[Amyscience]

I have had several embarrassing symptoms since starting Wellbutrin. Has anyone else had these medications? I have been on it for 2 months. I have had involuntary tremors in my hands and head. The hands I can handle but I will be standing there talking to someone and my head will shake, totally embarrassing. I am taking it for anxiety and I am an anxious mess and it is now apparent to everyone. I called my doctor after a month of it and the nurse told me the doctor said it should go away. I also have bruises all over my legs. I have not had any accidents and it looks horrible. Not so much a problem during the winter but will be during summer. I am just hoping that that someone else has experienced this so I don't have to worry about having some nerve or muscle disease.

[nicoleb2]

I'm on wellbutrin, not for anxiety though. I'm surprised you are on it for anxiety as I have heard a lot of people say it makes their anxiety worse.

[Amyscience]

Oh it has for sure made it worse. I am sure at my next doctor's appointment I will be taken off.

[sunrise]

I'm concerned you've been on the new med for 2 months and haven't seen your prescriber for over 2 months. When starting a new psych med, you should see your doc more frequently than that, especially if you are having a troubling side effect that doesn't resolve after the first few weeks. Are you seeing a family doctor or a psychiatrist for your prescription. If a family doctor, is there a way you can see a pdoc for psych med prescribing?

I have been on Wellbutrin for several years. My only side effect is hand tremor. This is worse if the dose is higher. My highest dose was 300 mg and it was worse then. It didn't go away while at that dose. I am only on 100 mg now (not for reasons of eliminating the tremor), and I don't think I have the hand tremor at this dose. When I was on a higher dose, I just lived with the tremor. I think the head tremor sounds harder to live with, though, and might be good reason to discontinue the medication. Wellbutrin can indeed make some people anxious. It is not considered a first-line med for anxiety.

Good luck.

[Amyscience]

Originally Posted by sunrise

I'm concerned you've been on the new med for 2 months and haven't seen your prescriber for over 2 months. When starting a new psych med, you should see your doc more frequently than that, especially if you are having a troubling side effect that doesn't resolve after the first few weeks. Are you seeing a family doctor or a psychiatrist for your prescription. If a family doctor, is there a way you can see a pdoc for psych med prescribing?

I have been on Wellbutrin for several years. My only side effect is hand tremor. This is worse if the dose is higher. My highest dose was 300 mg and it was worse then. It didn't go away while at that dose. I am only on 100 mg now (not for reasons of eliminating the tremor), and I don't think I have the hand tremor at this dose. When I was on a higher dose, I just lived with the tremor. I think the head tremor sounds harder to live with, though, and might be good reason to discontinue the medication. Wellbutrin can indeed make some people anxious. It is not considered a first-line med for anxiety.

Good luck.

It is a family doctor. I have an appointment tomorrow. I am thinking about asking him about seeing a psychiatrist instead. Although I live in a small city there are very few psychiatrists here but I think it is probably the best option.

"Muscle irritability" is one of the side effects of Wellbutrin according to my pdoc. When I got to point where I had hand tremors and a jittery feeling, like I HAD to move (bounce my leg up and down or whatever), my pdoc said my dosage was a bit too high and backed it down. I have also heard that Wellbutrin is not great for anxiety unless your anxiety is tied in with depression.

[adel34]

I'm not on welbutrin but am thinking of starting. I hope to get the lowest dose possible!
I hope you find a pdoc. I haven't had good results with only a primary care doctor prescribing meds.
I hope your tremors go away soon.

[QuietCat]

I'm on Wellbutrin (150 a day). I haven't had the tremors, thankfully. I have gone through headaches, ears ringing, dry mouth... a lot of dry mouth.

My psychiatrist prescribed it for me for depression, and it worked for some time... but I can feel it is not working any more and I fear I'll have to go off it. He won't increase my dose because it does increase anxiety and I'm very sensitive to meds.

Wellbutrin is more for depression and not so much for anxiety. Pdocs are always the best choice for prescribing mental health meds.

[Odee]

Wellbutrin is not a very good med for anxiety. It tends to be one that creates anxiety or anxiety like symptoms and not as just a temporary side effect.

Wellbutrin has never made me shaky and yet other meds have. Prozac made me restless and Effexor and Cymbalta made me both restless and sometimes involuntarily twitch.

[Amyscience]

I was switched to Elavil

[angustios101]

Are you frickin kidding me?? This doctor sounds like a med malpractice suit waiting to happen. Elavil is not considered a first-line anti-anxiety drug; have you tried any of the benzos or SSRI's or beta/alpha blockers, even plain old allergy medicine? Once you get through those THEN you go to Elavil-type medication and only if you can bear the side effects. If you thought Wellbutrin jitters were bad, wait till you experience Elavil side-effects.

Get yourself to a pdoc, stat. This primary care doctor sounds like he has no clue about psychiatric meds.

[Amyscience]

Originally Posted by angustios101

Are you frickin kidding me?? This doctor sounds like a med malpractice suit waiting to happen. Elavil is not considered a first-line anti-anxiety drug; have you tried any of the benzos or SSRI's or beta/alpha blockers, even plain old allergy medicine? Once you get through those THEN you go to Elavil-type medication and only if you can bear the side effects. If you thought Wellbutrin jitters were bad, wait till you experience Elavil side-effects.

Get yourself to a pdoc, stat. This primary care doctor sounds like he has no clue about psychiatric meds.

