Wellbutrin ZAPS!! - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

wobbly · 11-14-2003, 01:11 PM

Hi all,
I've been on Wellbutrin XL 150 mg for about 2 weeks now. Yesterday and today I've noticed the weirdest phenomenon. I think it's the "zaps" I've heard people talk about. It's not dizziness, but when I move my head these electric-shock-type feelings surge thru my brain and body. They're not unpleasant, just weird. Is this a normal side effect that will clear up, or should I be concerned? I'd hate to have to go off the WB; aside from the cost I think I like it.
Thanks for any input!
-wobbly

jgurl1976 · 11-14-2003, 01:30 PM

Ive been on welbutrin for almost 3 years. That also hapend to me and it does go away. Welbutrin has some strange side effects at first but they all seem to go away after about a month. Best of luck.

Steve_the_elf · 11-14-2003, 04:29 PM

I had bad experiences with Wellbutrin. It made me so tensed up and anxious, I could barely turn my head because my neck muscles were so stiff. I was very nervous and my blood pressure was elevated. I ended up taking myself off of it over a period of a week and my doctor put me on the Depakote/Seroquel combination that has been working so well for me (well, except for today).

mikemadman · 11-14-2003, 06:45 PM

I loved Wellbutrin while it lasted. I was on it for about 3 years and then one day it just stopped working. I just switched to Zoloft a month ago. While on Wellbutrin I would get a full body muscle twitch every once and a while. And sometimes it would feel like someone was blowing on my neck and I would get shivers down my back. Never had any zapping in my brain though.

I totally agree about Wellbutrin making you tense and agitated. I am a very mellow calm person except when I was taking Wellbutrin. I first noticed my aggitation when some guy cut me off in the car and I tailgated him and followed him for 20 minutes yelling and cussing the whole time. I told my doctor about it when I got into a fight with my wife and I resorted to physical abuse (I threw her on down onto the floor). Abusing women goes agianst every bone in my body and I had no idea who I was when I was doing that. So the doctor made me take Zyprexa with the Wellbutrin. Zyprexa brings you down and makes you more mellow, or rather puts you to sleep. So be careful with the Wellbutrin, if you notice aggitation tell your doctor, dont let it get out of hand like I did.

wobbly · 11-15-2003, 05:59 AM

I also forgot to say that I've been weaning off Effexor while starting on WB--took my last dose of Effexor 3 days ago. So maybe it has something to do with that as well? I have not gotten much good sleep since starting WB. It's hard getting to sleep 'cuz my mind is racing a mile a minute. Then I wake up in a dripping-wet sweat; throw the covers off thinking I'm too hot; then lay there and freeze while the sweat keeps coming and chills my body. I don't want to go off WB because the SSRIs I've tried haven't really cut it, so my hope is that this stuff will go away and I'll be OK. And I don't feel as depressed. Will keep my fingers crossed that things will be fine down the line someplace.
Thanks,
-wobbly