![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jim on March 3, 2000, at 10:33:53
I was on Wellbutrin (150 mg/day) for about 8 months last year. It worked fine, but I discontinued it without any trouble. After a 7 month layoff, I started back on it last week at 300 mg/day without starting out at a lower dose as recommended. Now, 6 days after being back on it, I have experienced a couple nights of pretty bad insomnia with one moderate panic attack. I have only had one panic attack in my life and it was a couple of years ago in a moment of severe stress. This one was simply because I couldn't sleep. I want to believe that my error in not starting out at a lower dose, as recommended, caused this anxiety and panic, and not that I am developing a panic disorder. I have discontinued Wellbutrin as a result. Has anyone experienced this or has anyone's physician commented on this? Please help.
Posted by Cam W. on March 3, 2000, at 18:46:10
In reply to Wellbutrin and insomnia/panic attack, posted by Jim on March 3, 2000, at 10:33:53
Jim - The insomnia is common and I have heard of Wellbutrin triggering panic attacks (heard it describe as sort of a rush). By starting at the higher doses you didn't allow your body to adjust to the drug and the side effects hit you hard. You could try going back at a lower dose for a week. Good luck - Cam W.
Posted by Linda on March 5, 2000, at 14:13:45
In reply to Wellbutrin and insomnia/panic attack, posted by Jim on March 3, 2000, at 10:33:53
It is common for Wellbutrin to initially cause some agitation/anxiety that usually subsides in apx. 2 weeks. Because of this, it is important to start your therapy at a lower dose. The literature for Wellbutrin recommends at least three days of a lower starting dose; but, some patients benefit from an even longer (up to 2 weeks) initial dosing period. It this med worked for you in the past, it will probably be beneficial to you now - just start slow. Based on the little bit of info you supplied, it is doubtful that you have developed a new anxiety d/o. Of course, if this continues, it is best to let a professional evaluate your conditition.
Posted by allison on March 9, 2000, at 11:52:41
In reply to Wellbutrin and insomnia/panic attack, posted by Jim on March 3, 2000, at 10:33:53
My doctor added 100 mg Wellbutrin to my 45 mg Remeron last June when I became obsessed with suicide. Things leveled off then got bad again before the holidays. He doubled the dose to 200 in October and knocked the Remeron down to 30 mg. I don't recall a problem at first, but within the last few months have been annoyed by a racing mind, and feelings akin to being a gerbil on a wheel. I complained, so my doctor suggested changing from taking 200 mg in the morning to 100mg in the a.m. and 100 in the afternoon. The other choice was halving the dose. I have found splitting the dose has helped and have chosen to continue this course. I also have noticed bright usually yellow flashes of light when I close my eyes at night and try to go to sleep. They have been more of a curiosity than an annoyance. Hope this helps.
allison
Posted by marthadawn on June 30, 2003, at 18:23:03
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and insomnia/panic attack, posted by Cam W. on March 3, 2000, at 18:46:10
hi i would be interested in hearing any panic attack/wellbutrin stories yall have, ive been on it for several weeks probably 6-7 and have had trouble brething, like i cant get in enough air, and have to yawn real big to do it, went to my shrink he said it was panic attacks (which ive never had b4) and i think the wellbutrin is causing this anybody have any ideas thx so much
martha
Posted by Sebastian on June 30, 2003, at 21:18:31
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and insomnia/panic attack, posted by marthadawn on June 30, 2003, at 18:23:03
Take an anti-anxiety medicine with it, or something to lower your blood presure, or both. Thats what I do.
I take Toprol, which actualy makes me calmer. I also take Zyprexa for anxiety, but I had that problem even befor the Welbutrin. Still it works.
Sebastian
Posted by libjennifer on July 1, 2003, at 11:24:20
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and insomnia/panic attack, posted by marthadawn on June 30, 2003, at 18:23:03
I was on Wellbutrin for about six months, from September-March. I have always had trouble with both depression and anxiety/panic attacks. I liked Wellbutrin initially because it gave me more energy and motivation than other SSRIs. I was also taking some Neurontin to take the edge off the agitation from the Wellbutrin. Around month five or so on this combination, my anxiety started getting a lot worse and I was having panic attacks and irrational health worries. I also had episodes where I felt like I couldn't breathe deeply enough and worried myself into chest pains. I went to my regular doctor who found nothing wrong with me. My psych gave me some Ativan to help with the panic attacks but after quitting the Wellbutrin and starting on Lexapro, I realized that my breathing problems were most likely a result of Wellbutrin. The kinds of worries and panic attacks I had on Wellbutrin towards the end were more intense than anything I had previously felt. If you're prone to panic attacks or anxiety, you may want to look for a different drug than Wellbutrin.
