Hi New here--well kinda I was a member a few years ago--forgot what my id was--lol-so I am new again--I just started taking welbutrin again after being off it for a couple of years---
I had great success with it the first time--got really motivated and lost the extra weight I tend to put on while depressed.
I want to add something --a bit of advice.
WELBUTRIN made me feel so normal that I thought I no longer needed it---and stoped taking it. I did well for awhile but then started sleeping more and not doing dishes--and so on --untill I got to the point where I was not happy--everything in my life is wonderful--really--I just found on joy in it--I knew that I was on the road back to where I had been--so I am three days back into the Welburtin--I Pray it works as well this time--
oh and I lost 30-35 pounds last time--I have gained 40 since being off Welbutrin--I pray it helps me get off my butt again and start living so I can drop this weight.
Awakened Dreams

Hey there,
Welcome back!

It was nice to see your posting -- I have been on Wellbutrin a little over 5 weeks and I was just thinking yesterday that with the side effects gone from having started it, I'm actually starting to feel like my 'normal' self again -- I'm hoping that I see more improvement in the next week to 3 weeks as I've heard it can take up to 8 weeks for the full effect to be felt.

How long were you on Wellbtrin before?

J

Well I was on it the first time for 6 months that is when I lost the 35 pounds. I went off it because I just felt I did not need it--the doctor agreed--but I ended up back on it in a couple of months. I got off it after a year or more because of insurance reasons--but I will not be letting that happen again

I'm new to all this..what are the zaps?
Hmm, not sure if you will see this as looks like you posted 2 years ago..

I was wondering about the zaps as well. Doesn't sound too pleasant.

I looked above to see anything about zaps but couldn't find it.

From MY experience, the only ZAPS I've heard people ever experiencing are when going off anti-depressants. It is a withdrawal effect usually caused mostly by anti-depressants like Zoloft and Cymbalta. It is possible to get zaps when going off any anti-depressant that works on serotonin in the brain. Wellbutrin doesn't work on Serotonin.

I've never heard of someone going off Wellbutrin (or being on Wellbutrin) having withdrawal effects or side effects that were like ZAPS (unless it's posted in here and I didn't see it).

My definition of ZAPS -- are brain zaps. When I tried going off Zoloft, I'd get what would feel like an electric zap in my brain or in my head. Kind of like where you'd get a headache but it's just like a lightning zap striking in your head -- it's very brief, not painful, but just disorienting and annoying. It usually comes along with being light headed and spaced out. I also, when experiencing withdrawal would have an 'out of time' feeling when I'd turn my head to the side to look at something -- it's like the view couldn't keep up with where my head was.

Hi Rattman,
You described brainzaps well. If you do a search in the other medications area you will find topics on it.
I have had MUCH experience with Wellbutrin over the years since I cannot tolerate SSRI's and I have never experienced a Brain Zap from WB.

Be Well.
~Lindsay, Forum Super Admin

Hi, i'm new here and i just had a question that perhaps someone could help me with. I know different meds affect everyone differently, but i just want a little advice.

I was diagnosed with major clinical depression about 4 years a go and have been taking Prozac since about that time. I guess it has helped me slightly, but if anything i just feel kind of foggy. I started on 20mgs and my Dr took it up to 60. It really has only a very slight affect, and i still find i have major bouts of depression.

I think that Wellbutrin might be a better choice for me, since after all this time the SSRI has done so little. I only just recently became aware that i have a choice when it comes to my meds, and that Prozac might simply not work for me.

Is there anyone who has had a similar experience with Prozac and found Wellbutrin to be more helpful?

I too am just starting on wellbutrin (300mgs in the AM.)
This is my first week on the full dose, and I've got to tell you, I feel so foggy. I feel like I am going through the day under water. Kind of zombie-like.
I am also a bit jittery. I can't sit still, racing thoughts, easily distracted, etc...
Has anyone else had an experience like this on WB? And will it gradually subside so I can get on to all of the good side effects mentioned here?
I must say, that I hope I don't experience any weight loss! I have been skinny all my life, and can't afford to lose what I've got.

Hi

I've only been on wellbutrin SR 300mg for a month solo, they started me when I was still on paxil and trying to get off it. I have had an interesting experience lately. I didn't know that wellbutrin would suppress my apetite SO MUCH. I have to MAKE myself eat for the first time in my life. I am very excited about this because I am about 50lbs overweight and this could be my push to be healthier and more active. But it is still the strangest feeling, I go to eat dinner, put food in my mouth and my body says: "no I don't want that!" Has anyone else had this experience and if so how did you deal with it?

