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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Wellbutrin and Irritability
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
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Wellbutrin and Irritability
by GG4362, Dec 12, 2007 11:16AM
Hi, I was wondering if you could help... I am taking Wellbutrin (after being on Zoloft with good results but extreme fatigue and weight gain). My doctor bumped me up from 150mg to 300mg of Wellbutrin after I complained of extreme irritability... just very quick to get angry and can't control it, feeling very "up and down". I have been on the 300mg for almost one month and haven't noticed any resolution to the anger. I've heard (and a doctor recommended to a friend) to take 5-HTP to stabilize mood swings.
My questions:
1. Is it possible that another increase in Wellbutrin would help or would it possibly increase my anger problem?
2. How long are you supposed to give Wellbutrin to get the full effects? Maybe I haven't waited long enough? It's been about 2 months total to be on Wellbutrin.
3. Can you take 5-HTP with Wellbutrin?
4. Does it sound as if I should wean off Wellbutrin and try something else?
I'm sure you wonder why I don't just ask my doc these questions... well, it is because I don't have a "regular" doctor and never have. I only see my OB-GYN. I know that Mental Health should not be of her concern (although she has never complained). I feel I am asking too many questions and having to bother her too much for any more of all this.
I appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks so much...
My questions:
1. Is it possible that another increase in Wellbutrin would help or would it possibly increase my anger problem?
2. How long are you supposed to give Wellbutrin to get the full effects? Maybe I haven't waited long enough? It's been about 2 months total to be on Wellbutrin.
3. Can you take 5-HTP with Wellbutrin?
4. Does it sound as if I should wean off Wellbutrin and try something else?
I'm sure you wonder why I don't just ask my doc these questions... well, it is because I don't have a "regular" doctor and never have. I only see my OB-GYN. I know that Mental Health should not be of her concern (although she has never complained). I feel I am asking too many questions and having to bother her too much for any more of all this.
I appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks so much...
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Dec 12, 2007 06:50PM
, Dec 12, 2007 06:50PM
To: gg4
The problem is that you are basically treating yourself, and you are relying on medications to resolve a life problem, your anger. You are angry about something, and you should be working on that, and if you can't do it alone, ask for a referal to a good therapist. I would not recommend adding 5-htp to wellbutrin. Also, you should have an effect by now, but wellbutrin is not a particularly strong medication, and if you are going to ask for a change, ask about Lexapro,or Celexa.
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If you can, could you tell me from your experience if most people have weight gain and exhaustion issues with Lexapro or Celexa?
I forgot to mention earlier that every single morning I awake to completely numb and tingling fingers. I am concerned this is a serious problem with Wellbutrin... If so, I'll call me doc immediately or otherwise I will just deal with it.
Is the tingling or numb sensation in my fingertips dangerous or normal?
Should I speak to my doctor about taking something else?
What should I expect with increased dosages?
they did the wellbutrin thing too, yuck i was mean as hell to everyone and I am not normally a mean person so it could be a chemical thing with you.
best thing i did was "GET OUT" get out with people, socialize, exercise, be alive again
NO drug can replace real life and real living, take an occassional xanax for anxiety if needed but try to get off all drugs@!