Question:
I have been unable to sleep well since 2 or so months after surgery.
My surgeon recently started me on Ambian, and I take this 3-5 times weekly. It seems to be helping. Also for the last sev months, I feel like I need to be on an antidepressant. I just don't feel like myself, and sometimes don't want to talk to fellow employees ect... (I just want to be left alone.) I was wondering if I could take Ambien and Wellbutrin at the same time (I don't mean literally at the same time.......the Wellbutrin during the day and Ambien when sleeping). Do any of yuo all take these 2 drugs, and is anybody else out there having trouble sleeping? My mind just races, and/or I just stared at the clock every hr or 1 1/2 hour prior to being on Ambien. (I tried Unisom 1/2 tab, and went up to 1 nightly to where it finally wouldn't work before getting the Ambien. Thanks for all of your input/comments! — bufordslipstick (posted on July 30, 2004)
July 30, 2004
Rebecca: You can certainly take wellbutrin & ambien either separate or
together in the same day's time. I take halcion & depakote (mood
swings) at bedtime together. You really need to see someone about the mind
racing. This is not normal. Depression comes with the surgery. Mine was
for about 2 wks after the surgery. Bed was my best friend. Have you ever
considered seeing a psychiatrist? I see one because of the mood swings and
he has done wonders for me. Good luck...judy
— juju524
July 30, 2004
I don't personally take either of these medications, however I work in a
psychiatric office and many of our patients do. Always ask your doctor or
pharmacist about drug interactions to be safe. But yes, people take
Wellbutrin SR or Wellbutrin XL (twice a day) and Ambien at night. Be
careful with the Ambien, our doc's say it puts you in a 'hypnotic' sleep
and can be very addictive. It's a pretty powerful medication.
— Angela T.
July 30, 2004
It sound like a deep depression. I know because I felt that way before.
— BarbaraSmith
July 30, 2004
Please see your PCP or a mental health practitioner ASAP-- you seem to know
that you may be depressed. Your surgeon is not a psychiatrist and you need
to have someone prescribing these meds that is more familiar with them. I
was under the impression that Ambien should only be used short-term. When I
took Wellbutrin, it actually helped me sleep. I'm not sure if that's
because it was slightly sedating or if it just relieved the depression
enough so that i could sleep normally. It helped me a lot. Good luck to
you.
— lizinPA
July 30, 2004
I suffer from bipolar disorder and have been on meds for a few years now,
including anti depressants, mood stabilizers, and anti anxiety meds
(currently I am only taking one mood stabilizer, thanks to surgery too!).
Anyway, I thought my sleeplessness was related to my mental state, and
sometimes when things are hectic it certainly is. But I have found also
that since surgery my energy levels are just so high that I feel almost
restless! Of course, you should consult with your doctors to treat your
depression, but I would also run it by your surgeon to see what he/she says
about the energy thing. I seem to need less sleep, even able to handle only
5 hours of sleep. Something to think about...good luck to you!
— jkardad
July 30, 2004
I take Wellbutrin during the day, Ambien at night. If you are more/still
depressed, of course, you'll need to see your prescriber and see if an
adjustment is in order. I've been an insomniac since I was a little kid.
The only time I was not was when my sleep apnea was so severe that I fell
asleep in mid-conversation.
— vitalady
August 3, 2004
Thanks for all of the answers. I slept fine (with C-pap) prior to surgery,
but since 2-4 months out from surgery couldn't seem to sleep at all (good
restful sleep), with or wothout C-pap. I was tired ALL of the time and
could only sllep about 4 hrs at a time. I've had no big energy jump yet
since surgery. I still feel like my same self. I kept mentioning this EVERY
time to surgeon, but he just kept ignoring it till I was at my 6 month
appt. He has given me a rx for Ambien, but can only refill 3 x till I think
Mar 2005, (so thought this could be possibly an addictive drug or
something ect...). I will be going to PCP to get him to prescribe regular
Wellbutrin, since this seems to be the best for most according to the info
I've found here. I don't think I need counseling at this time. I seem to be
doing ok with my eating protein supplements, H2O, vitamins ect... Thanks
again, and good luck to ALL us BIG LOSERS!!!
— bufordslipstick
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