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Bipolar and Wellbutrin

I was recently taking Wellbutrin to quit smoking.  I have a family history of Bipolar Disorder (Mother).  While taking this medicine I experienced a "cloudy" feely and a hard time trying to concentrate.  I did something that was totally impulsive and out of character for myself.  This led me to seek counseling in which they believe I may be Bipolar.  Could take Welbutrin alone and being possibly bipolar cause someone to act impulse and act “out of character”?
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561706 tn?1333947274
I am single too so I understand how you're feeling alone, if that's helps because you're not alone.  I hope you've gotten good help by now.  Hospitalization is not a terrible option it could be a lifesaving option. And I've made some good friend that I've met in hospitals.

I've lost everything a couple of times due to my illness. I've been stable for three years though and have a good job now.  For a few years I was on disability and never thought I'd work again or have a "life."  Of course I'm not predicting you'll use everything, but you have to "stop the bleeding" with your mental state. The other things will fall in line,  I believe they will.  You're already reaching out by posting on this site.  Keep writing.
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Avatar universal
Sadly no change with my wife.  More irritable and sleep patterns seem to be somewhat erratic.  Yesterday we had a blow-up over our dog, which is hers, but I have been doing all the work.  She screamed at me  and after 6 weeks of this, I admit I lost it.  I had made an appointment with the vet and told her about it 8 days ago via email (which is the only way we communicate now) and she ranted that I had made the appointment without checking with her.  I sent her the email from 9 days ago to her to show she did know about it but got no response.  She yelled that I had more free time than her and I was trying to screw her.  I told her the only reason I had more free time was that she told me she didn't need my help with anything 6 weeks ago.  In the same breath, she said that my offer to help her was a lie and just because we were not going to be together I wasn't willing to help her.  Once again, I reminded her that I offered to help her in any way I could when we were proceeding as a couple but she had told me she wanted out. I called her on her assertion that a doctor recommended she get off Celexa and go on the vitamin/mineral program I told you about.  She back-pedaled but said she had seen a doctor, which I know isn't true.

Oddly, she sent several emails to me telling me her "head was on better than ever", "That if I was expecting a meltdown, it wasn't going to happen" and I have never said any of those things to her. It was almost as if the pressure of school, job, study etc was getting to her and she wanted to take it out on me. She is working 12-16 hours or more a day sometimes getting up at 4:30 am , sometimes not until 8-9 AM.

She has been having a beer each night, which with a history in her family and her self-admittance that she has a problem with alcohol, doesn't see prudent.  She doesn't pick up after herself, which is not like her.  Doesn't put her dished in the dishwasher but, instead, leaves them in the sink for me to pick up.

dave
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Avatar universal
I hope you have already taken yourself to ER, if not then please do.  It is true that things do happen in clusters, I started a new job, my cousin was dx with breast cancer, my gran died, by b-in-law had a massive heart attack and my cat had to be put down - all n the space of a few weeks - I gave up work and went straight back to the psych.  4 months down the line i'm picking myself back up and feeling stronger.  You to will feel stronger.

The wellbutrin may well have caused a mania which led you to do what you did, this should be explained to whoever it needs explaining to.

I hope you find the strength to get to the ER if you are not there already.  

All the best
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ricky it takes a lot of courage to go to the hospital, trust me.. it was hard for me, but you are suicidal and need help.  I had my mum have a massive heart attack, almost die, split up with my partner and lost my job all in a span of 3 days.(years before I got my diagnosis mind you)  You can survive.. it's devastating.. but you need to reach out and get the help. It WILL get better.
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603015 tn?1329862973
Hey

You havent hurt anyone, dont be so down on yourself, you have an illness, go and get some help, life is worth living you will find joy again you just need some help until it comes. Life is like that, it seem to cluster but I think its really how you are able to cope at the time, at the moment you are not coping so everything is getting on top of you. Get some help to be balanced again and then you can sort out the other stuff later, its not important at the moment, you are...

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Avatar universal
I don't know how much more I can handle, now my mother is in the hospital with a heart attack, on top of me possiblly losing my job, my home and my life.  What will life deal me next!
Helpful - 0
581210 tn?1220834780
Medication can make you do terrible things.  I have a friend who is a nurse and was treated with a medication that caused her to steal drugs at work and beat her adopted child.  It was Neurontin and has a class action suits from bipolar and other patients.

If you google "neurontin class action," you can read about it.

Wellbutrin can trigger mania in some people.  It's not your fault, so I hope you are able to get beyond this stigma.  You should see a psychiatrist if at all possible as soon as possible.  If you feel suicidal, go to the ER right away.
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Avatar universal
I'm single and only a friend or two - but you matter - once that cloud passes - you will have a big sigh of relief - it will get better. ps. 50 is damned young.. my mum who is 86 is still going strong..and a lil crazy (in a good way) - this too will pass... now get to the hospital..not a clinic.. but get admitted.
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Avatar universal
I have been, and I go in in a couple of hours to be seen.  Everyone says it will get better, but at 50, the thought of starting over scares me and I don't have the strenght to start over.  Some times I think it would be better if I end it all. I'm single and it wouldn't effect anyone but myself.  I feel all alone dealing with all of this.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ricky run don't walk to an Emerg Room, trust me you will get help immediately. I was acutely suicidal in July and had made my plan. Please believe me it can get better!  
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Avatar universal
I am so ashamed and embarrassed.  I don’t feel I can live with all of this.  I have had thoughts of suicide.  I talked to a counselor this weekend, but I don’t know how I’m going to react.  I don’t know if I can live with all of this.  
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Avatar universal
Thank you, but I have done something that will cost me my job, thus losing my medical.  I am trying to see if this medicine or the bipolar could have caused me to steal on impulse?  I have never done anything like this before; it was so out of character for me.  I stand to lose my job, my home and everything I have.  I have had problems with depression before and have had incidents of "highs" or irritability, but never to this level.  I have an appointment today with a Nurse Practitioner for evaluation.  I'm just so low, I fear the worst and if that happens how I may react.
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Avatar universal
Yes, sure a medication can have that effect.  Some people are very sensitive to these things, be careful.

Good luck with giving up the smoking.
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Avatar universal
The SNRI's and SSRI's can trigger BP episodes in someone who has BP - oh yeah it can cause that.. I am a shining example of that(Cymbalta).. I have had tons of impulsive spending because of those drugs.  BUT my pdoc said if I start getting serious depression again, they may add Welbutrin, alongside other psych meds, like Serequel and Lamactil (which I am on) can assist..   I hope this makes sense.  You need a psychiatrist to really diagnose you, which I suggest.  Good luck!
Helpful - 0
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