[Marilyn2016]

Hello everyone,

It's been a little over a month since I began taking Wellbutrin 150 mg XR. I had heard a few rumors that it dealt with depression, didn't cause massive weight gain (I'm already obese as it is), and could provide more energy. I was skeptical, but I gave it a shot, because...anyone ever reach the point that they feel they've tried EVERY psychotropic drug on the market? Hey why not try a new one, the Paxil had to stop last month, because it didn't do anything after almost a year of use.

So, I began Wellbutrin, and holy shnikies! I've had vivid, insane, terrifying dreams/nightmares every single night since. I usually have trouble staying asleep in my natural stable state, but now I'm down to 2-3 hours a night. Bipolar I is my first concern, and I don't want to push myself into mania. A few days ago, I saw the pdoc, and she upped my other med Abililfy, and ordered me to take some Zolpidem. I was so grateful, I thought, now I can finally get some damn sleep.

Yup, you know what happens next...I slept the same amount of hours as before, and the nightmares are so bad I'm too afraid to nap during the day, when I need it. I don't feel any wild paranoia or delusion (yet), but if I keep cheating sleep hours, pretty soon I'm going to slip into some manic crisis...

The only help I have (and not enough of it) is Diazepam. (They don't have Xanax or Klonopin here). We all know it's so short acting, it isn't made for regular use for sleep. I don't want to use it for that. I'm on it right now, in the middle of the day...trying to forget about these nightmares. I have regulated diazepam to panic attacks which are few and far between...no going back to major valium use.

On the other hand....Since I have started Wellbutrin, my mood has significantly improved. I'm not bouncing off walls, but I don't feel that weight of depression, and I am even forcing myself to do house chores I wouldn't dare do before until it was the last minute. Paxil, Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa, Duloxetine, etc, no help at all. How can I feel better (stable) during the day, and then be in a complete hell at night?

I only take Abilify 10mg, Amfexa 20mg, and Zolpidem 10mg each day. I used to take soooo much more mind numbing garbage. Anyway, I won't be a smart *** and change any meds until I see my pdoc next week. Just wondering if anyone has Bipolar I, or even severe depression, and if Wellbutrin caused nightmares from hell for anyone else? If so, how did you manage? Did you have to stop it completely?

I mean if I stop Wellbutrin, there are just no anti-depressants left that I haven't tried.

A second question: My pdoc says that since I went off Paxil (20mg) cold turkey a few weeks back, she believes withdrawal is the culprit for nightmares. I have no problem believing that...I just don't know what else to do for night time. Perhaps I have to go old school and knock myself out with Trazadone, or a 2x4, or maybe switch to Temazepam....I don't know. What I do know is this post is too long, and I feel like I've been up for a week, but I won't sleep. I try, and I just get back out of bed, because who knows what my brain has in store for me when I close my eyes.

Sometimes...I don't know if it's obvious or not...but I think that these anti-depressent drugs/other meds are stronger and more addictive than anything you can get on the street. (Obviously this is NOT the issue here Dude.)

I hope it's all just Paxil W/D, and it subsides soon. I guess we shall see!

Any shares you feel like posting are most welcome.

Thanks for reading. I hope you have a lovely day!

Marilyn2016

[MobiusPsyche]

Wellbutrin did cause really vivid nightmares for my sister, if that helps. It can do that. But Paxil withdrawal is complicating things so maybe stick with it for a little longer, give that a chance to subside.

Above all, tell your pdoc about all of it!

Good luck and I hope you find a cocktail that works for you.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[pppp3]

I have taken Wellbutrin on and off, for short periods of time (usually 6-9 months or less) over the past 20 or more years. (I don't remember when I first took it but it was when it was introduced to market).

Ive never had nightmares.

Any actually the only time I feel totally normal is when I'm taking it.

During very stressful times in my life, without it I can't sleep and smoke alot and act very hyper).

