How does being anorexic increase your risk of seizures?

Question

I have been prescribed Wellbutrin an antidepressant and I am anorexic. I have read that you shouldn't take this if you have an eating disorder as you are more at risk of seizures. But how does being anorexic increase your risk of seizures?

Answer 1

Seizures - the increased risk of seizures in Anorexic and Bulimic individuals may be caused by dehydration, hyperglycemia or ketoacidosis. It is also possible that lesions on the brain caused by long-term malnutrition and lack of oxygen-carrying cells to the brain may play a role. SOME type of antidepressants can increase the risk of seizure and usually carry a warning against prescribing them to people with Eating Disorders, unless the benefits significantly outweigh the risks.

The reason for not prescribing Welbutrin to some with an eating disorder is two-fold: 1.) Welbutrin can actually cause a person to develop an eating disorder or intensify a pre-existing condition. 2.) Welbutrin can cause seizures and the eating disorder has already put you at risk for seizures.

Answer 2

Its not the actual eating disorder that causes the seizures. The definition of anorexic is someone who is grossly underweight. You actually arent classified as anorexic until you reach a certain weight to height ratio. When you are that skinny all sorts of chemical imbalances hormonal imbalances electrolyte imbalances are going on. The combination of all of this is what actually puts you more at risk for seizure. I believe the reason they dont want to give wellbutrin to people with eating disorder is because it can actually exhaserbate th disorder. I am on Wellbutrin as well. My doctor was really keen on the eating disorder question and they flat out would not prescribe Wellbutrin to anyone who currently had an eating disorder, or who had one in the past. I am really confused as to why a responsible doctor would prescribe a known seizure causing med to someone who has an eating disorder. There are so many antidepressants out there that surely they could have found one that was a little less risky. I am not a doctor so what do I know?

Answer 3

being anorexic ruins your entire body actually. i'm anorexic too. just think... your body isn't getting enough nutrition to do what it needs to. seizures usually occur from lack of proper blood supply to the brain - and if your blood pressure or heart beat is low to start with, you could be at risk for seizures. it seems as though you're in treatment for your eating disorder, which is the first step at protecting yourself from this. god bless you. you're going through a lot right now, but it is possible to recover from an eating disorder with hard work and determination.

Answer 4

The reason why you are anorexic is because of depression. Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain. Seizures can be caused by a number of things, and chemicals are one of them. The medication that you taking basically plays around with the chemicals in your brain to even them out. Now remember that seizures are caused by chemical imbalances, and add it together, and you have yourself a solution to your problem. If you are concerned with this still, arrange an appointment with your doctor.

Answer 5

I was anorexic for eight months. I never took anything to stop it. When your body is undernourished, you should never abuse it with anything. I don't know why they are giving you wellbutrin..This isn't what your problem is. You are a smart person, who is in need of being in control right now..you probably have parents who don't even give you the right kind of attention, so this is one way to get it..and you think that you look good. I lost fifty pounds in three months...I walked outside one day, in a bikini, in the back yard, ..my sister and i were coloring our hair, and i went outside to look at the roots to see if we got them good....as i approached the mirror, I saw a skeleton of a girl..It freaked me out. and I started eating...I still got made fun of by my family ...when I was fat, and when I was skinny...it was like I couldn't please anyone..so finally, I told my self, wait a minute, what am I doing here?? I have to please ME..and starving myself to death, was not the way to do it...I gained weight back, and I figured that if someone didn't like me for it, how shallow..I told myself, I didn't judge others like that, and even if my family didn't like me ?? SO WHAT...I knew I loved them, but if it meant me dying, time to quit..I prayed day and night, for strength from God and Jesus,...and I got it and stopped on my own...I went down to 105 pounds, at almost five feet eight inches...and now I am heavy and don't care..I can lose weight, but I am not starving for anyone now...Please pray for strength...that is where you will find your anwers. and good luck