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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ptc on April 29, 2003, at 18:03:19
I think that Wellbutrin causes anxiety attacks-or at least sudden panic attacks. Every time I have tried it, I seem to have a panic attack within the first 2 weeks. When I stop taking it, the attacks stop. I will never take it again. Anyone else ever have this happen?
Posted by ace on April 29, 2003, at 23:43:39
In reply to panic and Wellbutrin, posted by ptc on April 29, 2003, at 18:03:19
> I think that Wellbutrin causes anxiety attacks-or at least sudden panic attacks. Every time I have tried it, I seem to have a panic attack within the first 2 weeks. When I stop taking it, the attacks stop. I will never take it again. Anyone else ever have this happen?
You could very well be right. I heard of a lady who had derealiation/depersonalization and panic. This med made her MUCH worse. MAOIs or TCAs are best for these probs. New drugs suck, IMO, except the atypical antipsychotics (which can be remarkable for these prob esp. Zyprexa)
Good luck to you!
Ace.
Posted by Viridis on April 30, 2003, at 0:33:40
In reply to panic and Wellbutrin, posted by ptc on April 29, 2003, at 18:03:19
WB can definitely worsen anxiety and increase the probability of panic attacks for those who are susceptible (like me). It's a great drug for some, but use with caution if you have anxiety problems. WB produced some of the worst anxiety (and bizarre side effects) that I've ever experienced with a psychiatric med.
Posted by Ritch on April 30, 2003, at 9:40:50
In reply to panic and Wellbutrin, posted by ptc on April 29, 2003, at 18:03:19
> I think that Wellbutrin causes anxiety attacks-or at least sudden panic attacks. Every time I have tried it, I seem to have a panic attack within the first 2 weeks. When I stop taking it, the attacks stop. I will never take it again. Anyone else ever have this happen?
I take WB for short courses during bipolar depression, but I can't take very much or for very long or I start to get a med-induced GAD syndrome, including fear of heights, increased phobic symptoms-yuck. Great for temporary depression relief at a low-dose though during the winter.
Posted by ptc on April 30, 2003, at 17:21:07
In reply to Re: panic and Wellbutrin » ptc, posted by Viridis on April 30, 2003, at 0:33:40
I'm glad I am not crazy. Thanks for the input. I'm now taking Lexapro and use to take Prozac. Are there any AD drugs that you have found to lessen panic and/or anxiety as well as depression?
> WB can definitely worsen anxiety and increase the probability of panic attacks for those who are susceptible (like me). It's a great drug for some, but use with caution if you have anxiety problems. WB produced some of the worst anxiety (and bizarre side effects) that I've ever experienced with a psychiatric med.
Posted by worrier on May 2, 2003, at 21:06:54
In reply to panic and Wellbutrin, posted by ptc on April 29, 2003, at 18:03:19
> I think that Wellbutrin causes anxiety attacks-or at least sudden panic attacks. Every time I have tried it, I seem to have a panic attack within the first 2 weeks. When I stop taking it, the attacks stop. I will never take it again. Anyone else ever have this happen?
>You are definitely not alone...other than paxil, wellbutrin caused the most horrible side effects I have ever experienced. It definitely increased my anxiety/panic as well as causing all kinds of weird mood and perceptual problems. Worrier.
Posted by Viridis on May 2, 2003, at 23:25:09
In reply to Re: panic and Wellbutrin, posted by ptc on April 30, 2003, at 17:21:07
No ADs that I've tried reduce panic/anxiety, although I certainly haven't tried them all. And of course, your reaction might be very different from mine. Really though, the "gold standard" drugs for anxiety and panic are benzodiazepines, with Klonopin and Xanax at the top of my list.
Sadly, this class of drugs has been demonized by many (with little justification), despite their excellent safety record, mild side effect profile, and low cost. I think low cost is the problem here (the main benzos are off-patent) so the drug companies want to push ADs that are still under patent as the magical answer, even though they're a very bad choice for some patients.