A long time ago, (I think I was in my 20's) the first time I took any type of psychotropic drug, they tried many, and I was intolerant of them all ((e.g. Prozac),
and again, always feel great, much improved within less than a few weeks of restarting it. (Wellbutrin XL, SR or whichever is cheapest). Ive taken both 150 and 300mg dose.

Now the bad news, Ive been on it (again) for about 6 months, and for the very first time, it's no longer helping my symptoms. (past few weeks).

I dont think it's the fault of the drug, but rather my life (events) are so severly chaotic and disruptiveand unbearable, I dont think any drug would help me under these conditions.
In other words, it's more likely my life is the problem, and not the drug.

But it was surprising to me, that I could decline so severly, while taking it.
Because the other times in my life, (depeession due to life stressors),
it always worked to make everything more tolerable, better sleep, better eating, calmer, and gave me the energy, to deal with whatever the major life problem was at the time.

Take care, and my advice would be to stay on it for awhile longer, while ruling out other causes for the nightmares.

May not be relevant, but the only times in my life that I've had vivid nightmares,
on or off Wellbutrion aka Bupropion,
It's always been due to hormonal causes,
E.g. Periods, pregnancy (twice) and then menopause (couple years ago).

Very healthy food,
High dose B vitamins, Magnesium Malate, etc. always helped resolve the problem (nightmares for me).

[gina_re]

When I started with 150 XL I became irritable and couldn't sleep. I was then switched over to the SR and I was so much better. It gave me the little extra energy I desperately needed.

[LucyD]

I remember taking welbutrin. I recall when I drank coffee with it I'd be really anxious. I like to have a little coffee. I am on prozac now and I don't think it is doing much for me.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Wellbutrin is hands down the best AD I've ever been on! My other favorites are Lexapro and Zoloft, but they both pooped out on me. The only thing(s) I don't like about wellbutrin are: If I take it after 11am I can't sleep that night and if I want to nap, I actually have o force myself to sleep no matter how tired I am and I can't sleep for more than an hour and a half. But it stopped my depression in its tracks after like 2 days, gives me energy, helps me focus, and doesn't have weight gain as a side effect. I did experience a bit of an increase in my anxiety, but I was already starting buspar for that anyway and that balances me out.

It caused me to have severe life long panic attacks, which must be medicated for the rest of my life. It's worse than my schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar. It ruins my life. I would rather have my depression back than be on a high dosage of an ssri or snri. It robs me of a life worth living. I will never be the same person because of Welbutrin.

[YMIHere]

I just started it like a week ago and had a major crisis this weekend. I'm sitting here like, "Is it because I changed to this med or is it that this is really just a effed up situation that would have spiraled anyone out of control?"

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[cheshiregrins]

Can you take 100mg SR? I was on that for years. That might help. Also, do you take it first thing in the morning?

I'm sort of in the same boat, although I haven't been on Wellbutrin in a couple years. I can't seem to balance it off, as it's too stimulating, even with Abilify. It's a love/hate thing. I'm depressed off it but overstimulated on it. I can't seem to find a balance. I don't know how Bipolar people can take it and not be manic. I'm not even Bipolar and it revs me up way too high!

[SingDanceRunLife]

Originally Posted by cheshiregrins

Can you take 100mg SR? I was on that for years. That might help. Also, do you take it first thing in the morning?

I'm sort of in the same boat, although I haven't been on Wellbutrin in a couple years. I can't seem to balance it off, as it's too stimulating, even with Abilify. It's a love/hate thing. I'm depressed off it but overstimulated on it. I can't seem to find a balance. I don't know how Bipolar people can take it and not be manic. I'm not even Bipolar and it revs me up way too high!

I have bipolar and I take it, and it's never made me anywhere near manic. It is stimulating, but in a good way. It gives me energy depression sucks away and helps me focus. If my pdoc ever tries to take me off it, I'll be mad. I've been on so many SSRIs and wellbutrin is the best AD I've tried depression-wise. It has raised my anxiety, but that's better than being super depressed.

