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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Wayne on September 21, 1999, at 21:20:00
I recently was prescribed Wellbutrin for depression, and it worked wonders. Within a week I could feel the effects, and during the next two weeks I felt better than I have in many years ‹ more energy, more drive, less worrying, more confidence, more desire to be social, more positive attitude. Then, out of the blue, I developed an allergy to the drug. I broke out in hives, just a few on my upper arms and a little discomfort in my stomach. I took a couple of Benadryl and everything was fine. (I developed a much worse allergic reaction to Ibuprofin ‹ then I had hives from head to toe, swollen hands and feet and eyes and bad stomach cramps. I haven't taken it since figuring out what it was). Since then, I have tried the other doses of Wellbutrin, hoping it might have been the dye used to coat the pill, but I had the same reaction. I also have tried other anti-depressants, but none even come close. In fact, they make me feel worse ‹ sedated, spaced out, headaches, neck pain, etc. Is there any way I can overcome the allergy to Wellbutrin? I have read it's not available in liquid form, so I guess allergy shots are not an option. Would it be bad to continue taking Wellbutrin and just take an anti-histamine every day? Are there any other anti-depressants that give you energy instead of taking it away? Any with as few side effects as Wellbutrin?
Posted by Bob on September 22, 1999, at 11:41:55
In reply to wellbutrin allergy, posted by Wayne on September 21, 1999, at 21:20:00
My god, it's not just me! Ack!
I didn't develop an allergy to wellbutrin, in fact I've never had an allergic reaction to anything, except for my therapist's cats! I had already been seeing her for two years. Her cats are of that Welsh or Cornish breed with the nappy fur (or hairless in spots), the extremely skin-and-bones body, and the HUGE eyes ... she got them particularly because very few people are allergic to them. Like I said, I hadn't had a problem with them for two years. I start taking Wellbutrin, then out of the blue one session, with D'Amati curled up on my chest, my eyes blur and swell and my nose starts running like its in the Kentucky Derby. We had to barricade the cats from her therapy room the entire time I was on Wellbutrin and several months after I stopped taking it ... the slightest brush on my hand, and then an errant wipe of an eye, and I was DONE IN.
A year later, D'Amati and Katinka are back fighting for real estate when I lie down on the couch. No problems.
Curiouser and curiouser...
Bob
Posted by Noa on September 22, 1999, at 22:48:33
In reply to Re: wellbutrin allergy, posted by Bob on September 22, 1999, at 11:41:55
I don't know much about this but my impression is that rashes and hives signify a "systemic" reaction, which is nothing to sneeze at, so to speak. Ask your pdoc. Good luck. BTW, I have found effexor to be activating, even tho some people find it sedating.
This is the end of the thread.
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