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What Causes Panic Attack After Mirena IUD Insertion?
Question: Hello,
I have been on Wellbutrin SR 150 mg twice daily and Zoloft 50 mg for 2 years(for post partum depression). Last month I had a Mirena IUD placed and within a week I had suffered my 1st panic attack. The Mirena was out after 2 weeks(it came out on its own during menstrual cycle & I did not have it replaced due to how horrible I felt). However the attacks occur nightly at around the same time. I've been to the ER for a panic attack and now take xanax .5 mg at the 1st sign of it coming. The onset is ALWAYS the same. Between 7-10pm I get GI upset with either vomiting/diarrhea, freezing, jittery, and feel heart palpitations, and scary racing thoughts. Prior to last month and the Mirena I have been healthy with no underlying issues other than mild anemia and no surgeries, etc. I keep getting bounced around from Dr. to Dr. (Family practice and an OB) Tonight my upper lip feels swollen and my nose feels almost burning (very very mild but noticeable). EEGs, blood work everything has come back normal. My question is...Wellbutrin SR 150 mg twice daily---can side effects occur when something like progestin is introduced? Thank you for any info you might be able to provide. Google is full of scary, worst-case scenario information.
I have been on Wellbutrin SR 150 mg twice daily and Zoloft 50 mg for 2 years(for post partum depression). Last month I had a Mirena IUD placed and within a week I had suffered my 1st panic attack. The Mirena was out after 2 weeks(it came out on its own during menstrual cycle & I did not have it replaced due to how horrible I felt). However the attacks occur nightly at around the same time. I've been to the ER for a panic attack and now take xanax .5 mg at the 1st sign of it coming. The onset is ALWAYS the same. Between 7-10pm I get GI upset with either vomiting/diarrhea, freezing, jittery, and feel heart palpitations, and scary racing thoughts. Prior to last month and the Mirena I have been healthy with no underlying issues other than mild anemia and no surgeries, etc. I keep getting bounced around from Dr. to Dr. (Family practice and an OB) Tonight my upper lip feels swollen and my nose feels almost burning (very very mild but noticeable). EEGs, blood work everything has come back normal. My question is...Wellbutrin SR 150 mg twice daily---can side effects occur when something like progestin is introduced? Thank you for any info you might be able to provide. Google is full of scary, worst-case scenario information.
Brief Answer:
Mirena precipitated the attacks which later became persistent.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. You have been taking 300 mg Wellbutrin (Bupropion) and Zoloft (Sertraline) 50 mg for last 2 years. You got Mirena (Levonorgestral which is a progesterone) IUD placed and suffered panic attacks. A lot of females on hormonal contraceptives suffer panic attacks. In your case even after stopping the drug the panic episodes persisted and you are having the attacks almost daily.
Coming to your questions-
- Yes a lot of females develop panic or increased anxiety when progesterone contraceptives are given to them. In most cases the symptoms reduce but in some individuals symptoms persist.
- Wellbutrin is an anti depressant drug with good actions on anxiety. But the drug is not very efficacious drug in anxiety. The drug helps in anxiety but doesn't cause precipitation of panic attacks. In some individuals symptoms relapse even while on treatment. Though in your case there was trigger (Mirena IUD) but the symptoms become persistent. In such case either dose adjustments are done or some more efficacious drug is added.
- In my opinion dose of Sertraline should be increased and in few days you will see reductions in panic symptoms. The drug is more efficacious drug in anxiety. Continue to use the Wellbutrin as prescribed doses.
Discuss with your doctor for the changes I'v advised and this will reduce your symptoms.
Thanks. Take care.
Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Mirena precipitated the attacks which later became persistent.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. You have been taking 300 mg Wellbutrin (Bupropion) and Zoloft (Sertraline) 50 mg for last 2 years. You got Mirena (Levonorgestral which is a progesterone) IUD placed and suffered panic attacks. A lot of females on hormonal contraceptives suffer panic attacks. In your case even after stopping the drug the panic episodes persisted and you are having the attacks almost daily.
Coming to your questions-
- Yes a lot of females develop panic or increased anxiety when progesterone contraceptives are given to them. In most cases the symptoms reduce but in some individuals symptoms persist.
- Wellbutrin is an anti depressant drug with good actions on anxiety. But the drug is not very efficacious drug in anxiety. The drug helps in anxiety but doesn't cause precipitation of panic attacks. In some individuals symptoms relapse even while on treatment. Though in your case there was trigger (Mirena IUD) but the symptoms become persistent. In such case either dose adjustments are done or some more efficacious drug is added.
- In my opinion dose of Sertraline should be increased and in few days you will see reductions in panic symptoms. The drug is more efficacious drug in anxiety. Continue to use the Wellbutrin as prescribed doses.
Discuss with your doctor for the changes I'v advised and this will reduce your symptoms.
Thanks. Take care.
Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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