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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by DeeJay on December 2, 2003, at 9:06:40
Hello all, I was just curious about the effects of wellbutrin and abruptly quitting drinking. I like to have wine at night with dinner, sometimes a little more after, but it's just wine. The Italians and French do it everyday and they aren't crazy. However, I've heard and read that seizures can occur, depending on how much alochol one consumes, I'm sure?....anyone know anything about this?
Much thanks,
Deej
Posted by Susan J on December 2, 2003, at 9:19:53
In reply to Wellbutrin and alchohol withdrawal, posted by DeeJay on December 2, 2003, at 9:06:40
Hello,
I'm *so* not an expert on this, but I think heavy drinking and Wellbutrin increase the risk of seizures. Abruptly quitting heavy drinking *might* increase the risk of seizures, too.
I dunno if you are a heavy drinker or not. Sounds moderate to me. But that would all depend on your weight and metabolism and all that. Right now, a glass of wine puts me under the table. :-)
I know I haven't been much help. There are tons of others here who know better than I do.
Good luck,
Susan
> Hello all, I was just curious about the effects of wellbutrin and abruptly quitting drinking. I like to have wine at night with dinner, sometimes a little more after, but it's just wine. The Italians and French do it everyday and they aren't crazy. However, I've heard and read that seizures can occur, depending on how much alochol one consumes, I'm sure?....anyone know anything about this?
>
> Much thanks,
>
> Deej
Posted by DeeJay on December 2, 2003, at 9:28:45
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and alchohol withdrawal » DeeJay, posted by Susan J on December 2, 2003, at 9:19:53
Hi Susan ---
Wouldn't say I'm a heavy drinker but I do have a very fast metabolism and I tend to have to drink more to feel anything. My doc says I'm lacking a certain enzyme that people like yourself (who can knock back one glass and feel great) but it doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. I wasn't sure because alcohol has never been a huge issue in my life and I love wine too much to give it up. However, it is scary to think that something I love could give me a seizure. Bluh!! I had previously been on Paxil CR for a year and a half and what a freakin' nightmare. I'll see how it goes. Thanks for the input!!..;)
Deej
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on December 2, 2003, at 9:32:50
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and alchohol withdrawal, posted by DeeJay on December 2, 2003, at 9:28:45
It's known to bump your odds up a percent or two, but I've never actually heard from anyone who's experienced one.
Posted by Susan J on December 2, 2003, at 12:29:44
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and alchohol withdrawal, posted by DeeJay on December 2, 2003, at 9:28:45
Hey,
> I wasn't sure because alcohol has never been a huge issue in my life and I love wine too much to give it up.
<<Did your doc tell you to give up drinking, or are you only considering it because of the seizure risk? Like Eddie Sylvano said, it's rare to hear about someone having a seizure on WB. My therapist told me one of her patients had a seizure on WB just recently, but that person has epilepsy, too.>>I had previously been on Paxil CR for a year and a half and what a freakin' nightmare.
<<I'm with you on that. Paxil was horrible horrible for me, and WB has been a godsend.>>I'll see how it goes. Thanks for the input!!..;)
<<How long have you been on WB? I sometimes drink a glass of wine each night, then I'll go months without drinking at all. Then I'll get quite toasted on a Friday night happy hour, six or seven drinks. I'm all over the place in drinking habits, and haven't had any trouble.I *do* find, however, that drinking even one glass of wine, especially red wine, messes up my sleep for the night. And since I'm having sleeping problems on WB, I'm avoiding alcohol for that reason, but that reason alone.
Good luck. I hope WB works well for you.
Susan
Posted by DeeJay on December 2, 2003, at 13:58:56
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and alchohol withdrawal, posted by Susan J on December 2, 2003, at 12:29:44
Susan,
Wow, you sound alot like me in a way. My doc didn't tell me to stop drinking, she did however tell me how it affects your sleep. I take Tylenol PM every night almost, even when I don't drink. I think I drink about 3 times a week, then on weekends usually on Saturday night. I'm so tired by Friday that I fall asleep too early to go anywhere. Must be from not sleeping during the week. I have only been on WB for a few days, and I feel fine. The only reason my doc put me on it is because I have this freakish thing about going to places like Super Target alone because people drive me crazy...standing in line drives me crazy because I anticipate everyones every move. Not a way to live! Hopefully this works and it is good to hear it is a godsend for you. Gives me hope..;)
Good luck to you!
