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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by matthhhh on September 30, 2003, at 18:08:10
My doc prescribed me wellbutrin for anxiety. Since ive been on it, ive noticed an increase in my mood and concentration, less fatigue but my anxiety and ocd have gotten worse.
He says wellbutrin doesnt cause anxiety so it couldnt be the wellbutrin. Well, as far as i know, one of the main side effects of wellbutrin is anxiety, and it is rarely ever used for ocd. So what do u think?
Posted by zenclearer on September 30, 2003, at 20:09:02
In reply to My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY!, posted by matthhhh on September 30, 2003, at 18:08:10
Sometims Docs and their apparent lack of knowledge really frighten me.
> My doc prescribed me wellbutrin for anxiety. Since ive been on it, ive noticed an increase in my mood and concentration, less fatigue but my anxiety and ocd have gotten worse.
> He says wellbutrin doesnt cause anxiety so it couldnt be the wellbutrin. Well, as far as i know, one of the main side effects of wellbutrin is anxiety, and it is rarely ever used for ocd. So what do u think?
Posted by McPac on September 30, 2003, at 21:09:46
In reply to My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY!, posted by matthhhh on September 30, 2003, at 18:08:10
"but my anxiety and ocd have gotten worse."
>>>>>>> I've heard many other folks say the same thing Matt...I'd ditch the Wellbutrin if it were me.
Posted by mls on September 30, 2003, at 21:33:23
In reply to Re: My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY!, posted by McPac on September 30, 2003, at 21:09:46
> I tried Wellbutrin and I have anxiety and ocd it made me more nervous and angry.
Posted by stjames on September 30, 2003, at 23:38:36
In reply to My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY!, posted by matthhhh on September 30, 2003, at 18:08:10
it is true that all AD's can be used in some
for anxiety. That point is well documented.
It is also true than many AD's cause anxiety,
esp. during the first 4-8 weeks. How long have you been taking Wellby ?
Posted by temoigneur on October 1, 2003, at 2:14:37
In reply to Re: My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY!, posted by McPac on September 30, 2003, at 21:09:46
> "but my anxiety and ocd have gotten worse."
>
> >>>>>>> I've heard many other folks say the same thing Matt...I'd ditch the Wellbutrin if it were me.
>
Hi McPac, how are you. I'm going on a new opioid medication and I need to know the appropriate dose of another medication to counter tolerance. I wanted to ask ACE about this do you have his email address? He gave it to me once before but I misplaced it. Hope you are well,Take care,
Ben
Posted by Bill LL on October 1, 2003, at 11:45:15
In reply to My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY!, posted by matthhhh on September 30, 2003, at 18:08:10
Anxiety is a very ambiguous term that has different meanings to different people. Some people use it to describe jitteriness. Others use it to describe worrying about things.
I know that Wellbutrin can cause jitteriness. But maybe the doctor is thinking of "anxiety" as worrying.
It's possible that prior to Wellbutrin, a person worrys too much but is not jittery. Then after starting Wellbutrin, the person stops worrying as much about things, but becomes very jittery.
So depending on how you define "anxiety", you could say that Wellbutrin increased anxiety or you could say that it decreased anxiety.
Posted by djmmm on October 1, 2003, at 12:58:25
In reply to My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY!, posted by matthhhh on September 30, 2003, at 18:08:10
> My doc prescribed me wellbutrin for anxiety. Since ive been on it, ive noticed an increase in my mood and concentration, less fatigue but my anxiety and ocd have gotten worse.
> He says wellbutrin doesnt cause anxiety so it couldnt be the wellbutrin. Well, as far as i know, one of the main side effects of wellbutrin is anxiety, and it is rarely ever used for ocd. So what do u think?
Sure why not...wellbutrin for anxiety...docs give wellbutrin for smoking cessation, depression, social phobia, ocd,"the blues", as a "sex" stimulant, as and adjunct to other antidepressants, they give it for fibromyalgia, PMS, bipolar disorder...the list goes on....but if you ask me, looking at the pharmacology of wellbutrin, it is far more likely to cause anxiety then help alleviate the symptoms
Posted by Viridis on October 1, 2003, at 17:42:43
In reply to My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY!, posted by matthhhh on September 30, 2003, at 18:08:10
My GP told me something similar -- there's no such thing as an anxiety disorder, all anxiety is really just a symptom of depression, Wellbutrin "can't" cause side effects etc. Well, it did for me, big time, and this did not go away even after 8 weeks. The increase in anxiety was severe. Coincidentally, a friend of mine started it around the same time, and the first time she took it she had such a serious panic reaction that she thought she was having a heart attack.
