Hi,
I was recently put back on Bupropion SR (Eon) 150mg x2 a day. Started with 150 mg 1 x day and after 3 days up to 2x day. I was given generic ambien too for sleeplessness. I could deal with x 1 day and could get to sleep on the single ambien. After I went to x2 day the ambien did not touch it. IT would take 2 ambien to help me sleep and then only for 4 hours or so. The ambien did nothing of course for the anxiety.
SOOOO, back to the veterans administration and seeing a new primary care doc. Told him the last time I was on WB I also was taking ativan 1mg up 3 x a day and the SE's were very tolerable. So they added ativan .5 mg up to x3 day as needed to my mix. That will def help the anxiety and should help with sleep also.
I had asked to have low-dose serequel added for bedtime. The primary care doc wants to wait for the MH dept. to add that if they want. I go back to the VA mental health section in 2 days and will see about the 25mg serequel for sleep. I don't want to use the ativans for sleep but only as need during the day for anxiety. Would just like the serequel for just before bed.

Anyone else on WB 2 x a day and ativan as needed and using low-dose serequel just for sleep? How is it working out?
Thanks.

Best wishes all!

~m

Hi and Welcome Whirledps

It really sounds like you are treating your depression strongly. I am glad that you are here, as you will get a lot of information.
Perhaps have a look through the room, or create your own topic.
Good luck with the VA mental health section.
Please make yourself feel at home.

Trace

Hi. I just started taking Wellbitrin Xl 150 and uped the dose to 300 today. I feel a bit jittery which is fine but im very aggervated. Does this go away. I feel on edge and my anxiety seems worse. Anyone else have this and it go away. I want this to work but not sure it will for me. Thanks for any help.

Hi KMichelle

It is normal when starting any AD to suffer an increase in anxiety and you usually find it settles down within a month. Wellbutrin however can give you more energy than other ADs and so this can result in some people feeling a little aggrevated when on it. Normally, if possible, if you stay on an AD for 6-8 weeks, you will have a better idea of if it is going to be suitable for you or not. It's hard to tell in the first month or so, with all the side effects you can get.

PRT xx

I was on Prozac for many years but because of some dermatologic condition(a topic for another group), my doctors changed my med to Wellbutrin. For the first two weeks or so, I felt great. In fact did not feel different at all. However, after a while, my anxiety level sky rocketed and I started feeling emotional, angry, irritable and miserable. I have been off Wellbutrin now for almost two weeks and feel much better than when I was on it. A few days ago, I started Remeron and hoping for the best.

Everyone is different of course, but for me, taking 30 mgs of Prozac a day saved my life.

Hi there:

I am afraid, Wellbutrin did not agree with me either and I did feel terribly anxious. If you continue to feel the same or start feeling worse, talk to your doctor. Sometimes changing the time of the day of intake, makes a difference too. Not every med works for everyone, each of us is unique and react differently to different chemicals.

prm

Hi and Welcome prowilrem

I am glad that you found something that worked for you, sometimes it takes a while to find the right med for you.
Wellbutrin is well known for having a honeymoon effect, making you feel really good in the beginning and then the start up side effects come, eventually it all calms down and the side effects disappear.

Trace

HI, new here!
I went to a digestive specialist yesterday for complaints with GI issues. He came to the conclusion that I may have stress and/or anxiety induced IBS. He prescribed Bupropion SR at 200mg per day.

I took 100mg at 11am yesterday and within an hour i started to feel super doped up. I had taken recreational drugs in highschool and it felt very similar to exstacy. I was so drugged up all day and very foggy. I didnt end up taking the other 100mg. I also did not sleep at all last night.

I called my doctor today and even after I told him about the insomnia he still suggested taking it before bed. Then the other 100mg in the morning. Im thinking of just taking half a dose in the morning and thats it. Does the super dopey and fogginess go away? What about insomnia?

BTW I still feel the doped up even today from the 1 pill at 11am yesterday, is that normal?

Thanx much!!

