Ok admittedly I have only been on my Wellbutrin SR for 3-4 weeks now but I have seen no change other than unpleasant side effects like tiredness, dry mouth, and I think although I am not sure it is increasing my level of anxiety. My doc just upped my wellbutrin from 150 to 300mg twice daily she did that like a week and a half ago so I don't know how long I should before I decided this med isn't for me.

Most people I've talked to here I've heard say that most of the side effects go away after about 3 weeks (that's after being on the 150 dose 1 week, and 300mg 2 weeks) -- with the exception of the anxiety. In my case the anxiety went away after about 5 weeks -- but then my anxiety wasn't out of control. After 4 weeks it was OK.

You went from a total dose of 150mg a day to 300mg, correct? So now you are taking 150mg twice a day? Most here have gone from 150 to 300 within the first week so am I guessing correctly that your doctor is moving you more slowly to prevent side effects?

I'm one of the newer ones here on Wellbutrin -- going on 9 weeks -- and it was between week 7-8 to feel real positive results. I went from 300 to 350/day a little after week 7, and just started 400 2 days ago and even upping my dose I have no more anxiety -- in fact quite the opposite, which surprised me. I was also concerned I'd have issues with falling asleep -- but I actually am able to sleep longer and better at 400 (so far).

If you anxiety doesn't go away, and your doctor wants to give the Wellbutrin the full 8 weeks to see if it helps your depression, you might consider asking him for something for anxiety temporarily.

Good luck and hope you start getting benefits from it soon!

John

I agree with John. I had a problem with anxiety on Wellb. (panic attacks) but this was the only one that got rid of my severe depression so he prescribed xanex with my Wellb. doses. Works very well. Ive cut back to 1/2 xanex but take a whole one at night and I sleep like a baby. No anxiety during the day unless I drink caffeine. Good Luck to you!!! Gentle Sun

Isn't it strange how medication can affect us so differently? Before I started Wellbutrin I had horrible anxiety and with Wellbutrin it went away, but others that didn't have anxiety before Wellbutrin can get it while taking it.

wb has been helping me with my depression, but anxiety is still there.. can't seem to shake it off.

Well I have been on the Wellbutrin SR a total of 4-5 weeks now I would say. Still nothing in terms of helping my depression and it makes me sleepy and anxious. I called my Psych. to discuss this and she said she had not heard of Wellbutrin making you sleepy but she did say a 1/3 of people do suffer anxiety attacks due to the Wellbutrin which she said doesn't pass so she told me to go off it and she would discuss other medications with me on Monday when I see her again.

Hi Lost --

My anxiety went away after about 5 1/2 weeks on Wellbutrin, but it didn't touch the depression until right around 7 weeks -- it can be very slow acting in some people.

My doctor had advised I take it 8 hours apart -- but I can take it right before bed and sleep VERY well on it. I never get enough sleep period so it's hard to tell if it makes me tired.

I started having anxiety/panic attacks about a week after I increased it to 400mg so I am now going back to 300mg and doctor has added Zoloft thinking it will help with the panic attacks.

This isn't a fun game for me trying to find the right combination to make me feel totally normal again -- sounds like you're having the same problem...

After last night I am going off WB. It has made me more depressed and suicidal. I went on anti's to stop me from going down that path and yet its almost like they pushed me down it. And all the stories with different meds and trying this and that or adding.. dont want to bother with. I'll take just plain ol coping strategies and dealing with my emotions on my own being aware etc.

Hey I've been on it a month maybe and a week, I know I am supposed to tamper off. But heres the story last night I took too many wb's and some other pills (I'm okay when to the hospital was more of an escape cant deal with pain, and pry wbs!). So I had alot in my system.. missed this mornings dosage not sure if i should take any tonight?? Has anyone experienced adverse side effects coming off this med?

I should pry just drop down to 150mg for a week? then off? I'll call my case manager this week and ask her.. but wanted to see if anyone here knew. Thanks!

Mary

This post has been edited by MCoving: May 5 2007, 02:55 PM

Heya Mary --

Sorry to hear your night gotten even worse.

I definitely would still take your dose today -- because you might really crash if you miss a whole day's dose.

From the way I understand it, you'd decrease it to 150mg for a week, then check with doctor as they some times will go to 75mg for another week.

Sorry to hear it isn't working for you -- I'm still glad I waited 7 weeks because I was just about to give up.

Here's something pretty for ya from my yard.....



This post has been edited by rattman: May 5 2007, 06:09 PM

My psychiatrist took me off the WB totally and put me on Ritalin as of today. Which my health insurance will only cover a five day supply I must admit this seems like a rather curious choice for depression. Anyway, it looks like I am going to have to call my doc tomorrow and tell her that the insurance will not cover it anyway.

Ritalin is a Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor just like Wellbutrin.

is WB for anxiety as well as depression?

In my experience, and the experience of most people, WB does not help most kinds of anxiety, and may even make you more anxious. I say "most kinds" because I found that WB takes away the anxiety that is directly caused by depression. My depression was causing a lot of bitterness and rage, and WB helped with that. It did not, however, help with my more straightforward, nervous kind of anxiety. I take a little Celexa to cover that.