Unburdened Posted May 7, 2018 Share Posted May 7, 2018 I have finally decided to go off Wellbutrin (Bupropion/Zyban) as I just cannot live with this anger and rage attacks any longer. I spend my day swearing, (I can’t fit enough swear words in a sentence), clenching my hands until they are rigid, screaming and hurting my throat, telling myself I wish I was dead and having even more intrusive thoughts than normal, even thoughts that wake me up in the middle of the night and I respond by telling myself to fuck off while I‘m laying there in bed. The anger has alarmed me and I can feel the cortisol surging through my body. I’m getting off this medication by myself without help because I went to see my psychiatrist the other day sand he virtually dismissed me and was clearly annoyed with me for having too many side effects and he was frustrated at how difficult I was to treat. There was no sympathy whatsoever. He said we’ve exhausted all avenues. I felt like a fool for not responding correctly to medications that he thought should work. It was a waste of money seeing him and I’m sick of doctors telling me it’s worth having numb genitals or inability to orgasm if you find a pill that gets rid of your depression. The doctor was frustrated with me before for all the pills I’ve been on that I couldn’t tolerate because of sex issues. The Wellbutrin didn’t do anything negative for me sexually (it seemed to have a big improvement on me sexually, actually), but the insane anger is just too much to live with. The anger was over the most minor of things, such as the vacume cleaner cord getting tangled, or losing internet connection. I’m currently on Lamotrigine 200 mg by itself which I hope will help my depression/anxiety. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittyloaf Posted May 7, 2018 Share Posted May 7, 2018 Sorry to hear you're having a hard time. I am wondering if the Wellbutrin is giving you mania, as irritability is a sign of mania. Of course I am no doctor. Speaking of your doctor, can you get a second opinion? I don't think it's right that they are treating you poorly due to not liking the side effects that are notorious with antidepressants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blahblah Posted May 7, 2018 Share Posted May 7, 2018 Sorry to hear Wellbutrin didn't do the trick. I've heard that it can make some people irritable or agitated. The bummer is that it is known to have the least sexual side effects (compared to other antidepressants) It sounds like you have tried the SSRIs? What about SNRI's (they have less sexual side effects compared to SSRIs I think) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unburdened Posted May 8, 2018 Author Share Posted May 8, 2018 9 hours ago, sbdivemaster said: It sounds like you are having a very hard time. That must be very difficult to manage. What is your diagnosis? Thanks Sbdivemaster. I have major depression, anxiety and mild OCD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unburdened Posted May 8, 2018 Author Share Posted May 8, 2018 5 hours ago, kittyloaf said: Sorry to hear you're having a hard time. I am wondering if the Wellbutrin is giving you mania, as irritability is a sign of mania. Of course I am no doctor. Speaking of your doctor, can you get a second opinion? I don't think it's right that they are treating you poorly due to not liking the side effects that are notorious with antidepressants. I could get a second opinion if I wanted to, but I'm not motivated to at the moment as I have tried a huge amount of medications of different classes and have really lost hope right now of finding one with side effects that I am happy to live with. The psychiatrist I have now is my 5th. It's not because I keep switching doctors though. One retired, and another moved away. I almost feel shame about how I am extremely sensitive to medications. The last two briefly mentioned ECT but I won't do it. I would like to mention that Zoloft did work brilliantly on my depression, but was absolutely terrible in other ways, which then result in poor quality of life due to being fat and sexless. I'm almost considering ayahuasca. Maybe I'm not living in the best place in the world to have access to brilliant experienced open minded doctors who can come up with ideas of which drugs or drug combinations to give me. Or more likely I really have exhausted all avenues. In exasperation the Dr did give me a prescription for REBOXETINE (Edronax) which is an SNRI. I have already been on the SNRI Pristiq. I don't feel compelled to go on the Endronax at this stage as I'm so tired of this constant experimentation and then the weaning off. I will stay on the Lamotrogine for the moment by itself and see what happens. I will try the Endronax if need be. 4 hours ago, Blahblah said: Sorry to hear Wellbutrin didn't do the trick. I've heard that it can make some people irritable or agitated. The bummer is that it is known to have the least sexual side effects (compared to other antidepressants) It sounds like you have tried the SSRIs? What about SNRI's (they have less sexual side effects compared to SSRIs I think) Thanks Blahblah, yes I have tried the SNRIs Pristiq and Effexor in the past. I don't know if it's worth trying more in that class. