Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 47500

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WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!

Posted by tearful tiffany on October 27, 2000, at 8:31:31

My husband was prescribed wellbutrin about 5 weeks ago to stop smoking. He smokes a pack in about 2-3 days. He has slowed down a bit, BUT he is so agitated. Last night he told me to f** off. WHAT is this? I'm walking on egg shells with him, trying to be extra understanding, and it doesn't seem to matter. He's coming home and going directly to bed sometimes, and then sometimes he's up half the night. Sometimes he looks at me like he wants to rip my head off. This is causing lots of problems. I've got my own depression issues, and this does not help. Being a user of several different antidepressants over periods of my life, I know that there are mood changes that you've got to go through until you stabilize. But, I'm wondering is there anyone out there who had these side effects which were relieved after some time? If this is the way he is going to be, I might tolerate his smoking rather than going through this. Next month is our 5th anniversary, and if he keeps this up, I don't know how we'll make it!
e-mail me at caballero4@prodigy.net if you have any helpful info~

 

Re: WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!

Posted by SLS on October 27, 2000, at 9:24:43

In reply to WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!, posted by tearful tiffany on October 27, 2000, at 8:31:31

Dear Tiffany,

I hope people who have experienced this effect from Wellbutrin / Zyban can give you a more relevant personal description. The only thing that I would like to start off saying is that I think 5 weeks is plenty enough time to allow for any "start-up" mood and behavioral changes to resolve. Wellbutrin can sometimes make people angry and irritable. This drug seems to have an amphetamine-like effect in some people. Perhaps your husband's irritability involves the cessation of smoking itself.

I guess the main thing I want to convey is that such a reaction to Wellbutrin, and other psychotropic drugs, is possible and documented. You'll see it here if you hang-out long enough. I think it would be a good time to try to visit the prescribing physician.

Good luck. I hope your anniversery turns out to be as happy and meaningful as you would like it to be.


Sincerely,
Scott


> My husband was prescribed wellbutrin about 5 weeks ago to stop smoking. He smokes a pack in about 2-3 days. He has slowed down a bit, BUT he is so agitated. Last night he told me to f** off. WHAT is this? I'm walking on egg shells with him, trying to be extra understanding, and it doesn't seem to matter. He's coming home and going directly to bed sometimes, and then sometimes he's up half the night. Sometimes he looks at me like he wants to rip my head off. This is causing lots of problems. I've got my own depression issues, and this does not help. Being a user of several different antidepressants over periods of my life, I know that there are mood changes that you've got to go through until you stabilize. But, I'm wondering is there anyone out there who had these side effects which were relieved after some time? If this is the way he is going to be, I might tolerate his smoking rather than going through this. Next month is our 5th anniversary, and if he keeps this up, I don't know how we'll make it!
> e-mail me at caballero4@prodigy.net if you have any helpful info~

 

Re: WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!

Posted by laural on October 27, 2000, at 10:20:36

In reply to Re: WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!, posted by SLS on October 27, 2000, at 9:24:43

> Dear Tiffany,

Scotts right, 5 weeks is plenty. when i first began wellbutrin i was as irratible as he sounds--it was a nightmare both for others and myself. i didn't like myself being so angry but i really couldn't help it somehow. if i said nothing i would simply fume so i was very relieved to stop it immediatly. i don't remember tapering off, but i suggest that your husband do so, to decrease any withdrawel he might feel. also do not give up on wellbutrin for him to stop smoking. i have a feeling that his prescription is simply too high a dose and lower doses might actually work as well without the irratibility. when i went back on it, this time to stop smoking, (at first) i was prescribed 2 purple pills, one in the morning and one at night. it gave me terrible side effects and i cut the night dose. it made no difference in cutting out the addicted feeling to cigarettes. talk to the doc, now. ive written more of my history with wellb. under the thread, HELP IM NEW TO WELL. . .--my post is at 10-26 titled "i don't know why i erase these titles" hope this helps, laural

ps, don't give up on your husband--this is definitely not him but the drugs influencing him--

 

Re: WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!

Posted by Leonardo on October 27, 2000, at 11:23:39

In reply to WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!, posted by tearful tiffany on October 27, 2000, at 8:31:31

Hi Tiffany

I have recently been taking Wellbutrin and did not get these irritability effects, though many others do. I did get them on another medication (reboxetine), so everyone is different.

One thing you might want to know is that in the UK, when they prescribe Zyban (Wellbutrin) for smoking cessation, you only get 2 months supply, ie they reckon that if you haven't stopped smoking in 2 months on Zyban, it isn't going to work. Seems from what you say that your husband is not going to be successful with Zyban, as he's 5 weeks in already and hasn't reduced the smoking much. Obviously he should check with his doc, but I reckon if he hasn't stopped smoking at the end of 8 weeks there's little point continuing with the Wellbutrin/Zyban.

