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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by islandangel on January 26, 2006, at 21:10:10
I'm a woman in my mid 30s with fibromyalgia, fatigue, and colitis. I've been on Wellbutrin for 2 years. The best part-- I've cut carbs for over a year and maintained a 25 pound weight loss. In 2004, I started on Wellbutrin XL 350mg and it worked well the first couple of weeks then I became extremely tired and agitated. So I switched to Wellbutrin SR and then lowered the dose to 150mg once a day. It was okay for a while. Now I question whether it's time to wean off of Wellbutrin all together. I have always been VERY thoughtful, kind and calm. But lately I've gotten increasingly angry and hostile toward my family. I have unreasonable outbursts toward my 10 year old, something I would never do. The anger and hostility really worsen during PMS. It's as though I feel the change and it is not me. I have become a severe procrastinator and my home is a complete disaster. This is not me. I'm wondering if it is time to wean off of the Wellbutrin??? I worry the fibromyalgia, depression and colitis will worsen, but I'd rather have those health issues than the on and off severe hostility and anger. Any input? I can't take Prozac, it makes me a tired, overweight, zombie. Your input is appreciated.
Posted by shasling on January 26, 2006, at 21:28:24
In reply to Wellbutrin Anger Burnout???, posted by islandangel on January 26, 2006, at 21:10:10
Wellbutrin made me feel terribly angry. There are others who have said the same thing, (you can search on the board and get lots of posts about wellbutrin and anger or anxiety effects). I was out of control and like following people to work to attack them for putting on their makeup in the fast lane, starting altercations over parking spaces etc. Remember thinking this is how people end up in prison - cause I really wanted to beat everyone into submission. Thank goodness I'm only a 100 lb middle aged woman, or it could have been a disaster. Anyway, Wellbutrin has been known to over-amp the fight or flight response.
There are many many other meds you did not mention that might work well for you. I guess if it were me, and especially if I had a 10 yr old bearing the brunt of it I'd consider switching to another med.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on January 26, 2006, at 23:32:48
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin Anger Burnout??? » islandangel, posted by shasling on January 26, 2006, at 21:28:24
Made me appear manic and I ended up in the hospital. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by James K on January 27, 2006, at 0:18:45
In reply to Wellbutrin Anger Burnout???, posted by islandangel on January 26, 2006, at 21:10:10
Dang, I'm a middle-aged man in my mid-thirties with cfids and colitis. I've been on Welbutrin for a long time. I'm also the angriest person I've ever known. I don't know if I could give up the energy for the peace of mind though.
I wish you the best and sympathise with where you are at.
James K
Posted by finelinebob on January 27, 2006, at 1:16:19
In reply to Wellbutrin Anger Burnout???, posted by islandangel on January 26, 2006, at 21:10:10
Ever hear those stories about the "my meds made me do it" defenses for ax murderers? Ok, so the woman I was seeing at the time found intentionally aggravating others to be a pleasant pasttime, but when I had to start verbally warning her that I had a butcher's knife in my hands (I was making dinner) and she REALLY REALLY didn't want to aggravate me right then (did she listen? nope) was a bit of a give-away that wellbutrin probably wasn't for me. Taking an antipsychotic (perphenazine) with it did a good job of turning me into an activated zombie.
Doesn't wellbutrin have some effect on dopamine reuptake? I always wondered if that was what was at work here. Well (, when I **am** around here,) I tend to be one of the cheerleaders for TCAs but sedation may be an issue here too. Never was for me wtih nortriptyline, but it's a common side effect. Just some thoughts....
be well,
bob
Posted by islandangel on January 27, 2006, at 12:20:15
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin Anger Burnout???, posted by finelinebob on January 27, 2006, at 1:16:19
Thanks for your support. I started this journey first on low dose Elavil at night. Then moved on to Prozac, then tried Wellbutrin XL, then on to my latest with Wellbutrin SR. All of the above have made me so sleepy. Wellbutrin SR hasn't made me as tired- thats why I liked it. But then the anger kicked in. Funny thing is, on
WB-Sr when I'm happy, I'm really happy but when I'm agitated and angry watch out. It softens the fatigue and pain of the colitis and fibro but... at what price? I may try to wean off and go without an antidepressant but still worry about worsening physical pain.
Posted by Tomatheus on January 28, 2006, at 1:08:19
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin Anger Burnout???, posted by finelinebob on January 27, 2006, at 1:16:19
> Doesn't wellbutrin have some effect on dopamine reuptake?
I believe so. Wellbutrin is understood to exert its antidepressant effects by inhibiting the reuptake of both dopamine and norepinephrine.
Tomatheus
Posted by islandangel on January 28, 2006, at 13:12:13
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin Anger Burnout??? » finelinebob, posted by Tomatheus on January 28, 2006, at 1:08:19
HI everyone-- A follow up on my situation. I had an unreasonable outburst/confrontation last night. Granted I was provoked by a 10 year old-- and to compound the situation I have PMS. But, this is NOT me. When the anger comes it's as though I feel a chemical reaction inside of me.I feel the anger building and boiling like a tea kettle. I have already cut my Wellbutrin SR dose in half today and will continue to do so. Are there any other alternatives to WB that will help out with my fibro and colitis pain without making me angry or sleepy? Most anti-depressants make me sleepy and un-motivated. I've now hit the 2 year mark with Wellbutrin. If anyone has suggestions on an alternative "energizing" anti-depressant without the "aggression", I'd be eternally grateful for any suggestions.
Thanks for listening to my babble, most of all thanks for your help.
