i have read through the boards in hopes of finding out if my reaction to wellbutrin was indeed the medication or another manic part of my disorder. i have not been diagnosed by my dr. on exactly what i have, but after taking quizes, doing research, talkin with my dr. and looking at my family tree, i have some form of bi polar, and anixety. i started on zoloft (neg. sexual side effects), effexor (tiredness), then wellbutrin. after 5 weeks of taking wellbutrin, my mood swings became more intense, and my sexual arousal was constant. i was aroused 95% of the time. :eek: this might have contributed to my mood swings because my husband was not very receptive to my mood. :( i stopped taking wellbutrin two weeks ago and am now on lexapro. my arousal is still more frequent than it was before i started taking wellbutrin, but has decreased significantly since i stopped taking it, (thank goodness) has anyone else had this type of side effect with wellbutrin or any other meds, or is this just part of my manic high part of bi polar? :confused:

i too take efxor
had no issues with it
but i'm not bp either.

If in fact you are bi-polar, taking an anti-depressant alone (such as Wellbutrin or Lexapro) without an additional mood stabilizer can cause mania. That is why most bi-polars add a mood stabilizer (such as lithium) to their drug regimen.

You should definitely talk about this with your doc.

Good luck.

My doc started me on Wellbutrin after I complained about Effexor not being effective, gaining weight, etc. As I was coming off the Effexor I started the Wellbutrin and found that I too had an extremely high libido. This was no problem for my husband except that I found that after I stopped the Effexor I was extremely aggitated. A few other unpleasant things happened that made my doc think I may be bipolar so she started me on Lamictal, took me off the Wellbutrin and added gabitrel. Unfortunately the sexual side effects are back so here I am back on Wellbutrin (SL this time vs. XL), still on Lamictal and off the gabitrel. The new dose of wellbutrin hasn't cured the lack of libido problem yet so it's hard to say what's going on in your case (and mine). Good luck to you.

Gracetoo71-
if you are in fact Bipolar you will probably need to also take a mood stabilizer along with the anti depressants that you have been trying. If you are just taking the Anti-D then you are just making yourself more manic (increase is sex drive and irritation or all considered manic behaviors). So that could explain why these things seem to get worse with the medications. But taking a mood stabilizer may even it out eventually. This would be like Tegretol, Depakote, Lamitical, Topamax.. I'm sure you have researched this stuff (looks like you've been investigating).
At first when I went on my mood stabilizer I was miserable cuz I felt nothing at all. I would have given anything just to even feel sadness. I just wanted to feel anything. I was so BLAH. But eventually I got used to it and then the anti-d started working as well and I returned to what I now consider normal. It has taken many many years and many many many ... many adjustments in medication and I am sure I will keep having to adjust but I'm decent. And I have good doctors and a great boyfriend.
Sounds like you need to first get properly diagnosed, but then look into the mood stabilizer thing to add to your anti-depressnt. Just remember less medicine is usually better. Being overmedicated is not a good way to live.
Take care and good luck! H

haleigh
thanks for the info. i told my dr. about these side effects and that is when she told me to take the lexapro. now that i have done more research, i understand what you are saying. i just don't understand why my dr. doesn't see this. my increased irritation and sex drive are manic, i have read this on every web page i have found on bipolar, as well as others such as yourself telling me from their own knowledge. my dr. just keeps telling me to take medications, and when one doesn't work, she just throws another my way. no diagnosis, nothing. i am getting pretty fed up and am looking into a phycirist. i don't think the dr i am seeing now is even listening to me. i mean i have taken zoloft, effexor, wellbutrin, and now lexapro. all have helped with depression and anxiety, but none have helped with the irritiability, and downright occasional rage i feel at times for no reason. i am even starting to stay up much later, getting less sleep, without being very tired. this i have told her with every med starting with zoloft. i am not very comfortable with a pdr. but i feel i need some help before i let this go for too much longer. i have let this go for too long already before i asked for help.

does anyone have advice on choosing a pdr? bad experiences or good? i don't know what to expect and am still not certain if this should be my next step. best wishes to all and take care

i am getting pretty fed up and am looking into a phycirist. i don't think the dr i am seeing now is even listening to me. i mean i have taken zoloft, effexor, wellbutrin, and now lexapro. i am not very comfortable with a pdr. but i feel i need some help before i let this go for too much longer. i have let this go for too long already before i asked for help.

Why do you not want to see a psychiatrist? I think that is definitely what you need. You have already tried so many different meds without the results you want. It is time to see a specialist. And that is what a psychiatrist is, a specialist in these types of medications. You can't expect a GP to have all the info. Don't let it go on any longer, get the expert help you need, now!

If you still have any faith in your current doc, you could ask him for a referral.

under medicated isn't to great either... :nono: over medicated beats jumping off a bridge... and that's not a joke either...

