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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 kimkimshaddy on August 12, 2004, at 1:34:54
I have been given every freaking seratonin based medicine out there. I got tired of the sexual side effects and weight gain (not to mention the lack of any control over my panic attacks, which is the reason I was put on any kind of medication in the first place), so they decided to try Wellbutrine. Lost weight, got the drive back....super. So I found a medicine that makes me happy. BUT...here comes the but...I just broke out in this ridiculous rash. It's not itchy, but it looks horrible. Please tell me it's going to go away. :(
If I have to quit this medication I am going to be so bummed out. I have been on so many different medications in the past year and a half trying to get these panic attacks under control that I am SO tired of it.
*crosses fingers*
Posted by crazychickuk on August 12, 2004, at 4:44:44
In reply to You've GOT to be kidding me..., posted by kimkimshaddy on August 12, 2004, at 1:34:54
how long have u been on welburtin for? rash could be number of things, flowers? weather? heat? washing powder, soap shampoo anything...
Posted by alesta on August 12, 2004, at 6:39:16
In reply to You've GOT to be kidding me..., posted by kimkimshaddy on August 12, 2004, at 1:34:54
hi kim,
how frustrating! maybe wait and see if it goes away in a few days or if it's caused by something else....if not there are other meds to try. have you tried parnate or klonopin? parnate may not relieve your anxiety completely but will probably help a great deal. it affects dopamine just like wellbutrin and some additional neurotransmitters as well. you might even be happier with it! you could also try l-theanine (suntheanine brand) if you want/need something over the counter. i think it might have a milder effect, though. in any event, i'll cross my fingers for ya. hang in there.
Posted by SLS on August 12, 2004, at 7:32:49
In reply to You've GOT to be kidding me..., posted by kimkimshaddy on August 12, 2004, at 1:34:54
> I have been given every freaking seratonin based medicine out there. I got tired of the sexual side effects and weight gain (not to mention the lack of any control over my panic attacks, which is the reason I was put on any kind of medication in the first place), so they decided to try Wellbutrine. Lost weight, got the drive back....super. So I found a medicine that makes me happy. BUT...here comes the but...I just broke out in this ridiculous rash. It's not itchy, but it looks horrible. Please tell me it's going to go away. :(
>
> If I have to quit this medication I am going to be so bummed out. I have been on so many different medications in the past year and a half trying to get these panic attacks under control that I am SO tired of it.
>
> *crosses fingers*
I don't know what your rash might be due to. However, if you must discontinue Wellbutrin, you might consider Parnate as a replacement.
- Scott
Posted by owenus32 on August 12, 2004, at 7:33:19
In reply to You've GOT to be kidding me..., posted by kimkimshaddy on August 12, 2004, at 1:34:54
what about klonopin if it's for panic attacks?
Posted by King Vultan on August 12, 2004, at 7:56:06
In reply to You've GOT to be kidding me..., posted by kimkimshaddy on August 12, 2004, at 1:34:54
A friend of mine also got a rash from Wellbutrin; although, I don't know exactly how common this is. I agree with some of the other posters that Parnate might be worth considering, as this is kind of like a high powered version of Wellbutrin. I would like to point out that of the two MAOIs still generally available in the US, Nardil and Parnate, the latter does have a higher incidence of causing rashes. I seem to recall seeing some anecdotes on this board from individuals who had experienced this side effect on Parnate.
Nardil might also work on your panic attacks, but it is very serotonergic and is notorious for weight gain and sexual side effects. However, because it's an MAOI, it does have some effect on the other neurotransmitters, particularly norepinephrine, and also works on GABA somewhat like a benzo does. It is hard for me to recommend it for you, though, given its serotonergic side effects.
If you don't want to put up with the hassle of taking an MAOI, I would suggest a tricyclic like nortriptyline might be worth a try. This lacks the sexual side effects of the SSRIs but may or may not induce weight gain due to its histamine blockade. Some people such as myself find it to be an appetite suppressant because it is a norepinephrine selective reuptake inhibitor. Desipramine is skewed even more towards norepinephrine and is thus even more likely to act as an appetite suppressant. It is generally fairly activating and can induce anxiety, particularly if the dosage is ramped up too fast.
Todd
Posted by kimkimshaddy on August 12, 2004, at 9:07:38
In reply to You've GOT to be kidding me..., posted by kimkimshaddy on August 12, 2004, at 1:34:54
The thing is, I seem to do pretty well on the Wellbutrine. I read about it on the internet and apparently rash is a common side effect.
ya know, Panic attacks suck bad enough as it is. But this whole experience with trying to get better has sucked just as bad!
Posted by alesta on August 12, 2004, at 9:44:01
In reply to Re: You've GOT to be kidding me..., posted by kimkimshaddy on August 12, 2004, at 9:07:38
> The thing is, I seem to do pretty well on the Wellbutrine. I read about it on the internet and apparently rash is a common side effect.
>
> ya know, Panic attacks suck bad enough as it is. But this whole experience with trying to get better has sucked just as bad!
found this warning on web site...."Stop taking WELLBUTRIN SR and contact your doctor or health care professional if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as a skin rash, or difficulty in breathing. It is not possible to predict whether a mild rash will develop into a more serious reaction. Therefore, if you experience a skin rash, hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes, or swelling of lips or tongue, tell a doctor immediately, since these symptoms may be the first signs of a serious reaction."
the wellbutrin manufacturers say it is a common side effect, but then they turn around and give you the above warning....talk to your doc.
i know it's really hard, kim. maybe the rash is no big deal. see if your doc will let you stay on the wellbutrin a little while longer to see if it goes away, and keep him/her updated. but ya gotta talk to your doc just in case. and stay positive! you're on the homestretch!
Posted by alesta on August 12, 2004, at 9:50:13
In reply to Re: You've GOT to be kidding me..., posted by owenus32 on August 12, 2004, at 7:33:19
> what about klonopin if it's for panic attacks?
klonopin is supposed to work *wonderfully*.it's a great med. i would try parnate first, though, b/c some people have some minor memory loss/cognitive problems while on klonopin (although some accounts i've read say it had no negative cognitive impact). probably no big deal anyway (depends on the person), but i'd prefer to try parnate first personally. it's up to the individual's personal preference...klonopin would probably be the most powerful, though. but it doesn't seem necessary (as a first-line treatment) in kim's case since she already responded well to an antidepressant (wellbutrin) for her anxiety.
Posted by alesta on August 13, 2004, at 0:08:44
In reply to You've GOT to be kidding me..., posted by kimkimshaddy on August 12, 2004, at 1:34:54
kim,
i just wanted to add that there is absolutely no need to freak out. if you do have to stop the wellbutrin, whenever it wears off you can get
IMMEDIATE relief with klonopin. If you choose to try parnate (or another maoi), it would probably be best to still take the klonopin while you are waiting for the maoi to take effect. that would also be a good way to find out if klonopin would be a good fit for you. if it is, then you could just take that by itself, if you choose. so what i'm saying is that you do not need to suffer any further extreme anxiety.
Posted by Shadowplayers721 on August 13, 2004, at 12:28:20
In reply to You've GOT to be kidding me..., posted by kimkimshaddy on August 12, 2004, at 1:34:54
My pdoc says that it is very common that people have allergic reactions to Wellbutrin. I did. I itched all over about the 3rd week, so you need to stop it and take benadryl for 3 days. That was my docs orders. You need to notify your doc. You don't want this to get worse and then your throat swells up.
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