Wellbutrin Tremors

I recently started taking Wellbutrin after over 10 years of having an unmedicated condition. Ten years ago they said it was bipolar disorder; this most recent hospitalization they told me it was major depressive disorder with psychotic tendencies. Doc put me on a low dose; I take 75 mg twice a day. I've been experiencing a plethora of side effects, including itchiness in the arms, dizziness, detached feeling, and most troubling is the tremors. When I first started taking it I noticed that when incredibly upset (having an "episode," I guess), I would shake violently and uncontrollably. And now, a few days later, I'm having slight tremors even now, and I'm only mildly anxious. I don't have a psychiatrist yet; I should have one within a month. At what point should I consider these side effects dealbreaking? I've not been on Wellbutrin long enough for it to have helped me, only about 10 days.

everybody experiences the meds differently...for me, wellbutrin was a lifesaver.......kicked in pretty quickly and no side effects........I know I didn't tolerate side effects from meds well.....there are enough of them out there that I felt I didn't have to put up with them...I just made doc give me antoher....advocate for yourself

I won't mince words: Wellbutrin literally made me crazy. I started out with tremors and a feeling like everything inside of me wanted to burst forth, and progressed to mania with almost uncontrollable rage and psychosis. That does NOT mean that you'll experience the same symptoms, but watch yourself closely over the next few weeks and call your doctor if you notice yourself becoming angry or aggressive, or if the tremors and generalized restlessness get worse. Wellbutrin is a great drug for a lot of people, but for some of us it can be disastrous. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. Yeah I've been incredibly anxious this past week. Partially due to my surroundings, but sometimes I'm sitting alone with nothing in particular on my mind and I'm still terrified. My paranoia is getting worse. I'll definitely keep an eye on my symptoms.

Keep us updated with how your tolerating your meds generally how your doing. I know I look forward to people's updates I'm sure others to do. One it's nice to know someone is improving it's encouraging .. Two it gives us the opportunity to support you if it's not getting better.. Best wishes

Most of the nervous side effects are from the instant release type of Wellbutrin. I use the 300mg xl and the extended release make a huge difference. I started on the regular 150mg and it was to fast acting. Switched to the xl and it was like night and day.

I am taking a lot of meds as you can see in my signature and have terrible tremors. I can't fill out anything by hand or hold a small teacup. I really shake during exercise. It got so bad I saw a neurologist. He said I am having extrapyramidal effects from the drugs.

I finally got a psychiatrist! Saw him a few days ago and he's really nice. ^_^ He doubled my Wellbutrin and put me on Abilify as well. The darndest thing; on my way to see him I saw something. I was driving to my appointment and all of a sudden I saw a giant black beetle whiz by, right in front of my face. It was so big it blotted out the light for a second. I know that beetle wasn't really there. That was when I knew that the weird things I thought I'd been seeing/hearing really were hallucinations. I told my doc about it when I got there.

Good news is that the tremors have died down. I'm just weak and tired all the time, but I expect that will pass. Hopefully. Thanks for all the encouragement; I really appreciate it. I don't have any friends and don't trust my family at all, so this will have to do for now.

Hi again I am so glad you posted your update with how your doing .. Happy to know your tremors died down... I am sorry I forgot what your dx was but happy you found some truths about what was going on with the sights etc... I still haven't started my bupropion it's like I am stuck at a wall

I'm bipolar and love wellbutrin, the only bad thing about it for me is it does nothing for anxiety and in fact can increase it. I take the 150mg instant release, suppose to take it twice a day but dropped down to only once a day and I can even stop it for weeks at a time now. The only side effect I remember first starting it was constipation and even more trouble falling asleep. But both went away after awhile. Actually, it does nothing for my depression either, I think what I like about it most is it reduces my fatigue from other meds.

Yeah, I have noticed a lot of trouble sleeping, and it has really diminished my appetite. My diagnosis was major depressive disorder with psychotic features. The psychotic features were paranoia and slight hallucinations. I took that sanity meter test thing that has its own forum and the test suggested that I may be schizophrenic as well, but none of my docs ever implied as much.

What you have described are the start up side effects of Wellbutrin™ (bupropion). They usually subside within 2 to 3 weeks. The tiredness usually disappear in 5 to 8 weeks.

I just want to let you know of a side effect that may occur at 6 to 8 weeks. It may cause you to become very irritable. This side effect last about two weeks, but it can become distressing for those around you.

When I was taking Wellbutrin™ this happened to me, and to several other people that I know. It is a fairly common side effect, but it does go away. I would cut people off in traffic just so that I could yell at them, and would yell at my wife for no reason.

I have found that if this side effect occurs and you realize that it is the medication that is causing it, you can remove yourself from the situation by going into a room by yourself until you calm yourself down. Just punch a pillow and talk yourself down by realizing that it is a side effect and it will go away in one to two weeks.

I say to keep on the medication because it is my experience as a psychopharmacologist that getting the irritability is a good indication that the medication will work for over the long term.

This may not happen to you, as I see it in varying degrees in people, and approximately 40% will get the irritability in some form. If you do know about the side effect it is much easier to manage and it does seem to abate in almost all people. I do not want to scare you with this, but it good to know that there is a possibility it may occur.

I hope that this is of some help. Feel free to ask any questions, as I will be checking in on this site every day or two.

Good luck - Cam

Use the xl- extended release, I couldn't handle straight Wellbutrin. It's effects as a SNRI works to quickly. Especially on the norepinephrine. The xl form is the way to go. Otherwise, you end up anxious, jittery, and possibly a panic attack. Seriously, I have used both and they are polar opposites. Give 150-300 xl a chance in the morning if your pdoc allows. It's 130 degree heat compared to a smooth 75 degree flow. The xl has a time released element in the tabs. So your monoamines aren't flooding over immediately!