Posted by marthadawn on July 1, 2003, at 16:53:52
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and insomnia/panic attack, posted by libjennifer on July 1, 2003, at 11:24:20
lib, that is how i feel, i have had some anxiety in the past, but never panic attacks..did you feel like you had to yawn to get enough air? its the weirdest thing. and im yawning all the time,,i hadnt heard of anyone with this b4..thank for the reply
Posted by worrier on July 1, 2003, at 20:44:53
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and insomnia/panic attack, posted by marthadawn on June 30, 2003, at 18:23:03
> hi i would be interested in hearing any panic attack/wellbutrin stories yall have, ive been on it for several weeks probably 6-7 and have had trouble brething, like i cant get in enough air, and have to yawn real big to do it, went to my shrink he said it was panic attacks (which ive never had b4) and i think the wellbutrin is causing this anybody have any ideas thx so much
> martha>Hi Martha, I had terrible insomnia with Wellbutrin and a really disconnected feeling. The insomnia was what eventually made me stop taking it...I literally went days without sleeping more than an hour or 2. It didn't cause panic attacks (which was my original problem) but Prozac and Paxil definitely increased the frequency and intesity of my panic attacks. While on paxil I made my one and only trip to the ER. My pdoc said it caused a serotonin storm....a year later I am still left with horrible generalized anxiety (which I never had before). Now I'm taking the new extended release xanax and have recently added a very tiny dose of zoloft. That was a really long answer to your question...sorry. To sum up, yes, the wellbutrin can cause the symptoms you're having . If anxiety/panic is your primary problem it might not be the best med for you. Are you seeing a pdoc or is your MD prescribing for you? If it's your MD, I'd suggest seeing a pdoc. The MD's sometimes do more harm than good, with the best intentions I'm sure. They just don't have the expertise. Good Luck to you. Worrier.
Posted by Viridis on July 6, 2003, at 10:24:48
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and insomnia/panic attack, posted by libjennifer on July 1, 2003, at 11:24:20
I would definitely be careful with Wellbutrin if you're anxiety-prone. I was on it for two months, and had severe anxiety, panic attacks, and a bunch of strange side effects that I've never experienced before (e.g., extreme dizziness, bursts of irrational anger, sensitivity to bright light, etc.). The GP who prescribed it said these side effects were "imaginary", because this drug "can't cause side effects".
The pdoc I saw subsequently told me that he almost never prescribes WB to patients with anxiety problems because it can cause exactly the kinds of reactions that I described, and said he's seen this many times.
Coincidentally, a friend's wife with generalized anxiety disorder took a small dose around the same time I was using it (her doctor suggested it might give her more energy). She had a panic reaction so severe that she almost went to the emergency room -- she thought she was having a heart attack. Her husband (also a doctor) managed to get things under control, but she said it was one of the worst experiences of her life.
It's a good med for some people, but should be used cautiously.
Posted by deepdarkhole on November 2, 2003, at 17:24:10
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and insomnia/panic attack, posted by Viridis on July 6, 2003, at 10:24:48
I was prescribed 100mg for panic/anxiety. Reading all this has caused me to start to worry. I was thinking this agitation was just a tempoary side effect.
I am unable to take any SSRIs because of the side effects. Has Wellbutrin worked for anyone with panic disorder? I am also on ativan and my dr said to just hang in there for a couple of weeks.
Posted by Sebastian on November 2, 2003, at 20:35:02
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and insomnia/panic attack, posted by deepdarkhole on November 2, 2003, at 17:24:10
It worked for me. I take other meds though.
The restlesness is good for me, and the intesity subsides after a while.
Sebastian
Posted by JoanM on November 23, 2003, at 13:16:56
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and insomnia/panic attack » deepdarkhole, posted by Sebastian on November 2, 2003, at 20:35:02
I've been on Wellbutrin for 4 days and I had a major panic attack while teaching an aerobics class. I suddently felt like my breaths were not getting in all the way. That triggered more panic and I had to stop class. They wanted to take me to the hosptial because they thought I was having a heart attack. I had a suspicion that it might be a panic attack induced by the Wellbutrin. Now that I've read the other postings, I'm sure that it was just a side effect of the drug. I'm taking 150mg of Wellbutrin XL. I'm defintely going to call my doctor tomorrow to see if something can be done. I was scared out of my wits by this. It was pretty awful.
Posted by maxx44 on November 23, 2003, at 15:53:56
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and insomnia/panic attack, posted by JoanM on November 23, 2003, at 13:16:56
wellbu clobbered me quick. i really think meds should be tested on drs. first. only fair and how else would they ever have 1st hand experience. fat chance.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.