Friday, March 20, 2009

Off to see the Wizard and other thoughts...

So I am getting set to see my therapist shortly. I do have a post in the works, hopefully for this afternoon - one that rather steps away from most of my recent posts. I am working on a post about Meaning post Faith. I intend to write several posts over the next few months, detailing some of the issues that helped hold me back from shedding my Faith, we'll see how it goes.

I am definitely thinking that Seroquel is not going to work out real well. I know a couple of my wonderful blog friends are into neurology and/or pharmacology. I have discussed this with one of my pharmacology friends who recommended that I discuss the possibility of switching off Seroquel in favor of Clonidine and Welbutrin. If others have any thoughts on that, I would love to hear them. I have a week before I see the doctor next and would like to have some solid ideas to discuss with him.

The lowdown on my problems with SSRI's is that I had sex drive problems - on steroids. The lack of sex drive really isn't a problem for me - indeed at the moment it would be kind of nice. But mine went beyond mere lack of desire, I actually experienced discomfort in the genital region. A sort of dullness that was accentuated by a prickly feeling. I have been told that I probably wouldn't have the same problems with Welbutrin, but that it is a possibility. It may seem a silly concern, mainly because I just can't really know until I try, but I would prefer to avoid trying anything that is extremely likely to be a problem - I am paying out of pocket for my scripts and on student loans this is not a small concern.

Back to the wizard.

I am going to be discussing the meds of course, but also will be delving into the problem of feeling. I really wanted to write another post on how DuWayne got to where he is, continuing my series from last Thursday, but the damned Seroquel was not making that easy. I am going to try to get on that in the next few days, because it really seems to be useful for me. We'll just have to see.

The big issue that we have been running up against, is my issues with really delving into my feelings. I had this inane notion that I was pretty solidly in touch with my feelings and emotions, but have been realizing that this is not entirely accurate. Rather I have been very keen on dancing around my feelings and focusing an awful lot on others, to the detriment of my own personal connections to me. We'll just have to see how it goes, I'm definitely going to try.

I would also like to apologize to those who have been writing me this week and not gotten a response. I am not ignoring you, I just have not had it in me to write much. Also, I would really appreciate it if folks wouldn't IM me. I really hate to message like that, with very few exceptions. Please feel free to email and I promise I will get to you eventually. Messaging is just a little too much for me.

6 comments:

scicurious said...

Welbutrin does work in a vary different way from SSRIs, so it might help without sexual problems. It's a DAT/NET inhibitor rather than an SSRI, so it ALSO might help with ADHD-type symptoms. It's between you and your doctor, though. Good luck!

DuWayne Brayton said...

It's definitely between my doc and I, I am just looking for a little outside input.

I was definitely paying attention to the cross correlation with the ADHD - for both the Welbutrin and the Clonidine. I largely suspect that the problems I am having are inextricably linked with both the bipolar and ADHD. So it kind of makes sense to work with drugs that are indicated for both.

Thank you ever so much for the input - you were definitely at the top of the list of who I was hoping would comment... (not to detract from the others I hope to hear from)

Becca said...

I've been on welbutrin before and did not have any negative sexual side effects (then again, I don't have very dramatic ones with Zoloft, so maybe I'm not highly susceptible to that problem).
My main problem with the zoloft was loss of concentration, and wellbutrin did not impair (and probably increased) my abilities to focus. It's got a lot going for it.
I'm starting up again, so we'll see how it goes this time. Unfortunately my partner is very set against antidepressants and is not being supportive. So sex drive may be irrelevant in any event.

DuWayne Brayton said...

I would be totally keen on a reduced sex drive right now. It's the discomfort that went with it that was not so doable. Having recently been split, with no hope for reconciliation, I am horny and way to damned busy to do anything about it.

scicurious said...

"Thank you ever so much for the input - you were definitely at the top of the list of who I was hoping would comment... (not to detract from the others I hope to hear from)"

Awwww...*blushes*. If you do go on Welbutrin or some other combo, I would love to hear about it. I'm one of those horribly annoying people who loves to hear the drugs people are on and the side effects they are experiences (though of course I hope they are mild and not icky).

Becca, hang in there. I'm sorry you're not getting more support.

Juniper Shoemaker said...

I've been on welbutrin before and did not have any negative sexual side effects (then again, I don't have very dramatic ones with Zoloft, so maybe I'm not highly susceptible to that problem).

Wellbutrin typically increases your sex drive. A lot of patients who need medications for depression request it for this reason. It's odd that no one has mentioned this yet on this thread, because it's a very common side effect. It also makes sense, considering the way bupropion works.