I have been taking Effexor for 6 months, but I am thinking about asking to switch to Wellbutrin. Any advice is appreciated...

I have a binge eating disorder. This past winter I became extremely depressed and gained 25 lbs in a short period of time.

I went to the doc who prescribed me Effexor for the depression. At the same time, I started a new diet to try to lose some of the weight. I did manage to lose some. I think my new diet counteracted any weight gain side effects from Effexor.

Now I have noticed that my appetite has increased and I have been bingeing more in the past 2-3 months. The bingeing, of course, leads to the depression. I heard that Wellbutrin can help stop the bingeing? I am thinking about asking the doc to change me to Wellbutrin. Any thoughts?? Thanks.

Hi! I'm new here - I know about taking medicines only to feel like you've wasted time and failed. I'm Bulimic and have been for five years. I am under a doctors care - and I take Trileptal (sp?). I was skeptical at first, thinking it wouldn't work, but slowly I've seen changes. You may want to ask your dr. about it. I take 300 mg twice a day.

Also, I've heard BAD things about Wellbutrin -major weight gain! I wouldn't touch it. Ask you dr. about Lexapro for the depression - it saved my life.

thanks for responding kitty.

i never heard about weight GAIN effects from Wellbutrin...but I had heard that about Effexor. I guess everyone is different. Right now I am trying to do as much research as possible on antidepressants so I am informed before my next doc visit. My bingeing has gotten worse in the past few months so I am not sure what to do.

If anyone has binge problems and takes antidepressants, I would like to hear your opinion on what works for you. THANKS.

If you visit the website www.wellbutrin.com you will see that they don't recommend it for an eating disorder - and they mention right on the front page, Low risk for weight gain. You want something with proven studies of weight loss. I would be very careful taking it. Some medicines can take your appetite and send it through the roof.

Just be careful.

Prozac is used in treating bulimia. I am not bulimic, but I do binge eat. When I started taking Prozac I noticed a big difference in my appitite immediately. I never really feel hungry anymore, and I kind of have to talk myself into eating.

I am seriously considering makin an appt with my doc...My eating is outta control since i had an injury and lost my job.actually i lost my other life!!!!!!!Then i had suirgery on my right arm a month ago{due to injury }..i have been in a cast ever since ..My neck burns if i try to do anything other than sitting..i used to be so active...Now i just run back and forth to doctors to try and figure out what is wrong and get it all fixed already!!
I have a babysitting job but not even bringing in half of what i was before!!
I probably weighed 140 lbs soon to be 6 mnths ago..I am more than likely up to 185 lbs right now!!This is the same 40 some pounds i keep losing and gaining..If i am lucky i am smaller in the summer and usually put my winter coat on as i call it..in the fall/winter..Since i cant do much..i really need help in trying to get this weight off..not just for vanity either...i can feel a difference in how my body functions with this extra weight...I am grateful i am able to babysit...we really need more income..but this is all i can do for now!! I am in need of something to stabilize my moods!!! When i am really overwhelmed by how my life has turned out...I eat lots of sweets..from tootsie rolls to entamens donuts..I will eat whatever i have till its gone ..then not eat supper..this goes on for days at a time..i am VERY TIRED OF THE UPS-N-DOWNS OF THIS ALREADY..I
will do my homework as well but in the mean time thanks to all who shared here!!sorry for hijacking the thread...

Hi. I am currently on lexapro (10mg) and have been taking it for about a year now. I suffer from binge eating/bulimia (although i have the purging somewhat under control). Anyway, I can't say that I noticed any change in my appetite either way. I stay on a reduced-carb diet because sugar-loaded anything is my trigger food. One thing I did notice when I initially started takign the lexapro was that I didn't binge for a while just because I had no desire to. I think it was because my spirits were lifted; I was just in a much happier mood.

I am on a lower carb diet as well since sweets and carbs are my trigger foods. It has certainly helped, but lately it's been harder to stick to it.