Posted by Cam W. on February 28, 2001, at 13:44:46
In reply to Media Qs about Wellburin aka Zyban, CamW?? and..., posted by dj on February 28, 2001, at 12:42:18
dj - This underscores the need to have a medical examination before undergoing any medication treatment for any disease state. Possible complicating factors range from undiagnosed heart &/or circulatory problems to concommitant stimulant use (eg from high dose pseudoephedrine to Ecstacy or amphetamine use). I'd be interested to hear of the toxicology report on this gentleman. I can't even count the number of times I have been told by patients that they have cleaned up their act, only to find that they have relapsed. It is tough to clean up one's act, especially without some sort of perceptual shift (eg cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, group therapy, etc) and a real want to change. It is something that has to be actively worked at. I'm not saying that this guy didn't "clean-up his act", but I'd like to see the results of a hair analysis.
Aside from this, there are no absolutely safe medications. This is a given. Why did this guy not tell his doc of the rapid heartbeat with the Wellbutrin? If he did, did the doc do any testing of blood pressure, etc., to rule out heart problems? A racing heart with Wellbutrin, especially after the first couple of weeks of use is a noteworthy side effect. This should have been reported to the doctor, especially when accompanied with the stress of quitting smoking.
In most people, an mild increase in heart rate (usually transient with Wellbutrin use) does not adversely affect a person. People do have to take the responsibility of reporting any adverse side effects to their doctor, as much as the doctor needs to inquire of any side effects noticed with the meds.
The article stresses that we should also take responsibility for our treatments and not just let a doctor treat us. We have to be active partners in the treatment process.
Just my opinion - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:55118
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010221/msgs/55124.html