Posted by ghostshadow on February 8, 2006, at 12:27:10
In reply to Followup- worse Re: Wellbutrin Anger Burnout???, posted by islandangel on January 28, 2006, at 13:12:13
maybe the WB combined with something else? or maybe something like topamax? i've read on this board about its being used as a mood stabilizer, but i take it for migraines and nerve pain. (i'm also on WB SR 300mg and lexapro 20 mg a day.)
Posted by ghostshadow on February 9, 2006, at 9:14:24
In reply to Re: Followup- worse Re: Wellbutrin Anger Burnout??? » islandangel, posted by ghostshadow on February 8, 2006, at 12:27:10
oops. WB XL, not SR. sorry.
Posted by islandangel on February 9, 2006, at 21:59:21
In reply to Re: Followup- worse Re: Wellbutrin Anger Burnout???, posted by ghostshadow on February 9, 2006, at 9:14:24
Hi all, since this initial post I have cut my Wellbutrin SR 150 dose in half. I am now feeling severe fibromyalgia pain for the first time in years, and am not sleeping well despite the help of ambien. I can still feel some anger/hostility and have outbursts but it's not as bad. I can really tell it's the WB. Wellbutrin SR kept my fibro pain and colitis pain away but I can't stand the hostility and outbursts. I have also noticed evere cystic acne with WB SR, especially during with PMS. Anyone have any luck with Effexor??? I'm seriously considering switching to Effexor.
I can't stand the pain. Elavil makes me tired and Prozac makes me a zombie. I really don't do combo drugs well. Effexor suggestions anyone?
I truly appreciate it.
Posted by ghostshadow on February 10, 2006, at 11:54:25
In reply to Re: Followup- worse Re: Wellbutrin Anger Burnout???, posted by islandangel on February 9, 2006, at 21:59:21
i didn't do well at all on effexor, but that was just me. as far as acting as an antidepressant it did ME no good what-so-ever. was stupid and didn't go back and re-read the whole string before i started this, but have you tried wellbutrin xl?
Posted by islandangel on February 10, 2006, at 13:28:31
In reply to Re: Followup- worse Re: Wellbutrin Anger Burnout???, posted by ghostshadow on February 10, 2006, at 11:54:25
I started on Wellbutrin XL, it was great the first two weeks then after that it made me ungodly tired and even more angry/hostile. In fact, I was really raging on XL compared to SR. I felt like I wasn't metabolizing XL, almost as though it was building up in my system. Once I got on SR it got better, but then after a year or so on SR-- I started getting hostile again, especially toward my loved ones. We're talking unreasonable hostility from a person who is normally a delightful, calm, caring person. My main use for anti-depressants is for fibromyalgia pain, colitis pain and lack of restful sleep. For some reason, anti-depressants help interrupt the pain and assist me in sleeping, which in return makes me a happier person. Prozac made me lifeless, oveweight and angry, low dose Elavil makes me too tired during the day even though I took it at night for years, Wellbutrin SR started out okay but eventually made me procrastinate, made me apathetic and most of all caused me to be angry and hostile, mixed with bouts of cheerfulness. What was it about Effexor that you didn't like? I'm trying to ask around to find out how various people have been affected by Effexor and whether it might be an alternative for me. Thanks again for your in-put.
Posted by ed_uk on February 10, 2006, at 15:22:37
In reply to Re: Followup- worse Re: Wellbutrin Anger Burnout???, posted by islandangel on February 10, 2006, at 13:28:31
Hi
Have you tried nortriptyline (Pamelor)? It has similar pain-relieving properties to amitriptyline (Elavil) but is less sedating.
Ed
Posted by gromit on February 15, 2006, at 4:28:00
In reply to Re: Followup- worse Re: Wellbutrin Anger Burnout???, posted by islandangel on February 9, 2006, at 21:59:21
> Hi all, since this initial post I have cut my Wellbutrin SR 150 dose in half. I am now feeling severe fibromyalgia pain for the first time in years, and am not sleeping well despite the help of ambien. I can still feel some anger/hostility and have outbursts but it's not as bad. I can really tell it's the WB. Wellbutrin SR kept my fibro pain and colitis pain away but I can't stand the hostility and outbursts. I have also noticed evere cystic acne with WB SR, especially during with PMS. Anyone have any luck with Effexor??? I'm seriously considering switching to Effexor.
> I can't stand the pain. Elavil makes me tired and Prozac makes me a zombie. I really don't do combo drugs well.The first time I took Wellbutrin the anger was uncontrollable and totally out of character, my doctor gave me buspar. I think it really helped with the out of the blue meltdowns. At that time it wasn't clear if it was buspar or just my brain getting used to wellbutrin. The last two trials of wellbutrin the temper didn't get better with time so I'm assuming the buspar made the difference. For me it's an easy med to take, if you start low you might not notice anything, then one day you'll realize you don't want to punch everything within reach. I've never taken effexor but cymbalta was a great pain reliever, better than anything including opiates. It was also the best sleep med ever at higher doses but many people don't report any sedation.
Anyway, I wouldn't be too quick to abandon a drug that is working partially. It does suck taking a pill to counteract the side effects of another pill but it seems sometimes that's the best current medicine can do.
Rick
Posted by Marzipan on February 17, 2008, at 20:32:15
In reply to Re: Followup- worse Re: Wellbutrin Anger Burnout???, posted by islandangel on February 10, 2006, at 13:28:31
Talk to your Physician about Cymbalta ( as an alternative to Wellbutrin, this is what my physician has suggested for me to decrease feelings of anger and aggitation.
Also, yoga and meditation practice have really helped to coped. As have Cognitive Behavioural therapy in dealing with depression.
This is the end of the thread.
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