Wellbutrin XL

Hello, I am a newby on these forums. I have read the previous forums on so many topics dicussed and have found them very useful
I would like to know if anyone has had any experience on Wellburtin XL since it came out a year ago. I have always had success on Wellbutrin (basic) 2x a day, however I hated everytime the tablets wore off (every six hours or so) that I would feel do unbelievably tired.
They tried Wellbutrin (SR ) 150 mg once a day and I LOVED IT!! I felt so ALIVE!! So focused, confident like I never had been before, I couldn't believe it! The only problem (which for me can be the worse, was the side affect of the major headaches that continually came with it). It has been a period of about five years or so on and off these meds.
I take this medication for Seasonal Affected Disorder, I am constandly tired, irratible and no drive for about nine months or so (I also have the lamp). Unfortunately, I cannot stand the headaches that accompany with this medicine. I have hotflashes with this medicine too, which can be a little annoying but I deal with it. So, last year about this time my doctor prescribed Wellbutrin XL (apparently very little side affects).
When I started this medicine I felt just weird, strange, not able to talk properly, tired, very sluggish. I also started gaining weight, (which with Wellbutrin SR I lost some weight -- HUGE PLUS amongst all of the other benefits it gave me). I only took Wellbutrin XL for two weeks and decided that this was just not right in comparison to the other two types of Wellbutrin. (The withdrawel from this med was so scary to me, and it took a couple of months to finally leave my system! And with those withdrawal symptoms -- MAJOR LEAGUE HEADACHES) I tried taking this medicine twice in the last year and the last time I did it was only for one week, and again the same symptoms. THE BRIGHT SIDE! While taking the medicine there were no headaches for that short of time, hot flashes however.
I have tried other medicines but they only gave me extra problems, more tired, anxiety, and a whole lot of WEIGHT GAIN!!!!!!!! Which would just set me into a depression.................
Has anyone been on Wellbutrin XL? Or presently taking it right now?
Did I not give it a chance?
Did it make you finally feel alive after it got into your system for a great length of time? And how long did it take?
Could you take properly at first?
Any weight gain? Anxiety, hotflashes? Etc??????
Any information would truly be appreciated
Take care-

I was on it for awhile and it was the best drug that I was ever on for depression. Unfortunately I had to stop because the side effects were so severe. I felt completely drugged, twitched all the time (all over my body), and also got headaches. I was on the drug for almost two months and the side effects never stopped.
However meds are different for everyone. Talk to your doc about your side effects. Especially if they do not go away.

Jessica

Jessica-
Thank you for your reply. If you have time, could you list your side affects to Wellbutrin XL? Were they the same as mine?
Thanks, Cinder

Cinder,

I am on Wellbutrin XL, and the only side effect I had was that I got these terrible nightmares, but they went away after about two months. I did not have any weight gain...in fact I have lost weight.

I would make sure you bring up all of the side effects with your pdoc...Wellbutrin can be a great med, but there are some potentially serious side effects, so you need to be completely up front about what your experiencing.

mj

Cinder,
These are the ones that I can remember.
Headaches
Nightmares (Really really bad ones)
Twitching in different parts of my body that kept up all the time
Dizziness
Feeling very tired
Mood Swings...but I never figured out if they were because of the side effects or the meds
Upset stomach

Please remember a few things. One is that Welbutrin XL has helped a great deal of people and besides the side effects it helped with my depression and anxiety more so then any med I have been on. With that being said please do not take my side effects are start worrying that this medication is hurting you. I am very sensitive to side effects of meds whether it be antibiotics or over the counter cold medications. In fact the only antidepressant I never got extreme side effects from was Prozac. If your side effects are bothering you then please talk to your doctor before you take yourself off.
Secondly please please please do not drink on this stuff. I know that they say it with every antidepressant, but they mean it with this one. Mixing this with alcohol could make you very very sick.
Please hang in there and let us know how you are doing.

Jessica

Nightmares. Other than that I highly recomend.