Hi Fee192,
Welcome,
I PERSONALLY would not take it before bed because I would never sleep. I take mine as early as possible in the morning - around 7:00 am (150mg SR) and then the 2nd dose around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. That will allow some of the wired feeling to dissapate before bed. I also require a little sleep aid before bed for the first few weeks I'm on it. It will be easier after the first few weeks. Hang in there! Best wishes.
~m

I've been following a very similar schedule and if I stick to it--- I feel non-groggy in the morning and less "wired" in the evening.

Welcome to the Wellbutrin room--keep taking good care of yourselves!

Hello! I can not tell you how inspiring this forum has been for me. I switched ADS bc I heard Wellbutrin would help me to stop smoking, as well as not having the sexual side effects that the Prozac had given me. I also am on pain killers bc of chronic back pain from degenerative arthritis. Because of this, I keep a notebook and record when i take what medicine in order to have as little drug interaction as possible. I asked my doctor for a lower dose Tylenol in the vicoden as well as getting Ibu-vics which are Ibuprofen with codeine. By reading this forum, I learned to space out the 150 mg 8 hrs in between, taking one early in the morning and the second before 3. I get kind of scatter-brained with this new med, I go round the house cleaning and forget what i was doing and go to another task.. I hope this passes soon! I read that people often take some xanax or Valium to take the edge off, and found if I do this in the afternoon ( that is when I get the jitters), it helps SOME.. I have too much energy.. I can't sit still with this medication. But, I am getting more things done. I am clumsier too now.
I am hoping it will bring make my ability to "feel" anything during sex, as Prozac has killed it after 10 years on it.

I smoked. But I smoke CLOVE cigs, and they were BANNED as of 9/22/09 !! And my husband was constantly on me about quitting. So, with the knowledge that I could not even GET the cigs I wanted, i figured I would give this a try, bc I saw it work for my son-in-law within 2 weeks. Sure enough, soon after I started the 2 a day dose of 150 SR, the desire to smoke OR drink alcohol has vanished! I had no idea the alcohol would also not be desired any more, until I looked in the redfridge and saw the same 3 beers sitting there tor a week, untouched. ( i was drinking a case per week and some wine now and then)

The side effects started to scare me, i went on the internet and found this forum and have been reading though it non stop..so I registered bc this seems like a great place where no one judges you, but instead offers reassurance and advice.
I am only 12 days in on the 300 dose, and 5 days of 150 before that. I have trouble concentrating. But after reading how common these side effects are, I do believe they will pass.. I just hope they do soon. My husband is suffering by my sleep- screaming and talking.. . but lately that is slowing down. It could be bc I am taking flexirol at night instead of xanax which makes me sleep very good. ( my tolerance to xanax is way up there)

If i had not had these stories and questions asked, I would be afraid of the side effects. But I am not, bc i know so many others are going through, or have gone through the same thing! I would like to thank the people running this forum, without you, i don't know what I would have done. This was the best place I found on the internet for answers to Wellbutrin's effects.. I am looking forward to meeting you all, and please excuse me if I post wrong.. It is new to me, and like I said, I have problems concentrating on things right now..

Another thing I want to say is that I know that drinking , and vicoden, and zocor, and the wellbutrin can be stressing my liver. So I am glad that the drinking urge is gone, and I take MILK THISTLE which helps the liver. And my Vicoden use is cut in half!

Again, Thank you!

