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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tammy on January 20, 2002, at 20:06:49
hi all, new here, all i could say is thank goodness for this site. im wondering if anyone is taking wellbutrin with a panic disorder?? i was on paxil last year (thought it was a miracle drug till i gained 30lbs and wanted off)(april)did fine without till seasonal/x-mas blues caught me by the butt again..... dr. put me on wellbutrin 150mg once a day, im on the 5thday, with a side of ativan (1mg) if need be..... well i needed it today to stop my insides from spinning, i didnt know to sit and cry climb the walls or run a marothon......... i have anxiety to begin with i didnt need this added anxiety and aggitation, irrability....... am i alone????? i have anxiety secondary depression if i cant fight the anxiety i get depressed.........
has/have anyone feel this way? does the spinning thoughts a mile a second go away..... this time is worse then the last *thought wise* some bad thoughts, some good thoughts...... changes with the wind........ i know this drug doesnt work in a week, but does it work??? panic took away my patience.... :(
i constantly worry, and fear everything life has to offer........ anyone else? any stories to put light on this? feedback would be greatly appreciated.......
thanks in advance.....
Tammy, for the record im 31f with family .......
Posted by spike4848 on January 20, 2002, at 20:33:30
In reply to wellbutrin anxiety fear....... take a look , posted by Tammy on January 20, 2002, at 20:06:49
Hey There,
It is well known that wellbutrin is not a great med for anxiety states .... especially panic disorder. I know some pdocs will try wellbutrin plus a benzodiazapine (which you aluded to) for panic with depression. Some individuals find that wellbutrin will cause weight loss or no change in weight, and if this was a problem with paxil, maybe this why your doctor prescribed it.
I would call your pdoc and explain to her/him your difficulties ASAP. There is no need to suffer. Hang in there .... you will be better soon.
Spike
Posted by geno on January 20, 2002, at 21:15:45
In reply to wellbutrin anxiety fear....... take a look , posted by Tammy on January 20, 2002, at 20:06:49
> hi all, new here, all i could say is thank goodness for this site. im wondering if anyone is taking wellbutrin with a panic disorder?? i was on paxil last year (thought it was a miracle drug till i gained 30lbs and wanted off)(april)did fine without till seasonal/x-mas blues caught me by the butt again..... dr. put me on wellbutrin 150mg once a day, im on the 5thday, with a side of ativan (1mg) if need be..... well i needed it today to stop my insides from spinning, i didnt know to sit and cry climb the walls or run a marothon......... i have anxiety to begin with i didnt need this added anxiety and aggitation, irrability....... am i alone????? i have anxiety secondary depression if i cant fight the anxiety i get depressed.........
> has/have anyone feel this way? does the spinning thoughts a mile a second go away..... this time is worse then the last *thought wise* some bad thoughts, some good thoughts...... changes with the wind........ i know this drug doesnt work in a week, but does it work??? panic took away my patience.... :(
> i constantly worry, and fear everything life has to offer........ anyone else? any stories to put light on this? feedback would be greatly appreciated.......
> thanks in advance.....
> Tammy, for the record im 31f with family .......I took welbutrin and i remeber, hallucinating and had panic attacks. The only other method to combat this would be to take a benzo with welbutrin or sedating med like remeron. esp if you have panic or anixety disorder. I like desipramine, hits norepinephrine in stead of dopamine like welbutrin. I may try welburtin with added xanax 1-2mg a day with remeron. But welbutrin by itself is sheer panic! Like being on cocaine or meth!
geno
Posted by Lorraine on January 20, 2002, at 23:55:03
In reply to Re: wellbutrin anxiety fear....... take a look , posted by geno on January 20, 2002, at 21:15:45
I felt like I was crawling out of my skin on Wellbutrin and I hallucinated visual trails. I wasn't on it long.
Lorraine
hi all, new here, all i could say is thank goodness for this site. im wondering if anyone is taking wellbutrin with a panic disorder?? i was on paxil last year (thought it was a miracle drug till i gained 30lbs and wanted off)(april)did fine without till seasonal/x-mas blues caught me by the butt again..... dr. put me on wellbutrin 150mg once a day, im on the 5thday, with a side of ativan (1mg) if need be..... well i needed it today to stop my insides from spinning, i didnt know to sit and cry climb the walls or run a marothon......... i have anxiety to begin with i didnt need this added anxiety and aggitation, irrability....... am i alone????? i have anxiety secondary depression if i cant fight the anxiety i get depressed.........