Thanks for the imput

nataone

When did your side effects go away from Wellbutrin?? Is it true it can take up to 8weeks to adjust? I was on others in the past and remember only taking a couple of weeks to adjust. Wellbutrin seems different. I'm still not sleeping much unless I take Ambien or Flexeril and still get"small head twinges/pain typ headaches at times)-maybe tension.

I didn't have a lot of side effects the first 3 weeks except for some trouble sleeping and was a little wired -- but at the 3 week point it felt like all the energy disappeared and I almost felt like I did before I started Wellbutrin. Then at about week 4, gradually I started feeling better -- at week 7 I asked the doctor to increase me to 400mg because I didn't feel like it was working as well as it should. I increased to 400mg and within 2 days felt 100% better. But then I started having problems sleeping so I went back down to 300mg and it worked fine -- so for me between 7-8 weeks I started feeling better. I've been on most of the SSRI's and Wellbutrin definitely works different and is a lot slower to start working.

I had to add Zoloft at week 9 because I have occasional issues with panic attacks and the combination seems to be working very well for me.

[quote name='rattman' date='Jun 6 2007, 11:16 PM' post='242992']
I didn't have a lot of side effects the first 3 weeks except for some trouble sleeping and was a little wired -- but at the 3 week point it felt like all the energy disappeared and I almost felt like I did before I started Wellbutrin. Then at about week 4, gradually I started feeling better -- at week 7 I asked the doctor to increase me to 400mg because I didn't feel like it was working as well as it should. I increased to 400mg and within 2 days felt 100% better. But then I started having problems sleeping so I went back down to 300mg and it worked fine -- so for me between 7-8 weeks I started feeling better. I've been on most of the SSRI's and Wellbutrin definitely works different and is a lot slower to start working.

I had to add Zoloft at week 9 because I have occasional issues with panic attacks and the combination seems to be working very well for me.

rattman-
Thanks for your response! I am going to try to stay on Wellbutrin for 8weeks and see how my head feels and if my sleep is any better. I've been on Paxil and Lexapro in the past. Wellbutrin seems so different from those. Next week, I am also going to see my psychotherapist I haven't been to in 10years!!! Its the head pains that are annoying me the most as I can't tell if its from the med or my anxiety creating them!! they are like someone is poking my head with a pin at times, in different spots. Have you heard of anyone experiencing that type of headache???

This post has been edited by gingerj: Jun 7 2007, 08:01 AM

Hi Ginger --

What you're experiencing almost sounds like the feeling I got when I went off Zoloft the first time -- some people call it a 'brain zap' where you'll be sitting there and suddenly it's almost like a 'hitting your funny bone' feeling but in your head -- like an electric pulse or something -- but I haven't heard of anyone getting that from Wellbutrin -- have you gone off an SSRI before going on Wellbutrin?

One thing I forgot to mention -- after going to 100mg of Zoloft -- I thought I could decrease the Wellbutrin -- I was taking the Zoloft for more of the panic issues -- but I figured it would help with depression like it did before. Anyway -- I asked my dr. a week ago and we decreased the Wellbutrin to 200mg a day -- within 3 days I started feeling down, more tired, and didn't sleep as well. I had a hard time believing that being on 100mg Zoloft plus 200mg Wellbutrin I'd be effected that way (by reducing the Wellbutrin) but sure enough, yesterday I took 150 before bed, this morning 150mg of the Wellbutrin and I'm already starting to feel good again -- so I DEFINITELY know that the Wellbutrin is what is helping my depression and lack of energy I had.

Again -- hope that helps and please let me know if you have any questions -- you can also email me if you have other questions.

Have a great day!

John

John(rattman)-
Thanks again for responding. no, I haven't been on SSRIs since January 2006 and that was Lexapro for about a year. Before that I was on Paxil for about 2yrs 9years ago. I tend to react sensitively to starting new meds and my anxiety focus tends to center on side effects and symptoms related to my health.Of course, my first thought w/the headaches were tumor,etc. Now these head pains come and go and drive me crazy!! I'll be having a good day and then "ouch", the burning stabbing pains start and last for a few seconds to minutes. I probably need to mention that my husband and I started fertility treatments in Feb/March and I was on meds for that, tripling my dose the in April. I was also on 10days of hormones. Now, currently on a break due to my anxiety resurfacing, hence came the start of Wellbutrin. (Wellbutrin is one I can take while pregnant if needed). This could have triggered my headaches but I escalated them into daily worrying if something else was wrong or causing them. I'm susceptible to headaches anyway. If these head pains are the brain zaps you spoke of, do they go away soon?? I can deal with that but if I'm creating them, I don't know what to do! I saw my allergist and had a CT scan of my sinuses after being treated for a sinus infection as well, it was clear. He seems to think I may be having mini migraines. If they persist in 2-3weeks, I may see a neurologist for eval. One other question about the "brain zaps"... can they happen anywhere in the head or usually in certain spots?? Thanks again for your responses, I'm glad I've found some common ground here on the forum.

