Switched to Wellbutrin

I posted the other day that I needed a new AD because at 200mg, Zoloft pooped out on me so I didn't have much choice since that's the highest dose of it.

I called my pdoc and left him a message explaining everything, and then spoke with him yesterday. I said maybe try an SNRI since SSRIs keep pooping out on me, and he asked if I had ever been on Wellbutrin before, to which the answer is no, so he said why don't we give that a try.

I'm going to start it his morning this morning since both pdoc and pharmacist said it is activating. I'm at 150mg for a week and then 300mg.

What are everyone's experiences with this med? I know everyone reacts differently, but I'm curious to know what you think of it and if you have any tips about taking it that your doctor or pharmacist didn't tell you.

Thanks!

Hey there!

I haven't tried Wellbutrin, but I'm here to offer a thought. Have you tried some natural stuff, ie supplements, like St. John's Wort for example? It's working well for my MDD, but it's because I'm taking a more focused and powerful one. If you were to discuss this with your pdoc, then ask for Thompson's St. John's Wort, it's of 4000mg, one daily intake. I'm not saying you should take it, but it's worth the discussion, and only your doctor knows what's best for you, and you may have even tried it, and it may not work for your bipolar disorder, but you know, just a thought

I hope everything goes well for you

Thanks. I've never tried St. John's Wort, but I've been doing well with regular medications...they just sometimes poop out on me.

Wellbutrin xl ended up being the best AD for me and it didn't poop out like others did. It didn't cause any problems with anxiety nor did I find it particularly activating. It can be for some people though, such just be aware of that.

I'm definitely finding it activating. It's after 2pm and I haven't taken a nap yet! I mean, I also had coffee, but still! And that's after a crap night of sleep. And only 150mg right now, for a week, then up to 300mg.

So far (only about 4 hours after taking it), I feel good. No side effects really, so I'm hoping things continue to go well.

I was on 150mg for 6 weeks and since 3 weeks I've been on 300mg. It makes me feel less bad. Before this I tried several SSRI's and those didn't do anything for me.
I didn't have any side effects and it isn't activating for me, I hoped it would be, I'm so tired all the time.

Hello, I started Wellbutrin SR, maybe about a year( give or take)I take 150mg in the morning and 150mg in the afternoon. I switched from Zoloft because I gained weight (quicker than normal). It was really disappointing being that recently lost about 40lbs.
Anyways, I think Wellbutrin kicked off about 10lbs, I find it works for my depression well. Recently, I have been second guessing its effectivness. However, I think it maybe just be outside factors making things worse. With Wellbutrin I noticed I shake a bit more than I used to and it doesn't do much for anxiety.
All in all, my XP has been good, and I would say give it a shot. GOOD LUCK!!

Well, day 2 and I have 2 things to say: It definitely is activating (I haven't napped in 2 days which is unheard of for me and was even out for 8 hours today running around town!!) and it has pretty much taken away my appetite. I ate like 1/3 of a chicken breast, an order of sweet potato fries, half a small Coldstone ice cream (only because it sounded good -- I was already full as heck from Red Robin) and a yogurt all day...and the yogurt just because I knew I needed something.

Activating in a " I feel good" way or a anxious way?

It's good for depression that keeps you down and in bed all day. You will get a good lift. It does not have the anti-anxiety and over-thinking effects of an SSRI for me, so I enjoy both. 300XL should be pretty booming for you!

Please keep us posted,

moogs

I think some of both, but mostly "I feel good" (well, energized, not so much good -- I'm still depressed)...I did have a panic attack last night, but I think that's just my anxiety itself since I've been having them more often lately even before the wellbutrin.

Today I was really agitated and anxious, but again, I don't think it was the wellbutrin, I think it was that I had a fight with my fiance last night and he walked away from me saying he wasn't going to talk to me because I was in a bad mood (for a good reason though I might add). I even took off my ring because that's how upsetting it was, and I didn't put it back on until after we had a [short] conversation/interaction this morning but I was nervous and anxious all day about what his response was going to be to the letter that I wrote and gave to him after our fight because I often do a lot better expressing myself through writing than I do verbally when it comes to emotional stuff.