Posted by ptc on May 3, 2003, at 16:00:44
In reply to Re: panic and Wellbutrin » ptc, posted by Viridis on May 2, 2003, at 23:25:09
Thanks for your response. I do use xanax as well and I would protect that prescription with everything I have. I've tried lots of other ways to relieve my panic attacks, but when they occur, nothing works like xanax to make them disappear or at least lighten up.
> No ADs that I've tried reduce panic/anxiety, although I certainly haven't tried them all. And of course, your reaction might be very different from mine. Really though, the "gold standard" drugs for anxiety and panic are benzodiazepines, with Klonopin and Xanax at the top of my list.
>
> Sadly, this class of drugs has been demonized by many (with little justification), despite their excellent safety record, mild side effect profile, and low cost. I think low cost is the problem here (the main benzos are off-patent) so the drug companies want to push ADs that are still under patent as the magical answer, even though they're a very bad choice for some patients.
Posted by Viridis on May 3, 2003, at 23:52:18
In reply to Re: panic and Wellbutrin, posted by ptc on May 3, 2003, at 16:00:44
Have you tried Klonopin (clonazepam) on a regular basis? It completely eliminated my panic attacks at a pretty low dose (daily); the side effects were minimal and disappeared very quickly. I haven't had to increase the dose so far (I've been on it almost 2 yrs).
Posted by ptc on May 7, 2003, at 19:32:08
In reply to Re: panic and Wellbutrin » ptc, posted by Viridis on May 3, 2003, at 23:52:18
No, haven't tried Klonopin yet. I'm taking Lexapro which works on both panic and depression supposedly. I'll give that some more time. It's been 1 month and so far so good.
> Have you tried Klonopin (clonazepam) on a regular basis? It completely eliminated my panic attacks at a pretty low dose (daily); the side effects were minimal and disappeared very quickly. I haven't had to increase the dose so far (I've been on it almost 2 yrs).
Posted by psychlover on November 17, 2003, at 23:36:01
In reply to Re: panic and Wellbutrin » ptc, posted by Viridis on May 3, 2003, at 23:52:18
True, small dose of Klonopin (0.5 mg a day) has kept me free from panic attacks for about 6 months or so, but I am disturbed by the fact that it is hard to get off of. When I go without it, I get withdrawal symptoms that are just like a panic attack. I want to see if I can wean myself off it, and I have cut my dose in half over the last few months. I still get panic attacks though, which I will remedy with 0.25 - 0.5 mg of Klonopin or Xanax. I just started Wellbutrin this week also which is known to be activating, so I hope this isn't too much of a problem after the first few weeks.
All the best,
psychlover> Have you tried Klonopin (clonazepam) on a regular basis? It completely eliminated my panic attacks at a pretty low dose (daily); the side effects were minimal and disappeared very quickly. I haven't had to increase the dose so far (I've been on it almost 2 yrs).
Posted by Viridis on November 20, 2003, at 2:06:19
In reply to Re: panic and Wellbutrin » Viridis, posted by psychlover on November 17, 2003, at 23:36:01
I find myself very anxious if I skip my daily dose of Klonopin, but when my pdoc asked if the anxiety was any worse than what I experienced pre-Klonopin, I really couldn't give a definitive answer. In other words, it's hard to tell how much of the anxiety that many people experience when discontinuing benzos is "withdrawal" and how much is simply a return to the previous condition.
I have no doubt that benzos induce dependency, and certainly wouldn't recommend abrupt discontinuation -- that's potentially dangerous. It's just difficult for me to separate "withdrawal anxiety" from the intense anxiety I experienced without benzos.
In any case, benzos (except Xanax) rank pretty low in studies of withdrawal problems. The worst offenders include many of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. It seems like most of these powerful psychiatric meds have to be discontinued gradually. After all, they have major effects on neural function, and sudden discontinuation is very likely to cause a serious jolt to your brain.
This is the end of the thread.
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