ginger

I am sooo happy to have accidentally stumbled into the positive stories forum!!! I have been so freaked out by things I read and I am learning that AD's are a very individual experience. What works for some may not for others. I try to stay away from the negative stuff. It has not been useful and I think can put ideas in our heads and effect the outcome.
I am on my 4th round of medications so I am trying to remain really hopefully that Wellbutrin will be the one! I am a tad bit concerned about my anxiety returning, but I am sure that can be addressed. I am on Gabapentin to help with that. Is anyone else on this combo?
I am so happy to hear people doing so well. Gives me hope. Thanks.
Stephanie
P.S. I have a friend on WB , too and she started to feel better in 2 days so yes! I guess for some the results can be seen very quickly!!

sstip:

It's good to hear another positive story on WB. Hope all continues to go well for you.

As always, please keep us posted.



-Bean

Has anybody here been on reboxetine before going on to zyban? Any differances?

Has anybody found it to be good for studying and concentrating if that was one of your depressive symptoms before trying zyban/wellbutrin?

It's been helpful to me to hear the different stories about WB. I was on it years ago, and it helped me so much then that, guess what, I took myself off. Well things didn't get any better for me. They seemed to for a while, but then eventually I found myself in a deep pit of negative behaviors, including drinking.

Since Jan '06 I've been in therapy, this time to stay, and on Lexapro. The Lex seemed to help pretty much for a while, but a couple months ago I felt I needed something different.

Back to WB. I just started generic (Budeprion) SR 100mg about three weeks ago, in addition to the Lex, so too soon to tell what the long term effects (benefits?) will be. But I have felt some fuzzyheadedness lately. I've also been feeling very tired and achey, but that preceding starting WB so I don't think that's the cause. I've also been having trouble sleeping, which also preceded the WB, but it seems worse lately, so maybe that's partly due to WB.

I'll keep checking into this thread to see how others are doing on WB, and update my experience for the benefit of others.

tbeav:

WB could very well be blamed for your problems sleeping, as WB causes restlessness and sleeplessness. Although these SEs may decrease over time, you may need a sleep aid. I take .75 mgs of Halcion because the WB has wreaked havoc with my insomnia (something I always suffered from that worsened once I started taking WB).

Because of this, WB is best taken as early in the morning as possible.

Please be certain to keep us posted as you continue to take WB.

-Bean

Blazing Ice:

When I started taking WB is wasn't having problems with concentration, but I do know that WB can make one jittery, which could interfere with concentration.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

-Bean

After many different meds, Wellbutrin (generic Buproprion HCL) worked!!!! I am so grateful to it. It can make me nervous esp. if I drink caffeine but I take a xanex with it since it can give me anxiety and it works just fine. Mostly I take a half xanex but if I had a lot of caffeine on top of it, I take a whole one .5 mg. My doc says take xanex 3 times a day. It sure makes me sleep like a baby at night. Yeah, Wellb. works for me (generic).

Gentle Sun

Gentle Sun:

I'm so happy for you! WB is working for you! Yay!

I, too, take Xanax along with WB (and 4 other meds). Even on all this medication, I find that sometimes the only thing to control my anxiety or the jitters is Xanax.

Since you mostly take Xanax to counter the effects of caffeine, have you considered cutting back on or giving up caffeine? Horrors, I know, but of caffeine is causing problems than maybe it ought to go.



-Bean

Hi tbeav! I too just started WB150 XL (titrated up to that amount) for 16 days now. I take Lex 10mg and have for a year. I'm so hoping this combo will work for the both of us! I don't want to give up the Lex because it is effective in taming my anxiety and panic symptoms. I'm hoping WB helps my energy level, libido, and, supresses my appetite. Good luck to you! I'll be watching your posts since you are on the same combo as I. Cheryl

Hi!!!
I've been on a 100 mgs of WB for over a month.(plus 50 of Zoloft) The one time I tried to go up in dose the side effects were unbearable(now I know that decreasing my Zoloft dose contributed to the negative side effects.) Anyhow...I am going up slowly this time and am pleased to not be feeling any negative side effects. I feel hopeful that WB is finally going to do the trick for me, after several trials on other medications. Hooray!!!
Steph

sstip:

Thanks for sharing your story. I think we all need to to hear positive WB stories every now and again.



