Anti depressant and dry mouth

[Nomad]

We have an ?unwell? family member. She recently caused some outrageous problems. I mean over the top. People tell me i should write a book.
I was out on Bupropen. Not sure of spelling. Can?t stand the dry mouth.
What might I take? Need to avoid problems with potential weight gain too. Don?t want a med that causes weight gain. HELP.
Really suffering.
Thank you.

[meirish]

I take it you are speaking of an antidepressant that you yourself are taking?? I am blank on what med you are speaking of but yet think I know which one it is.

Most of the antidepressants cause dryness. The thing is a person sometimes has to work with their doctor to find a medication that will help you without drying you out too bad. Sometimes it helps to be able to take a lower dose of a medication and have it help you without drying you out  too much. If you have to keep increasing the dose of an antidepressant in order to reach a therapeutic dose a person will find that the higher the dosage the more dry we will feel.

All antidepressants will cause some effects when you start taking them that can be hard to take. Some cause nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, dryness, etc. Usually it is best to start out on a low dose for around 1 to 2 weeks and then have the doctor increase the dosage. Talk with your doctor as he should have experience over the years dealing with these issues and know what will work better for you. Do not try to monkey with the dose yourself and avoid talking with the doctor.

When a person takes antidepressants they need to be up front with the doctor and let them know any problems. If we keep things to ourselves we lose the trust and ability to work with our doctors when dealing with medications. Good luck. meirish

[Nomad]

Thank you. It?s Wellbutrin. I had a horrendous experience a few months ago. A bit better now. Was put on Wellbutrin. Concerning issues with It. Very bad dry mouth. Weight issues. Need help yet again.

Was taking two  tablets a day. It worked well, but caused bad dry mouth. It made me lose a little weight. Anyway, at least partially from my Sj?gren?s syndrome?.the dry mouth was terrible. The doctor said just take one tablet on some days. But, I have to take one tablet most days and then it doesn?t work. Meanwhile I?m gaining a little weight on one tablet. And it barely or might not even work on such a low dosage. I got frustrated and  tried stopping it and to my shock gained five pounds in two days eating about 1000-1100 calories a day ?so that?s crazy. I feel like now I have to take one tablet a day which doesn?t help depression, dries my mouth a little ?but take it almost in self defense so I don?t gain crazy weight. I feel stuck. Anyone have weird weight problems especially getting off of this medication?
Advice? Thanks.

[meirish]

I would not get too upset about a weight gain when first tapering off an antidepressant med. These meds affect the chemicals in our brain and body and weight ups and downs come with the package. You do need to taper off when you decide to quit to change drugs and you will need to talk with your doctor about this. Do not get upset about not being able to take a med. I think I had to take almost every med on the market back in the 1990's and the only one that worked the best for me was the zoloft.

The wellbutrin made me have a let down in the breasts like one has when you are nursing a baby. Drove me nuts. My doctor laughed so hard about this. First patient he ever had with this complaint. My doctor was so good about working with me changing medications. It is scary when you first start these meds but I know from my experience of over 30 years on antidepressants that starting on a lower dose for a couple of weeks does help the body adjust easier and don't get as many hard side effects when first starting.

Also, you will have to make sure that you eat something when you take your pill. Most of these meds can cause some nausea and can be hard on the stomach without food. It takes a while to adjust and be patient as the first month is usually when things will be more noticeable. It takes our body awhile to understand what it is supposed to do with the chemicals and as the chemicals adjust our bodies catch on and we feel better. Sometimes diarrhea can be a problem with some meds but that usually subsides over time. Just adjust what you eat...no baked beans, etc. Good luck and be patient. meirish