seizure side effect

[93j9dx]

I was wondering how likely seizures are on wellbutrin are, and how much it increases when combined with a stimulant such as adderall. I asked my psychiatrist about switching from paxil to wellbutrin on my last visit and he said he didnt want to put me on it because stimulants increase the risk of seizures. I am currently on 20mg of paxel and 30 mg adderall xr and 10 mg ir a day. Ive been on this doseage for about 4 months and feel wellbutrin would help me more than paxil. Im 18 years old and have got add inattentive with some depression. Any information well be greatly appreciated.

[Imnapl]

Phone a pharmacist.

[exeter]

That's a good question. I know that with Wellbutrin alone, unless you're anorexic, at prescribed doses, the risk is very minimal. I'm not sure what adding stimulants on top of that would do.

[Gourmet]

Stimulants lower the seizure threshold.

An increased risk of seizures can cause many many problems in your daily functioning. For instance, driving....which most of us rely on. If you are going to have a seizure, you cannot predict when it will occur. They can have devastating effects on your life.

I have a seizure disorder and even though I am successfully medicated I was told to avoid stimulants. I've had several injuries in the past and am very concerned with the possibility of hurting others. So it is my responsibility to avoid anything that can lower the threshold.

If stimulants added to your current medications or medical conditions increase the possibility of seizure I would steer clear and take your doctor's advice.

Breeding trouble can hurt you and no amount of improvement would be worth that in my opinion.

take care,

~gourmet~

[Burress]

At 300mg the incidence of seizure is 1 in 1000, and 450mg it is 4 in 1000, and increases markedly at doses that are higher. The most vulnerable population to these effects are anorexic and bulemic people.

[william tell]

are we talking about epilepsy ? why would you have a seizure ?

what would cause your seizure ?

[Burress]

This drug can cause seizure in people with no history of it. I have read it does that by blocking an ion channel, and is most likely to occur if at all in the first few days of a dose increase.

Here is the source of most of my information, it was written by a scientist who helped develop the drug. http://www.preskorn.com/columns/0001.html

[william tell]

the reason I ask is that I have a seizure disorder also ,but if I eat right and get enough sleep I'm in no danger .
I have abused myself in the past although and had two in my lifetime

[Gourmet]

Hi william tell..


Because of the frequency of my seizures, they do refer to my disorder as epilepsy.

This is how my neurologist explained seizure threshold.

"Everyone has a seizure threshold. If I were to lose my wife, lose my job, start drinking heavily, not sleep and stop eating, I would most likely have a seizure. Because the seizure threshold for anyone would be lowered with those types of stresses thrown on them all at once."

I just happen to have an extremely low threshold to begin with and yours must be somewhat lower also.

So according to my neurologist, someone suffering from depression may have a lowered threshold and adding a medication that further lowers the threshold could most likely cause seizures.

By the way, I am really glad that yours is not causing problems for you.

~gourmet~

[93j9dx]

Thank you all for your input. Im just trying to find what will give me the most benifit and wanted some more information on this side effect of wellbutrin because
my doctor didnt give me very much, and I always have to figure out why things are the way they are.

On an unrelated note, there was just a sever thunderstorm in the area and i had to go sit outside and watch the lightning. Ive never really noticed how spectacular a thunderstorm can be untill tonight.

[Gourmet]

93j9dx,

I think the spectacular thunderstorm is extremely relative
~gourmet~

[nivek]

I have been taking Wellburtin XL 150 for 9 months and Focalin 15 mg a day(stimulant similar to adderall or Ritilan) and have had no problems at all.

[william tell]

I actually have been concerned about the possibility of a seizure as of recent with the depression and the seperation and not being able to sleep also my job keeps getting thrown into nightshift in the middle of the week ,wreaks havic with my emotions .
I do think that adderall has prevented me from having one .and thank god ,they tend to freak other people out

[Gourmet]

hi william tell.
I don't want to sound like a "know it all" but I have had this disorder for 25 years....don't know how long you have had yours or how old you are. And you don't seem to have yours to same extent that I do.
I don't know what yours were precipitated by or how long ago it was that you had them.

But I can tell you what my case is.
Mine is idiopathic (unknown cause) primary generalized seizures of the temporal lobe and also absence seizures which have progressively gotten worse as I have aged.

I was actually at my neurologist's a few months ago discussing my ADD treatment options.

Aderall does not prevent seizures,

but theoretically lowers the seizure threshold.....meaning that it may increase your possibility of a seizure.

I am on strattera because this is the safest to take for ADD in someone with a severe seizure disorder. Do you see a neurologist?

Lack of sleep is probably the WORST thing you can do for seizures...so take care of yourself It would do you good to speak with a neurologist, paricularly one who specializes in seizure or sleep disorders.

~gourmet~

[william tell]

mine were precipitated by drinking ,abusing alcohol ,
I have given up on the alcohol ,one drunk in 7 yr.s ,last siezure 7.5 yr.s ago and yes at that time I was hospitalized because it happened at work ,and had to see a neurologist and the ensuing tests ,I remember he told me that my type had a latin name and that I would'nt remember it but that I had to change my lifestyle which isn't easy but mine was easier than most -eat ,no alcohol ,and get plenty of rest .
the last one was triggered by a week of about 3hr.s sleep a night and barely any food .Thankfully I treat myself- 40 yr.s old now -much better now .
I appreiate your sharing info from your neurologist about stimulants