HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Wellbutrin XL and Liver Enzymes

Support Forums
>
Depression
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/30/2008 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
I recently had bloodwork doe and my lver enzymes were way off. My doc ran a series of tests and did an ultrasounds--all of which seemed fine. He thinks the Wellbutrin may be the root of my strange liver readings. I am going to stop the Wellbutrin for a month (scary!) and get my bloodwork redone. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced strange liver tests while on Wellbutrin.

Love and peace.
Posted 8/30/2008 10:49 PM (GMT 0)

Katie,

I know if you have a liver disease Wellbutrin is contraindicated and I have heard of people that have had elevated enzymes but that is about all I have to offer.  Please keep us posted on the outcome of your next set of enzymes.

Hugs to you
Kitt

Posted 8/31/2008 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Katie~

I actually have never heard of that med soley being responsible for liver issues.  Anything is possible but I do have a question.  Some are kinda personal so you may not want to reply but just somethings to look at idea !

First, are you on another type of meds like Lithium or trofanil?  There are several psych meds that have an impact on your blood including other organs of the body.  Another thing is that if you drink alcohol often, that can also do it.

 

Problem is that the blood can show problems but it is usually you that needs to connect the dots because a lot of times docs dont usually investigate any further than the basic stuff.

 

Hope this helps.

Posted 8/31/2008 11:20 PM (GMT 0)

Katie,

Teresa is a wise person and she is right.  There are other things that can throw off liver enzymes including combinations of medications.  Do check into this. 

Take care
Kitt

Posted 9/2/2008 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Katie,

Was it your idea or your doctors to take the break from the Wellbutrin? There are some very wise and experienced people in this thread offering suggestions that you should discuss with your doctor BEFORE you go off your medication. I've been taking anti-ds for forever and a day, and I've had doctors blame them for other health issues without any further research. Once, after I had been on Wellbutrin XL for a couple of years, I began to have digestive problems. When my doc looked up side effects of Wellbutrin, sure enough, gastro-intestinal distress was listed. His logic was that sometimes a person will suddenly develop an intolerance to their meds, regardless of how long they've been taking them. So he had me stop the med cold turkey, and took a wait-and-see approach. The next week I was in urgent care with severe abdominal cramping and lots of nasty bowel movements. THEY ran a couple of other tests and found out I had a very tenacious bacterial infection in my intestines. The Wellbutrin had nothing to do with it. Our doctors are so overworked that they will often go for the obvious and easiest solution first. In the meantime, we often suffer because of it.

Talk with you doctor about other options if you are uncomfortable with stopping the wellbutrin. And remember that many of the members of this forum have been dealing with some of these problems for years. They have great insight and always a kind word. You made a good move by coming here with your question. I hope things work out for you. Keep us updated on how things are turning out.
Posted 9/2/2008 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Katie~

There are tons of great advice!  One other thing I wanted to add is that although we depend on our docs to take care of us, ultimately it is "you" that should have the proverbial medical license.  Unfortunately, they are usually too busy to really investigate more serious or related issues to results of any type of "abnormal" finding.   Sad to say but they will usually go with the first "textbook" solution to a problem.  I have found in my overwhelming lifetime need of medical attention that until it is life-threatening and a "lawsuit" is a problem for them, they take the most basic approach to any medical matter.

 

I dont mean to offend anyone with this but I guess I am just bitter right now because of what is going on with my sister.  She actually complained of symptoms 6 months before any invasive tests were done.  By then her tumor was the size of a peach.  It is not that they dont care just that we are not the one patient, one person most important to the person with the medical need.

 

I am hoping that we are really helping you because we are truly a great group!

Posted 9/2/2008 3:14 PM (GMT 0)

Mornin' Katie,

I also think you have received some good advice from the members.  I agree with Teresa, you must be your own best advocate when it comes to your health.

Please keep posting to us so we may suport you hun.

Hugs

Kitt

Posted 10/8/2009 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Katie,

What ever happened with your diagnosis? I currently am going through the exact same thing you were. It is quite frusterating! sad Thank you for posting!

- Marty

Posted 10/8/2009 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi24FPS,

This is an old post, so I don't know for sure whether or not you will get any responses or not. I hope that you do.

Either way welcome to the forum. We always love new members. I hope that you keep posting.

Hugs, Karen
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply