wellbutrin and "brain jumps" !?!?!??! - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Llama · 09-17-2007, 03:25 PM

I have another reason why I think I need to get off of wellbutrin. I don't know how to describe this side effect. A lot of the time when I am typing or writing my brain jumps (and so do my hands). I blackout for a brief second (not aware of anything around me) and my hands jerk/jump up. It doesn't really hurt...although if I am writing a lot and it happens a lot I will feel funny in my head (almost a headache...but just kind of detatched). It is hard to write a lot in classes (essay tests) because this keeps happening and it takes me longer because after the "jump" i have to regroup and start my thoughts again. Also it is embarassing to have my hands jump/jerk a lot (who knows, maybe my head jerks too?!). After the little jump/blackout I have to close my eyes for a bit so it wont happen again so I can calm whatever it is that needs to be calmed/slowed down.

Anyone else get this?

I know it is related to the wellbutrin because I was on it before and the same things happened. Sometimes with my speech too. At work I was trying to tell the customer the total of their purchase and my brain kept jumping a few times in a row and I just was stuck on this repeat mode. I kept trying to say the total (like I was on repeat...couldn't stop it). Finally I looked away...closed my eyes...and was able to start over what I was saying.

What is this?! Some (it just happened again now) type of seizure brain mis(happened again)firing? It happens sometimes more than others.

I don't think I should be on this med. I am making a pdoc appt...hopefully will get in soon. HELP!

naturemomma816 · 09-18-2007, 01:19 PM

Wow, I have never heard anyone else discribe this. This happened to me. I would have these awful sensations, almost like when an arm or a leg falls asleep, only it would happen in my head. It would start at the base of my neck and make its way up, my entire body would stiffen and become sore. I thought I too was having seizures. I also found that reading, computers and T.V. made it occur more frequently. It took me a while to realize it was the meds. My mom was going through chemo for cancer and I was the primary caregiver so I assumed it had something to do with stress and anxiety. I was wrong.

I went to talk to my DR. about it and he looked at me like I was making the entire thing up. Like I just didn't want to take my meds. PLEASE! He said he he had never heard of this before. What? - side effects from bi-polar meds, gimmie a break. anyway. He lowered my dosage and things seemed to improve. It started happening again so I stopped taking them.

One thing I know for sure, (after all the meds I have been on) some side effects are tolerable, some could result in irreversable damage. The brain is not something to mess with. I would talk to you doc a.s.a.p.

Another thing I would suggest, you said you have a lot of reports for school and essays. Is there anyone who could type them for you? When I was in school I decided to hire my mom to type my papers. I would record everything on a tape and she would type it. I don't know about you but my ideas are much better when I speak aloud. A pen or even a compuer is sometimes too slow for my racing mind.

Hope you start feeling better soon, keep me posted.

Llama · 09-19-2007, 12:13 AM

Thank you so much for replying! I was so so so hoping that someone knew what I was talking about! Thank you so much!

I am making a pdoc appt tomorrow. I am glad you said something about irreversible damage. I had never even thought of that. OMG I am scared! I thought I would just put up with it because it was making me feel so good (well...too good...and for people with bipolar that is a bad thing).

Yikes. Well, I'm in for another ride on the med-go-round.

I will let you know if my pdoc knows what I am talking about. Maybe there is a term and explanation for it!

naturemomma816 · 09-19-2007, 01:21 PM

Well good luck and let me know how everything goes.
naturemomma

tsohl · 09-19-2007, 01:36 PM

Hi Llama,

Nice to see you on the board. I am happy to bring you good news. You can learn all about this phenomina if you look for "brain zaps." It is also known as brain shivers, or brain shocks. According to everything I've read, there is no reported evidence of them being dangerous or even causing any problems, other than the weird sensation you are experiencing.

These are related to seratonin reuptake drugs for the most part. Also they happen to people following periods of heavy use of ecstasy.

I remember reading earlier posts about this topic on the board. You could try searching for more if you're interested!!

xxTsohl