too due to fibromyalgia, I take effexor, but also take vicodin for pain. well, norco, which is like strong vicodin. It is so hard when you have pain all of the time. It takes over our lives. But I try to ignore it as much as possible, and I have gotten use to it I guess.

Best wishes to you, keep posting as I am sure others will have advice for you. Try to keep moving as much as possible so that your pain doesn't become debilitating. I wish you the best.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/4/2009 12:17 PM (GMT -5)
Hello Denim,

I used to take welburtin, and it helped me. there was no side-effects. it also helped me to stop smoking for a while. this has been reported by many people. if you smoke and wish to stop it will probably help you in that regard too. I hope it will help you, good luck to you.
Posted 6/4/2009 4:24 PM (GMT -5)

Thank you both for taking the time to read my post and replying.

Akram, was it easy to get off and no side effects?? wow.

I keep hearing insomnia and other things, actually mixed.

I stopped smoking a long time ago. But it's only recently do I feel this down, but I have major issues, there are very good reasons for it. Depression is not my personality but 4 years of CP and a sick husband and son in the Navy, etc., not able to work or collect has caught up to me.

Actually, since I am not covered for cymbalta, I thought he's give effexor, but I read good things also about Wellbutrin--I'm just very afraid to take it.

I'll give it more thought. Thank you so much.

Blessings.

Posted 6/4/2009 4:38 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Denim, Yes it was very easy to get off welburtin I didn't feel anything unusual. I don't remember why I stoped or if the doctor asked me to stop, I think I saw a difirent doctor who switched me on other medicine probably. if the doctor is suggesting it, I see no harm with trying it, good luck whatever you decide!
Posted 6/4/2009 4:40 PM (GMT -5)
Denim

Hello and welcome.  I have used both meds.  I used Cymbalta for over a year and Wellbutrin I tried but I think it did not work for me because I was on other meds at the time and I got over medicated. I was on Cymbalta and tried switching to Wellbutrin.

What about one of the Trycyclic AD's as they are prescribed for pain too.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are an old class of antidepressive drugs, much older than Prozac and other SSRIs.  They are still  used in the treatment of chronic pain, sleep disorders and some other conditions.  Your insurance should cover this drug.  This is just FYI for you.  I would encourage you to at least give something a try.

However this is an individual decision so please gather all your info and make your choice.

Again a warm welcome.

Kitt



 

Posted 6/5/2009 11:55 AM (GMT -5)

Thanks for your replies. I know I have to do something.

Trying new medications, is always hard, but I never tried an anti depressant and read the reviews. Some great, some not.

But I know I have reached my limit in feeling bad, but am scared. I'll let you know, thanks again. 

Posted 6/5/2009 12:47 PM (GMT -5)
Denim,

Hope you are feeling okay today. You've got to be a little choosy about how much research you do on medications, especially on the internet. Stick to very reputable websites, otherwise you'll scare yourself silly. There are so many success stories and just as many not-so-great stories because not every med works for every body. There are so many AD's that if one doesn't work for you another might. Don't be frightened. Try one, see how you do. If it isn't the one for you, there are many others to try.

I hope you have a better day. You can always come here to talk !

serafena
Posted 6/5/2009 1:27 PM (GMT -5)

Thank you Serafena--that is a beautiful name!

I know. I went to Web MD. But the board that had all this talk about the ultram was coming from someone's journal. That scared me silly. And what scared me was how so many people treated this person like a queen and if you disagreed, you got kicked off, like I did.

How she got this info, I don't know. But she banned me from her journanal b/c I disagreed with her and I still don't know how much was true. But I know the moderators are nothing like the ones here.

I was attacked on that site and I know that would never be allowed here. That's why I appreciate this site and the people and moderators. The moderators do a wonderful job and I've met many already.

Thanks for responding to me. I know I can come here and get some attention and even when someone may not know the answer, having someone care enough to write you, is a wonderful thing.

Thank you and bless you.

Posted 6/5/2009 5:46 PM (GMT -5)
Hey Denim,

I was afraid of the AD's too so do not beat yourself up over your fear.  You will do what you feel is right.

I use Valium for anxiety and I know the pros and cons of using benzos but it is always a personal decision so I do not defend myself but do the best I can.

I am sorry for the bad experience you had on another board. I have been in that spot and it was during one of the most vulnerable times in my life.  I was actually the head moderator.............joke was on me as the co-adminstrator of the group was not a nice person and lied.  I was banned because of her and later learned the owner of the site banned this co-administrator when the truth came out but I chose not to go back to that site.

I have never felt alone or judged unfairly here.  The members are warm and caring and the Mods are a great team to work with.

Stick with us !

Kitt

Posted 6/5/2009 9:55 PM (GMT -5)
HI Kitt, I hope you know that I think you, all the moderators and people are the best here. I think I say that everytime I come b/c in the world today, I have found such harshness and when you meet up with truely kind people that are suffering also, it touches my heart so much.

I'm sorry but what are AD's? That's new to me.

I am feeling a bit hyper and I know I am prone to it and hate to feel uneasy.

I use valium too. I really don't care what anyone has to say about that. I've had trouble sleeping for a good part of my life and it saved me when I had spasms 2xs recently.

I always knew this board was special. When I got unfairly attacked about some minor thing, my first thought was, this would NEVER happen here.

I need you guys. I hate pills and hate feeling anxious, and honestly want to run already but if it helps, I will do my best to stick with it.

My cousin, who used to complain as if it was a contest of who felt the worst is now saying how great she feels doing natural remedies, so of course, I'm thinking I wish I could say that and then wondering how bad was she. It's almost like a guilt for taking drugs, stemming from way back.

But anyway, you are the best and let me know what that means.

Thanks.

Blessings to u.

Posted 6/6/2009 9:50 PM (GMT -5)
Denim,
I did not have much luck with Wellbutrin combined with my pain meds. However, it is very rare to have problems with them. I think as long as your pain specialist & whoever is prescribing your anti-depressants (AD's) both know that what you are on, you should be fine. There are black box warnings put out by the FDA about combining anti-depressants & pain meds. The FDA states that Ultram seems to be especially problematic. But as I said, it is almost unheard of to have any kind of really serious problems. You might have some side effects, but that will probably be the case with most meds & it is always a personal choice which side effects are tolerable & which are not.

I will say that, based on my personal experience, that you shouldn't worry too much. Even if you develop Serotonin Syndrome (the rare, life threatening side effect occasionally caused by combining certain AD's & pain meds), stopping the Wellbutrin will resolve the issues. I was on Wellbutrin for 3 months & was pulled off cold turkey when I developed heart rate & blood pressure issues, stopped sleeping & was demonstrating what my neurologist described as "manic-like" behavior. All of the problems went away within a couple days of stopping the med & there was no long term problem. I do think it's important for people to be aware that such problems can develop, but purely from a knowledge standpoint. People know that peanut butter can cause severe allergic reactions that can kill certain individuals, but that doesn't mean that everyone should go around worrying about peanut butter. It is a great food that has a lot of nutritional value for not much money. I think AD's can be the same way with regards to severe side effects. There is some risk, especially when combined with pain meds, but it is far more rare even than peanut allergies. We can't worry about everything. If the Wellbutrin helps you, that's great! If it has unpleasant side effects, talk to your doctor about trying something else. If you are the 1 in one million people who has a severe reaction, call your doctor, it can be very easily treated.

If you have any questions, please do let me know. I want to wish you the best with your treatment.

feel better,
frances
Posted 6/7/2009 5:23 AM (GMT -5)

Thanks for taking the time to write and read my post but I am not on ultram. I was but it's been a few months. I always read the interactions. Or am I misunderstanding you?

Thanks again.

Posted 6/7/2009 8:29 PM (GMT -5)
ADs are Anti-depressants. Sorry to get too jargony to early. :-)
Posted 6/8/2009 12:01 PM (GMT -5)

Thanks everyone. I am not scared as I was before I tried it. I haven't had any real problems with it. I would like it to work. I wasn't afraid of Serotonin Syndrome--that's why I wrote if you thought I was taking Ultram, which in the past was told and read not to mix the 2--and then the pharmacist said that very rarely was there a problem. 

It's all very tiresome. I read a lot of good things about it--but it was the doctor that chose it for me. I haven't been on it long, so I need to give it more time, I suppose.

But thanks everyone for your concern for me.

Posted 6/9/2009 1:34 PM (GMT -5)

Hi Denim,

I used to take Wellbutrium, and it helped me a great deal with my depression--but I had to stop taking it due to the severe headaches it caused.  It also gave me an energy "boost" which I found helpful, and it didn't have the sexual side effects that other antidepressants have.

Luckily, I no longer have a need for antidepressants---which obviously is good since I still take xanax, oxycodone, and blood pressure meds.  I hope you're able to find the right medications. 

Yankee girl

Posted 6/9/2009 3:05 PM (GMT -5)

Hi Yankee Girl!--I take it that you're a Yankee, me too, or a Yankee fan? Either way is good.

Well, thank you for telling me of your good experiences with it. I resisted taking it for so long but the problems were and still are piled sky high plus the pain.

Oxycodone is Percocet, isn't it? If so, I wish I could take it. I was getting so sick when I would come down from it and now he put me on ms contin and you would think it would be strong--not. I wish they came out with better medicine for pain sufferers.  I'm not looking to get high, just some time w/o pain.

It hasn't been but 4 days on it, and I am trying to be patient. I went to WebMD, and I know we are all different but most were favorable reviews. I would be so happy if it gave me a lift. Before I finally said yes to it, I felt myself feeling down.

I had a husband die and have never been so burdened in my life---so, I hope as well, it helps me.

Thanks so much for caring enough to read my post and responding--esp. writing about your good results frm it. That really helps. It is encouraging.

I hope you contine to do well. Many blessings to you!

And thanks again.

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