Welbutrin

[777lori]

My first question is: is there a good informative site about Welbutrin.
Second: I am a drinker, (beer) and my paperwork for Welbutrin says to avoid or limit alcohol consumption - but then it also says, if you are a drinker don't quit while taking this medication either? hmmmm???

I have not started it yet; I am very worried about seizures. My Mother is a drinker and was taking xanex and she had many seizures and very whacked out behavior. Very scary to see your Mother go through that.  

I am wanting to take it for stress control, level me a bit as I can fly off the handle and the smallest of things. AND to maybe help me quit smoking...

Any suggestions or help here...

[john-john]

Hi Peagee,

(sigh)...OK, OK, you were right.
This paxil withdrawl sucks out loud.  Was working today and thinking more and more about the anti-paxil websites and the people who have posted on them.  As I sat there at my desk, the zaps occured in regular intervals, each as nasty as the previous one.  These zaps feel like someone is electricuting your brain with a cattle-prod. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.  Honestly, Peagee, I am frikin' pissed off now - and I am frightened.

I used to be in awe of these widthdrawl effects, but now I am angry.  No medicine should cause **** like this.  This is not right.  You are correct to be alarmed and to confront the pharmies about this.  I would gladly take back my depressed, yet SSRI-free self rather than be held hostage in this way.  Taking Paxil is like making a deal with the devil.  

Have you really experienced widthdrawl effects for months and months after having been off the med?  What a god awful nightmare.  What are your symptoms now?  Your "shaving" tiny slivers off each pill to wean off sounds absurd to anyone else - but boy isn't it the truth! I have an appointment with my doctor next week.  I am going to let her know in no uncertain terms of the NIGHTMARE those pills have introduced me to.  She is an intelligent, experienced doctor.  So why didn't she warn me of this?  *****!

Tony Blair came down here for a visit here a short while ago to visit George W.  Lots of Hoopla.

Rule Britania,

John-John

[john-john]

Whatever you do, stay the hell away from paxil.

[Lemony]

I have a question for everyone about Wellbutrin.  I have recently been diagnosed as severely depressed.  Happened over something occurrence in my life that has sent me spiraling downward after a terrible year of health problems and other things.  First, they tried me on celexa.  After five days, I was seriously lethargic, so the Dr. told me to stop taking it.  Then, they tried Zoloft.  Not much better.  I stopped that.  Now I realize that I am very sensitive to drugs and am afraid to try something new.  Yet, I am seriously depressed and cannot (even with therapy) snap out of this.  The Dr. has talked me into trying wellbutrin.  I am starting off very light (35 mg. a day).  Today is day two and so far, no adverse reactions.  But...I am afraid of all of these drugs.  Again...I know I can't pull out of this myself, right now.  I have read some serious side effects about wellbutrin.  Mostly about agitation and anger.  Has anyone had a good result with wellbutrin.  My body does not seem to hand ssri's very well.  I know Peagee, that you are not an advocate of depression medicines, by what I have read (and I can honestly say I have not read everyone of your answers fully).  But do you have some suggestions for me?  I am truly confused about what to do next.  Stay with the wellbutrin and see what happens.  Has this med. helped anyone with depression?  If so, I would like to hear from them as well.  Thanks

[Peagee]

You are going to CHARGE $19 DOLLARS TO POST A QUESTION???  Sadly, that proves about this site what I have suspected since I first visited here a week or so ago.  

THere are very many organisations who run forums out there who have a genuine desire to help people, and they recognise that people who need help the most are predominantly those who are disadvantaged in some way or other and are thus least likely to be able to afford to pay to ask a question.  Many of those sites are where the most valuable help and advice is given.

I expect the next step will be to charge for comments to existing questions?  Until then I'll just hang around and ensure people know where to get genuine help.

Paula

[Peagee]

I'm sorry, firstly cos I got you mixed up with the questioner at the start of the thread (LOL, difficult to maintain concentration, it comes in 'bits'), but mainly that you too are now one of the victims and I wish I could say or do something that would really help.

Have been on cold turkey withdrawal for over 4 months and so have done lots of research and got lots of feedback from others in the same position and its been a sad but interesting learning curve.  Despite all this searching, there doesn't seem to be ANY agent that will stop the withdrawal symptoms.  Though there's some hope that Inositol (Vitamin B8??) will help one of the later symptoms.  Will lead you to a site at the end of this where you can read the messages re this and other "hopeful help" questions and answers.

The only thing that seems will possibly work is to wean off the Paxil VERY VERY SLOWLY.  I was taken off by the doctor (and in the UK you can't go to a drug store and buy medication like this) and had no choice.  If you have only just come off Paxil I'd think about going back on and 'shaving' bits off the tablet bit by bit, week by week.  THAT slowly.  I THINK that it might well be dangerous (trying to remember people who have discussed this bit) to take another SSRI - or another antidepressant of any kind, not sure - alongside PAXIL.  Seretonin Syndrome can be fatal.  So, if you do go back on Paxil and wean off, remember this and look into it first.  The absolute worst way is cold turkey.  Probably why I STILL have some big problems after all this time.

Advise going to your doctor BUT, be warned ... many doctors will merely say that this is depression, anxiety, etc and try to UP your medication or change it.  Paxil has the worst record to date of withdrawal. It is the PAXIL you need to withdraw from, very slowly.   Arguing that it IS withdrawal with your doctor is likely to get you a most unpleasant consultation.  They don't like to be wrong LOL...

I'm hoping you'll be one of the lucky ones and that everything will pass quickly for you.  In the meantime, you might need a support board where people are almost always around.  Its mostly people from the USA - so there won't be a time difference in posters with you (though its usually quiet there at my UK netting time).  

OK, look at the Paxil Petition Board, though some of these are short entries, you'll see just how many people are going through this same experience and you'll realise that it's not YOu, its the drug.  The petition site is here:

http://www.petitiononline.com/oky71/petition.html

And here's the QuitPaxil site where you can talk to others about how you feel and, when its busy, will get immediate replies (was the first site I found on day 1 of zaps - looking for brain tumour or stroke symptoms lol):

http://forum.onecenter.com/cgi-bin/forum/forum.cgi?c=forum&fid=paxilhelp&n=1

And here's my site which has an information board on it (it also has a discussion board but this is mainly used as a stand-by when the QuitPaxil site breaks down):

http://paxilsupport.homestead.com/Index.html

Thats the only way I can think of which will help.  It certainly helped me when I found other boards, hope it does the same for you :)

Yep.... I do go on a bit (<:O}  Used to be a lot more concise.  WAS doing an access (foundation?) course and had been offered a place at Uni for a Creative Writing and English Studies degree course, but haven't been back to college to finish the access  since beginning of December because of withdrawal. Spose there's always another year though.

Please don't feel bad about our earlier slight disagreements in this thread - its not important, doesn't matter.  What DOES matter is that you (and all of us) get support while we are going through all this.  Now get your butt over to the QuitPaxil Board LOL :)

Peas x

[john-john]

Hi Peagee,

That wasn't my post regarding Wellbutrin and alchohol.  Mine was regarding switching from Paxil to Wellb. and how it may vary in effectiveness.  Not really a drinker, myself. Fancy that.  I admire your different websites.  It just occured to me that you are British, re the heavy doses of Euro-news and long-winded rebuttles.  You write very well, though :)

Am going off the Paxil and it is not a smooth ride so far.  Lots of zaps and disorientation.  I have a new respect for your efforts.
Full and fair disclosure should be addressed.  My doctor didn't warn me of this.  I Probably would have been so naive as to take it even if she did so.  Love to hear back.

Ta ta.