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Haiku Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 (edited) I had this problem with Wellbutrin as well, and I had to stop taking it because I was worried if I didn't, I'd beat my husband. The anger would come suddenly, completely unprovoked, and I wouldn't be able to shake it for hours at a time. It was a peculiar brand of anger, like a physically painful rage down deep in my gut that I've never experienced before or since. Also, my usual low-level misophonia was dialed up past 11 and into 'RABID FUCKING T-REX'. Keep looking for a better med. Don't get discouraged. If your current doctor refuses to trial any other medications, fire that shitstain and get a new doctor who will continue to support your care. Edited May 8, 2018 by Bad Haiku 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blahblah Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 6 hours ago, Unburdened said: The last two briefly mentioned ECT but I won't do it. I would like to mention that Zoloft did work brilliantly on my depression, but was absolutely terrible in other ways, which then result in poor quality of life due to being fat and sexless. I'm almost considering ayahuasca. Maybe I'm not living in the best place in the world to have access to brilliant experienced open minded doctors who can come up with ideas of which drugs or drug combinations to give me. Or more likely I really have exhausted all avenues. In the exact same boat. I've tried for (over) 20 years now..all meds, combos, different pdocs, therapists, and I have never hit remission with my depression. I worry that being on these meds longterm will cause such a dependency that I will never be able to quit (despite the meds not really helping a great deal). A few docs have mentioned ECT, but after reading stories about ppl who are now disabled or have traumatic brain injury from it - no thanks. It's not like you can just pop in for 1-2 sessions either, it's dozens for a time period of years, then you often have to do continuous maintenance. It doesn't even last...and you still need to stay on meds! Let me know if you end up trying Ayahuasca - I know there are places where doctors are doing trials. I mean, look there are also trials of Ketamine and MDMA. I don't know how or where you can become part of a study, but i would sign up honestly. I'm willing to jump outside of the box, because I'm not getting any younger and tired of suffering no matter what I do or try or how much money I spend on "professionals" who cannot help me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceberg Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 @Blahblah there are actually places that will give ketamine to you without being in a study...but it's expensive. Also, there is supposed to be a patent out soon for nasal esketamine, which might be covered by insurance since it is actually approved for depression. unlike regular ketamine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Distorted Me Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 I'm BP 2 and have experienced similar things. I already have a quick temper (thanks Japanese side of my genes) and my baseline is usually depressed but a little, at least, agitated. I've taken it off and on for many years but started it again at 150 mg most recently in February to quit smoking again. My wife and I both immediately noticed a definite increase in my irritability. Unfortunately, I'm naturally prone to rage every so often if something really sets me off. I'm still taking it though b/c it totally improved my motivation. I wouldn't do a damn thing before, didn't care to at all. Instantly had more motivation after starting it and I've accomplished a ton. It's like night and day difference. I have to work on my anger anyway so I'll live with it for now as long as I don't go to jail or anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Distorted Me Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 I've decided to quit the Bupropion for a bit to see how much it was affecting my anger. Even though I was only at 150 mg, I clearly felt a difference when I started it up again in Feb or March. I DO NOT need anything to make my temper worse. Already have way too much testosterone for a guy at 44. I literally still feel like I'm in my late 20's at most physically (most days anyway). I'm pretty laid back most of the time but I just don't mind expressing myself if you catch my drift. A lot of work yet to be done on that issue certainly. We'll see how this goes I guess. I kinda feel like there's a difference already. Possible with the supposed short half-life of this drug. If it is making me worse, I'll miss it for sure. It totally snapped me out of my Prozac slump even though I quit that in October. Maybe that effect is more permanent. One can dream anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unburdened Posted June 12, 2018 Author Share Posted June 12, 2018 On 9/06/2018 at 10:23 PM, Distorted Me said: I've decided to quit the Bupropion for a bit to see how much it was affecting my anger. Even though I was only at 150 mg, I clearly felt a difference when I started it up again in Feb or March. I DO NOT need anything to make my temper worse. Already have way too much testosterone for a guy at 44. I literally still feel like I'm in my late 20's at most physically (most days anyway). I'm pretty laid back most of the time but I just don't mind expressing myself if you catch my drift. A lot of work yet to be done on that issue certainly. We'll see how this goes I guess. I kinda feel like there's a difference already. Possible with the supposed short half-life of this drug. If it is making me worse, I'll miss it for sure. It totally snapped me out of my Prozac slump even though I quit that in October. Maybe that effect is more permanent. One can dream anyway. My extreme anger has definitely gone away now that I've gone off the Bupropion. The difference is obvious. I still have irritability and a short temper which I wish I could change, but what I have now is nothing compared to the Bupropion rages. Being on that long term would give you a heart attack or a stomach ulcer I'm sure from all of the cortisol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notloki Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Anger and irritation are sometimes side effects of fooling with norepinephrine. So is increased heart rate and BP as norepinephrine is responsible for some cardiac processes. Some people simply cannot stand norepinephrine affecting meds and some can. I can stand them and stand them well. I loved Doxepin (150 mg), Wellbutrin (450 mg), and Effexor (350 mg). All norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian LeFevre Posted June 23, 2018 Share Posted June 23, 2018 (edited) . Edited June 28, 2018 by Brian LeFevre Yes please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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