QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
My physician has tried SSRI's for treatment of fibromyalgia, but side effects were severe. He is hesitant to use Wellbutrin, but will prescribe it if I stop taking trazodone (which I take 100mgs at bedtime to help sleep). Are these medications truly incompatible? I understand Wellbutrin can cause sleep problems, which the trazodone has greatly alleviated. Am I between a rock and a hard place - having to choose between fibromyalgia relief and sleep?
ANSWER:
I successfully treat many patients with fibromyalgia. It's usually a combination
of the cognitive generalized anxiety disorder, depression, poor posture, muscle spasm, and
pinched nerves that go through the muscles. The cognitive generalized anxiety disorder is
worsened by SSRI's and needs to be treated with BuSpar, which will allow SSRI's
to be taken without side effects.
Wellbutrin rarely causes sleep problems, and if it causes sleep problems one simply
discontinues the medication . There's no reason to stop the trazodone for sleep if
it's working for you.
