[dragonphoto]

Has anyone read any reports about Wellbutrin helping with neuropathy or blood circulation? I just started taking it and it seems that my neuropathy has gotten better as well as my blood flow. Any help?

[hangtough]

I have really bad neuropathy due to diabetic nerve problems. I've never been told it (wellbutrin) has even been used for that. I use Lyrica and have used Neurontin. Lyrica is the newest drug and the main drug for neuropathy.

[heyjoe]

Hi Dragon, I just got a chill when i read your post. I have PN for over 6 years now and about a year and a half ago i was prescribed wellbutrin for PTSD. It hasnt done anything for that but it has definitely helped with my nerve pain in my feet. When I told my neurologist that and also the doctor who prescribed the wellbutrin they looked at me like i had ten heads. Since then research has come out supporting wellbutrin as an analgesic. I tell people about it on the PN boards but no one seems to try it. The doctor told me a month ago that he wanted to eliminate the wellbutrin and substitute something else, i told him that he would be the one eliminated and substituted if he did. Take care. Joe

[sunrise]

Look what I found:

http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/57/9/1583
</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Neurology 2001;57:1583-1588
Double-blind, randomized trial of bupropion SR for the treatment of neuropathic pain
Marilyn R. Semenchuk, PharmD, Scott Sherman, MD and Bennet Davis, MD
From the Department of Neurology (Drs. Semenchuk and Sherman) and the Pain Clinic (Dr. Davis), University of Arizona, Tucson.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Semenchuk, 9030 North Silvermoon Way, Tucson, AZ 85743; e-mail: Marilyn.R.Semenchuk@gsk.com

Objective:— To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of bupropion sustained-release (SR) for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Method:— This single-center, outpatient, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study consisted of two phases. Forty-one nondepressed patients with neuropathic pain spent 6 weeks in each phase in random order and received identical tablets of 150 mg bupropion SR or placebo. Patients were instructed to take one tablet once daily for 1 week followed by one tablet twice daily for 5 weeks.

Results:— While the patients took bupropion SR, neuropathic pain relief was improved or much improved in 30 (73%) patients, and one of these patients became pain-free. The mean average pain score at baseline was 5.7, which remained unchanged at the end of week 6 with placebo, but decreased by 1.7 points to 4.0 (p < 0.001) during therapy with bupropion SR. Pain relief with bupropion SR was significant at week 2 (p < 0.05) and continued throughout weeks 3 through 6 (p < 0.001). A significant decrease in interference of pain on quality of life was observed while patients were receiving bupropion SR compared with placebo. Side effects experienced with bupropion SR were not dose-limiting and consisted primarily of dry mouth, insomnia, headache, gastrointestinal upset, tremor, constipation, and dizziness.

Conclusion:— This placebo-controlled crossover trial showed that bupropion SR (150–300 mg daily) was effective and well tolerated for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

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[dragonphoto]

I read that report right after I posted thank you. )