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Wellbutrin to Treat Anxiety?

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Posted 10/29/2010 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Today I was given Wellbutrin to treat migraine and anxiety (killing 2 birds with one stone), but everything I read says it is more likely to make anxiety worse. My neurologist looked me straight in the eye and said 'no.' When I told her my internist mentioned it might cause anxiety (perhaps only initially and then long-term it will help), she just denied it. So I agreed to try it. Now I'm sort of flipping out. I cannot HANDLE more anxiety in my life. Is it highly unlikely that it is going to help? More importantly, is my neurologist a moron? They're at the headache clinic at Mount Sinai in NYC.
Posted 10/29/2010 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Your neurologist depending on the severity of your anxiety is just being conservative. If
Posted 10/29/2010 11:03 PM (GMT 0)

Medicalkid2 said...
Your neurologist depending on the severity of your anxiety is just being conservative. If

Sorry, but I think your message was cut off. I'm interested in what you were getting at, could you repost? :)
Posted 10/29/2010 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
I can't really speak to how Wellbutrin is usually used, but I did have a brother who was on it specifically for anxiety and it seemed to work quite well for him. So, I think it can be used for that in certain circumstances.
Posted 10/30/2010 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hey there,

My Pyschiatrist prescribed Wellbutrin for me and at the same time prescribed Buspar for the Anxiety,  The Wellbutrin was for depression.  She knows I prefer a med that won't make me so lethargic thus the Wellbutrin however I did not tolerate the medication.  I am still on the Buspar and that seems to help with no side effects.

Nervousness and  restlessness are listed as possible side effects in  almost all the info you read re Wellbutrin. It is prescribed  for anxiety especially in people with a social phobia accompanied by Depression.  As everyone reacts different to medications I would give it a chance and be sure to call your Dr. if the side effects change or become unbearable.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 10/30/2010 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
I was prescribed Wellbutrin at one point for panic disorder. Although it's an anti-depressant the doctor wanted to try this particular drug. He warned me that it could cause more anxiety initially, but that in a few weeks it would decrease my overall anxiety. I had a bad experience with it in terms of side effects (increased anxiety, nausea, faintness, weakness, loss of appetite, etc). I couldn't even walk on my own when I was on it and often felt like I was about to pass out. I was on it for about three weeks and anxiety/panic wise only felt an increase. I wasn't happy with the doctor either (he was short, not very personable, didn't work WITH me - just told me what to do...).

My new psychiatrist is great. In our first session he gave me a few options and asked if I had a preference. He told me I should never have been on Wellbutrin and that while it can certainly help for depression, in my particular case the panic disorder was the larger issue and according to him Wellbutrin does not help with that. I later found something online saying that Wellbutrin is not FDA approved for panic disorder (though it may be for certain anxiety disorders).

I guess what I'm saying is that it's an individual thing (depending on your primary diagnosis, body chemistry, etc). It was clearly wrong for me, but that doesn't mean it can't work for you. If you don't trust or feel comfortable with your doctor there are others. You can always get a second opinion.
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