Deej
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 2, 2003, at 16:57:39
In reply to Wellbutrin and alchohol withdrawal, posted by DeeJay on December 2, 2003, at 9:06:40
Alcohol lowers your seizure threshold, meaning you will be more likely to experience a seizure. If you don't abuse alcohol, you shouldn't have any problems.
> Hello all, I was just curious about the effects of wellbutrin and abruptly quitting drinking. I like to have wine at night with dinner, sometimes a little more after, but it's just wine. The Italians and French do it everyday and they aren't crazy. However, I've heard and read that seizures can occur, depending on how much alochol one consumes, I'm sure?....anyone know anything about this?
>
> Much thanks,
>
> Deej
Posted by Dog on December 3, 2003, at 13:39:51
In reply to Has anyone here ever had a Wellbutrin seizure?, posted by Eddie Sylvano on December 2, 2003, at 9:32:50
> It's known to bump your odds up a percent or two, but I've never actually heard from anyone who's experienced one.
Reply from Dog: i had a grand mal seizure from wellbutrin in 1988. i was in a study with wellbutrin and was getting them free... i was in a counseling session with a clinical psychologist (PhD) at the time of the seizure who also positively confirmed it... it was very frightening...subsequent tests like CT Scan, MRI, and EEG showed no anomalies...it had to have been Wellbutrin...i was taking way too much, like 900+ mgs a day, plus i was very ill at the time with a bronchial infection and was also taking some antibiotics... i continued taking wellbutrin at that level or near that level though... then, in 1991, i experienced hallucinations... i was driving at the time and saw a tire wheel of the car next to me explode into bright flame... i went off of it for a long time, then the depression came back real strong in late 90s, so i started back on them... am on 300 mgs now and notice no ill effects... seems i can't get away from wellbutrin.. have tried some others, but either side-effects are too much or they make me sick..
Posted by DeeJay on December 3, 2003, at 15:46:40
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and alchohol withdrawal, posted by DeeJay on December 2, 2003, at 13:58:56
Okay..I'm not dumb here, but in doing research on WB, it is clearly used for depression, not panic attacks or anxiety. Soooo, why if I told my doc of my history of panic attacks, would she think I am the perfect case for this med? I don't understand. She is a psych, not a GP, so that's not it, but still. My diagnosis was OCD, anxiety and agoraphobia, and she said "WB is perfect for you". I notice not alot of posts are about WB, but I was hoping this might strike a cord with someone.
Thanks...;)
Deej
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on December 3, 2003, at 16:23:26
In reply to Re: Has anyone here ever had a Wellbutrin seizure?, posted by Dog on December 3, 2003, at 13:39:51
...i was taking way too much, like 900+ mgs a day, plus i was very ill at the time with a bronchial infection and was also taking some antibiotics...
----------Man, that's a lotta Wellbutrin, especially for the old formulations. The XL version seems really smooth compared to even the SR. Never tried the original immediate release. I bet that 900mg of XL wouldn't be intolerable, especially if you spaced them out a few hours (not that I'm advising anyone do this, though I'm sure someone will point this out anyway).
Posted by Dog on December 4, 2003, at 9:11:18
In reply to Re: Has anyone here ever had a Wellbutrin seizure? » Dog, posted by Eddie Sylvano on December 3, 2003, at 16:23:26
in the late 1980s, i had to take them every few hours... it was really a hassle... while i was in the study, after i had the seizure, my Doc told me that wellbutrin had been on and off the market, but it was taken off because of seizures... he told me the study i was in was supposed to get it back on the market, and i guess it did... i don't know if he reported my seizure...he said it was probably some kind of interaction with the antibiotics...we also discussed petite mal seizures: i always wondered if i could have had some of those also..
Re Sex:
i think wellbutrin had something to do with me and my wife getting together when i was taking 900 mg/day... i had such strong sexual urges, not necessarily to just have sex, although that was there also, but there was such control... i wanted just to be close to a woman... i remember just wanting to hold my girlfriend, now wife, for hours at a time... it was such a calming, loving, affirming thing...she enjoyed it also..anyway now, the sex is just great! orgasms happen easily and are controllable.. that is they're not premature or anything, and they can happen often also... i had heard wellbutrin is great for sexual dysfxns, and has been prescribed for them... i believe it! other drugs like SSRIs just really mess me up , like i get anorgasmic... with SSRIs, i can get an erection easily enough,although my libido does seem decreased, but orgasms are difficult to achieve when i took SSRIs: really frustrating for both me and my wife...Wellbutrin enhances my libido and sexual fxns wonderfully!
> ...i was taking way too much, like 900+ mgs a day, plus i was very ill at the time with a bronchial infection and was also taking some antibiotics...
> ----------
>
> Man, that's a lotta Wellbutrin, especially for the old formulations. The XL version seems really smooth compared to even the SR. Never tried the original immediate release. I bet that 900mg of XL wouldn't be intolerable, especially if you spaced them out a few hours (not that I'm advising anyone do this, though I'm sure someone will point this out anyway).
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 4, 2003, at 16:56:44
In reply to Wellbutrin for anxiety wha???, posted by DeeJay on December 3, 2003, at 15:46:40
Sounds odd to me too. Wellbutrin can be stimulating.
> Okay..I'm not dumb here, but in doing research on WB, it is clearly used for depression, not panic attacks or anxiety. Soooo, why if I told my doc of my history of panic attacks, would she think I am the perfect case for this med? I don't understand. She is a psych, not a GP, so that's not it, but still. My diagnosis was OCD, anxiety and agoraphobia, and she said "WB is perfect for you". I notice not alot of posts are about WB, but I was hoping this might strike a cord with someone.
>
> Thanks...;)
>
> Deej
Posted by DeeJay on December 5, 2003, at 9:05:19
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for anxiety wha???, posted by KimberlyDi on December 4, 2003, at 16:56:44
It's been a week for me on the WB, and I think all is going just fine....considering. I don't feel panicky or anxious, and I have a huge load of energy I didn't have before, but I can't seem to physically get out of bed because I feel like a train hit me. Going from Paxil CR to WB XL is interesting, to say the least.
Deej
Posted by karo on December 5, 2003, at 12:00:35
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for anxiety wha???, posted by DeeJay on December 5, 2003, at 9:05:19
I have been on Wellbutrin since June.. for anxiety, panic (and depression, which seems to creep up on me with the anxiety). Before that I was on Celexa, and before that on Paxil. Although paxil worked really well, I gained about 40 lbs in 2 years!! So I became really depressed about my weight and tried Celexa. Celexa and sex drive were BRUTAL, so went to Wellbutrin. Was taking 150mg and felt pretty good... but I still had a bit of anxiety feelings, so my dr. put me up to 300mg /day. Holy crap - i am so wired that I feel panic and anxiety all the time. I dont know if it's just a coincidence that this is happening with the upped dosage, but it is crazy. I have only been on 300mg for 2 weeks, but my dr. says the stimulant factor should go away soon. For now I am also taking clonazepan to chill me out. Anyone in a similar situation? This is crazy... I just want to feel normal and not be a damn walking pharmacy!!!
Posted by theo on December 5, 2003, at 17:54:32
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for anxiety wha???, posted by DeeJay on December 5, 2003, at 9:05:19
I'm adding Paxil to my 150mg Wellbutrin XL because the Wellbutrin does absolutily nothing for my anxiety. Why are you stopping Paxil CR? Did you every try regular Paxil?
Posted by Viridis on December 6, 2003, at 14:49:45
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for anxiety wha???, posted by KimberlyDi on December 4, 2003, at 16:56:44
Wellbutrin seems to be a particularly variable med in the sense that some people benefit greatly whereas others have very negative reactions. It caused tremendous anxiety for me and a bunch of other side effects even at just 150 mg SR/day. I stuck with it for about two months, but finally stopped it since the side effects never diminished. They stopped within a day of discontinuation and I had no withdrawal. At about the same time, a friend tried it and had such a severe, sustained panic reaction she actually thought she was having a heart attack. Yet another friend found it a great antidepressant, and someone else I know had absolutely no reaction to it.
It seems to be a med to take cautiously, especially if you're anxiety-prone -- try small doses at first to see how you react.
For energy and motivation, plus some mood-lifting effects, I found Provigil (modafinil) quite helpful, and it didn't cause anxiety for me. So, it could be a good alternative for some people who can't tolerate Wellbutrin. It's all trial-and-error, really.
