[paperflowers]

Hi All,
Three weeks ago I started wellburtin & zoloft for my anxiety, depression, and OCD. This isn't my first time on medication, I've been on them most of the past 10 years but my previous medication had become ineffective.
I've had nervous tics since I was 9 years old but they only really came out during times of stress. Since starting these medications they've been almost constant, to the point where I'm embarrassed to leave my house (completely undoing my progress with my depression..go figure).
From what I've read it seems this is probably being caused by the wellbutrin and not the zoloft. I'm willing to put up with this a bit longer in hopes that these medications help more with my anxiety, depression, and OCD, but only if these tics will end. Otherwise I'll need to consider switching prescriptions for the fifth time in my life which is super frustrating.
Has anyone ever had a tic issue with either of these medications and did it stop? How long did it take to stop? I can't see my psychiatrist for a few more days and not knowing is driving me up a wall so any input would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance and wishing you all strength and a smile. xx

[LucyG]

I'm sorry you're going through this.

I suspect your meds are causing the tics, and I hope you'll seriously consider getting off them as tic and movement disorders caused by meds are permanent in 25% of people who development from meds. I have a form of myoclonus called sleep starts where I flop as I'm drifting off to sleep so I've studied the subject in great detail trying to find answers.

One thing you can do is take extra magnesium as it will calm your muscles. You don't want to take the cheap magnesium oxide as it's so poorly absorbed that all it's going to do is give you diarrhea. Instead look for either magnesium chloride, citrate or malate as those are more readily absorbed. You need to take calcium, vitamin D3 and K with the magnesium as the 4 work together.

One thing you might also consider is looking in to alternative treatments for you anxiety. I've successfully used amino acids and the mineral supplement lithium orotate to control my bipolar 2 for over 9 years now, and am doing far, far better than I ever did on meds. The reason I'm doing better is because I'm giving my brain the building blocks [amino acids] to make the neurotransmitters that keep my mood stable. I truly believe that those of us with anxiety issues, depression, bipolar and other issues aren't able to produce the neurotransmitters we need so we need to supplement them if we want to be able to function. I view it like a diabetic needing insulin.

Here's a couple of resources to check out:

This is a brain function questionnaire showing the emotions and feelings related to each neurotransmitter and it's related amino acids:

http://drjolee.com/Brain-Function-Questionnaire.pdf

This is a great book about how the author overcame her anxiety issues using amino acids and other nutrients, and tells what to do and use. I don't have this book, but I do have two of her books, and they're very informative.

The Anxiety Epidemic by Bille Sahley, PhD-painstress

Here are a couple of articles on using amino acids to control anxiety:

Natural Anxiety Treatment, Anxiety Alleviating Anxiety

The Unspoken Solution for Anxiety: Individual Amino Acids