Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 369172

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wellbutrin and anger

Posted by t5 on July 22, 2004, at 20:18:57

I have only been taking wellbutrin xl for 3 days now. I stopped taking lexapro which made me feel wonderful, like I could handle any stress that came my way. I stopped it due to the sexual side effects and weight gain.

Starting a little bit yesterday, then all day today, I have been so irritable and angry. Is this a side effect of stopping the lexapro, or wellbutrin? I have tried the wellbutrin once before for about one week and noticed the same thing and went back to the Lexapro. Within about two days I was calm and relaxed again on the Lexapro. Should I continue with the wellbutrin and see if this irritability worsens or continues? Just wondering if anyone maybe had the same SE, but rode it out and it got better.

 

Re: wellbutrin and anger

Posted by justjustine on July 22, 2004, at 20:50:24

In reply to wellbutrin and anger, posted by t5 on July 22, 2004, at 20:18:57

i'm finding wellbutrin to be very stimulating, as they say. i was on 75mg twice a day, doc put me up to 100mg twice a day and wants me to go to 300mg/day! i think i'll be pulling strangers out of their cars at random to beat them senseless if i follow her directions! plus she's taking away my benzos!

it's like she trying to send me over the edge...

 

Re: wellbutrin and anger » t5

Posted by King Vultan on July 22, 2004, at 22:58:41

In reply to wellbutrin and anger, posted by t5 on July 22, 2004, at 20:18:57

Absolutely I had the same problem, but my irritability took a few months to develop at 2 x 150 mg of the SR version per day. You may be somewhat more sensitive to this side effect of Wellbutrin, which is not uncommon. At least that's my guess what it is, rather than the simple absence of the Lexapro.

Todd

 

Re: wellbutrin and anger

Posted by SLS on July 23, 2004, at 6:58:20

In reply to Re: wellbutrin and anger » t5, posted by King Vultan on July 22, 2004, at 22:58:41

> You may be somewhat more sensitive to this side effect of Wellbutrin, which is not uncommon.

There was a time when half of the posts here on PB were of complaints that Wellbutrin was making people angry and irritable.


- Scott

 

Re: wellbutrin and anger » t5

Posted by RetiredYoung on July 23, 2004, at 8:47:09

In reply to wellbutrin and anger, posted by t5 on July 22, 2004, at 20:18:57

It could be either or both. You don't mention how slowly you tapered off Lexapro; when tapering off SSRI's in the past, I've felt lots of aggression, anxiety, and worse depression.

That being said, Wellbutrin is famous for doing exactly as you describe as it increases the availability of norepinephrine and dopamine.

There is no silver bullet with depression. The "solution" is always finding the best balance of relief versus side effects. You have to prioritize what's most important to you. Freedom from depression and anxiety is number one for me. Sexual side effects and weight gain suck big time; depression and irritability suck even worse, IMO.

Bottom line: It seems clear that SSRIs help you a lot. I would try other SSRIs before anything else.

 

Re: wellbutrin and anger

Posted by t5 on July 23, 2004, at 9:49:31

In reply to Re: wellbutrin and anger » t5, posted by RetiredYoung on July 23, 2004, at 8:47:09

Thank you all. I did not taper off Lexapro, just stopped cold turkey. But it does sound like Wellbutrin has a rep for causing problems. I think I'll try it for about two weeks before making a decision. Maybe I won't attack or assault anyone in the meantime.

 

Re: wellbutrin and anger

Posted by starlight on July 23, 2004, at 11:52:30

In reply to Re: wellbutrin and anger, posted by t5 on July 23, 2004, at 9:49:31

I switched from wellbutrin to effexor specifically for that reason. Not so much anger, but more like agitation and irritablity. Plus I was desperate to have my anxiety addressed since I'm positive that I suffer from PTSD as well. I love effexor thusfar. It did seem that after about two weeks on the wellbutrin was when I noticed the irritability.
starlight


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