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[alwaystired]

I started taking Bupropion by Actavis two days ago (today was my third pill) Yesterday, I started notcing this euphoric feeling, followed by a spaced out feeling, like I was walking through a dream or something. Today, I had that very same feeling, but it last longer. It usaully kicks in around the same time (3 hours after taking my med) and lasts about 5 hours. Afterwards, I feel better. Is this a side effect of the med? or of the generic?

This doesn't feel like the honeymoon phase... but is it??

I have been on a ton of different meds (Cymbalta, Effexor, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa) None of which made me feel like this. Is this a good sign?

BTW, I'm on 150mgs of the XL, moving up to 300mgs in 4 days. Kinda nervous about it, since I already feel like this on just 150mgs.

Edited by alwaystired, 24 February 2012 - 03:56 PM.

[trustinginHimalone]

I have experienced this with a couple of the meds I have tried, though Wellbutrin did not have this effect on me. Probably, you will find that the feeling of disorientation will go away in a few more days. If it does not, then this med is likely not good for you. Fortunately, there are lots of others you can try. You don't need to feel as though you need to find the perfect cure right away- for some, it takes lots of trial and error.

[caitlin12095]

I have been on Bupropion (also generic) for three weeks now, and it is my first time taking an antidepressant so I don't know anything about the other medications. At first I was on only 75 mg to get my body used to it, but I did have symptoms similar to what you are describing. That euphoric feeling is probably the honeymoon, and it is strange that Bupropion makes you feel like that right away but I think that is how most people react. I moved up to two 75 mg doses after a week and my body didn't react well (I had tremors, a general weakness kind of feeling, and a fast heartbeat) so I went back to 75 mg for awhile, but now I am back up to 150 mg and I didn't have side effects that bad this time around. I think 150 mg is kind of a large dose to start out with, personally, but the symptoms should go away in a couple of days. Everyone reacts to the medication a little differently, so you should be fine, but if it doesn't go away soon then I would call your doctor just in case.

[DreamAgain]

I took bupropion xl150 for months....I could never tolerate 300mg....I would recommend staying on the 150 if you are feeling the way you do. I felt like I was on speed for months...had trouble sleeping and also nightmares, heart palpitations...constipation...finally stopped due to losing massive amounts of hair. I draw the line with baldness.

[alwaystired]

Thank you all for your posts and sharing your experience!

I too hope this fades in a few days. I will report back in a week and let you all know how I'm doing.

[yepitsme]

Don't move up in dose. People metabolize these drugs differently. Just because 300 mg is standard doesn't mean thats the right dose for you. I tend to react to very low levels of ADs, levels that are not even considered therapeutic. But thats what works for me. At the very least, talk to your pdoc before you move up.

[alwaystired]

Well, I can honestly say that I haven't felt this way since I reported this. Yesterday, I had no "stoned" feeling nor any other side effects. Today, is the same.

Thank god!

yepitsme : i understand your concern and warning for this, however I will try the 300mg. If I feel worse and do not move past the side effects like I did the 150, I will back down to 150.

[alwaystired]

Ok... so I'm narrowing down the feelings. It looks like coffee is causing this rush of feelings for a 3-4 hour period. I had a cup of coffee mid day and about 30 minutes later the stoned/hung over feeling came on.

Anyone else this?? I know it said that caffeine to cause increased risk of siezure but is this normal?

[caitlin12095]

Probably. I haven't had any caffeine since I started on Wellbutrin, but it is an amphetimine which is a stimulant. So I think caffeine might add on to the effects of the drug.

[alwaystired]

Well, I did the 300mgs, today. So far I have had no negative side effects like before... HOWEVER, this drug "Comes and goes" Is that normal? I can feel when it's coming on. I get a rush of mental clarity, I become talkative and I start to feel happy. Then, a while later it will drop off again and I'm back to myself. Anyone else like this? I'm taking the Actavis Generic XL (Two 150mgs in the morning)

[caitlin12095]

I'm only on 150 mg, but when I first started taking it I noticed that too. I take 75 mg twice a day so I felt great mid-morning and during the evening for a few hours, but the rest of the day I felt just like my depressed self. I swear, the lows are a lot worse when you feel happy once in a while. After a week the highs and lows have leveled out for me and I don't want to say I'm depressed, because I'm hopeful, but I'm not really happy. The medicine should really start working in a few weeks.