-Bean

hi is this thread still running? i am new here

i just started taking 150mg SR Zyban (UK) (for major depression/anxiety) and though have a lot of despair and crying spells still, and suddenly feel very restless and nervous...i am gonna stick out a month cos i think it may be that they need more time than others to work from what i have read on here. (i will never take effexor again. i put on 103 pounds (yes 1-0-3-) in 6 months and was a dancer...i cant take he others SSRIs as none ofthem suited me)...i have no appetite (thank god) with Zyban and will try and busy self thru the restlessness and cheer myself thru the tearful depressive burss.it si very tough but i want this one to work

thank you for your help xx

ps i really just want support and encouragement i have felt totally hopeless for so long...long term depression (20 years) over a health complaint that has messed things up for me...major state of the art operation coming up in new year...hopefully that will help...i have tried to get off ADs 10 times and each time have stuck it out then something has pushed me into such a deep one that i couldnt struggle on anymore, i knew i would do something rash if i continued to stay off them...but i am a very strong person...also very sensitive. i really like the sound of this place. i hope i am welcome...

This post has been edited by myrainbow: Oct 8 2007, 11:00 AM

Hi My Rainbow!!! (Sweet name)

YES!!!! You are definitely welcome to the Depression Forums!!!!

You have been through a lot it sounds. Dont feel bad, I gained so much weight on a med, people did not recognize me. I didnt even recognize me!!!! Lol!!

I am taking Wellbutrin (Buproprion). It is working wonderfully for me. I am me again. Not a numbed down me or a fat me- yuk - just a happy me!!! Now, I did have some anxiety on it once and quit taking it immediately. I had a panic attack and had to take baby steps to work. But now, I take a small amount of xanex with it and seems to do the trick. I was in a bad state, having come off Paxil, it took forever for them to find what would work for me. This was it!!! I take Paxil at night also.

Good Luck!! If you have any anxiety, tell your doctor, there may be an easy fix. Best to you on your operation also!!! By the way I lost 23 lbs since the Wellbutrin!!!
Whoohoo!!!

Glad you picked this forum to come to. I think you will like it. We are all supportive and just want to help.

Gentle Sun

OH GOD Gentle sun, thank you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for replying. Been shaking and crying and totally helpless worrying all day (((((((((thank you god bless you)))))))))))

unfortunately i made the error in my efforts to examine this new (to me) drug, and read some horror stories about it. the fact is i am in such a state with both depression an anxiety right now that i just needed comfort and you gave me that. my mum made me promise to stop looking at forums cos they can be so damaging but BUT this is forums at their best so far as i can see.THANK YOU .

i will continue this drug for one month and then if the angst hasnt gone i guess i will take a benzo too. i am still at 150mg and not planning to go up to 300mg unless there is seruiously no improvment but before i have thought that SSRI types tend to start working with a couple weeks but this one...not so far (apart form a lot of extra angst and restelssness and etc)

i want this to work, oh god i do. please god help this work for me . i am willing to do whatever it takes to get my life back. TAHNK YOU for reading me, i so am grateful. xx

also i forgot today... someone said that this isnt a strong antidepressant in other words its not suitable for major dpression (which i have )
please tell me this isnt true cos i cant get fat again, and i cant be dulled down, cos i am ..well my job is creative (though been off work for 7 months)...i need to be able to create but also concentrate an be my own body...not 211 pounds and self conscious...i feel ym effexor years were lost years...
sorry i forgot that bit

MyRainbow,

I dont know about that. I could not have been more depressed than if I got run over by a truck!!! I guess I cant talk for everyone, but I have had very good luck with Wellbutrin. I told my pdoc he was a Godsend and was ready to kiss his boots!!! You will get better, believe me. If I can, you can!!! Now, my pdoc had to cut myh Xanex dosage in half because my short term memory was getting bad and so far I believe it is working. Havent forgotten anything since so hopefully that will take care of it. I dont want you to think I am advocating Xanex, your doctor may have something else in mind. Just be sure to tell him exactly how you are feeling when you see him, and before if necessary. Thats how he can determine what is going on and what needs to be done. They are pretty clever that way, lol!! If you saw my picture of me back when a med made me blow up, you would not believe it. And yes, for me, I lost weight!!! Appetite decreased and being happier made me more physical!!! Feel free to pm me anytime and we can talk that way too!!! Gentle Sun PS Oh man, lost years? Yeah, I always say I lost 8 years of my life back then!!! Awful, huh?

