Wellbutrin (Zyban). So now I know...

http://storm.isw.student.khleuven.be/~tom/stuff/funstuff/shockwave/gaytrix_reloaded.swf

Used to treat these disorders:


1 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

2 Major depression

3 Bipolar disorder (depressive phase)

4 Chronic fatigue syndrome

5 Cocaine craving

6 Lower back pain


I qualified for #s 1, 3, and 4, though I was given the drug *officially* for #3. I was categorized with CFS 5 years ago but nothing regarding it led to the prescription. #1 was reluctantly confirmed (:eyes:) by my shrink a few months before I stopped seeing him...

I also found out:

http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/toxicity-brain-damage.htm

Specifically:
Take notice that also non SSRI anti-depressants (and even Ritalin) may interact (primary or secondary) with the serotonergic (or serotoninergic) system in the brain.

Tardive Dyskinesia, Parkinsonism & Akathisia
Antidepressant (particularly SSRIs) induced side-effects (Iatrogenic Extrapyramidal Symptoms) are recognized to be similar to Neuroleptic induced side-effects. These side-effects are known as Tardive Dyskinesia, Parkinsonism and Akathisia. It is well documented in the medical literature that these neuroleptic induced side-effects refer to damage at dopaminergic neurons in the "motor system" of the " Basal Ganglia", a structure deep in the "Limbic System" of the brain. 1, 2, 3, 4, http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic338.htm (scroll down)

Now Wellbutrin gave me a side-effect. When I went off the drug, the side-effect went away, it came back about a year later.

It's been slowly getting worse.

My shrink at the time was reluctant to believe me.

However, today, I found some proof that these legal mind-altering nightmares CAN CAUSE LONG-TERM IRREPARABLE PROBLEMS.

http://www.psyweb.com/Diction/tardived.html


Tardive dyskinesia


http://www.rxlist.com/rxboard/wellbutrin.pl?read=290


...Wellbutrin was reported as unmasking tardive dyskinesia, under "Other Events", dyskinesia being one the neurological movement disorders I have acquired, in individuals who have used psychotropics in the past...


It seems I'm stuck with this for the rest of my life with some occasional yet highly annoying twitching. Twitching that, as of last Thursday, now affects me when I'm standing up, so I know it is starting to get worse. Lord only knows if something worse might develop because of this...

I'd find it difficult to go back to the quacks I'd seen at the time. One was incompetent, and both thought I was making it up. x(

Do I have any options of any sort? I'll admit, the problem is only an occasional nuisance. But I've been off wellbutrin for years now and I'm only seeing the condition (albeit slowly) get worse.

Thanks!

This will go away. The Zyban could of bought it on. You have to have faith in your body to take care of things. In my twenties I had all sorts of weird health ailments.
I would try some acupucture and get some blockage out of the way.
Go once a week for about a month than twice a month. See what happens. It does wonders for physical and mental health.
Here's the phone number they have 3 offices in town 651-631-0204.

:-)

The sad part is, I've been off of Wellbutrin/Zyban for at least 3 years.

Thanks for the #, I'll give them a call on Monday.

http://www.drweil.com/app/cda/drw_cda.html?command=QALanding

and on their forum (free, easy registration to post, none to read or search site):
http://www.drweil.com/app/cda/drw_cda.html-command=CommunityMainPage-pt=Community


wish you well!

Thanks for the forum site info. I will get there straight away, without fail.

:yourock:

Mara Jean the health nut here. IMO you'd be better off exploring your NUTRITIONAL healing options!

Annemarie Colbin -- http://www.foodandhealing.com

Holistic nutrition has radically changed and even saved the lives of many.

But good luck whatever you choose to do.:pals:

I did read up on things, and one article ( http://psycom.net/tardive_E.html ) claims vitamin e intake will help...

I will check it out & bookmark the site. Thanks much!!

and it made me a very mean and snippy person. Maybe it was just my personal reaction, but damn that stuff was scary. I'm on Commit lozenges now. They just give me a stomach ache sometimes.

I take that stuff now (for ADHD)! A few months ago we upped the dose to 50mg@2x from 25mg@2x and i became VERY withdrawn and not very social. I recently brought down the dose to the old level and I started having nasty headaches.

I also get these strange bursts of energy that kind of sound like how those afflicted with Tourettes get (basically surge of energy that you have to let out with a twitch, or an outburst.)

Should I go off this stuff?

1. Look at your options carefully. From what you're saying, you'd probably want to go to a lower level or off the med entirely. If you're getting tics (Tourettes/tardive diskenesia), you need to go off the meds NOW. That's pretty much consistent from what I'd been reading. (consult the doc first, more on that in a moment...)

2a. If you go off of it, do it at a steady pace unless the doc says otherwise.

2b. Get a second opinion, if you can, if you're not happy with the first doctor's opinion. Sadly, the industry is so out of whack that you might have to take a chance by deciding on your own. :scared: If you know your current doc is good and will listen, then definitely go with her/his advice. But do talk to them ASAP. If you are having Tourettes'like symptoms, then the only response they should give is to stop the intake of wellbutrin.

Now I was on a high dose of the stuff (a purple tablet, twice a day as I recall... maybe once per day, but I'm almost certain it was twice a day... but I do know it was a purple pill. Nice shade of purple too...)

It's not as if I have uncontrollable outbursts...but since I've taken it I've had these surges of energy.

On the bright side, sex has never been better. And I mean that.

I'm taking Wellbutrin and Celexa. I've been dealing with depression for years (I've also had counselling). I haven't noticed any side effects.

But this informantion is good to know.

My friend, I hope yuo find the answers. Maybe talk to another doctor about your situation.

:hug:

Terry

How can you be "hyperactive" AND have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome???

But the doc said it was ADHD anyway, despite the tests showing a very low probability that it was ADHD. :eyes:

for severe depression. It saved my life. No hyperbole; I was severely suicidal and not responding to other antidepressants. After a couple of years, I was able to taper off it. I had some side effects while I was on it - mostly it made me grind my teeth at night, so I had dreadful headaches and cracked a couple of fillings - but nothing lasting.