Anxiety meds - med check

[kdubs923]

OK, so I started on Bupropion 6 weeks ago for anxiety. My main issue was irritability -  frequently being super short with my husband and kids, even though I wasn't mad/upset with them, just overwhelmed. Additionally, I had difficulty concentrating & sometimes sleeping because I just can't turn my brain off.

So saw my primary doc, he prescribed Bupropion HCL XL 150. I go back for a med check this afternoon and I'm not sure what to report to him. I definitely feel better than I did 6 weeks ago. Both my husband and I have noticed I'm not nearly as irritable. I still have some difficulty sleeping when my brain is really going - though it's less frequent than before. All that to say, I feel better and I'm glad I'm on it, but how do I know this is the right dose and this is the best I'll feel. Or should I ask for an increased dosage. If I increase the dosage and it's too much, how will I know/what will I feel?

Any input? Please share your experience on meds and how you know it was the right/wrong med/dosage for you. Please & thank you

[boiler717]

It can cause insomnia, so I may be hesitant to increase the dose. I would definitely mention that to your doc.

[humpforfree]

I’m not familiar with that med & never did a med check, but I’m glad you are feeling better!! Anger/frustration was (is) my main symptom. It’s awful KNOWING in the moment that you are feeling more than necessary, but not being able to do anything about it.

[tiki]

I tried that a while back and had some strange side effects - essentially it made me hyper-aware of things being out of place. My husband jokes that it was the best prescription ever because I started cleaning like a maniac, but it was weird enough that I didn't try anything beyond the initial low dose.

Regarding how you know what the right dose is, it's really trial and error. If you still feel like your symptoms are interfering with your life, ask your doctor if it makes sense to increase the dose or try something else. In my experience you'll also know if you are on too high a dose, and as long as it's not something with crappy discontinuation symptoms (aka zoloft for some people), you can always go back to the lower dose again.

[pugz]

So my doctor does a screening on paper each visit to measure my symptoms. Helps us measure effectiveness. I take wellbutrin primarily to combat the side effects of lexapro. Lexapro nipped my anxiety in the bud and it helps me sleep but can make me groggy. It also killed my ability to orgasm. I take it at night and take wellbutrin in the morning. It wakes me up and gives me energy and restored my ability to O.

I was on lexapro only for a few months and felt better but not great, glad I went back and discussed other options. I take 300mg of wellbutrin now and 10 of lexapro