[cheshiregrins]

Originally Posted by SingDanceRunLife

I have bipolar and I take it, and it's never made me anywhere near manic. It is stimulating, but in a good way. It gives me energy depression sucks away and helps me focus. If my pdoc ever tries to take me off it, I'll be mad. I've been on so many SSRIs and wellbutrin is the best AD I've tried depression-wise. It has raised my anxiety, but that's better than being super depressed.

Do you take a mood stabilizer, as well?

[ilikecats]

I just got prescribed Wellbutrin today. I'm also on abilify. I'm a little worried that some of you say you got nightmares, but we'll see how it goes.

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[SingDanceRunLife]

Originally Posted by cheshiregrins

Do you take a mood stabilizer, as well?

Yes. I was on Latuda, and now I'm on Zyprexa and lamictal for mood stabilization and seroquel for sleep.

[Dan208]

Wellbutrin has greatly improved my depression, but I just got bumped up to 450 mg because it seemed like 300 mg wasn't cutting it any more. It's never been stimulating to me, but I'm also on Lexapro so I don't know if that makes a difference or not.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[sweetvine]

Hi there, I was just going to add that about 15 years ago, I can't believe I did this, I went off Paxil cold turkey, my regular Dr had prescribed it, I think I took it 1 & 1/2 yrs, I had Terrible nausea - couldn't even look at food & was so sick to my stomach for a long time, it was awful & dangerous, I would never do that now.....My Dr. Put me on Bupropion HCL XL after that & it has been an excellent RX for me, I was so physically sick going off Paxil the way I did - I only remember the terrible stomach problems no tapering, just stopped but the generic Wellbutrin & I take a high dose has never given me any nightmares & no side effects that are noticeable to me - but everyone is different, good luck & I hope you feel better & that the nightmares go away, no one needs that, hope you feel better, I see my Dr every 3 months but if I had a problem with a RX, I could call the office, hoping you have better dreams tonight

[pppp3]

Took my last pill (Wellbutrin) last night - In a panic, how I will survive without it? Don't have $$ for renewals. I'll figure something out, bc now, not a good time to be without it.
Apparently it stays in your system for 5-10 days, so hopefully I won't sink any further (depression) in the next few days.
- I'm at the lowest (depressed) point I've ever been in my life, but simply don't have insurance/money for all my medications (right now).

Wanted to mention it here (withdrawal) because many don't know (read insert) there is a risk of seizures if you stop it abruptly (needs to be tapered). Luckily that's never happened to me in past when I've stopped it.

Unlikely, but possible the Wellbutrin wasn't even helping- I assume it was because it always did (past intermittent years I've taken it) - I guess I'll find out soon.

[IceMachine]

I'm on Wellbutrin and Lexapro at the moment. The only issue I'm having is that I'm only sleeping four hours a night. My pdoc wants to lower the 300XL due to my insomnia but I'm terrified of the depression coming back. When I do sleep I don't have nightmares. The nightmares only come when I take melatonin.

Good luck I hope that you are able to get some peaceful sleep soon.

[sweetvine]

I do not know what I would do but thought I might mention this...I recently failed to realize I was out of refills - on my Wellbutrin - Bupropion - the generic when I called in a refill on the refill phone system at the Pharmacy I use, it was on a Saturday, I was out by Sunday night & I was not able to get it picked up until Tuesday morning, so I was without from Sunday night until Tuesday around noon, I cannot remember doing that in recent years & of course all people are different - It was very careless of me & I plan to make sure I am more careful - I did not have a headache or anything but was aware of the risk for seizures as you say, I will be thinking of you, I wish no one ever had to face not having their medicine

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Marilyn2016]

I do take abilify, but I'm not sure if it is purely an anti-psychotic, or if it has mood stabilizing properties as well.

Originally Posted by cheshiregrins

Do you take a mood stabilizer, as well?

