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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Wellbutrin (Zyban)
        
(Message started by: Capt-Kilowatt on Nov 6^th, 2005, 6:15pm)

Title: Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Post by Capt-Kilowatt on Nov 6^th, 2005, 6:15pm

OK gang. I've decided to start over with my meds. I'm weening myself off the Topamax. It helped I believe at first a year ago but now that I've been having 2 CH's/day for months I don't see how it could be and might even be causing some problems so I'm dropping it. I never had many side effects from it myself but I pretty much stayed on the 100mg/day. I've tried several anti-depressants since mine are obviously stress related along with sinus problems. I had them fairly under control until I got separated from my wife for divorce and then they came back bad. Then Katrina hit and it was like a sunami. Been having 2/day since. Any form of "exta" stress triggers them instantly along with other stuff. The only problem was I didn't like the side effects of the anti-depressants (AD). No sex drive or the hardware to go with it. That in itself was adding to my stress. I also didn't like drugs like effexor that is like a horror story to get off of. I've been using the Maxalt MLT and I'm wondering if anyone knows if maybe since I'm taking "at least" one a day sometimes 2 for my attacks, if that couldn't be causing them to come on more and more.
Went to my regular Doc and told him I couldn't take it. He thought Wellbutrin might help (Zyban). He said it was more geared toward stress. When I got home and looked it up and saw the reviews from users I thought I'd found heaven. I hope I get the same results. Off label uses include:
Weight Loss, Bipolar Depression, ADD/ADHD, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Headaches, Irritability and to top it off it actually causes the libido to increase with no sexual side effects. Lots of energy increase. I'm praying this might be one that will work. I'm thinking of switching the Maxalt MLT to the Zomig spray that ya'll suggest. I'm not too keen on the imitrex side effects or the shots. We'll see.
Could someone tell me if Wellbutrin by itself could be a preventative med or do I still need something else? Thanks in advance

Title: Re: Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Post by lionsound on Nov 6^th, 2005, 9:18pm

on 11/06/05 at 18:15:21, Capt-Kilowatt wrote:

I'm thinking of switching the Maxalt MLT to the Zomig spray that ya'll suggest. I'm not too keen on the imitrex side effects or the shots. We'll see.

Do not mix triptans within 24 hours of each other....it is very dangerous....could result in death.

Quote:

Could someone tell me if Wellbutrin by itself could be a preventative med or do I still need something else? Thanks in advance

wellbutrin and other antidepressants were suggested to me to help with my migraines, not my CH. I don't know about it helping CH, but ya never know.

PF's,
lionsound

Title: Re: Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Nov 7^th, 2005, 2:14am

Hey Capt.
I have taken welbutrin, aka zyban before. I do not know at all whether it hinders or helps get relief. My experience is that it did nothing.
Bupropion is a stand alone drug in the anti-depressant world. Most of the popular meds you hear about are classified as SSRI. SSRI meds do have a side effect of reducing sex drive, and also reducing the 'rigidity of the wood'. Bupropion, the active ingredient in welbutrin has the opposite sexual side effects.
You should ween on to and off of welbutrin too. Its a good idea to go at least 2 weeks in a taper.

I have never heard anyone here talk about welbutrin as a cluster preventative.
PF wishes
BMonee

Title: Re: Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Post by Jasmyn on Nov 7^th, 2005, 5:44am

The prescribe Zyban here if you want to quit smoking.

Did not do anything for CH or smoking for me.

Title: Re: Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Post by Capt-Kilowatt on Nov 7^th, 2005, 6:42am

I live on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi where Katrina hit. All people hear about is New Orleans but we got wiped out. That along with the pending divorce has my stress factor way up. The stress for me is my #1 trigger. Since I don't like the side affects of the other AD's he said let's try it. Yesterday I didn't have to use my Maxalt once. It's the first time in a month I haven't had a CH. Got close but didn't kick in. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm onto something getting off the topamax and "not" taking a maxalt. Starting to think the maxalt might be triggering them.

Title: Re: Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Post by Jeepgun on Nov 7^th, 2005, 8:29am

A neurologist mentioned that Bupropion may help with headaches. When I took it for smoking cessation, I didn't notice much of a difference. YMMV...

Title: Re: Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Post by Jasmyn on Nov 7^th, 2005, 5:51pm

Captain, I know that Maxalt works for some people here but my experience with it was that it prolonged a hit and the shadowing afterward.

Title: Re: Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Post by Capt-Kilowatt on Nov 7^th, 2005, 6:50pm

on 11/07/05 at 17:51:29, Jasmyn wrote:

Captain, I know that Maxalt works for some people here but my experience with it was that it prolonged a hit and the shadowing afterward.

I'm almost off the Topamax and forced myself not to take a Maxalt for a day. I didn't have a CH yesterday but felt one could have come on. Drank some strong coffee as suggested and felt fine. Today I also haven't had one so far. I had a small regular type headache some of the day. Might have been what ya'll are calling the shadows but it's on the wrong side and nothing like the others. Never formed into anything yet. Just kind of let's me know it's there. I'm going to shit if I find out that the meds I've been taking have been "causing" these. It's one thing to have them. It's another to be giving them to yourself. I'm hoping I'm onto something. If nothing else, it's been great not to have one for 2 days. It's been over 3 months straight with at least one every day. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Title: Re: Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Nov 7^th, 2005, 10:56pm

Yeah, bro, what Jas said. I took Maxalt like twice. The dose i took was the 10mg disolving tab thingy. Maxalt SUCKS for me, made the CHs worse. I think its too large of a dose. Maybe try to break one in half.
Maxalt may be one of the more popular triptans, but it doesnt work for me.
PF wishes. Congrats on the PF day.
BMonee

Title: Re: Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Post by cazman on Nov 26^th, 2005, 11:58am

just getting back from new orleans i can very much feel the stress you must be under and the hurt, unless youve accually been there to see it for yourself you cant know that real amount of destruction.
i tried zyban two years ago it did not help my ch infact it made me very unstable mentally , i became very hostile and unpredictable and i know im not the only one that had those results, so be warned be carefull with that stuff.

Title: Re: Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Post by chewy on Nov 26^th, 2005, 12:36pm

I have used SSRI meds very successfully with other CH meds. But not as a primary preventative. As a complimentary med.

My number one emotional trigger when in cycle is frustration. The SSRI meds work to reduce the levels of frustration to manageable

Wellbutrin and Paxil at low doses have worked well.

Title: Re: Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Post by BobG on Nov 26^th, 2005, 1:25pm

Many folks have said that Imitrex, a triptan, causes rebound headaches. Maxalt may be doing the same thing.
I tried Zyban a few years ago. It made a nervous wreck outa me. But, sure hope it works for you.

Title: Re: Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Post by Phil L on Nov 26^th, 2005, 8:24pm

I've been taking Welbutrin for years prior to the onset
of CH with few side affects other than increased libido
and I'm certainly not going to complain about that.

Dose anyone know if there is a relationship between increased serotonin levels and CH? If so, then the very drugs we might take for depression/stress, etc. might
calm you down while inhancing the beast.

Your thoughts.
Phil