Wellbutrin

[nevergivingup]

My doctor recently prescribed Wellbutrin for me. I was trying to get some idea of what the affects from it are. Or, just anyone's personal experiences with it.

Thanks!

[Morning Glory]

It is different for everyone. I did not do well with it when I took it to help me quit smoking. I had to stop taking it within 5 days. I could not sleep at all and got quite emotional on it. I don't remember any physical side effects from it. I've seen in posts here that it works well for others though.

I don't think you'll know until you take it yourself. Watch for changes in your mood and sleep patterns. Call your doctor if needed.

[nevergivingup]

Thank you Morning Glory. I've had the prescription for several weeks now and have just been afraid to take them. Guess I'll have to just take them and find out!

[Bozo]

Originally Posted by Morning Glory

It is different for everyone. I did not do well with it when I took it to help me quit smoking. I had to stop taking it within 5 days. I could not sleep at all and got quite emotional on it. I don't remember any physical side effects from it. I've seen in posts here that it works well for others though.

I don't think you'll know until you take it yourself. Watch for changes in your mood and sleep patterns. Call your doctor if needed.

I totally agree with MG. I could not sleep at night, and I had the side effect of dry mouth. I too stopped after about a week.

[Done_With_It]

It works well for me. At first it did make me kind of angry, but then I got used to it. But it does work differently for everyone.

[Bozo]

Originally Posted by Done-With-It

It works well for me. At first it did make me kind of angry, but then I got used to it. But it does work differently for everyone.

OMG, I forgot how angry I had gotten for the short time I was on Wellbutrin.

[Wascally Wabbit]

I have tried it several times. The first time to quit smoking. It seemd to cause sever constipation with me that time. Within a couple of weeks, I felt that sensation that made me not want a smoke. You have to pay attention to that feeling when it comes.
My doc says to take it early so I will be able to sleep.
You feel energized which is a big bonus!

[Wascally Wabbit]

Oh, let me also say that I used it just a few weeks ago to try to quit smoking. I don't know why, but I was in a bad mood all the time. It got so bad I had to quit taking it. The next day I was back to my happy self.
I think this drug is a great drug, but it acts differently on me every time I take it.
I finally started the patch and feel a whole lot better. Haven't smoked!

[nevergivingup]

Nature vs. Nurture! A little bit of both perhaps??? This would be a good question to pose in the substance abuse forum, Garry!

Thanks for everyone's input!!!!

Here's my next question.... probably should have asked the doctor these questions! LOL!..... if you already find yourself emotional, would this increase that or decrease that. I need to stop asking questions and just try taking it. I'm just a little nervous because I have a child and I work with children. I wouldn't want to be overly angry.

Thanks ya'll!!!!!

[daydream]

The dosage one is on can have an effect on how bad the side effects are. I was started at about 100 mg of Wellbutrin, maybe less. Now on 300mg. It kept me awake after I worked up to 300mg about a month later. My doctor suggested I might have gone up on it too fast. She took me back down to 200mg for about a month. Now I'm back up to 300mg and sleeping okay. The only side effect i'm having is bad headaches, but we're not sure yet whether it's Welbutrin or Celexa causing those. But it's really working for my depression. I feel better these past few months on it than i have in several years. Nothing else was working. For those having trouble sleeping, I encourage you to talk with your doctor about taking a small dosage and only gradually working up as necessary. Oh, and taking it in the morning helps too.

[socalgal]

My husband takes it. His doctor actually prescribed it to be taken in the morning as a sort of "jump start" effect. He takes other meds, too. Anyway, it can have a stimulant effect, so some people take it early in the day, rather than at night. That's really all I know.

[1Marty]

I took this for a while for some seasonal depression I get. As others mentioned, I also had trouble sleeping while on Wellbutrin - which in turn made me extra irratable I think. One posative thing I noticed was that it did seem to motivate me a bit.

[Zencat]

Hi Never

I take a similar med, Strattera. Like Wellbutrin it works on the neuro-chemical dopamine. I’ve been on it for 6 months and it has changed my life. I went to staying in my bed most of the day and watching TV to being active most of the day. The one thing I like the most about my med is I don’t have to mentally push myself to do the things I want to do. Before, something like taking a shower would feel like such a big deal in my head, it was weird, like taking a stupid shower would involve such a great deal effort that I would not even attempt it. Now I’m in the shower in an instant, with no fore thought…. Cool.

Best of luck with the new med.
Zencat.

[pedagogue]

Technically Wellbutrin is an NDRI, which works on both norepinephrine and dopamine. Remember that it will take awhile to get to a stable point in your system. Many times side effects will dissipate once your body adjusts; people often try and change it before that point. Raising the dosage too soon can increase side effects, so sometimes if it 'isn't working', it is best to give it some more time.

Best of luck!

-p

[mendingheart]

My bf is on Zoloft and Wellbutrin was just added about six weeks ago, he had headaches for about two weeks, but they subsided. Someone here told me it is common the first two weeks due to part of the drug in the Wellbutrin.
While my bf felt better for a while, he now has decided he just cannot do the normal things in a relationship. Like the above post, to take a shower some days is consuming to him. So is calling everyday..... he has OCD and he obsesses until he makes the call, which distracts him from his daily things.
If I did not understand him better, I would think this was crazy. It is a sad place to be in, and I feel so much for anyone who has to manage this on a daily basis. So, we have made it three years, and now....he is out of my life for two weeks. It does make me wonder if the meds are having the changing effects......good or bad. I have not heard from him for two weeks, and of course I am concerned, but letting him figure out his own issues.
It still hurts.

[nevergivingup]

I haven't gotten the prescription filled as of this moment, because I don't have the money for it. But as soon as I do, I promise I'll give you all an update!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the really helpful advice!!!!! I appreciate every word that everyone has said!!!!

Thank you!!!!!