My GP said I was "imagining" my reaction, so I went to a psychiatrist who immediately shook his head and said that he would never consider WB for someone with anxiety problems. Apparently, it's notorious for worsening anxiety, and he said that most of the other side effects I described are also fairly common.
Don't believe everything a doctor tells you, especially if they have little training in mental health issues.
Posted by Edgefield on October 1, 2003, at 19:31:54
In reply to My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY!, posted by matthhhh on September 30, 2003, at 18:08:10
I've been taking Wellbutrin for about 5 months for anxiety, ocd and depression, and I'm doing very well.
Initially, my doctor would not prescribe Wellbutrin because it is known to cause/increase anxiety in some individuals. It did make me feel slightly jittery for about two weeks, then it stopped.
My doctor is amazed at how well I've done on Wellbutrin. Especially when I told her that I take it in the evening and sleep like a baby at night.
Now, I did have such symptoms as dry mouth, severe pains in my shoulders, ringing in the ear, metallic taste in my mouth, headaches, an a few others that I've forgotten because they all subsided after about a month.
Once again a prime example of how we are all different.
Edgefield
...btw find another doctor.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on October 2, 2003, at 13:19:03
In reply to Re: My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY! » matthhhh, posted by Edgefield on October 1, 2003, at 19:31:54
> My doctor is amazed at how well I've done on Wellbutrin. Especially when I told her that I take it in the evening and sleep like a baby at night.
------Heh. I had the exact same conversation with my pdoc this morning.
"You're taking it when?"
"About 8:00. Twelve hours after my morning dose."
"That'll interfere with sleep"
"Not at all."I never realized that Wb is supposed to exert it's primary effect within such a short timespan. I'm used to assuming a drug's effect is from a cumulative effect over a period of weeks.
He wrote me a new script for the XL version, so that should simplify things, anyway. if only I can remember to take it in the hectic getting-ready-for-work morning.
Posted by Edgefield on October 2, 2003, at 13:46:59
In reply to Re: My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY! » Edgefield, posted by Eddie Sylvano on October 2, 2003, at 13:19:03
I like the Wellbutrin XL. I've been taking it for about two weeks. I take it between 6-9 o'clock at night and I'm still sleeping like a baby.
It's good to hear from someone else who has the same reaction to Wellbutrin. That makes three of us. I have a good friend who has been taking Wellbturin on and off since 1995, who also takes it at night. I've not had a day of insomnia or increased energy on Wellbutrin. Thank God!
Let me know how you like the XL, or is it XR? :)
Edgefield
> > My doctor is amazed at how well I've done on Wellbutrin. Especially when I told her that I take it in the evening and sleep like a baby at night.
> ------
>
> Heh. I had the exact same conversation with my pdoc this morning.
>
> "You're taking it when?"
> "About 8:00. Twelve hours after my morning dose."
> "That'll interfere with sleep"
> "Not at all."
>
> I never realized that Wb is supposed to exert it's primary effect within such a short timespan. I'm used to assuming a drug's effect is from a cumulative effect over a period of weeks.
> He wrote me a new script for the XL version, so that should simplify things, anyway. if only I can remember to take it in the hectic getting-ready-for-work morning.
>
>
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on October 2, 2003, at 14:42:33
In reply to Re: My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY! » Eddie Sylvano, posted by Edgefield on October 2, 2003, at 13:46:59
> Let me know how you like the XL, or is it XR? :)
I took my first one this morning after my appointment, and things seem pretty similar thus far. Aren't they cute! (compared to the blah purple ones). I do wonder how this blend will differ in duration to peak levels from SR. I usually feel the Wb most about 5 hours after taking it. Ideally, I'd wake up at 5AM and take it.
My dr was emphatic that I dose roughly before I need "attention." (i.e. my job). I can only assume that this means he believes I have an attention problem, and not just a clingy depression. Psychiatrists never just come out and tell you what they think is wrong with you. The best you can do is triangulate the dx via the rx's.
Posted by matthhhh on October 2, 2003, at 17:09:56
In reply to Re: My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY! » Edgefield, posted by Eddie Sylvano on October 2, 2003, at 14:42:33
Ive been on wellbutrin SR 50mg 3 times a day, for about 1.5 months now. I suffer from anxiety, social phobia and ocd. The wellbutrin had a paradoxical effect on me.
