Zoloft and Wellbutran

[BestEyeCream]

I am a MT student currently working on a research progject... How Massage benefits a client with Drepression... Currently my client is on 150 mg of Zoloft and her doctor just put her on 150 of Wellbutran AS WELL... my client Drinks alchohol on a regular basis and also smokes pot.. she is anxious and tense, hyper all of the time, she has gained 50- 75 pounds in the last few months, she is depressed and seeing a therapist... I am not so sure that those combinations of medications are good with her ADL..(habits, addictions) I am not getting the results that I would like for the fact that she isnt following the treatment protocol.. anyone have any advice on treating her>? thanks...

 

[angel G]

Zoloft and Wellbutran

I am sure you know that if she doesn't stop drinking while taking the MAOI's it is going to kill her. They should not to be done together. She obviously doesn't care, so if I were you, i would get a hold of her DR. and let them know that she is drinking and doing drugs. You have the best interest of your client in mind. It won't do your research any good if she is not sticking to the protocol. Your findings will be null and void. So try what you can to get her clean. It is for her own good. My husband is on Wellbutrin and it is wonderful. I don't know about the Zoloft, but the other has done wonders for him. So try and help her if you can, it sounds like she needs to be in a rehab program. Maybe her doctor can talk with her family and help get her into a good one where she is monitored for a while.

 

[Beau.Gus]

Zoloft and Wellbutran

klowe - hi, thanks for the post. My first question: what are the Zoloft and Wellbutran being prescribed for? Second question: have you ever worked on your client after she had been drinking? If she is not following the treatment protocol, are you helping her or hindering her from improving (meaning stepping away from the situation and referring her to her therapist). Have you spoken with her MD and/or therapist for their input?

 

[Maybel T]

YIPES!  Zoloft is an antidepressant.  I can't remember for sure, but I think it's in the same family as Lexapro - SSRIs.  Wellbutrin was prescribed to me before as an in-addition drug to counteract the numbness I was feeling on Lexapro.  When I researched Wellbutrin, I found that it has the same active ingredient as Zyban, a drug used to help smokers quit.  Go fig?(I refused to take the Wellbutrin and insisted on trying a slightly lower dose of Lexapro.  Seems to have worked a little better thus far, though with most antidepressants, you'll be um, numbed, to some degree.  To some things.)I can't imagine what all of these mind-numbing things are doing to your client!    Alcohol with antidepressants is a no-no, as far as I've been told - though my doctor mentioned that one drink once in awhile wouldn't hurt, it sounds like your client is drinking a bit more...I'd have to second the doctor notification as long as it's within ethical bounds?   ???  or at least try to urge your client to get help?!

 

[savannah_rms]

Zoloft and Wellbutran

...as well as wellbutrin being prescribed for substance abuse, Zoloft is often prescribed as well, apparently not very effecaciously.I'm still in school, but...since Zoloft (at least) is a mood altering drug, would the use of it preclude massage therapy (especially if taken close to the time of the session)?Please clarify. Thanks.

 

[White Delight is awesome!]

Zoloft and Wellbutran

I am sure you know that if she doesn't stop drinking while taking the MAOI's it is going to kill her.

Wellbutrin and Zoloft are not MAO inhibitors although one should not be drinking with any of them. Both are antidepressants and like many drugs may also be given for other reasons, including for their side effects. Unfortunately, another noncompliant client.

 

[Pompal 09.]

She obviously doesn't care, so if I were you, i would get a hold of her DR. and let them know that she is drinking and doing drugs.

Unless you have her permission to contact her doctor and her consent to provide this info to her doc...  YOU CANNOT DO THIS - it is a SEVERE VIOLATION of her privacy!!!

You have the best interest of your client in mind.

 You are ethically bound not to disclose health information without her written consent, and must respect her wishes, whether or not you agree with her decision.Don't know what to say about the combo of her meds and antidepressants, you could tell her you 'think' that there could be danger mixing the two, and that she should discuss this possibility with her doctor (a qualified professional) since this is outside your scope of practice.

she is depressed and seeing a therapist

Again, another resource you can encourage her to use to discuss the health issues you are concerned about.

I am not getting the results that I would like for the fact that she isnt following the treatment protocol..

Unfortunately, another noncompliant client.