I think it is well known that Zyban doesn't work for everyone. I recall a key requirement in making it work was that the person has a strong commitment to giving up (ie the Zyban doesn't do it all for you). Also I think you are supposed to stop smoking completely after the first week on Zyban, or it doesn't work either.

As others have said, he should be able to reduce the insomnia and irritability by reducing the dose eg one tab a day not two, and taking it early in the morning top reduce the insomnia side effects.

Good luck
Leonardo

> My husband was prescribed wellbutrin about 5 weeks ago to stop smoking. He smokes a pack in about 2-3 days. He has slowed down a bit, BUT he is so agitated. Last night he told me to f** off. WHAT is this? I'm walking on egg shells with him, trying to be extra understanding, and it doesn't seem to matter. He's coming home and going directly to bed sometimes, and then sometimes he's up half the night. Sometimes he looks at me like he wants to rip my head off. This is causing lots of problems. I've got my own depression issues, and this does not help. Being a user of several different antidepressants over periods of my life, I know that there are mood changes that you've got to go through until you stabilize. But, I'm wondering is there anyone out there who had these side effects which were relieved after some time? If this is the way he is going to be, I might tolerate his smoking rather than going through this. Next month is our 5th anniversary, and if he keeps this up, I don't know how we'll make it!
> e-mail me at caballero4@prodigy.net if you have any helpful info~

 

Re: WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!

Posted by allisonm on October 27, 2000, at 11:30:49

In reply to WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!, posted by tearful tiffany on October 27, 2000, at 8:31:31

Tiffany,
What the others have said is right on the money. I'm on 400mg Wellbutrin, but worked up to that. Every time my dose was increased I got irritable, hand tremor, etc., but it went away after about 2 weeks. Five weeks sounds like too much. He ought to talk with his doctor. Also, could there anything else going on in your husband's life that might also be contributing?

Good luck.
Allison

 

Re: WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!

Posted by Ted on October 27, 2000, at 11:37:36

In reply to WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!, posted by tearful tiffany on October 27, 2000, at 8:31:31

Hi Tiffany,

I am on wellbutrin also -- never had the problem you describe. Ditto for my wife. What you might want to try, just for short term, is adding depakote. It is a mood suppressent and is good at reducing irritability. It is used to treat the manic episode of bipolar disorder (that's why I take it), and I have found it to really calm me down.

Another alternative is a prescription of a weak benzodiazepine, like clonazepam or lorazepam, in the smallest dose. These are addictive so be careful, but they will definitely calm him down.

Good luck. Your description sounds like my wife's complaints about me prior to my hospitalization for bipolar disorder. I am totally different now. :-)

Ted

 

Re: WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!

Posted by Greg on October 27, 2000, at 12:07:55

In reply to WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!, posted by tearful tiffany on October 27, 2000, at 8:31:31

Tiffany,

Being a 31 year veteran of the smoking wars and numerous attempts to quit. I feel like I understand a little of what your hubby is going thru. The Wellbutrin could definitely be a contributing factor to your husband's irritability due to it's activating properties. This could be especially true if he has a tendancy to be hyper in the first place. Something that might be being overlooked here is the long-lasting effects of the Nicotine. I've gone as long as 6 weeks without smoking and had the cravings for it be as strong then as when I first quit. I have friends who have quit years ago and still have cravings for cigarettes. Nicotine is a monster drug and it takes prisoners. In some of the other posts people have suggested something to help calm him down a bit, I think this is a good idea. Perhaps something like Depakote or Neurontin might help, but only on a short term basis.

I'm not trying to make excuses for your hubby's behavior, you might try to discuss it with him during one of his calmer moments. I'm just trying to give you some thoughts from a smoker's viewpoint.

My wishes to you both for a joyous and happy anniversary.

