Help! I feel like bugs are crawling all over me!

[kamikazegirl]

I have been on Wellbutrin for 2 years now and am just now experiencing formication. I have stayed up watching for bed bugs~ even though I don;t have any bites or other signs of them. Could this be a side effect of the Wellbutrin that is just now showing up or am I crazy?? Recently my dr told me I was bipolar~ I am not so sure.

[RossiV]

Hi Im Rossiv
It's funny  im going through the same thing with Thorazine.  I developed akathesia with the same feelings, ILadvocate mentioned.  I stopped taking it and then saw dr and put me back on it but game me Benztropine to help prevent.  Only thing I tried it last night and it didn't help and it sucked.  I think im going to try it one more time.  Not sure if anything I said helps but just rambled on.

[LISSA6854]

Also I have dysphoric mania with schizoaffective bipolar disorder, if your concerned about this being an issue of hallucinations or distorted thinking, talk to your psychiatrist.

[LISSA6854]

I am currently on wellbutrin and couldnt sleep some nights as I felt spiders crawling on me or was flipping the mattress looking for bedbugs...It is a side effect and it makes for a very sleepless night, I took allergy medication...sedating allergy medication, and it seemed to help through the week of "infestation", try that and see if it helps, it does pass but it will happen at least once no matter how long you have been on wellbutrin.

[babymamma287]

My husband was on Wellbutrin for a considerable amount of his life, I never noticed him acting like he was worried about bugs but I can tell you he's deathly afraid of tiny animals that move and yes that includes bugs.  If it is a side effect, I'd say it is a valid one and may have caused his fear of bugs as a child being on the medication so young.  I would consult your doctor about how you're feeling and see if maybe he can switch the dosage to something lower or to a different medication all together.

[ILADVOCATE]

  Yes I believe Wellbutrin can sometimes cause temporary movement disoders such as akathesia. That can cause a sensation of inner restlessness that can seem like a person's skin is crawling. If that is what is happening that can be treated with a side effect pill. However only a psychiatrist would understand the specifics of this but it woud be worthwhile to discuss this with your psychiatrist so they can decide what the appropriate follow up is within their professional discretion.