Everyone is different, what works for one, can fail for another.. As for the doctor, he is basing his path for your treatment by what you tell him, how you act and possible blood tests, and other assorted tests..

I am BP1, I asked a question to the dr about mood stabilizers.. Anti-depressants and the stuff that keeps you from :bouncing: at 3am, 6 days str8, are both mood stabilizers..

If you are bi-polar, go speak with at least a psychologist, quit the guessing, it doesn't do u or anyone any good.. and the longer u wait or even cheat on the meds if u are any ( including OTC) , you are just cheating on yourself..

Wellbutrin users.. wellbutrin is considered a med that can be used for BP disorder...
and IMHO ssri's are a joke.. but hey that doesn't mean they won't help people..

Depakote seems to be highly recommended for BPD, however I am on Lamitical.... as for the rest of this post.. I would take being numb over thoughts of suicide... Like I said, EVERYONE is different.. take care of yourself now, u only have one chance, once u lose this life that's it.. no second chances..

Find the entries of MudHound, there is a post of meds and others on interesting info...

as for side effects on wellbutrin.. 95% lose weight, the other 5% gain.
it also freed up several hours a day for other activity, since I had NO sex life on it nor interest of any.

Besure to rule out all organic issues, thyroid, and all those assortments of glands.. Hormone issues can cause depression issues, such as your body doesn't produce any.. or not enough.. there are genetic issues, does it run in the family.. mine does..
all meds take 4 to 6 weeks some times longer to actually work, then the dr has to adjust them, this is an experimental stage.. medicine is not an exact science, everyone is different.. there are meds for immediate issues of severe depression.

oh and yes, I am up and :bouncing: at 3:45am typing this out.. what joy :rolleyes:

my suicide thoughts, (are not caused by wellbutrin.. more the opposite, ) are not always brought on by external events.. I can't explain it, but when I am off meds for whatever the reason, I have an irrational thought that invades my mind for NO REASON, it is an image of a gun, and an urge to use it.. I tried my best to blank it out and force my thoughts elsewhere.. it haunts me.. BUT ON the meds, I feel more rational.. and no thoughts of things that go bang when the trigger is pulled..

good luck.

Gracetoo71-
if you are in fact Bipolar you will probably need to also take a mood stabilizer along with the anti depressants that you have been trying. If you are just taking the Anti-D then you are just making yourself more manic (increase is sex drive and irritation or all considered manic behaviors). So that could explain why these things seem to get worse with the medications. But taking a mood stabilizer may even it out eventually. This would be like Tegretol, Depakote, Lamitical, Topamax.. I'm sure you have researched this stuff (looks like you've been investigating).
At first when I went on my mood stabilizer I was miserable cuz I felt nothing at all. I would have given anything just to even feel sadness. I just wanted to feel anything. I was so BLAH. But eventually I got used to it and then the anti-d started working as well and I returned to what I now consider normal. It has taken many many years and many many many ... many adjustments in medication and I am sure I will keep having to adjust but I'm decent. And I have good doctors and a great boyfriend.
Sounds like you need to first get properly diagnosed, but then look into the mood stabilizer thing to add to your anti-depressnt. Just remember less medicine is usually better. Being overmedicated is not a good way to live.
Take care and good luck! H

Please do some research on bi polar III.my son was recently Dxed with this and it WAS CAUSED by the use of SSRIs to treat his depression.I wont go into the long drawn out gory details of our year from hell while he was taking them,but after he was finally placed in a mental health facility and had a doc that knew what the heck he was doing, my son was given this Dx.Jane Pauley just did an interview on dateline a few weeks ago describing her experience and subsequent dx with the same thing.Her experience described my sons to a T.He was also taking prednisone which also can cause major major problems when mixed with any SSRIs.He had the most horrid anger explosions and mood swings and a total personality change from a sweet caring boy with a really great sense of humor,to a sullen cold and uncaring person.It was horrible and heartbreaking to watch.He is only on depakote now and doing sooo much better now.i finally have my son back!we also have absolutely no family history on either side of the family with any mental health problems other than depression.this bi polar disorder was totally made up by the use of the SSRIs.If you are having this type of reaction to them then get the hell off them and don't ever look back.my son will never ever take them again.Good luck,marcia

I agree with everyone else. It sounds like you need a mood stabilizer along with the meds. I have been using Lamictal for two years now and it has helped with the mood swings. Also you may want to find some information about the differences between seratonin and dopamine. Seratonin affects your mood...depression, anxiety, general feelings of sadness. Dopamine affects your capability of feeling...experiencing pleasure. That's probably why your libido had increased. I wish you health and happiness :angel: .

Do you take a mood stabilizer too?

Oops..someone asked that already. sorry.