> > has/have anyone feel this way? does the spinning thoughts a mile a second go away..... this time is worse then the last *thought wise* some bad thoughts, some good thoughts...... changes with the wind........ i know this drug doesnt work in a week, but does it work??? panic took away my patience.... :(
> > i constantly worry, and fear everything life has to offer........ anyone else? any stories to put light on this? feedback would be greatly appreciated.......
> > thanks in advance.....
> > Tammy, for the record im 31f with family .......
>
> I took welbutrin and i remeber, hallucinating and had panic attacks. The only other method to combat this would be to take a benzo with welbutrin or sedating med like remeron. esp if you have panic or anixety disorder. I like desipramine, hits norepinephrine in stead of dopamine like welbutrin. I may try welburtin with added xanax 1-2mg a day with remeron. But welbutrin by itself is sheer panic! Like being on cocaine or meth!
> geno
Posted by MB on January 21, 2002, at 10:01:10
In reply to Re: wellbutrin anxiety fear....... take a look , posted by Lorraine on January 20, 2002, at 23:55:03
For me, at least...I just couldn't take it.
Posted by Raga on January 21, 2002, at 10:54:38
In reply to Re: wellbutrin anxiety fear....... take a look , posted by Lorraine on January 20, 2002, at 23:55:03
Just a note that if you have ADD symptoms, even with some anxiety, Wellbutrin often has the opposite effect from increased anxiety.
I am testing out Wellbutrin for ADD and I find that it -calms- me right down and reduces my low-level background anxiety state.
What I am suggesting is that if you have ADD, please do not avoid this medication because you think it might make you more anxious. In fact, it is more likely to make you less anxious if you have ADD.
Posted by kid47 on January 21, 2002, at 12:17:07
In reply to wellbutrin anxiety fear....... take a look , posted by Tammy on January 20, 2002, at 20:06:49
Hi. Sorry you're not feeling great. I am having pretty good success with a combo of Paxil 40mg & Wellb Sr 150mg/ day. The Wellb seems to offset the sedation , carb cravings, & libido problems I had with Paxil alone & the Paxil addresses my anxiety/panic. I also take Klonopin as needed. Take care
kid
> hi all, new here, all i could say is thank goodness for this site. im wondering if anyone is taking wellbutrin with a panic disorder?? i was on paxil last year (thought it was a miracle drug till i gained 30lbs and wanted off)(april)did fine without till seasonal/x-mas blues caught me by the butt again..... dr. put me on wellbutrin 150mg once a day, im on the 5thday, with a side of ativan (1mg) if need be..... well i needed it today to stop my insides from spinning, i didnt know to sit and cry climb the walls or run a marothon......... i have anxiety to begin with i didnt need this added anxiety and aggitation, irrability....... am i alone????? i have anxiety secondary depression if i cant fight the anxiety i get depressed.........
> has/have anyone feel this way? does the spinning thoughts a mile a second go away..... this time is worse then the last *thought wise* some bad thoughts, some good thoughts...... changes with the wind........ i know this drug doesnt work in a week, but does it work??? panic took away my patience.... :(
> i constantly worry, and fear everything life has to offer........ anyone else? any stories to put light on this? feedback would be greatly appreciated.......
> thanks in advance.....
> Tammy, for the record im 31f with family .......
Posted by sid on January 21, 2002, at 12:32:22
In reply to Without benzo, Wellbutrin = Panic!!! , posted by MB on January 21, 2002, at 10:01:10
Hi MB,
please make sure you don't take kava with Wellbutrin (also sold under brand name Zyban) anymore... it is possibly linked to some deaths. There are cases under investigation, apparently in Europe, as well as in Canada.- Sid
Posted by MB on January 22, 2002, at 14:52:38
In reply to No more kava with ADs » MB, posted by sid on January 21, 2002, at 12:32:22
> Hi MB,
> please make sure you don't take kava with Wellbutrin (also sold under brand name Zyban) anymore... it is possibly linked to some deaths. There are cases under investigation, apparently in Europe, as well as in Canada.
>
> - Sid
Wow!! That is extremely scary. Do you know what the cause of death was (e.g., heart attack, liver failure, etc.)?MB
Posted by IsoM on January 22, 2002, at 15:39:31
In reply to Re: No more kava with ADs, posted by MB on January 22, 2002, at 14:52:38
Here's the write-up of the form letter that the FDA has sent out to all health practicioners in the States. You can read what the worry over Kava is about below:
"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) needs your help. The agency is investigating whether the use of dietary supplements containing kava (also known as kava kava or Piper methysticum) is associated with liver toxicity. To help us determine whether there is a problem in the United States, we are asking that you review your cases of liver toxicity to determine if any may be related to the use of kava-containing dietary supplements.
