Hi~

I am on day 3 of Wellbutrin XL 150mg/daily for severe depression. So far I hate the way I feel on this med. For the most part I feel like a zombie that had too much coffee to drink and I'm unable to get my work done at the office or complete small tasks at home. However, I am committed to giving the drug a chance to work its magic.

Here are my questions:


How long did it take for the insomnia to go away? I need to take Ambien CR to get to sleep.

How long did it take for your appetite to return? I have to force myself to eat. I don't think I'm getting enough calories.

How long did it take for the restlessness to go away?

How were you able to function during the start-up period?


I appreciate your responses and/or quick summary of your first month on Wellbutrin.


lov

This post has been edited by lov4k9s: May 6 2007, 11:46 AM

Everyone has different side effects from anti-depressants but to answer your questions for me..............


How long did it take for the insomnia to go away? For me after week 3 I slept like a baby at night -- however still if I wake up 6 hours after I fall asleep it is still tough for me to go back to sleep. I always take a nap after work so I've been OK with that.

How long did it take for your appetite to return? I never really lost my appetite but would forget to eat. Someone in one of the messages suggested eating 4 smaller meals throughout the day if you're not as hungry. I just had to remind myself to eat and once I'd start eating I'd be fine - this went away for me also at week 3.

How long did it take for the restlessness to go away? Also at or right before week 3.

How were you able to function during the start-up period? I really didn't have problems functioning during the startup period -- however IF I wasn't able to take a nap after work each day I would have had problems functioning during the day. Maybe try taking a nap after work if you are able to?

When I moved up to 300mg (150 twice a day) after the 1st week, I didn't notice anymore or worsening side effects.

Hope that helps :)

J

Ratman~

Thank you so much for your reply, I really appreciate you taking the time to lay out your experience. For some reason it comforts me to read about other's experiences, especially when they are positive, even though I know my body may not respond in the same manner.

I have been struggling w/my first bout of serious depression for about 5 months and the journey to find the right med for me has not been easy. I recently stopped taking Prozac after 8 weeks because it caused acid reflux like symptoms that were unbearable (even though Prozac worked for me in the past for mild depression).

I'm so happy for you that the Wellbutrin worked for your anxiety and depression (I've followed your posts)~

lov

This post has been edited by lov4k9s: May 6 2007, 01:30 PM

Hey lov -=-

You're very welcome. Prozac caused you reflux, eh? Then you probably wouldn't do well on Cymbalta. I've tried almost every SSRI type drug out there, plus Wellbutrin. Cymbalta is the only one that ripped my stomach apart. I already take Protonix (like Nexium) for my stomach and even with that the Cymbalta just wrecked my stomach. I was on Prozac once for about 4 months -- the first one I had ever tried and at that time it was a saving grace for what I was going thru.

I'm actually on a Wellbutrin/ZOloft combo now -- just started Zoloft in addition to Wellbutrin about 5 days ago.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions you can't find answered on the forum -- and if I can answer I'll be more than happy to.



John

This post has been edited by rattman: May 6 2007, 07:00 PM

Hey lov4k9's, (I love dogs too!!) how many do you have?

I am on my 6th week of WB, and haven't had any insomina problems. I was on lexapro for a year and 1/2 and always had trouble sleeping, and now I can sleep much better actually. For the appetite, it is the same as rattman said, I just forget to eat.
My first few weeks were fine except for me just feeling really 'out of it' and lightheaded. People on here have encourged me to stay on it and stick w/ it for at least 6 or 8 weeks, and it is true! I feel much better now and have gotten over those first few week side-effects. I really hope that these meds work out for you! and if not, that you can find one that does!
Good Luck!

Well I just got back on Wellbutrin, but I take 300 XR so needless to say I am a Insomniac! I tried Ambien 12.5 mg and didn't put me to sleep. Now I am trying Lunesta 3 mg and STILL can't sleep. That is my only issue with it at this point. As for the eating, I can stand to lose a few pounds so it has not bothered me that I am not hungry much anymore. I do have to force myself to eat, but it's less portions now.

I was on Wellbutrin for over 3 years then had to go off when I lost my insurance and I don't remember having the problem with sleeping like I do now. Needless to say it's driving me into the nut house because of all the pain I am in at night.

I am going on my second month on the "generic" version of Wellbutrin and like I said still awake! Hopefully your symptoms will decrease since you are on a lower dose than me.



