Do I ever get Wellbutrin again?

[dojoloach]

I had a seizure after taking an accidental double dose of Wellbutrin (immediate release).  I have no history of seizure disorder, and all brain tests were fine and are fine a year later.

Wellbutrin worked better than any other antidepressant I have been on.  It was a miracle drug.  All other pills wore off, ultimately made me more depressed, and gave me horrible side effects.  I mean, I guess a seizure is horrible.  I don't remember it.

Has anyone else gone through a similar thing?  Has anyone ever gone back on Wellbutrin after a seizure?  The doctors said they wanted me to try all the meds I've already tried again, first, because maybe this time I won't gain 50 pounds, or get cystic acne, or become a zombie, or they won't wear off, or I won't get excrutiating withdrawal.

Isn't it more likely that I won't have a seizure on Wellbutrin again, if I'm on a lower dose of SR?

I am quite desperate, as I am terribly depressed, but I will not accept that my only option is the way I feel now, or a temporary boost from SSRIs (or worse, Effexor/Cymbalta - I still have Effexor withdrawal after 9 years, even though I know it is impossible) that make me fat, ugly, zombified and depressed.

I tried mirapex - only for one day - and I felt all wrong.  Since I tend to get odd side effects, I was frightened, and never took it again.  I didn't want to have a sudden sleep attack and have my license taken away.  I'd rather have another seizure.

I've tried topamax, and felt like my brain had been removed.  Also, my vision got all messed up.  I'm afraid of combining wellbutrin with other antiepileptics because, as you've probably noticed, weight gain is not okay with me.

Is there any hope?  Does anyone have any ideas?  Does anyone know where I can get that implant maybe?

[Velvet Elvis]

You'd probably be better off asking in the seizure forum about the risks of taking Wellbutrin again.  I really don't know.  It might be safe if taken in conjunction with an anti-convulsant.

Have you tried Strattera or Providual? Remeron?  If dopamine is key for you, some of the CNS stims would likely do the trick, but many pdocs are unwilling to give them out for depression.

[cabal]

dojoloach, apparently you're susceptible to getting seizures.

If just doubling the dosage caused the seizure, taking even a normal dosis is risky. Getting on wellbutrin sr or xl may be a good approach. Maybe you could also try a lower dose.

But it's your life, and maybe the seizure will never happen again. Then again, I've heard (I don't know if it's true) that long term exposure to wellbutrin can increase the chance of seizures.

Don't be so negative about the other antidepressants. Zoloft and Prozac (I don't know what works for you, your milage may vary, etc.) are stimulating antidepressants. Not as stimulating as wellbutrin, but at least in the beginning they are stimulating. And people don't tend to become fat on prozac or zoloft. But I can't give a guarantee. You could give one of those a try. If it doesn't work out, gradually lower the dose and stop. I think it's a good idea to talk to your doc about this.

[null0trooper]

I had a seizure after taking an accidental double dose of Wellbutrin (immediate release).  I have no history of seizure disorder, and all brain tests were fine and are fine a year later.

Is there any hope?  Does anyone have any ideas?  Does anyone know where I can get that implant maybe?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As VE said, definitely ask on the seizure forum. Also, look into what epileptic auras, absence seizures,

complex partial seizures, and temporal lobe epilepsy involve. You may have been in trouble long before

you actually lost consciousness, and if you restart you will NEED to know the warning signs that will

tell you to stop for good.

[dojoloach]

Thanks for everyone's replies/advice.  So far, it doesn't seem like my doctor is willing to put me on any sort of Wellbutrin ever again.  I think he'd rather I get that brain implant first.

Trooper - I did have major jamais vu at my highest dose of Wellbutrin, well before the seizure, which made me cut back down on my dose.  It was only after the seizure that we realized the jamais vu was probably seizure auras.  Who knows - maybe I had some seizures and forgot all about them.

Amnesia from the seizure really messed up my internet dating.  I recently found e-mails about dates I don't really remember going on.  It's possible I fell in love and forgot all about it.

VE - I'm currently on adderall xr.  It's the best, after wellbutrin, that I've found, and I'm lucky to have a doctor who will give it to me.  Everyone wants me to take Cymbalta.  Did you guys know?  It doesn't have any side effects, and hardly any withdrawal.