thank you so much again, you have been so good to me
i dont know why
but today is the best day i have had for about 10 months so woo hoo! let us hope this is a sign of an improvement beginning to happen xx

I just wanted to add to this thread since I've been on WB 150 XL for 9 days now. (I know, long time. lol) So far, I really think it's helping. I can deal with things instead of avoiding them. That makes me feel very . I don't feel so much stress like I was. I'm finding it easier to not get annoyed at my DH. I'm usually like and I drive him crazy. Now I just feel so chilled out about things. I do have some side effects but that's ok. I'm getting me back and that is great!

ok well interesting...
i just read back...(hope i am not boring everyone to death!) ...and i realize that the endless crying, the agonizing depession and hopelessness is really beginning togo but BOY the anxiety is not..SO FAR. golly, i have lost 10 pounds in 3 weeks. (good cos efexor gained me 103)(but i was underweight)
i HAVE to keep busy and keep moving or i will go insane LOL(fortunately sanity has never been the issue just depression and anxiety) so i have diazepam if it gets worse...so far i am handling it...but brrrr...i wouldnt give this drug to a panick attack or GAD sufferer!!! i dont just feel wired up, i feel interanally (mind) panicky...and unpleasantly 'not there' but i am sticking it out cos i think it will calm down in time. i have only been on them at all 3 weeks and i only ramped up to 300mg just over a week ago. no tears anymore. i smile sometmes too! i just dying to get rid of this angst...
this forum rocks, thank you to everyone who has helped me so much during this initiial and rather panicky period of wellbutrin xx
ps i love that it doesnt kill my sex drive and i love that it doesnt make me eat too much or cave food and i love that it doesnt make me want to sleep all day. i hated SSRIs.
pps. i am having some kinda dizziness /vetigo too. any ideas?and nausea

This post has been edited by myrainbow: Oct 22 2007, 08:28 AM

It's good to actually find a place where there are actually some positive things to be said about wellbutrin being that it is so easy to find many negative reports elsewhere.

Thank you!

Hi WB gang!
I posted awhile back when I started WB150XL. Since then I tried to quit Lexapro 10mg and didn't make it. Tried 5mg for a month and anxiety was too much. So I went back on Lex 10mg to tame my anxiety, eliminate migraines and neck pain (Yeah, it works that way for me). I had soooooo wanted to get off SSRIs, but Lex helps me so much, I don't want to do without its benefit. ANYWAY, I just increased to WB300XL 3 days ago. Since my primary diagnosis is GAD with panic disorder, I was very apprehensive about making the leap. It took me over 3 months to get up the nerve. With Lex and mirtazapine (22.5mg @ night), the anxiety I expected is tempered. I have only experienced some ringing in the ears and the head pressure others talk about. Mirtz continues to help me sleep (love that stuff!), Lex keeps pain and anxiety at bay and WB will hopefully revive the rest of my libido and give me energy. I do feel increased energy already and optimism about finding that magic "balance" for me as far as neurochemistry goes.

Let me say that I consider myself the QUEEN of anxiety and have experienced debilitating panic attacks since I entered my teens. Before I tried ADs, I had daily anxiety and took Xanax for the bad spells I couldn't handle. Now, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend ADs to other anxiety, panic-sufferers. I would even go so far as to suggest WB in combo with an SSRI (to tame the anxiety beast or perhaps Mirtazapine, also great for anxiety and insomnia). If you were afraid to try WB, give it a trial. I hope you have an easy transition as I am having. Yes it has only been 3 days, but I am so surprised and thankful I'm not feeling speedy or anxious! Will wonders never cease?? Cheryl

YAY CHERYL!!!

now you can

blast off into space

with your

cosmonaut kitty!

ALRIGHTY-THEN!!! Be right back....

hi im new and wanted to try wellbutrin xl?im not sure if im posting right,i tryed to post new but did let me said "errroe'i have sever hypoT.issues and adrenal porblems and currently on adrenal cortex isocort,,,,can i stilll take wellbutrin?

and anybody take xanax

I'm doing well at 150 mg. Was up to 300 and was jittery anxious and scattered. 150 is just enough to keep the depression at bay and is a huge help keeping me focused at work. Never thought of myself as ADD until I had relief from it! I guess sometimes less is more!