I notice im in a better mood and my Social phobia has decreased some,and im able to communicate more fluently with others.
On the other hand my obsessions have increased and it has made me a bit jittery at times.
Im thinking about adding tryptophan which works on serotonin that wellbutrin doesnt help with. Anyways i think ill stick with it for now. What do u think?
Posted by Zenclearer on October 2, 2003, at 23:36:35
In reply to What WELLBUTRIN has done for me, posted by matthhhh on October 2, 2003, at 17:09:56
I suggest cutting your dosage on WB in half immediately, and do not add any supplements etc for the moment. If that does not help take WB break and see how you feel for a few days. Then, add only 50 mg/day and stay there for a while. In fact, stay there as long as it feels good. No need at all to increase.
Posted by omegon on October 3, 2003, at 16:24:49
In reply to Re: My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY!, posted by zenclearer on September 30, 2003, at 20:09:02
> Sometims Docs and their apparent lack of knowledge really frighten me.
Hmm, yes. Me too.
My doc this morning: "All SSRI's have the same half-life, don't they?" (we were comparing paroxetine and fluoxetine)What knowledge he had was gleaned as I watched from the little drug reference book he consulted at that point, with eyebrows raised in surprise at what he read.
Then: "I wish people would tell me what they want"
I ended up basically prescribing my own medication. Just sign the form, dealer. Sorry, I mean doc.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on October 3, 2003, at 19:27:23
In reply to Re: My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY! » Eddie Sylvano, posted by Edgefield on October 2, 2003, at 13:46:59
> Let me know how you like the XL, or is it XR? :)
Am I the only one to notice that, about 10 hours after you take it, you begin to feel remarkably tired and dopey? This lasts for about two hours, and then I feel normal again.
Another observation: I went to a send-off party for a friend of mine who was moving away, and drank a fair amount, yet felt nothing from it. Ordinarily, one beer would get me more inebriated than the 3 generous beers and shot that I had that evening (and no food). I definately notice differences between the XL (I'm on 300mg) and SR (previously 150mg twice daily).
Posted by McPac on October 3, 2003, at 21:05:54
In reply to Re: My Doc Says WELLBUTRIN is for ANXIETY!, posted by temoigneur on October 1, 2003, at 2:14:37
Hi McPac, how are you.
>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm ok Ben. How are you doing?
I'm going on a new opioid medication and I need to know the appropriate dose of another medication to counter tolerance. I wanted to ask ACE about this do you have his email address? He gave it to me once before but I misplaced it.
>>>>>>>>>> I don't have Ace's e-mail....I remember that he did give it out to folks here but I didn't write it down at the time. Hey, as for opiods, ask Ame---he knows a lot about that! Just put his name in the Subject line so that he sees the post.
Hope you are well,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yeah, I'm ok dude...I really hope you are doing good too Ben...take care my friend!
Posted by theo on October 4, 2003, at 16:15:24
In reply to Wellbutrin XL nightly crash » Edgefield, posted by Eddie Sylvano on October 3, 2003, at 19:27:23
First of all, if your mixing alcohol with Well your evaluation is is completely distorted.
Posted by Edgefield on October 4, 2003, at 17:33:15
In reply to Wellbutrin XL nightly crash » Edgefield, posted by Eddie Sylvano on October 3, 2003, at 19:27:23
In the beginning I use to feel dizzy when I took Wellbutrin, that was one reason why I switched to taking it during the evening. I haven't noticed that side effect anymore.
Edgefield
> > Let me know how you like the XL, or is it XR? :)
>
> Am I the only one to notice that, about 10 hours after you take it, you begin to feel remarkably tired and dopey? This lasts for about two hours, and then I feel normal again.
> Another observation: I went to a send-off party for a friend of mine who was moving away, and drank a fair amount, yet felt nothing from it. Ordinarily, one beer would get me more inebriated than the 3 generous beers and shot that I had that evening (and no food). I definately notice differences between the XL (I'm on 300mg) and SR (previously 150mg twice daily).
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on October 5, 2003, at 15:34:21
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin XL nightly crash, posted by theo on October 4, 2003, at 16:15:24
> First of all, if your mixing alcohol with Well your evaluation is is completely distorted.
-----------To clarify, these experiences occured before that episode, and on several other occasions far removed from any alcohol consumption. The alcohol anecdote was just another observation of the effect of wellbutrin on typical brain states I experience.
This is the end of the thread.
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