[featherstorm]

Hi Jerry
my diagnosis is major depression,
my prescription is Wellbutrin,
and my problem is ive been taking it for about 6 weeks and for the last 2 my depressive to near suicidal symptoms have started lasting longer and become more frequent.
can you tell me if this might be a side effect or something else.

If you need more info just ask.

[Jerrypharmstudent]

Originally Posted by featherstorm

Hi Jerry
my diagnosis is major depression,
my prescription is Wellbutrin,
and my problem is ive been taking it for about 6 weeks and for the last 2 my depressive to near suicidal symptoms have started lasting longer and become more frequent.
can you tell me if this might be a side effect or something else.

If you need more info just ask.

Hi Featherstorm and welcome to PsychCentral!

Just a quick note: it's best if you post your questions under a new topic and not in response to this sticky - it just helps me keep track of things better.

Now - so you have Major Depression and are on Wellbutrin? I need to ask you some more questions in order to see if I can help you better.

--Do you know how much Wellbutrin you are on and if you are taking the XR version?
--How long have you been taking it?
--Did you have suicidal thoughts before being on the Wellbutrin? If not, when did the suicidal thoughts begin?
--Do you take any other meds for any other medical problem? If so, what are they?
--Any other side effects you have with the Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin along with other AD (antidepressants) meds can cause suicidal thoughts. If you are having these you definitely need to contact your doctor right away. If you don't feel safe, you need to either go to the ER or have a family or friend stay with you until you can see your doctor.

I can't/don't want to tell you to stop the Wellbutrin because that may make things worse - but you really need to report this to your doc.

ok? I hope this helps and keep me informed.

Hang in there
Jerry

[sugahorse1]

wellbutrin only made my anxiety worse, but definitely helped to keep me out of the depressive hole-which for me often used to feel suicidal.
After 6 weeks it should be working at its optimum, and if it isn't, it's probably time to chat to your pdoc.
I'm so sorry you are feeling this way-i know how terrible it is

[themellochello]

Hey. I am 20 years old. I've been diagnosed with clinical depression since I was 16.
I was one of the reason they cannot give paxil to teens..
anyways. I am on 30mg of adderall a day, and I think 120 mg of wellbutrin.
I have grown out of my suicidal thoughts years ago, and I recently overcame bulimia.
I read recently bulinia+wellbutrin isn't a good idea?

but here is the point. I love wellbutrin. It made me stop smoking, I have an overall sunnier disposition, I never get upset really anymore.
But in the past few weeks I've been having thoughts of suicide. Not scary or extreme by any means. But when I am in the metro waiting for a train, my heart starts to pound and I am flooded with these thoughts of just stepping off of the platform onto the track. I have always been interesting in suicide, but the thoughts really startled me.
I was wondering, is it caused by the wellbutrin, or is my dosage too low?
I am sure I would never kill myself, but the calm attitude I have towards it is rather bothersome..

[AniManiac]

Originally Posted by themellochello

Hey. I am 20 years old. I've been diagnosed with clinical depression since I was 16.
I was one of the reason they cannot give paxil to teens..
anyways. I am on 30mg of adderall a day, and I think 120 mg of wellbutrin.
I have grown out of my suicidal thoughts years ago, and I recently overcame bulimia.
I read recently bulinia+wellbutrin isn't a good idea?

Sometimes people have a suppressed appetite and lose weight on Wellbutrin and that's generally not good for bulimics. That said, if your bulimia is under control, it may be a complete non-issue. And you might be one of the people who doesn't have any appetite effects on Wellbutrin anyway, so it's just a point that prescribers need to consider as a potential negative situation. Chances are, even if you did have the issues with both appetite suppression and bulimia, your docs should be monitoring you and would notice weight loss over time that might be attributed to that combination of factors.

Originally Posted by themellochello

but here is the point. I love wellbutrin. It made me stop smoking, I have an overall sunnier disposition, I never get upset really anymore.
But in the past few weeks I've been having thoughts of suicide. Not scary or extreme by any means. But when I am in the metro waiting for a train, my heart starts to pound and I am flooded with these thoughts of just stepping off of the platform onto the track. I have always been interesting in suicide, but the thoughts really startled me.
I was wondering, is it caused by the wellbutrin, or is my dosage too low?
I am sure I would never kill myself, but the calm attitude I have towards it is rather bothersome..

It's hard to say what's causing anything because there could be a lot of other things going on that are less obvious - and I'm no doc - but your dosage is on the low side. You should definitely call a doc and talk about these issues. They might adjust the dosage upward (mine did earlier this year) if your symptoms aren't responding as well as they used to - you haven't said how long you were on it, or if you've gained weight at all (which could affect dosage efficacy.)

I've been on Wellbutrin 11 years and had the dosage adjusted twice, and although I also really like what it's done for me, they're probably going to try me on some other stuff soon because it may be causing anxiety/hypomania activation. In any case, don't make any dosage changes without medical oversight!

[Chatnoir]

I've just fairly recently (5 wks ago) had my dose of Wellbutrin XL upped from 150mg a day to 300mg. It was pretty good for a while, didn't really notice any improvement but I did have a bit more energy and was able to actually get up and do things. About 2 wks into it I started getting bad migraines, and the ringing in my ears started. I didn't really think anything of it though, every anti-depressant I've been on has had side effects while my body was getting used to it. The migraines lasted about a week and then kind of tapered off so I thought that the medication and my body were finally getting on. Then about a week ago I feel back into a bad depression, now I cry uncontrollably almost anytime my mind is left to itself. My appetite is almost completely gone, my focus is off, can't get to sleep and then sleep for a long time, I'm incredibly vulnerable and take everything personally. My heart is racing, I'm incredibly anxious and jumping at any sudden noises, I can't stop fidgeting, I'm always snapping at the people I love which makes me feel horrible. I guess you could call it being jittery,but I think it's more like being on speed. I hate this so much but am unsure if I should wait it out, for anyone who had similar feelings, can you wait it out? Does it taper off?
Out of all the AD I have been on Wellbutrin XL has been the best (ironically it has the least side effects for me), but that was at the 150mg and that dosage no longer cuts it with me.
I'll be seeing my doctor shortly and will be bringing this issue up.

[AniManiac]

Originally Posted by Chatnoir

I've just fairly recently (5 wks ago) had my dose of Wellbutrin XL upped from 150mg a day to 300mg. It was pretty good for a while, didn't really notice any improvement but I did have a bit more energy and was able to actually get up and do things. About 2 wks into it I started getting bad migraines, and the ringing in my ears started. I didn't really think anything of it though, every anti-depressant I've been on has had side effects while my body was getting used to it.

I had a month of migraines when I went from 300mg to 450mg. I couldn't work at all for two weeks. And then it seemed OK, although the ringing in my ears started getting a lot more noticeable and frequent. Plus excessive sweating. That really bothers me. But I went back down to 300mg starting a couple days ago, and the side effects from Wellbutrin already seem better.