Wellbutrin

OK, so I've decided to take Wellbutrin.  Dr says thyroid is fine and I'm too young for peri-menopause, therefore I'm giving this medication a go.  I've been reading like crazy online about the drug, side effects and experiences of those on it.

I decided this would be a good spot to put my experiences with Wellbutrin.  The Rx is for Wellbutrin SR 150mg/twice daily.  The instructions say to begin taking it once a day and after 3 days, take as prescribed, twice daily.  I took the first dose in the car today after picking up the Rx.  That was roughly 3:15pm and we went to run an errand later.  We were in a grocery store but not the 'cold' section and I started feeling cold.  Kind of a strange side effect but the only noticeable one thus far.

Apparently one of the main side effects of Wellbutrin is Insomnia....ugh.  I'm really hoping to skip that particular side effect!  I will report back in as the days go by.  Maybe it will be useful to someone else one day. :)


ps- I am an almost, 39yrs old, married, female

Yea - Carb Addiction

Well, after 3 weeks on South Beach Diet (limited carbs) I am feeling better.  Brain fog is still a bit there but energy seems to be better.  I'm planning on exercising more this week.  All blood work came back normal, so either it's carbohydrate addiction or sleep apnea.  Hubby says I'm not snoring and I don't stop breathing when I'm sleeping.  Maybe I'm just getting old....haha.

Good news though - I got a new haircut and I'm loving that!  Weird how when you look more put together, you also FEEL more put together.

Thyroid, Depression or Carbohydrate Addiction?

Just a brief history: 

I've always been overweight, even as a child.  Growing up, it was not uncommon for our family to eat out almost every night.  That choice was always attributed to being "busy", when in reality, we all had grown accustom to the tasty food, never mind the fat and calories.  Veggies, what's that???  I think it's safe to say, our family could have been easily defined as Carb and Fat addicted.  

Recently (the past year or so) I've felt 'not myself'.  Over the past 6 mos, the symptoms I've been experiencing have become increasingly bothersome.  Trouble losing weight (despite doing P90X last summer - which is a rigorous workout 6 days a week) and trying to be better about what I'm eating; more veggies and fruits, less crap.  My sex drive has utterly been in the crapper for about 6 months and to be truthful THIS is the reason I mentioned something to the Doctor a few weeks ago.  You would think one would be more concerned about the increasing fatigue - sleeping 8-9 hrs a night, yet still needing an afternoon nap.  NO, this was not my main concern!  SEX was my main concern and WHY didn't I want it anymore?  When a gal goes from wanting sex 3-4 times a week to literally not having sex for 2 mos, that should be of major concern....at least in my mind. *wink*

When visiting my GYN for my annual check up, she pretty much blew off my concerns regarding my sex drive but did agree to draw blood for a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level to see if that could be part of my lack of libido.  We also included Vit D levels and Cholesterol.  

Roughly a week later the nurse called me to say my TSH was elevated along with my Cholesterol not being 'great' and my Vit D was low.  So, I was ordered more blood work, given an Rx for Vit D and told to see my Primary Dr to talk about my Cholesterol.  I already knew what the Dr would say about my Cholesterol - loose weight and exercise.  Luckily, I had already decided to start South Beach Diet before receiving this phone call.  I did not start the diet until the following week, after the second round of blood work for Thyroid.

When that first TSH came back elevated, I thought - YES! - this makes sense.  I fit sooooo many of the symptoms for Hypothyroidism.  I just knew the second round of blood work to check T3/T4 would reveal that I needed medication!  Well, I was wrong.  Apparently all is well with my thyroid.  Hmmm, then WHY am I feeling so irritable, tired and have no sex drive? (those are the main symptoms - with others as well)

I instructed my GYN to send all test results to my Primary Dr and saw him this past Friday.  He confirmed that my thyroid is functioning well, damn it all to hell!  Not to sound like I want a thyroid problem but it sure would have been easier than more blood work....ugh!  I was beginning to feel like a pin cushion.  Although, I keep reminding myself this really isn't that big of deal, considering all of the health issues other people have - suck it up Jenn!  

Upon discussion with my Primary and going over symptoms, he says, do you feel depressed?  And honestly I don't.  I mean, having lack of energy certainly doesn't make me feel like dancing around but I certainly don't feel "down" or "sad" in the ways I have seen others with depression.  He suggested we check my Vit B12 levels.....GREAT, more blood work!  He also offered Wellbutrin, if I want to take it, to which I agreed.  I am not to start the Wellbutrin until we hear back from the lab work but honestly, after reading the side effects (especially the insomnia) I'm not exactly excited to take the medication.  This decision is still out....

Carbohydrate Addiction - why include that in this post?  Well, let me tell ya!  As previously mentioned I started South Beach Diet and as of tomorrow, will have been on it a week.  The first 2 weeks of South Beach there are no allowances for fruit, bread, potatoes, etc.  Basically almost zero carbs.  Not quite Atkins though....that's a bit crazy.  While I still have some memory/brain fog issues - the main thing I have noticed this weekend is, I am not needing a nap after sleeping 8 hrs at night.  Could it be that Carbs have been doing me in all this time?  I've even felt a tad bit more frisky this weekend....hmmmm.  

Updates to follow on symptoms, blood work and overall feeling of well being.