Hi there. I'm new to the forum, fairly new to Wellbutrin too. I've been taking the TEVA budeprion since the end of June. I am on the SR 150 mg once a day. I believe my doc messed up the original prescription, because he told me XL, but when I got it filled it was SR. I went back in earlier this week to get my prescription renewed, and tried to tell him that I had been on the SR, but he said he would have only given me the XL. Whatever, I didn't have my pill bottle with me so I couldn't verify it. Anyway, I went to get the renewal scrip filled and got the XL, but questioned it because of the copay-it was 7x the copay for the SR. That led to a call to my insurance co, who confirmed the copay. I asked the pharmacist if there would be any major changes for me from the SR to the XL. He said if I was fine on the SR then there was probably no reason for me to take the XL, and he called and got it approved by my doc. I called the doc's office to verify, because this just had me all nervous. So, SR it stays. I take this only once per day, which from what I have seen looks to be rare. There are days I sort of wish I were on a higher dose, but in general I think it's doing pretty good. Then I get the SR prescription filled and, oh great, it's the bupropion from Eon, not the TEVA I've been taking for nearly 4 months. I'm really nervous about switching generics based on what I've read on the forum, but I'll give it a shot and see what happens. I did save a couple of the TEVA ones just in case I have to switch back to buy me a couple of days for that mess. Today was my first day on the Eon version, and I have to say, I'm a lot less jittery that I normally am, but I think I'm also being a bit hyperaware of every little thing. I did discuss my concerns with my DH, so he's keeping an eye out too. WB has done so much for me. DH said he noticed within about 3 days the change after I started on it. I'm so afraid to go back to that other me. I made bad choices, said some pretty hurtful things, and bless my DH for sticking by me through all of it. Through months of counseling, lots of journaling, and even more talking things out with DH (for the first time in our 15 years together), I finally have hope, and I just don't want to mess with that :)

Anyway, I'd be grateful for any advice or input that anyone has on the switch between generics, and anything else :)

May you have a peaceful weekend.

Hi and Welcome to DF Happierin09

I am glad that you are doing well on the med, even with the switch in generics. I do not know too much about the switch between generics, but you may want to create your own topic.
Please make yourself feel at home.

Trace

Hello,

I've been lurking around here for about a week and I've learned so much already. I've been taking WB for 8 days now, I started on 150mg and yesterday it was upped to 300mg. I had the normal jitters most people get and insomnia for a few days but after a week they were gone. The only thing is I noticed I'm losing more hair than I normally do? Is this because of the meds? Now that I'm on 300mg the jitters are back but I'm sleeping just fine. I'm also on 5mg of Cipralex. I first started on Cipralex but I completely lost my libido and it was making me really lethargic. I feel more energized on WB. I have high hopes for it, I'm crossing my fingers it works for me.

I'm not sure what is wrong with me yet, we are in the process of determining that. I definitely have some anxiety but I don't think I'm depressed. Well maybe sometimes...I just thought this is how everyone felt. Up and downs. But after I started on Cipralex I realized that it wasn't so. I realized that it is possible to be happy most of the time, and be able to manage my emotions, not take things too personally. I just thought I had strong emotions because I'm a passionate person, I love hard, I laugh hard, I cry hard, and yell hard. My problem was anger. That is why I went to look for help. It was getting out of control and my boyfriend confronted me about it. I am a single mother to an 8 years old boy and also a full time university student. Ok that's enough for now lol

Hi and Welcome to DF Zane

I hope that Wellbutrin works well for you. You may want to have a look through the room to see if anyone else has experienced hair loss.
DF has wonderful support.
Please make yourself feel at home.

Trace

Hi, just joined.
you can read all about me in a giant post I made earlier today (http://www.depressionforums.org/forums/Diary-Courage-Journey-Madness-t39635.html)

summary is ive been on 150mg/day for the last 12 days. I experienced the honeymoon for about 10 days and have been feeling like crap the last 2...but i feel better about it now knowing it is the norm.

Goodluck everyone.

Hi and Welcome Courage.

I like your user name. It is awesome!
It is wonderful to have you here and I hope you feel at home.

Trace

Yep i am new here. I am almost 50 and live with depression and anxiety. What a battle!! Just looking to see what is out here.

Thank you for the welcome Trace, pleasure meeting you.

Hello! My name is Linda. I have been taking Bupropion SR for over a year. I am now taking 450mg. I think it helps but I can't say for sure. Still have major depression.

Its only a pleasure Courage!

Hi and Welcome Linda

I am glad that you find us. If you have clinical depression meds will never cure you, but make your life more bearable and manageable.
Creating a journal, exercise and creating a daily routine as well as therapy can help in making things even easier.
Please make yourself feel at home.

Trace

Hi there!
I'm new around here, and new to Wellbutrin.

I've been taking 150 mg Buproprion SR for 3 weeks. I also take 60 mg Cymbalta (have for about 4 years; before that I took Zoloft for 8 years). My doctor suggested adding buproprion to the mix because my depression has been worsening; he said that taking a combination is pretty common and a good way to go. Although now that I'm thinking about it, I wonder why he didn't just up the Cymbalta instead (I'll have to ask about that).