[Marilyn2016]

Well, it's been about a month off Paxil, and a month or more on Wellbutrin. My mood is significantly improved. I'm nowhere near any kind of mania. YAY! However, the shakes, shivers, night terrors, and fear from all of that has kept me down to about 4 hours of sleep a night. I take zolpidem to keep me asleep, but it doesn't work for a full night, not ever. I always wake up so freaked out from some vivid nightmare, I'm way to scared to sleep again. I'm really pro-Wellbutrin for depressive symptoms, it makes all the SNRI/SSRI pills look like one massive waste of time. On the other hand, these physical symptoms, and the nightmares are enough to make me stop. I still have a couple of weeks until I see the pdoc again, but I'm really confused.

There is another issue, with having to occasionally take pain medicine for my spinal disorder, but...I'm not touching a single drug with the side effects I've had on this, no way! I wonder if there is anything similar to Wellbutrin? I wish I could stay on it, but this I'm worried about mania, only because of the low hours of sleep. I still eat like a human garbage disposal, but the sleep is slowly drifting away. So, next time at the pdoc, it's back to the drawing board! By the way, thanks to everyone who posted, I reread the comments, and it gives me enough courage to NOT change the meds on my own. I'm still going to wait for my pdoc to do anything. Ugh. Finding the right meds can be so frustrating. lol. Have a stable day everyone!!

I take Wellbutrin XL 150 mgs. I have noticed nightmares but I always seem to have nightmares, when I can sleep. . I take it with Dexadrine and Zoloft. Can you tell me the difference between Wellbutrin XL and SR ?

Originally Posted by pppp3

Took my last pill (Wellbutrin) last night - In a panic, how I will survive without it? Don't have $$ for renewals. I'll figure something out, bc now, not a good time to be without it.
Apparently it stays in your system for 5-10 days, so hopefully I won't sink any further (depression) in the next few days.
- I'm at the lowest (depressed) point I've ever been in my life, but simply don't have insurance/money for all my medications (right now).

Wanted to mention it here (withdrawal) because many don't know (read insert) there is a risk of seizures if you stop it abruptly (needs to be tapered). Luckily that's never happened to me in past when I've stopped it.

Unlikely, but possible the Wellbutrin wasn't even helping- I assume it was because it always did (past intermittent years I've taken it) - I guess I'll find out soon.

Can you apply to your state for "extra help" with rx? I couldn't afford any meds unless I called the state medicare office and ask for the extra help. I'm so sorry you are in this position.

[Marilyn2016]

Originally Posted by Calista+12

I take Wellbutrin XL 150 mgs. I have noticed nightmares but I always seem to have nightmares, when I can sleep. . I take it with Dexadrine and Zoloft. Can you tell me the difference between Wellbutrin XL and SR ?

XL and SR are still the same drug, but SR means sustained release, and XL is an brand name extended release. So, essentially they are the same thing. Maybe a difference of a few hours of release, but that's about it. lol I had to google that one.
Also, I take Amfexa, which is Dexadrine in the USA, and I do not take any SSRI or SNRI. Just Abilify for mood and madness.

[gina_re]

Originally Posted by Marilyn2016

XL and SR are still the same drug, but SR means sustained release, and XL is an brand name extended release. So, essentially they are the same thing. Maybe a difference of a few hours of release, but that's about it. lol I had to google that one.
Also, I take Amfexa, which is Dexadrine in the USA, and I do not take any SSRI or SNRI. Just Abilify for mood and madness.

That's pretty much it. When I was on the XL version I think it stays in your system longer because I could not sleep with it. When I was switched to the SR I was better off because it is ore of a controlled release. That XL made me irritable.

[cheshiregrins]

Originally Posted by Marilyn2016

I do take abilify, but I'm not sure if it is purely an anti-psychotic, or if it has mood stabilizing properties as well.

It has mood stabilizing properties. It's used/effective for bipolar 1 and mania, unlike some of the other antipsychotics.