Bert

I'm glad I found this post!
I just started week 2. First week 150 mg. second week at 300 mg.
I am now looking forward to week 3! I take Seroquel so I don't have AS hard of a time falling asleep, but I do sometimes have to take Sonata to get to sleep to stop my mind from racing.
I haven't noticed any appetite problems though. Actually, my appetite has seemed to increase since I started WB. Good thing too! I could benefit with a few well placed pounds (I am currently a stick!)
I really did like the description "Zombie that had too much coffee!" I prefer Zombie on crack. :P

Hey everyone, first post here.

I have been on Buproprion (generic Wellbutrin) 300 XL for about 3 months now. I had a series of side effects that started within the second month of usage, such as headaches, nausea, inability to concentrate, a small amount of bruxism. I switched from taking the 300mg pill in the morning to taking it at night, along with an Ambien CR. I sleep pretty well because of the Ambien (CR isn't great for getting to sleep but it keeps me out for a solid 6+ hours which is a relief.) Taking the pill at night has been so much nicer, I have seriously felt all the side effects diminish. I rarely get headaches, am energetic, focused, and the Wellbutrin has catalyzed a much healthier lifestyle for me (I work out everyday, eat a healthy diet, and so on.) I am completely satisfied with Wellbutrin and have no interest in switching medication for whatever reason. The Wellbutrin in combination with having a great therapist and meeting once a week has done wonders for my life, and I hope the best for you! Hang in there for 3+ months before you make any decisions.

G'luck!

Hey Bert ---

If you're on the Generic TEVA version I can understand why you're having problems -- many folks here (myself included) report bad side effects from the generic TEVA version of the XL -- that's why I take either name brand SR or Eon / Sandoz 150 SR twice a day.

I am on day 12 of buproprion SR 150mg. I took it once a day for four day and then increased to twice a day.

The nausea has gone away, but my stomach is still sensitive to greasy foods... I don't mind this much but my problem is that I am also getting pretty bad headaches everyday. Has anyone else experienced headache when starting Buproprion SR? Did they go away? If so how long did it take?

I am just nervous b/c I am prone to migraines and don't want the headache to get any worse if buproprion is a trigger for them..

Hi I am new here and glad I found this post!!! I asked these same questions in my introduction.
I am on my 5th week of Wellbutrin XL 150mg. I take it in the AM; I had really really bad headaches(migraine type) the first 2-3weeks of starting and I've been having insomnia, lots of it, making me very frustrated!! I'm waking up after ~4hours of sleep, wide awake @ 3AM and can't go back to sleep!! Does this ever go away or get better?? I've heard the side effects subside for some but continue for others. I've called my doc to see what she suggests I can take at night to help me sleep. I had tried Ambien in the past and it worked pretty well, but not tried Ambien CR. What about Tylenol PM or something otc?? I've been on Paxil & Lexapro in the past for anxiety/panic disorder and it seems I remember the side effects subsiding after 2-3weeks of initiation. At 5weeks on Wellbutrin, wouldn't my body have adjusted to it by now??
Sorry, I didn't mean to take over your post with my own frustrations!!

No problem, you know I have been waking up in the middle of the night, too but I guess I didnt attribute it to the medication b/c Ive been having problems sleeping since before the buproprion...

My headaches were so bad I thought something esle was wrong!! I didn't think they would ever go away. They were like bad migraines at first and then "ice pick" type tension headaches. I had a CT scan done on my sinuses too, which was clear.
My headaches lasted for the first 3-4 weeks with the first two weeks being the worse, then they gradually got better and now, I haven't had one in 4-5days straight!!! Yippee!! Now I'm dealing with just the insomnia. Argghhh!!

... and suddenly it's 5am and I'm wide awake with no chance of falling back asleep (I normally get up at 730)..

I guess I am having a few side effects, eh?

How long did it take for the insomnia to go away? I took Benadryl at night for a week or so and then I was okay.

How long did it take for your appetite to return?

I did lost about 20lbs, but I am still within the healthy range. My appetite isnt as strong as it was, but I was one of those people that ate when I sad, bored, etc. I am 5'5'" and 140 now. Its the smallest I have been since college.

How long did it take for the restlessness to go away? Same as the insomnia.

How were you able to function during the start-up period? I was really lucky with the Wellbutrin. I have very minimal side effects. Barely any at all! I cant not say the same when they added the Lexapro though! I had such an easy time with WB that I thought I would breeze on by the Lexapro.

ETA: I have been on WB for 5 monthes now.

This post has been edited by Lori1031: May 31 2007, 06:46 PM