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1778927 tn?1381878747

Wellbutrin & Anxiety

Does anyone else take Wellbutrin for anxiety?  Have you noticed an increase in attacks as well as severity?  I have been on Wellbutrin XL 150mg for 17 days now and in that time I have had several mini anxiety surges but also like 3 SEVERE attacks (shaking, jaw clenching, heart pounding, feeling like I am dying or flipping out). These have all occurred just before bed time (10:30ish) or just after I fall asleep.  I wake up suddenly and feeling terrified. Also, normally my heart rate is pretty low (65bpm) but now it stays elevated all the time like 95 bpm.  Maybe Wellbutrin is not the drug to be on for anxiety issues?
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4067477 tn?1450124336
Do you ever feel like your affect is simply Flat? Like you have no general 'care' for things? Apathectic I guess is the word I'm looking for--I take 300mg Wellbutrin XL daily, for two or three years now, I feel like maybe I'm OVERMEDICATED and that its causing me to feel apathetic....... I am considering asking my MD if I can try a lower (150mg/day) dose for a few monthes to see if that helps. I'm also on 2 mg of Risperdal and 10 mg Elavil (amitriptyline) daily..... funny thing is-- I'm the most stable I've ever been, but I hate the lack of enthusiasm and other feelings in my life. Any thoughts/input would be greatly appreciated!!!
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1699033 tn?1514113133
I take Wellbutrin for OCD that leds to anxiety that then leads to depression. It works very, very well for me.  When you start on these medications, it usually takes a good 4-6 weeks to really see the full benefits of it.  The majority of these types of medications do have some side affects and they are usually an increased anxiety/jitteryness in the beginning.  So don't throw in the Wellbutrin towel yet.  You are already almost 3 weeks into it.  So give it at least another week or two before you decide it it is not for you.

I actually had to go from 150 to 300 so keep that in mind as well.  Talk this over with your doctor and see what he/she thinks.  My bias toward Wellbutrin is that it also has the least amount of sexual side affects.  

I hope this has helped.  
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Avatar universal
Wellbutrin isn't usually prescribed for anxiety, as it's a very stimulating anit-depressant, not an anti-anxiety drug.
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Avatar universal
I've been taking wellbutrin for depression, at least I assumed it was for depression.  My Psych NP may have been trying to kill two birds with one stone.  I'm still taking it.  I've had a couple of anxiety attacks that make me feel like I'm having a heart attack, but nothing regular like you're talking about.  It doesn't sound like Wellbutrin is for you.  I'd definitely tell your doc about these events!
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