 There is only so much that we, as therapists, can do, ultimately, it is up to her.Good luck,Heather

 

[Sandy Bullot]

I find it hard to believe she is anxious, tense and hyper on those meds and drinking alcohol and smoking pot.  She should be like a zombie most of the time.  So......maybe she's doing some coke also.  Something to think about.  She's a time bomb.  Previous post on disclosing all this info to her doc.........you can't do that.  She could sue you for violating her privacy.  I think I would tell her she doesn't fit in your research criteria any more because of the abuse of drugs, and alcohol.  Then leave it at that.  I don't think I'd want to do massage on her either with all the substance abuse.  Don't let her screw up your research.  Good luck.Jamie

 

[thathingg]

Zoloft and Wellbutran

I thank you all for your input... i have been struggling with the whole thing. she is taking zoloft for anxiety and her same doctor perscribed the Wellbutrn as well. I askd her if he said to stop taking the other drug. (seems as though these dr.s give out pills like candy at halloween) She is severly depressed and a death of an immediate family member has thrown her into a spiral.. (down) I think I might sit down with her to explain to her that I need to stop the treatment because she is not fitting the treatment criteria as stated. I do have concetns for her, explained that alchohol counteracts the medications benefits. My heart goes out to her, but i cant keep this up, she is just not taking this serious.. and i cant talk to her doctr I understand the consequences of violation/ethic.. I will talk to her our next appt.. thank you all.. and how do i respond to someones specific response?? i am new at this.. thanks guys. I read this forum every day, it helps me very much. And i will be graduating in 4 mnths!!! ;D

 

[Santa In Your Panties]

Zoloft and Wellbutran

I am not getting the results that I would like for the fact that she isnt following the treatment protocol.. anyone have any advice on treating her>? thanks...

For this one, I think it is going to depend on how comfortable you are working with this client and how upset you would be if you loose her.

It also depends on what you school policy is, I would think.  Make sure and speak with your clinic advisor, taking your chart with you to the meeting.  The clinic advisor may want to set up a meeting with you and the client in his/her office.

As far as personal practice is concerned:

Personally, I wouldn't be upset to let this one go, so I am writing to you from that particular perspective.

She's not compliant.  She's been given an actual protocol.  This means you are working toward results and not pacification.  I would seriously consider terminating her treatment with a list of three referrals that she can go see.  I would also be concerned about her having some sort of issue while on my table, that may possibly end up in a suit.  She is seeing a therapist for depression and doing drugs at the same time, which also adds about two more red lights for me.  Just my opinion, but I'd terminate my care on her with a simple, "You aren't following the protocol we have set up for you and you are continuing to use unprescribed medication.  Since my treatment is not working as we had previously discussed, I am going to have to refer you out to another therapist of your choice. "  Give her the list and explain that she will need to find someone else she is comfortable with and that this list may help her get started.   :-/

 i would get a hold of her DR. and let them know that she is drinking and doing drugs.

HIPPA won't let you do something like this, even though you may really just want to help the client.  So, you'll need to get her consent before talking to her doc about what she is doing and make sure it is in writing, exactly as to what you will be discussing with the doc, or if you will be forwarding the treatment records.  Otherwise, you'll be open for a pretty nifty lawsuit.

 

[Alyssaa]

I know you want to help her and are very concerned about what she is doing and the possible long term damage that may result from her current behavior.  If you talk to anybody though you need to talk directly with her about her health.I think the best place to start is to discuss this situation with your clinic/school advisor.  This situation is really outside a student's scope to handle on your own and you should be able to rely on the resources of your school to help you out.   If you decide to approach your client, IMO, it must be done with compassion and without judgement.  You should be providing her facts and letting her know of your concern about the potential danger in what she is doing.  If it is possible to have easy-to-read printouts  regarding the variety of drugs she is taking (both script and nonscript) and the damaging impact on her health it would be good information to provide to her.  You might be able to suggest a grief counselor to help her deal with the added emotional impact of her recent loss.  Also, suggesting she speak with her doctor or her pharmacist regarding her combining prescriptions and recreational drugs and alcohol or suggesting she seek a 2nd opinion regarding her depression might also be in her best interests.Unfortunately, sometimes you will meet people who are immersed in self destructive behavior.  It has nothing to do with you and it is important to remember you are not responsible for their behavior in any way nor is it up to you to "fix" them even when you care a lot about them.If you decide this is out of your scope to deal with I think Texas-gal has given a very good description on how to let her go in a good and supportive way.  I hope she hears you and is able to find her way out of this darkness.

 

[Mystery...]

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: Zoloft and Wellbutran

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"She is severly depressed and a death of an immediate family member has thrown her into a spiral.. (down) "

As someone who has gone through a death of a immediate family member and a major depression my heart goes out to this women. I do have to say though that the "hyperness" probably is part of the depression. There are alot oft hings going on in her life and in her head. One of the side effects of the depression is the cycles it can put your body into of up and dwn and speeding up and slowing dwn time- as u precieve it- which is probably what is going on with her- how she handles it may be the reason why you are observing it as you are. meds may be having the side effect as well or as someone said she may be on other drugs but anyways obviously she needs the therapy, i hope she gets the help she needs.