Posted by DeeJay on December 6, 2003, at 18:09:38
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for anxiety wha??? » DeeJay, posted by theo on December 5, 2003, at 17:54:32
Yes, I did take regular Paxil and it didn't work for me. Since I was seeing a GP at the time, the only thing she could think to do was put me on the CR..my guess, was because it was new. You know how that goes. I'm a week into the WB, and I think I might like it. I'm not panicky or anything, the anxiety isn't like it was before, it just didn't make sense to me that I was given the WB. Well, if anything, I know I don't want to smoke anymore...so we'll see...;)
Thanks for the thoughts
Deej
Posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 1:29:10
In reply to Wellbutrin for anxiety wha???, posted by DeeJay on December 3, 2003, at 15:46:40
she's a genius dr. that may read your mind, or not. either way, Get a second opinion. wellbu Can cause panic/siezure at once---happened to me---and the man that handed me free samples was the man that did the fda workup. IMHO this doc ain't right. even dangerous. shop around. look at credentials. yale beats santa domingo. savvy?
Posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 1:38:35
In reply to Re: Has anyone here ever had a Wellbutrin seizure?, posted by Dog on December 3, 2003, at 13:39:51
you discribe a wellbu-induced hallucination. aside from that it works? at lower dose? not unusual for a drug that causes negative reactions to be tried later. works sometimes.
Posted by bavmorda on December 7, 2003, at 21:34:26
In reply to Wellbutrin for anxiety wha???, posted by DeeJay on December 3, 2003, at 15:46:40
My doc prescribed 150 WB/XL for ADD, disthymia, and symptoms of GAD. I FREAKED right around the 2 week mark. As if snapping at people for no reason, feeling lightheaded, and shaking wasnt bad enough... I got to experience some nasty paranoia. Everyone I spoke to had a plot to hurt me in some way. During several moments of the day, I could feel my brain flush and I wanted to cry. It was horrible. Trial and error is normal, but I dont see how a stimulant like WB is good for people with anxiety and panic disorders.
BTW... The doc immediately took me off WB and put me on Lexapro. She might give me a 75mg WB tablet with it to prevent weight gain and lethargy. Waiting to see how the Lex works, though...
> Okay..I'm not dumb here, but in doing research on WB, it is clearly used for depression, not panic attacks or anxiety. Soooo, why if I told my doc of my history of panic attacks, would she think I am the perfect case for this med? I don't understand. She is a psych, not a GP, so that's not it, but still. My diagnosis was OCD, anxiety and agoraphobia, and she said "WB is perfect for you". I notice not alot of posts are about WB, but I was hoping this might strike a cord with someone.
>
> Thanks...;)
>
> Deej
Posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 22:19:46
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for anxiety wha???, posted by bavmorda on December 7, 2003, at 21:34:26
wellbu had me agressive, verbally, in hours---then panic and minor convulsions---these things should have been sorted out prior to marketing. to put the 'burden of proof' upon the client? in the case of meds, this seems unethical. the drug cos. blame the dr.---the same dr. relying on their studies and salesmen, allededly knowing their product. regards
Posted by DeeJay on December 8, 2003, at 12:33:06
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for anxiety wha???, posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 22:19:46
Thanks for your input....I'm doing well on the WB so far...except for early morning jitters, but that's partially because of caffeine. We'll see though. It's only been a week so my head might actually explode within a few more and when it does, I'll let you all know...;)
Cheers,
Deej
Posted by DeeJay on December 8, 2003, at 12:37:18
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for anxiety wha???, posted by DeeJay on December 8, 2003, at 12:33:06
Maxx44---
Is that yale beating santa domingo a game or am I retarded?...;p
Deej
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 13:32:17
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for anxiety wha???, posted by DeeJay on December 8, 2003, at 12:37:18
no joke but perhaps poor humor---60 minutes did a bit on u of santa domingo med school---seemed a diploma mill. i was being 'treated' by a u of santa domingo dr. my talk therapist taped the thing for me and in view of my blood pressure being so high, and the md.'s saying i should see his brother the cardiologist? i found a new dr. regards
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 13:34:45
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin for anxiety wha???, posted by DeeJay on December 8, 2003, at 12:33:06
if it works, great. regards
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