![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jms600 on December 28, 2003, at 13:11:40
Hi,
I'm considering asking my P/Doc about goung onto Wellbutrin to help with my low motivation and general lack of interest in everyday things.
Does anyone know if Wellbutrin can increase anxiety and/or induce panic attacks?
As part of my depression I suffer from GAD and panic attacks and am concerned that Wellbutrin, as it has stimulating effects, may worsen my anxiety.
I am currently on 150mg of Effexor XR.
Thanks!
Posted by m0nger on December 28, 2003, at 13:25:27
In reply to Wellbutrin anxiety, posted by jms600 on December 28, 2003, at 13:11:40
Hi jim. I am taking Wellbutrin, and not having any major anxiety. My anxiety has diminished since i started taking it, but I also take a low dose of Zyprexa at bedtime (2.5mg) I used to have anxiety that bordered on panic attacks at bedtime, i would lay in bed and have to get up and do something for awhile it was so bad, and thats gone now, i fall asleep pretty quickly now when i go to bed. I am a little groggier then usual when i wake up, but that goes away pretty quickly after a cup of coffee and my wellbutrin :-D
So anyway, if you try the Wellbutrin and have problems, you could try Zyprexa with it? Are you going to stop taking the Effexor when you start the Wellbutrin? Or take both? I don't know anything about Effexor, does that reduce anxiety? if so, maybe you won't have probs that require something like Zyprexa, if you add Wellbutrin. Only one way to find out for sure tho, hey? :-D
Posted by zenhussy on December 28, 2003, at 13:58:50
In reply to Wellbutrin anxiety, posted by jms600 on December 28, 2003, at 13:11:40
This site has a ton of archived information regarding the very question you ask.
Here is one folder of links that another poster(unfortunately I'm not sure who it is since I don't recognize the name) compiled about bupropion: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/psycho-babble-tips/links/Wellbutrin_SR_000963633280/
It might not have been updated recently but has some good firsthand experiences with how people have reacted to bupropion.
Also try using the Google search function at the bottom of the page. "Wellbutrin" and "anxiety" and "panic" would probably get the best results for what you are looking for.
Good luck. I commend you for wanting to know more about the medications you take. Researching medications and potential benefits and risks is a vital part of actively fighting these diseases/disorders.
zh
Posted by linkadge on December 28, 2003, at 15:09:01
In reply to Wellbutrin anxiety, posted by jms600 on December 28, 2003, at 13:11:40
Generally, I would think it would wake you up and alert you before it increases anxiety. I would think anxiety would be indicitive of too high a dose.
I not tried it however.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on December 28, 2003, at 15:11:56
In reply to Wellbutrin anxiety, posted by jms600 on December 28, 2003, at 13:11:40
I was thinking of adding Zyprexa low dose to my celexa, in order to get some sleep. The celexa causes insomnia for me. I've heard that Zyprexa can really help this.
Could you quantify the groggyness that zyprexa causes ? Is it tolerable ? How has the zyprexa affected your mood ?
Linkadge
Posted by m0nger on December 28, 2003, at 16:19:59
In reply to Question for mOnger, posted by linkadge on December 28, 2003, at 15:11:56
Hi Linkadge,
The groggyness was pretty severe the first few days only. I also slept something like 12+ hours the first night. Which really suprised me. I normally tolerate just about any drug well (Or too well. As in they don't work and i have to keep increasing dose massively! that's mostly - but not exclusively - with drugs that fall into dependency or addictive categories, tho), have no drug allergies, etc.
Now, the groggyness isn't not too bad at all, i actually like it. It's better then waking up feeling edgy, like i hardly slept. And it only lasts for about an hour. I drink a strong cup of coffee or a Redbull energy drink when I get out of bed, and feel pretty much awake in about an hour (awake enough to operate heavy machinery, or whatever).
Posted by dragonfly25 on December 28, 2003, at 17:00:27
In reply to Wellbutrin anxiety, posted by jms600 on December 28, 2003, at 13:11:40
Hi there
wellbutrin can speed you up a bit, i took a mix of wellbutrin and effexor for a year and in my experience wellbutrin revved me a bit, i have been on it so long it is hard to tell for sure anymore and i am also hyper to begin with. but i remember starting it and feeling like i was drinking to much coffee. but at the time i didn't have anxiety problems, i don't think i new what anxiety felt like. effexor had been introdcued for a temporary solution to somthing and after a year i went off it and the anxiety was crazy! it is sort of under control now, but i won't take any drugs for that so i really felt it. i hope this makes sense, i am a bit scatterbrained at times.
if you get an anxious feeling from drinking alot of coffee i might steer clear of this drug. hope this helps> Hi,
>
> I'm considering asking my P/Doc about goung onto Wellbutrin to help with my low motivation and general lack of interest in everyday things.
>
> Does anyone know if Wellbutrin can increase anxiety and/or induce panic attacks?
>
> As part of my depression I suffer from GAD and panic attacks and am concerned that Wellbutrin, as it has stimulating effects, may worsen my anxiety.
>
> I am currently on 150mg of Effexor XR.
>
> Thanks!
Posted by Viridis on December 28, 2003, at 17:31:46
In reply to Wellbutrin anxiety, posted by jms600 on December 28, 2003, at 13:11:40
As another poster mentioned, there's lots of info on WB here. I have anxiety problems and found that WB intensified these greatly, but others do well with it. I'd be cautious with this med and try starting at the lowest dose you can (as you probably should with any new med).
My pdoc says he generally avoids WB for anxiety patients because they so often have a negative reaction, but of course, everyone is different.
You might also look into Strattera, which is supposed to have a similar mode of action, yet was much "gentler" for me (although unfortunately, it stopped working). With Strattera it's especially important to increase the dose gradually to minimize side effects like nausea.
Posted by Laree on December 28, 2003, at 19:30:53
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin anxiety » jms600, posted by Viridis on December 28, 2003, at 17:31:46
I remember being more anxious on Effexor XR than I am now on Wellbutrin...
but everyone's mileage will differ...
and I have heard (and seen a case firsthand) in which it (Wellbutrin) did give people a negative reaction if they had GAD or anxiety problems. Good luck!
Posted by Bill LL on December 29, 2003, at 10:56:26
In reply to Wellbutrin anxiety, posted by jms600 on December 28, 2003, at 13:11:40
Effexor and Wellbutrin can be a good combination. Wellbutrin can offset sexual side effects of Effexor. It's worth a shot.
Posted by Chandelen on December 31, 2003, at 1:17:24
In reply to Wellbutrin anxiety, posted by jms600 on December 28, 2003, at 13:11:40
Hi,...supposedly Wellbutrin can increase anxiety. For me, it absolutely has not. I have GAD, SAD, and probably other anxiety problems so this was a major concern for me. I started on just 75 mg in the morning. I was taking Serzone 300 per day, but now have widdled that down to 75mg twice/day and Wellbutrin twice/day at 75mg. I think Effexor and Wellbutrin would have wired me up too much and caused a bit of anxiety but the Serzone and Wellbutrin have been counteracting each other with me and it's been a wonderful combination. I also take a small amount of Buspar (2.5 mg/3X per day). This is the best combo I've ever been on. Good luck!
Take care,
Chandelen
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.