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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by overtheedge on December 29, 2008, at 20:00:03
My dr just put me on wellbutrin xl knowing full well i have anorexia, what do you really think the chances are that i would have a seizure, i am on 150 mgs i have taken it before and have not had one...
Posted by Phillipa on December 29, 2008, at 23:38:27
In reply to wellbutrin XL and seizures, posted by overtheedge on December 29, 2008, at 20:00:03
Why did you go off the med first time? Anorexia? Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on December 30, 2008, at 0:34:39
In reply to wellbutrin XL and seizures, posted by overtheedge on December 29, 2008, at 20:00:03
> My dr just put me on wellbutrin xl knowing full well i have anorexia, what do you really think the chances are that i would have a seizure, i am on 150 mgs i have taken it before and have not had one...
Are you prone to seizures ?
Extended Wellbutrin SR and XL are about the only patent extenders that I think are valid, they fairly reduce the chance of seizures that original Wellbutrin presented.
I mean you can add a small dose of an AED like Trileptal, Lamictal, or Depakote, e.g. Sometimes people have it augmented with a tiny dose of Klonopin.But if you've never been prone to seizures, and 150mg is a smaller dose anyhow, I don't see that there would be a great problem.
It is an odd agent I guess for anorexia, although its not a guarantee that it would promote it more even though it is a distant cousin of an old diet drug.I would think "sleepier" medications like Luvox or Paxil would be better but I'm not questioning your doctor's choice.
-- just some suggestions
-- Jay
Posted by SLS on December 30, 2008, at 7:45:34
In reply to Re: wellbutrin XL and seizures » overtheedge, posted by yxibow on December 30, 2008, at 0:34:39
Adding a full therapeutic dose of Lamictal at about 200mg is a great idea. In addition to its anti-seizure properties that might be protective of Wellbutin-induced seizures, it acts as an augmenter to Wellbutrin when treating depression.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on December 30, 2008, at 8:45:44
In reply to wellbutrin XL and seizures, posted by overtheedge on December 29, 2008, at 20:00:03
> My dr just put me on wellbutrin xl knowing full well i have anorexia, what do you really think the chances are that i would have a seizure, i am on 150 mgs i have taken it before and have not had one...
What do your electrolytes look like?
I think Gatoraide now makes a diet "sports" drink that really does work to keep electolytes in balance, thus minimizing your chances of having a seizure while taking Wellbutrin. It would seem logical that the XL would carry with it a reduced seizure threshold compared to IR. However, without having any further information to go on, I don't know which of the two preparations - SR or XL - would be better for you.
- Scott
Posted by Racer on December 30, 2008, at 12:26:09
In reply to wellbutrin XL and seizures, posted by overtheedge on December 29, 2008, at 20:00:03
> My dr just put me on wellbutrin xl knowing full well i have anorexia, what do you really think the chances are that i would have a seizure, i am on 150 mgs i have taken it before and have not had one...
The seizure risk with Wellbutrin is far less with the XL formulation, and is not terribly high on any formulation at the dose you're now taking. With the immediate release formulation, the risk is 1:1000 at doses up to 400mg, and 1:250 above 400mg. Those numbers, though, don't tell the whole story. The seizure risk is highest for those with other risk factors: history of head injury, history of seizures, etc. The "eating disorder" concern comes from bulimia and purging forms of anorexia: if you are a non-purging anorexic, it's not an absolute no-no.
How active is your AN at this point? SLS is right -- the biggest concern is electrolyte balance. If you're still getting normal labs, you should be OK -- but it's still a concern. (I just had an electrolyte "event" thanks to another medication -- NOT something you want to experience first hand, with or without Wellbutrin on board.) If you are not severely restricting, and do eat a variety of foods -- meaning a variety of types of foods: fruits, vegetables, starches, and proteins -- your labs are probably more or less within normal levels. (For non-purging anorexics, labs often remain normal until the last stages of the disorder -- which doesn't mean that your health has not suffered.)
I hope you're getting help for the eating disorder, and that you can speak openly with your doctor about your concerns. In this case, my opinion as an amateur is that you're probably OK taking it.
I'm curious, though -- why did you stop taking it before?
Posted by overtheedge on December 30, 2008, at 17:36:40
In reply to Re: wellbutrin XL and seizures » overtheedge, posted by Racer on December 30, 2008, at 12:26:09
Thank you all for your responses, you have made me feel so much more better. to answer some of your questions, i went off the WB the last time because of headaches, but am willing to give it a try again, the zoloft i have been taking for the last 5 yrs finally pooped out on me.last bloods i had drawn was when i was in the hospital about a month ago, due to electrolite inbalance, and other non realted issues. but so far they have been ok. just been very depressed could barely get out of bed to see if anyone responded. so thanks again
Posted by overtheedge on December 30, 2008, at 17:38:41
In reply to Re: wellbutrin XL and seizures, posted by overtheedge on December 30, 2008, at 17:36:40
i am also on abilify 20 mgs in the mornings don't know if that helps with seizures and 3 mgs of klonapin a day
This is the end of the thread.
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