Peace,
Greg

> My husband was prescribed wellbutrin about 5 weeks ago to stop smoking. He smokes a pack in about 2-3 days. He has slowed down a bit, BUT he is so agitated. Last night he told me to f** off. WHAT is this? I'm walking on egg shells with him, trying to be extra understanding, and it doesn't seem to matter. He's coming home and going directly to bed sometimes, and then sometimes he's up half the night. Sometimes he looks at me like he wants to rip my head off. This is causing lots of problems. I've got my own depression issues, and this does not help. Being a user of several different antidepressants over periods of my life, I know that there are mood changes that you've got to go through until you stabilize. But, I'm wondering is there anyone out there who had these side effects which were relieved after some time? If this is the way he is going to be, I might tolerate his smoking rather than going through this. Next month is our 5th anniversary, and if he keeps this up, I don't know how we'll make it!
> e-mail me at caballero4@prodigy.net if you have any helpful info~

 

don't underestimate nicotine withdrawal. np

Posted by shar on October 27, 2000, at 13:49:49

In reply to WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!, posted by tearful tiffany on October 27, 2000, at 8:31:31

x > My husband was prescribed wellbutrin about 5 weeks ago to stop smoking. He smokes a pack in about 2-3 days. He has slowed down a bit, BUT he is so agitated. Last night he told me to f** off. WHAT is this? I'm walking on egg shells with him, trying to be extra understanding, and it doesn't seem to matter. He's coming home and going directly to bed sometimes, and then sometimes he's up half the night. Sometimes he looks at me like he wants to rip my head off. This is causing lots of problems. I've got my own depression issues, and this does not help. Being a user of several different antidepressants over periods of my life, I know that there are mood changes that you've got to go through until you stabilize. But, I'm wondering is there anyone out there who had these side effects which were relieved after some time? If this is the way he is going to be, I might tolerate his smoking rather than going through this. Next month is our 5th anniversary, and if he keeps this up, I don't know how we'll make it!
> e-mail me at caballero4@prodigy.net if you have any helpful info~

 

and positive effects of nicotine he is losing.np

Posted by shar on October 27, 2000, at 13:55:15

In reply to WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!, posted by tearful tiffany on October 27, 2000, at 8:31:31

> My husband was prescribed wellbutrin about 5 weeks ago to stop smoking. He smokes a pack in about 2-3 days. He has slowed down a bit, BUT he is so agitated. Last night he told me to f** off. WHAT is this? I'm walking on egg shells with him, trying to be extra understanding, and it doesn't seem to matter. He's coming home and going directly to bed sometimes, and then sometimes he's up half the night. Sometimes he looks at me like he wants to rip my head off. This is causing lots of problems. I've got my own depression issues, and this does not help. Being a user of several different antidepressants over periods of my life, I know that there are mood changes that you've got to go through until you stabilize. But, I'm wondering is there anyone out there who had these side effects which were relieved after some time? If this is the way he is going to be, I might tolerate his smoking rather than going through this. Next month is our 5th anniversary, and if he keeps this up, I don't know how we'll make it!
> e-mail me at caballero4@prodigy.net if you have any helpful info~

 

Re: WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!

Posted by Racer on October 27, 2000, at 16:20:01

In reply to Re: WELLBUTRIN and my husbands now a JERK!! HELP!!, posted by Greg on October 27, 2000, at 12:07:55

Being a smoker, too, I can attest to the problems of quitting. I've tried many times, using almost everything there is to help me, and you didn't notice me using the past tense in that first declaration...

One of the Surgeon Generals once said that nicotine was more addictive than heroin, and I believe that. I know people who have quit, or tried to quit, both. Almost all of them managed to quit the heroin in the end, though most still had some cravings for it. Only one of them managed to quit smoking, and she said it was much worse than withdrawal from heroin.

For myself, I know that I get antsy, mostly, from nicotine withdrawal. That doesn't sound so bad, but it's giving up the 'good' effects of smoking that make it a real problem for me. For example, I get kinda intense about work, and smoke breaks are the only time I can wind down during the day. Yeah, that's my own fault, eating lunch at my desk, working too many hours, etc. But it's also a function of the business world I've found myself in. Any time I'm not out of my office, I'm going to be hit up to work and some times there just isn't anywhere to go for lunch. (I take my lunch for financial reasons, and some work places don't have any place nearby to sit and eat) Anyway, the smoking gets me out of a tense environment for ten minutes. Or it gives me time away from someone I can't bear to see, like a wretched boss, etc. And don't underestimate the sedative power of nicotine! The drug not only makes us remove ourselves from a tense environment, it also sedates us and makes it easier to go back in. Let's see, that's positive reinforcement, in my book.

Quitting smoking is incredibly hard. Your husband sounds as though he's going through something awful, and not having a good time of it. I agree with Greg, find a time when he's calmer, and ask him what's going on. If, after five weeks, he's not quitting and he's still this irritable, something's obviously wrong. But don't give up on him. It may be that he's feeling like a failure for not quitting. Maybe he wanted to quit for your anniversary, maybe he only wants to quit for you, and is hostile because he feels that it's your 'fault' that he feels this bad. You'll only know if you talk to him about it. But try to be understanding, too.


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