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AD causing high blood pressure

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Posted 3/23/2012 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
 I am taking 150mg of generic Wellbutrin XL daily.  It is causing my BP to go through the roof.  The doc increased my Bystolic to 10mg and I am having a hard time tolerating it.  How can I ween off the Wellbutrin safely so I can lower the BP meds also.  I see my doc on a regular basis but this is Friday and I can't see her until Monday.  My BP today is extremely high even with the new dose of Bystolic.  I have anxiety also and this is making me crazy.

I have been taking the Wellbutrin for about 3 months.  I do plan on seeing my doctor next week.

Posted 3/23/2012 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
The best answer I can think of is just wait until you can get into your doctor, since your
on such a high doseage of Wellbutrin it's best if you can get your doctor to work with you
on getting reduced levels of this medicine order thru your pharmacy, so don't try to come off
this medicine until you can get your doctor's help...However, what you can do is look up
other anti depression medicines that don't raise the blood pressure, so that once your
off the Wellbutrin you can get on another medicine that might be better for you.
Many Many well wishes to you and hopes that
things will get better for you soon....
Posted 3/23/2012 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, Anxious Annie, and welcome to the Depression Forum.

Whether it's Wellbutrin XL or the increase in Bystolic to 10 mg, you need to take action about the excessively high blood pressure. That isn't something that should wait through the weekend without care.

I'd call my psychiatrist today to try to get advice. If you can't reach her, go by the emergency room at the hospital or one of the emergency care centers in the city in which you live and seek help to get the blood pressure down to normal limits.

Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to blood pressure, honestly.

Take care and let us know how you get along.

It's Genetic

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 3/23/2012 10:10:45 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/23/2012 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi
Anxious Annie,

Welcome to the depression forum. I am sorry that the wellbutrin is raising your blood pressure. Try to relax until you can see your doctor. Maybe some deep breathing exercises would help. I would be concerned if your blood pressure is really high. Do you remember what your last reading was? Do you check it at home? I have a blood pressure cuff that helps me to keep track of mine. I went on diazide and mine is fine now. I hope that yours gets better. Do keep us posted.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/23/2012 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
I do not see a psychiatrist, my GP prescribed the Wellbutrin.  It was making me feel so much better but I obviously can't take it.  Other AD's react differently on me, it seems that they make the anxiety much worse.  Even the lowest dosage.  I was so happy that I could take the Wellbutrin and now I have to give it up.  I check my BP at home everyday.  Does anyone know if there is another AD in the same class as Wellbutrin that doesn't raise the BP?

 

Posted 3/23/2012 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe a different blood pressure medication would work better. I know worrying about it will make your blood pressure higher so do things to help you relax until you see the doctor. There are other anti depressants that you can try that are similar to wellbutrin. I couldn't tolerate a high dose of it either. So I took effexor for many years. I now take pristiq. I liked the way that wellbutrin helped me think so good. I hope you can find something similar.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/23/2012 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
I know that I can make my BP go up when I am worried about it being high.  It seems that when I take a reading if I think, oh I know this is going to be to high, sure enough it is.  The Wellbutrin has made me feel so good.  I have tried Lexapro, paxil, zoloft, practically all of them and they make me crazy.  I can't tolerate anything that messes with the seratonin in my brain.  I am not sure but I think Wellbutrin is the only one that doesn't.
Posted 3/23/2012 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
I forgot when you are going to see the doctor. But if this is a concern to you, which it sounds like it is, I would call the doctor and leave a message. I know you are worried about the blood pressure. What is it anyway, if you don't mind me asking. Mine was really high when they took me off of diazide. The diazide is actually a duiretic. But it really helps my blood pressure. I don't like the beta blockers. They make my head feel wierd. But seriously, if this is a real concern and it is really high, I would call your doctor or nurse.

If the bottom number is still in the 80's, that isn't really bad. But when it gets in the 90's, I would be concerned. I am not a doctor though. But like I said, if you are really concerned about it, I would call somebody and let them know.

Amd yes, we can make it go up by worrying about it. I had one nurse that alwasy made my blood pressure go up. And I would always worry about it. So it would always be high. But when the doctor would check it awhile later, it would go down.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/23/2012 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Apparently, SNRIs like welbutrin and effexor can cause an increase in BP. I guess it depends on how high it is and the anti-depressant is doing more harm than good.

The welbutrin worked really well on my depression and my bp rose some. That lasted 5 years. I wish I could go back on it, nothing else seems to work.

I would not start weaning off welbutrin til you talk to your doc. Do that on Monday since you seem concerned.

And of course, the higher the anxiety the higher the BP. So, for now, take some deep breaths, try to relax and call your doc first thing monday

Let us know

maggie
Posted 3/24/2012 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Maggie,

May I ask if the BP issue is why you can't go back on the Wellbutrin.  I really like the results the Wellbutrin gives for the depression.  I hate to have to give it up.  Also, how hard is it to come off the Wellbutrin?  I have been taking it for about 3 months.

Posted 3/24/2012 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Annie

I went off welbutrin because after 5 years, it stopped working, just like that! Some people with major depression are what is called "treatment resistant", and I think I am one. The same thing happened with cymbalta. I was thrilled with it and it started working very quickly and then, one day it just stopped.

I admitted myself to the psych hospital for a med change and under the doctor's care, I switched welbutrin to cymbalta pretty much cold turkey. I do not recommend it-lol!!

I am sorry that the welbutrin works so well but is causing high BP. How high is it running? You are going to have to decide if it helps more than it hurts. I had high BP before I started it.

It is very frustrating to find a good med with bothersome side effects, isn't it? I hope you find a good solution.

Please let us know what happens

Maggie

 

Posted 3/24/2012 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
This morning my pressure was down to 143/86.  This is still too high but much better than yesterday.  Before the Wellbutrin my numbers were usually in the 120's over 80's.  I guess I must decide if the feel good attitude is worth it.  I know when I get a  high reading the anxiety kicks in but I can't control my mind.  I have had high bp for years, can't understand why a doc would give me something to make it higher.  I really like this doctor and don't want to find another.
Posted 3/24/2012 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
143/86 Isn't too bad. It could be lower, but I am glad it is staying in the 80's. Is your doc worried about it? If not, maybe it isn't so bad. Try to stay relaxed so it doen't go up anymore. You can do this with meditation or deep breathing. In through the nose and out through the mouth. Called smelling the roses and blowing out the candles. Practice that a few minutes each day and see if it doesn't help. Meditation is a good way to control how you feel and your blood pressure. Keep trying, don't give up. Discuss with your doctor and see what you can do so tht you can stay on the wellbutrin.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/26/2012 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Sure hope things went good for you today at your appointment...thinking of you...
Many well wishes...
Posted 3/28/2012 1:05 PM (GMT 0)
 

Didn't go to the doctor today.  I thank God for this, my blood pressure is back in the low 30's or 20's over 80's.  I got to thinking about reasons that it could be getting so high and realized that I was also trying to decrease my xanax.  I started taking the xanax again and things got better.  I really don't take that high a dose of xanax so I guess this is something I will continue.  Xanax dosage is .05, one morning and one night.  Is this considered a high dose??

Thanks for all the help you folks have given me.

God Bless all of you.

Annie

Posted 3/28/2012 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
No that isn't a high dose. I use to take four mg a day. Now I am down to the same as you are. I am glad your bp went down. Enjoy this. And enjoy your meds.

Have a great day!!!

Hugs, Karen
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