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Bupropion causing anxiety and insomnia

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jasper71098
jasper71098

Hello, I'm wondering if anyone has had trouble with bupropion/Wellbutrin. I was suffering from generalized anxiety, and my doctor put me on 200 mg/day. This seemed to help at first, then anxiety increased. So he put me on 150 mg/day. Again, this seemed to help at first, but then anxiety increased. He put me on 400 mg/day. I only took one of the 200 mg tablets, as I developed odd body aches after taking it, and went back to the 150s. Meanwhile, I suffered from insomnia, which aggravated the anxiety. When I contacted my doctor, he told me that he didn't believe that the body aches were from the 200 mg, and that the medication wasn't causing me anxiety. He also advised me to take the 150 mg 3X/day, which I did not do. I became severly miserable, experiencing self-loathing and a sense of timidity. I went to a different doctor, who prescribed (on the short term) Ambien to determine if the insomnia alone was increasing my anxiety or if it was the bupropion. The Ambien has improved my sleep and given me at least a temporary respite from the anxiety each night. Yesterday, I stopped taking the 150s and replaced them with the 100s. I'm experiencing anxiety, which is uncomfortable but without the horrid negative feelings. I'm trying to schedule with the second doctor to discuss tapering off the bupropion. All this began on 1 December, when I was prescribed the medication. Anyway, has anyone else experienced anything like this? Thank you.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Amber504
    Amber504 jasper71098

    Posted

    Unfortunately, Bupropion exacerbated my anxiety. I've read that it does that for many people. It did help with depression though. I have found Effexor has helped me the most with anxiety, but it has been a weight gainer. And many struggle with terrible withdrawals going off of it. You could check w/your Pdoc about adding a SSRI to combat the anxiety. That's very common practice.

    Best wishes!

    Amber

    • jasper71098
      jasper71098 Amber504

      Posted

      Thank you, Amber. Since I wasn't be treated for depression, I'm not sure why this was the doctor's first choice. The only positives from the bupropion have been weight loss (largely from being too anxious to eat much), and a brief honeymoon period of feeling not bad when starting a new dose level. I suspect that the vast majority of the past month's anxiety has just been from the drug.

      Best regards,

      Jasper

  • gwen63228
    gwen63228 jasper71098

    Posted

    You may need a change of meds not all meds help you might need too try a few before one works. Talk to your doctor, find out if your surgery has a mental health doctor who could reassure you. Best of luck x
    • jasper71098
      jasper71098 gwen63228

      Posted

      Thank you, Gwen. I may end up switiching to an actual psychiatrist.
  • lisalisa67
    lisalisa67 jasper71098

    Posted

    If you have blood pressure issues these meds can give headaches and issues. They raise pressures. But if you dont it can be as simple as changing medicines. There is a cyp450 gene test its a blood tests and it would show you what will work well in your body and what wont properly metabolize. Its way easier then biuncing meds. Ask the doctor, and if he is outdated and doesnt know call around until you find one who does the testing. Many younger psychiatrists do the testing. Might be worth the visit to get this all ironed out.
    • jasper71098
      jasper71098 lisalisa67

      Posted

      Interesting! I hadn't heard of that. I'm giving the second doctor a chance, but yes, I may have to look for someone who is up to date.

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