I have been struggling with depression, I believe, for a few years. It has been up and down, periods where it wasn't so bad, periods where it was almost unmanageable... I am in my third year of school, and am in my second semester in a professional pharmacy program. It's a very high ranked program, and it's VERY rigorous... I should be studying 5 hours a day, and once tests start, more than that. But I've been laying in bed, crying... Eating, sleeping, etc. I'm sure many of ya'll can relate. And when I started to think about what I was doing to my future (I truly do what to be a pharmacist and help my patients.... etc, that's for another post), it would send me even deeper into my hole.

Finding a doctor that took my insurance that was taking new patients took forever. Finding one with an open appointment that could fit me into their schedule (I'm taking 9 classes...) was impossible. I finally decided that skipping a class was just going to have to happen.... so yesterday I went to my first psychiatrist appointment and spilled my guts to him. I was happy for the first time in forever when he told me that it was OBVIOUS that i needed medical help. It felt good to know that it wasn't just me being lazy or wimpy. Tears are streaming down my face right now as I write this... He wanted to prescribe me one of the SSRI's, but being 5'1'' and already having to focus so much on not gaining weight, I didn't want to risk it... So I asked for something else. He prescribed Wellbutrin 150mg, to go up to 300mg after a week if I felt I was okay. I'm due to go back next week (I actually made teh mistake to schedule an appointment during a class that I absolutely can't miss... this is going to be a problem) to talk about upping the dose. I'm hoping he will trust me to make the judgement, being a pharmacy student. Although I really don't know much of anything... I'm in my first year. I'm a glorifed chemistry major at this point. Not to mention my horrible study habits.

I felt relief within 30 minutes of taking the pill. IS THAT POSSIBLE??? It seems hard to believe... I was able to focus and do a project last night, and today I was able to rewatch a few lectures that I didn't listen to the first time becasue I was focusing on not crying. Is this possible? I have also heard that it has some effects of relieving ADD... (Which I have suspected I may have but it seems like every doctor is afraid of abuse of any kind of medication for that. Not to mention it seems like every kid in college is dealing it, so I"m sure they're on the lookout for that.

I was just wondeirng if anyone had anykind of feedback on my experience so far... I've taken two pills, and I'm floored by the results. I'm mad at myself for not getting this two years ago. I've always heard it took weeks for antidepressants to kick in... what's the deal? (By the way, I am on Budeprion 150mg XL, for now)

By the way, my mom is also on it and has lost a TON of weight, is that something I should expect, for genetic reasons?

to DF

I had the same quick reaction to Wellbutrin. It works differently than most other antidepressants, so it's important to be prepared. You should read this topic about the fast but fleeting startup effects of Wellburtin, commonly referred to as the honeymoon period.

There is a possibility that you'll experience a few days of this relief, then crash for a little while again. But experiencing the honeymoon effect is actually a good sign, that Wellbutrin will work for you in the long run. It takes about 6-8 weeks for most people to level out on it, so patience is essential.

Good luck with your studies. It can't be easy going to college and dealing with depression at the same time.

(This is the same person as Strugglingstudent... I decided I didn't want such a negative name... I only made 2 or 3 posts, so I figured it was early enough to make a new name)

I'm glad that the good feeling means that it should work later on... thanks for the kind words :).

A little while after I made that post I started finding some posts that started answering some of my questions and I started getting discouraged... It's been a few days now, and late last evening I think I felt a little down. I hope my discouragement didn't shorten my "honeymoon" period. I tried to go to sleep to make it go away, but it was hard to fall asleep... is that also a side effect?

I took it a while ago hoping it would work again today, but instead I feel a little panicky. Is that a sign that this might not work for me? I have a lot to do today, studying wise, so that adds to the panicky feeling. I haven't been studying, so I was hoping I'd get most of it done this weekend on the meds. I start to think about what will happen if I can't study before a test I have in a few days... and my mind goes around really fast. It's just not the same as a few days ago, where I was just wonderful. I hope this isn't a bad sign...

Greetings,

Don't panic, this is not a bad sign at all. When I started on the 150XL I had almost Euphoric feelings for two days, then came back dowon to earth. IF you read the thred Burgy lead you too, you can see one or two days is about all the tease you get, then it may take up to 8 weeks to feel the full benefit of the drug (which unfortunately is not as intense as the feeling you had when you started).

As for the tough time getting to sleep, yes this is one of the side-effects of the med. It helped me to take it as early as possible, if this is possible for you I recommend trying it. Either way though, it and other side effects should pass in time. Wellbutrin requires some patience with startup so please give it a chance...you may have a easier time adjusting if you hold off increasing the 150 to 300 for a few weeks, this will keep the side effects to a minimum and give your system a chance to adjust.

Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress.

Darken