Oh my god. Now I am scared to death. I have tried lexapro and it did not work. I am prescribed Xanax but I am scared to death of it. It helps but I know doctors are afraid to prescribe it, so I don't want to become dependent to have them stop prescribing it. I have absolutely no addiction history. I have never even tried marijuana, but I know how doctors are. Allergy medicines do not work. I am attempting to get in with a pdoc. There is one group in town. You have to fill out a form and mail it to them. They will then decide if they think you should be treated there and then will send you back paperwork in the mail to make an appointment or a denial letter. I sent my form in 2 weeks ago. The other option in the community center that takes at least 3 months to get an appointment with a plain counselor let alone their 2 psychiatrists. There is a problem in this country.

[angustios101]

I didn't mean to scare you but I'm just so mad at the state of mental health care in this country and ignorant doctors. I too faced the long wait to see a pdoc at my local community mental health center but what I found out is if you just show up first thing in the morning or first thing after lunch they will take you as a walk-in if others cancel (which most are no shows anyway). Try doing the walk in wait list. Of course you have to go through their intake process first, have you done that? That can take a while to get an appointment for intake but usually not three months. Good luck!

[Amyscience]

Originally Posted by angustios101

I didn't mean to scare you but I'm just so mad at the state of mental health care in this country and ignorant doctors. I too faced the long wait to see a pdoc at my local community mental health center but what I found out is if you just show up first thing in the morning or first thing after lunch they will take you as a walk-in if others cancel (which most are no shows anyway). Try doing the walk in wait list. Of course you have to go through their intake process first, have you done that? That can take a while to get an appointment for intake but usually not three months. Good luck!

Our community mental health center, I am not sure you could do that but even if so it still takes a really long time to get into a psychiatrist. I already have a therapist and don't want to go to a different therapist. What types of side effects have you heard of?

[angustios101]

weight gain and extreme tiredness mostly. Sometimes involuntary movements. Google Elavil. Its usually RXed for sleep these days.

[Amyscience]

Originally Posted by angustios101

weight gain and extreme tiredness mostly. Sometimes involuntary movements. Google Elavil. Its usually RXed for sleep these days.

Ahhhh, thanks! That makes sense then. One of my major symptoms is severe insomnia, so that is probably why. I don't want to gain weight though, ehh.

I've taken 300mg [150 twice daily] for about ten years. I assume it's working...no side effects I recall bothering me either. Maybe I'm lucky. At this point I'll assume they're doing an ok job. To date I'm advised to continue. I'm holding my own...there are still a few bad days but everyone has a few of those. The brunt of a more serious depression is certainly able to be minimalized with a proper med.

Wellbutrin, like any med, has to be tried to ensure effectiveness/tolerence. Sometimes the test period can be 6/8 weeks or so. Patience. There are many comparable anti-d meds out there. It may take some time to weed through a couple or three in finding what works best.

Don't hesitate to query your Doc...he's there to ensure you get what works best. Trial and error sometimes. Don't lose heart...it'll maybe take a few months...but maybe not. Just give things a try...many side-effects go away in time or are mere inconveniences and tolerable given the benefit they provide.

Now, Amy...about the bruising...I've not heard of that but it seems to me important to mention to your Doc. That doesn't sound right. One sec...Ok, I just looked that up and apparently it's a rare side effect. Couldn't find any word on if it's a severe problem...were I you I would not hesitate to speak to your Doc. He's the real authority...or call a pharmacist...they can usually give you some info...but the Doc you should ask as soon as you can. There were no huge alarm bells in anything I've read so far but ask the Doc can you? I mean it's been 2 months now...and a month since he said it should go away.

Has it minimalized at all? You have a right to be concerned. I'm sure it's just a side effect of the Wellbutrin...like he said it should clear up. But it's been 2 months...call him again...it's his job to help. Damnit Amy...I forgot the shaking you spoke of...look, that PLUS the bruising? No way...call him....ask about an alternative. He should be ok with that. By the way...is the Wellbutrin helping with your depression? Long note...sorry...I hope you look into this.

[Amyscience]

Originally Posted by quizzickle

I've taken 300mg [150 twice daily] for about ten years. I assume it's working...no side effects I recall bothering me either. Maybe I'm lucky. At this point I'll assume they're doing an ok job. To date I'm advised to continue. I'm holding my own...there are still a few bad days but everyone has a few of those. The brunt of a more serious depression is certainly able to be minimalized with a proper med.

Wellbutrin, like any med, has to be tried to ensure effectiveness/tolerence. Sometimes the test period can be 6/8 weeks or so. Patience. There are many comparable anti-d meds out there. It may take some time to weed through a couple or three in finding what works best.

Don't hesitate to query your Doc...he's there to ensure you get what works best. Trial and error sometimes. Don't lose heart...it'll maybe take a few months...but maybe not. Just give things a try...many side-effects go away in time or are mere inconveniences and tolerable given the benefit they provide.

Now, Amy...about the bruising...I've not heard of that but it seems to me important to mention to your Doc. That doesn't sound right. One sec...Ok, I just looked that up and apparently it's a rare side effect. Couldn't find any word on if it's a severe problem...were I you I would not hesitate to speak to your Doc. He's the real authority...or call a pharmacist...they can usually give you some info...but the Doc you should ask as soon as you can. There were no huge alarm bells in anything I've read so far but ask the Doc can you? I mean it's been 2 months now...and a month since he said it should go away.

Has it minimalized at all? You have a right to be concerned. I'm sure it's just a side effect of the Wellbutrin...like he said it should clear up. But it's been 2 months...call him again...it's his job to help. Damnit Amy...I forgot the shaking you spoke of...look, that PLUS the bruising? No way...call him....ask about an alternative. He should be ok with that. By the way...is the Wellbutrin helping with your depression? Long note...sorry...I hope you look into this.

I have already seen him and changed medications. It was not helping at all.