[adel34]

Hi Everyone,
So I've been on welbutrin 150 MG of the extended release since the end of January. Last Saturday (not this past one but the one before) I had what me and all the medical people I've talked to are pritty sure is a seizure. After dinner I suddenly felt very weak/ shaky/ hot... it's honestly hard to remember how else I felt besides that. What I remember clearly was that I had been sitting on my bed working on the computer one minute, and then I woke up some time later laying on the floor. I had also bitten my tongue which I didn't remember doing either. I don't know how long it lasted either, because before it happened I checked the time and it was eight, and then when I finally got myself up on the bed and stuff it was nine, so it could have been anywhere in that hour.
I spent four days in the hospital and had every brain scan possible, all came out fine. The doctors are pritty sure the welbutrin caused the seizure. One neurologist said that due to the fact that I was born premature perhaps my brain was more sensitive somehow to welbutrin lowering the seizure threshold.
The doctors at the hospital cut my welbutrin dose in half with a view for tapering me off it completely by my psychiatrist. So I'm taking 75 MG of the regular kind, not extended release, and half in the morning and half at night. I've been doing this since the sunday after I had the seizure which was my first day in the hospital.
At the end of my stay the doctors decided that since the welbutrin has been really working for me I can stay on it if I want. But that if I have another seizure I need to get off it. And of course what my psychiatrist says is very important obveously.
So far I seem to be doing ok on this lower dose which kind of surprised me. I'm actively searching for a new psychiatrist because I honestly don't trust the one I'm with now. I asked him about seizure risk before starting this med and he brushed me off like he always does. I asked him about getting withdrawal symptoms from skiping one dose which happened awhile back and he said this is rare and really had no answers. I know from reading online that it's not rare!
Anyway, just wondering if anyone's had this experience with welbutrin and what they ended up doing. I don't know how long this lower dose will keep working, and really whether to stay on it or not. Just wanted to know your thoughts.

[Travelinglady]

So far no one has said they have. I take Wellbutrin and haven't had this problem.

You might want to ask a pharmacist some questions about it. Maybe someone will come on here at some point who has had this experience.

[Umbral_Seraph]

Siezures are a known and listed potential side effect of Wellbutrin. You should seriously think about getting on a different AD. If that's not an option you may need to ask about an anti-siezure med. Hope you feel better!

[adel34]

Hi Everyone,
Pain1: Thanks. I never thought about talking with a pharmacist.
Umbrell: Thanks as well. I know it's listed, that's why I asked pdoc about it! But he was his arrogant self and said that would never happen with him prescribing, just like he claimed it would be ok for me to take xanax twice a day and I wouldn't become dependent. Good thing I didn't take him up on that one!
Have any of you been on drugs that work the same as welbutrin? I mean it's been working so good in combination with the zoloft, I just wonder what else I could try that's similar and doesn't have horrible side-effects! It's so hard to talk to this guy as english is a second language for him, it's so frustrating.

Originally Posted by Umbral_Seraph

Siezures are a known and listed potential side effect of Wellbutrin. You should seriously think about getting on a different AD. If that's not an option you may need to ask about an anti-siezure med. Hope you feel better!

[Umbral_Seraph]

One of the generic manufactures makes a Wellbutrin that many, many people have alot of problems with. Perhaps you're taking it? You mentioned Xanax, were you taking it at the same time? Benzos are actually anti-siezure meds, so if you were taking Xanax at the same time you may be exceptionally prone to siezures...

I can't think of any ADs that are really like Wellbutrin; it's the only one I know that affects dopamine.

[adel34]

Hi Umbrell,
I don't know the brand of the welbutrin I was taking. Just that it was the extended release one, and now I'm on the regular one where the pills can be split.
I've never taken xanax. It was just something the pdoc suggested when I mentioned I dealt with anxiety. I did take ativan while in the hospital to deal with the MRI. It worked to relax me, but I was pritty much zoned out for the rest of the day, and couldn't imagine taking something like that every day!
I'm seeing the pdoc that comes to my facility today. I met him in June and didn't like him, but am gonna try him again.

[Umbral_Seraph]

Ah. Ativan is the same kind of med as Xanax, so it sounds like a good thing you weren't taking it. I hope you find something that works for you without subjecting you to siezures.

[CharactorAssassin]

I had a seizure on wellbutrin but i was also on an illegal substance called marijuana at the time. It was very scary. I did not touch marijuana or have friends ever again.