I'll have to look into provigil and remeron.  Strattera worked well for me - it cured me for forty five minutes.  For forty five minutes, I was perfectly cured.  Do you remember the first time you got glasses, if you ever got glasses?  When you're in the eye doctor's office, and you look out the window and see leaves and pavement for the first time again?  That's what that forty five minutes was like.  I saw a whole new future, spread out before me.

Sadly, the feeling passed.  Adderall has been much more helpful, but Strattera is still in the running as an option.

Cabal - I hadn't heard about long term Wellbutrin increasing seizure problems, so thanks for that.  I have tried zoloft and prozac (among many other ssri/snris, as well as a tricyclic) and both caused lots of weight gain and other very depressing things.  I tried zoloft this past spring again, but it didn't play nice with the adderall, and only made me feel worse.  And, ultimately for me, the ssri/snris always wear off.

Wellbutrin didn't wear off.  Sigh.

But, thanks again everyone, and I will look on the seizure forum for additional info!

[Velvet Elvis]

I like cymbalta a lot.  If your doc thinks it would be a good med for you, it's worth a try. You can safely take it in addition to stimulants.

Your first priority needs to be seeing a neurologist about the seizure stuff and get an EEG.  Seizures like you describe can really fuck up your head.

[dojoloach]

Deja vu and jamais vu are symptoms of temporal lobe seizures. Leet me say this sloooowwwwly...

NOT ALL SEIZURES ARE FLOPPING ON THE FLOOR

Got that? Not only that, but even the ones in just a small part of your brain can get worse and eventually lead to flopping on the floor, and when the trigger drug or whatever (such as wellbutrin) is removed...leave you permanantly epileptic. It's called kindling-seizures beget seizures.

Epilepsy kills (see http://www.anticonvulsantsSUDEP.shtml). Every day.

Is that worth it? Really. Theres new drugs. Theyre worth a shot before insisting on the Wellbutrin.

Kassiane

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks again for the advice.  Yeah, after reading through the seizure forum last night, I think I'll agree that it isn't worth it.  I did have an EEG, and it came back normal, but I think you're right, 'cause of the kindling thing.

Kassiane - Sometimes I still get weird feelings, and maybe they're migraine auras or panic attacks, not seizure auras.  Do other people struggle with being able to tell the difference?  I don't get jamais vu anymore.  Is there a forum or website with information on people's experience with seizure auras and triggers?  I know that they're wide-ranging and different for everyone, but I get scared that my adderall might trigger something next.  I'll go post this question in the seizure forum.

VE - Had you tried Effexor before Cymbalta, and if so, has Cymbalta been different than Effexor, as far as side effects and withdrawal are concerned?

Again - thanks everyone for your responses.

[Velvet Elvis]

VE - Had you tried Effexor before Cymbalta, and if so, has Cymbalta been different than Effexor, as

I never was on Effexor.  The consensus around these parts seems to be that the side effects while on Cymbalta are nowhere near as bad as fex, but the discontinuation is just as shitty. The startup side effects can be kinda rough but they usually only last a week to ten days from when you hit 60mgs.

[dojoloach]

After having a consultation with some neurologists (and after a year of debilitating depression, anxiety, shut-in-ness, and unemployment), I have been given the go-ahead for Wellbutrin again!  The docs said that they were very sure that the seizure was due to the double dose; I had the grand mal as a result of a toxic drug reaction.

I've only been on for a week so far, and am on the XL, which will hopefully lessen the chances of me taking a double dose ever.  I'm so neurotic with my pill boxes, ever since the seizure.

Just wanted to update, and to let others know that it can be done - you can get your Wellbutrin back.

I have had a few weird brain things just tonight, but I think it's either panic attacks from adjusting to WB, or migraine aura.  Still, I'm not driving until that stuff goes away.  But, already, I'm vacuuming and doing the dishes and filing my paperwork.

I can't wait for the antidepressant part to kick in.  Last time, it took a full month, even though I feel SSRIs after only a week or so.

Anyway.  Yes.  Go Wellbutrin.  Thank you, neurologists.  Joy to the world and everything else.

[dojoloach]

Wanted to report back in - no seizure or jamais vu or any other strange stuff (besides, you know, the usual strange stuff). I'm still waiting for Wellbutrin to help my depression. It should have worked by now. Could it be the xl?

I'll let you all know if I have a seizure, but I think that I will be just fine. Besides, you know, the usual.