Products containing herbal extracts of kava have been implicated in cases of serious liver toxicity in Germany and Switzerland. Approximately 25 reports of hepatic toxicity associated with the use of products containing kava extracts have been reported in these countries. Serious hepatic adverse effects include hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. At least one patient required a liver transplant. Based on their assessment of the adverse events reported to them, the regulatory authority in Switzerland has prohibited the sale of products containing the kava extract associated with the adverse effects. Last month, the German authorities issued a proposal to remove all kava extract-containing products from the market.
FDA is investigating whether the use of kava-containing dietary supplements in the United States poses similar public health concerns. The agency has received several reports of serious injury allegedly associated with the use of kava-containing dietary supplements, with at least one report of hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation in a previously healthy young female.
Dietary supplements containing kava are promoted for a variety of uses, including relaxation (e.g., to relieve stress, anxiety, and tension), insomnia, and postmenstrual syndrome (PMS). The products are marketed to all segments of the population, including children, women, men, and the elderly.
Due to the potentially serious nature of these concerns, we urge you to report any cases of hepatic toxicity that you think may be related to the use of kava-containing dietary supplements. Adverse events associated with the use of dietary supplements should be reported as soon as possible to FDA's MedWatch program by telephone (1-800-332-1088) or through the Internet (http://www.fda.gov/medwatch).
Thank you in advance for your cooperation in assisting the FDA in investigating this potentially serious public health issue. For additional information, contact Steven Gitterman, M.D., Ph.D. at (301) 436-2371."
The thing is many plants can contain toxins as part of their botanical protection & this is just one more that may. No reports of liver damage has ever come from thecenturies of use of kava by people in the South Pacific. Investigators are looking to see if any possible interactions with other drugs or chemicals may account for these liver problems.
>
>
> Wow!! That is extremely scary. Do you know what the cause of death was (e.g., heart attack, liver failure, etc.)?
>
> MB
Posted by MB on January 23, 2002, at 0:33:12
In reply to letter from FDA » MB, posted by IsoM on January 22, 2002, at 15:39:31
> The thing is many plants can contain toxins as part of their botanical protection & this is just one more that may. No reports of liver damage has ever come from thecenturies of use of kava by people in the South Pacific. Investigators are looking to see if any possible interactions with other drugs or chemicals may account for these liver problems.
Right, the question that comes to my mind is whether or not these Kava "casualties" were under the influence of substances other than Kava. GHB got a bad rap because people were taking it with other downers and dying, while, on the other hand, GHB by itself is supposed to be safe. Anyway, I don't want to take a chance with Kava since I'm on a few different pharmaceuticlals as it is. I do know that I was taking it for RLS and the problem kept getting worse. I couldn't understand it until I read that it has antidopamine affects...the exact type of action a RLS suffer wants to stay away from (it is the dopamine suppressing effects of Neuroleptics (to a greater degree) and SSRIs (to a lesser degree) that can exacerbate RLS. You just have to research your herbs if ya wanna be safe...know what's in them and what they do. Their procurement from the shelf of a health food store does not necessetate their safety.MB
Posted by IsoM on January 23, 2002, at 1:47:34
In reply to Re: letter from FDA » IsoM, posted by MB on January 23, 2002, at 0:33:12
You're right about that, MB. For anyone unsure of herb/drug interactions, most good pharmacies keep a thick handbook documenting the more commonly used herbs & any of their interactions with meds. One just needs to ask.
>
>
> You just have to research your herbs if ya wanna be safe...know what's in them and what they do. Their procurement from the shelf of a health food store does not necessetate their safety.
>
> MB
Posted by sid on January 23, 2002, at 10:31:42
In reply to Re: No more kava with ADs, posted by MB on January 22, 2002, at 14:52:38
From what I heard (TV report), they are not sure and it is still under investigation. Namely, one 26 year old Canadian, rather athletic man, died while he was on Zyban (other brand name of Wellbutrin, when used to help stop smoking). He was also taking kava at the same time, hence, the suspicion. Perhaps a heart arrythmia (sp?) that made his heart stop altogether. He had no heart defect and the exact cause of his death is still unclear.
Also, they mentioned other similar cases in Europe, also under investigation.
This is the end of the thread.
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