How long do meds take to 'kick in'?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2004
How long do meds take to 'kick in'?
5
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 3:01pm
It's been awhile since I started a new med and I can't remember how long it takes before you start feeling better.

Christine

CL

Avatar for ddnlj
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 3:11pm
It depends on the drug. Some can take as long as a month to 6 weeks for you to really get the full effect. You should start feeling what I was told were "windows" of improvement; short periods of time when you feel pretty well. When is your next appointment? If you aren't feeling any better by then you may need a new medication. Sometimes it's trial and error finding the right drug.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2004
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 7:47pm
Wellbutrin is actually one of the drugs (the other is Effexor) that you usually get a relatively quick response - meaning a couple of weeks vs a couple of months (I've been on them all!!). But, in my own experience and as I tell my own patients, recovering from a chronic illness is usually like the stock market- the trend may be up, but there may be some bumps down along the way.

peace and love,


just_a_big_kid


Sue

peace and love,

just_a_big_kid

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 10:53pm
Hi Christine, I have been on Wellbutrin for about 4 months now. I felt VERY perky in the beginning (first week or so), then I "came down". It was kind of like I was high for a while, then it leveled out. But my over all change took about 2 months. I didn't really realize it myself, but I started to want to do more things, wasn't feeling like I wanted to sleep all day, started to think about future stuff instead of just wondering if I'd make it through that day. I actually got a job, which I haven't had in 6 years. I've thought about going back to school. Lots of things changed, for the good. I have tried other AD's and they haven't helped me like Wellbutrin, they made me more tired, which made me more depressed.

So give it a little while, AD's affect everyone different. It was kind of like hell in the beginning, because I felt really good then crashed again, but then it leveled out w/out me even realizing it.

-Erin
 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sat, 10-16-2004 - 8:05pm
As the others have said,

*hugs             

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2004
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 3:16pm
This is my 7th med (over the course of 15 years) so I'm getting kind of discouraged.

Christine

CL