The first week, I felt amped up, hyper, and almost manic--like I was hooked up to an IV of espresso. But oddly, I was still able to sleep really well. It sounds like a lot of people don't react to the medication right away, but I started feeling hyper and having the sensation that my head was floating only 10 minutes or so after I took my first pill. This wasn't like placebo effect "wow, I feel good!" but rather, "what is happening, my body feels weird." I guess I'm pretty sensitive to some things.

I feel more normal now. My mood has *definitely* improved. I have more energy, am less bothered by little things, and find that my social anxiety has decreased.

I am experiencing some negative side effects, however. I get bouts of irritability--seems to happen more in the evenings and when I am hungry (although I don't *feel* hungry as often now, but the irritiability seems like my new cue that I need to eat).

I am also experiencing strong sexual side effects. I realize this is quite uncommon, and the opposite of what happens for most people, but it is still listed as a possible side effect. I talked to my doctor about it, and he suggested decreasing the Cymbalta to see what happens. Well, I tried going down to 30 mg Cymbalta, and my depression came right back (tearfulness, feeling completely overwhelmed by little things, social anxiety, etc). So I'm thinking that's not a good choice.

I hope to be able to do something about the side effects, but from what I am reading, it sounds like it will take several more weeks before the full effects of the meds will be seen, so I suppose I should just be patient for a while and see if things level out. The bupoprion helps my mood so much that it's worth sticking with it to see how it pans out!

Hi, I just registered. This forum is exactly what i was looking for. I´m happy that I found it.

My name is Fernando, I'm 36 years old, live in Brazil.

For 3 years I suffer from depression. My main symptom is physical fatigue and lack of energy.

About 3 months ago started taking Wellbutrin SR, 150 mg, it made me feel very well, but in about 11 days it lost a little of the effect, my doctor increased the dosage to 300 mg and again I got much better, but I had some relapses (a few days) but most of the time I was fine, I came back to pratice sports (It was impossible for me when I was depressed).

So the situation has stabilized around 20 days, after this I started feeling tired again.
I talked to my doctor about increasing the dosage to 450 mg, but he was against it, he said the maximum dose is 300 mg (but I saw differents points of view at internet), he prescribed me Depakote 125 mg, but it is making me ill, so much headache and it seems that fatigue got worse.

My question is about raising the dosage.

Wellbutrin makes me feel good, but sometimes I feel bad for a few days, I´d like to try a higher dosage, but can't do it without doctor allow me.

Anyone who wants to reply, or add me as a friend will be welcome.
It´s good to talk with people who have the same problem as me.
Thank you all for your help.
Sorry guys about my English.

This post has been edited by argusrj2003: Nov 12 2009, 11:11 PM

Welcome to the Wellbutrin room, Fernando! (Your English is very good.)

Of course, your doctor would know what's best with the Wellbutrin dose. I've never heard of anyone who takes more than 300mg here on the forums. It could be possible that the side effects are very dangerous when over 300 mg. Even though these drugs are helpful I think it's very important to follow the doctor's instructions.

I understand it's frustrating to feel better yet, have the annoying side effects. All we can do is try other meds. You are not alone in your experiences.

Keep taking good care of yourself!
Aerial

This post has been edited by Aerial: Nov 13 2009, 08:31 PM

Aerial, thank you for your repply. I will wait the decision of my doctor.
There´s not much we can do.
My point is that Wellbutrin SR (2x 150mg) is working well, but sometimes it seems to stop working for about 5 days,
than it comes back to work again. Depakote isn´t helping me. Don´t you think I should ask my Pdoc about increase the dosage a little bit, considering that bupropion 300mg(2x150mg) produces a good effect (take out of depression sometimes for 2 consecutive weeks). (sorry to ask you again)
P.S. I read that some users, for example lindalrobinson, uses a dosage of 450 mg of bupropina.
Thank you again, any help will be appreciated.

This post has been edited by argusrj2003: Nov 14 2009, 10:25 AM