I go up to 300mg on Wednesday, so hopefully by then I'll be feeling a little something, and it'll just keep getting better. I know at the very least it'll keep me awake and able to focus in class which starts a week from Monday!

Ok that is good to know look forward to your updates I go see a new psych in about a 1 week or 2 to start on something been med free for 15 mths now. Not doing so well at all and I am suppose to start school in sept too I don't know how I am going to manage .

Wow, that's a long time to be med free! Longest I've been med free since my Dx is maybe a week!!

What is your diagnosis/symptoms? I'm obviously not a doctor, but trust me, I've been a guinea pig plenty of times and have been on about a dozen meds if not more.

I will certainly give updates (my next one will be on Wednesday when I go up to 300mg) and if you have anything specific you want advice on, I'll try my best to give it to you! I've been through college already, for the most part (long story) and this semester is my last semester of nursing school, so I know the struggle.

Ok, forgot to update yesterday, it was a ridiculous, horrible day...but I'm at 300mg now and so far so good. Can't say I think it's doing anything as of yet other than what's already been happening (more energy, better focus), but I'm hoping within a week I can say something positive beyond that.

I have to admit the three days I've been on it I'm not as lethargic as usual.

It's an upper alright! Only reason I napped today was because I only slept for about 5 hours...and I only napped for about an hour.

I have been on wellbutrin xr 300mg and it did little for my depression, nothing against anxiety, nothing against ruminating thoughts and I didn't dint it particularly activating. No side effects either. I am quitting now.
Though I heard for some it is really activating and a good AD.
Take care.

It's definitely activating, and it is helping me focus. It definitely isn't helping my anxiety, but I have klonopin so it's okay. I think the depression is starting to lift, but I only just started 300mg Wednesday.

Hi I just saw this . I am Dx'D MDD, GAD, Panic Disorder.. I have been prescribed Wellbutrin and filling the script for over 8 mths been too scared to start it because of hearing it's bad for anxiety panic ... I don't know how I made it this far sometimes it's one minute at a time and some days it's like nothing was ever wrong. As of late though anxiety, panic is beyond mane able I am using all my coping skills to keep it from full blown panic but it is too exhausting making depression worse. I got prescribed celexa yesterday which I have been on before I can taper up slowly which I like and couldn't do with wellburtin xl. Thank can later add it for energy motivation which I have non of .

They were going to admit me to help. I was like my depression. Is saying YES I need it and my anxiety was like no Run ..

Good part is see counsellor today and actually psych appt sept 10.. It was my family dr who gave me the script. I told him by the time I see the pysch if celexa works again I can be halfway to feeling better.

FWIW, I haven't noticed my anxiety being worse. But I hope the Celexa works for you! It was one of the worst drugs I've ever been on...but of course, every drug works differently for everyone.

I'm now almost 5 weeks on 300mg, after been on 150mg for 5-6 weeks. My depression has lifted a little bit. I don't feel as bad as I've felt before I started Wellbutrin. I also have soical anxiety, and my anxiety hasn't gotten worse.

I'm not quite sure if this is the right antidepressant for me. So far it's the only one that did something. I'm scared to try something else, scared that I'll feel more worse again. I don't know how much better an antidepressant can make me feel.
I'll see pdoc in 2 weeks, so I'll discuss this with him.

Since you said it's lifted your depression a little bit and hasn't worsened your anxiety, I would say wait a full 2 months before giving up on it.

Antidepressants can make you feel pretty much "normal", they can make you feel worse, or they can make you not feel much at all.

I recently was added Wellbutrin again. With this concoction of meds it has definitely elevated my mood. I was able to hit the gym everyday without having any internal conflicts which was huge for me. But.....I am not able to sleep lol. I've tried taking ambien before going to bed and in few hours I was awake again. Anybody able to beat the Wellbutrin insomnia?

Initially I didnt sleep well on wellbutrin but after a while I slept well. Remeron really helps to sleep even on just 3,75mg I sleep without waking up

Anyone else feel kinda spacey and brain zappy from Wellbutrin? It's not bad, but it's noticeable, sometimes.