[lindahurt]

I'm currently taking 300XL and that is a good therapeutic dosage for me right now. I have been on as much as 450XL for quite a time. Its stimulating and and I hope it works for you.

Lindahurt

[alwaystired]

I'm only on 150 mg, but when I first started taking it I noticed that too. I take 75 mg twice a day so I felt great mid-morning and during the evening for a few hours, but the rest of the day I felt just like my depressed self. I swear, the lows are a lot worse when you feel happy once in a while. After a week the highs and lows have leveled out for me and I don't want to say I'm depressed, because I'm hopeful, but I'm not really happy. The medicine should really start working in a few weeks.

Are you on the generic, or brand name? Are you taking XL or just the standard formula?

Interesting... I really hope for both of our sakes that these meds start working soon!

[alwaystired]

I'm currently taking 300XL and that is a good therapeutic dosage for me right now. I have been on as much as 450XL for quite a time. Its stimulating and and I hope it works for you.

Lindahurt

Thank you! Are you on brand name or generic? Did you have the issue I was talking about? it's not a steady does of meds, at least I don't feel like it is. It comes and goes

[lindahurt]

I've been on both generic and brand and fortunately for me I continued to have success on either. Its matter of spending the extra cost for the brand. Here and there my doctor may increase/decrease the dosage if there is a big change but not often. I had some issues with insomnia and little increase in anxiety. My caffeine is limited at my doctor's orders which made a big difference but after some adjustment time, its been a great AD for me.
Lindahurt

Edited by lindahurt, 28 February 2012 - 05:05 PM.

[greengohome]

Caffeine + wellbutrin varies between making me feel awesome and making me feel spacey and braindead. Before I had adjusted to the Wellbutrin, caffeine + wellbutrin was making me furious and I would feel agravated and snap at people. Good thing that evened out. I'm so addicted to caffeine that even a day without morning coffee makes me feel super depressed again for no reason.

Edited by greengohome, 29 February 2012 - 07:55 AM.

[alwaystired]

I've been on both generic and brand and fortunately for me I continued to have success on either. Its matter of spending the extra cost for the brand. Here and there my doctor may increase/decrease the dosage if there is a big change but not often. I had some issues with insomnia and little increase in anxiety. My caffeine is limited at my doctor's orders which made a big difference but after some adjustment time, its been a great AD for me.
Lindahurt

Yeah, It's still too soon to tell if this is working for me, or not. I really need to give ths another 4 weeks to see if this is the one, for me.

Caffeine + wellbutrin varies between making me feel awesome and making me feel spacey and braindead. Before I had adjusted to the Wellbutrin, caffeine + wellbutrin was making me furious and I would feel agravated and snap at people. Good thing that evened out. I'm so addicted to caffeine that even a day without morning coffee makes me feel super depressed again for no reason.

Yeah, I too am addicted to caffeine. What I love about it is, it's an appetite suppressant for me. Which is a big plus, since I've gained about 50lbs since my depression started. I don't really feel the effects that others do when drinking caffeine alone, though. However, with Bupropion is does seem to make me feel a little jittery. Something I will just have to monitor and know my limits with in the future if this is the med for me.

[alwaystired]

Well, I just had my 10th Dose of 300Mgs (Actavis Bupropion XL) So far, appetite supression has been wonderful, since starting 300mgs 5 days ago. I would have to say that my caloric intake is half of what it normally is, and I have already lost 2lbs. Now, this could just be water weight, and I'm also drawn to eating healthier food choices and my cravings for carbs and sweets seems to have been deminished. One of my biggest problems (aside from daytime sleepiness) has been over eating and craving carbs/sweets. This seems to be working well on this aspect, hopefully this is something that will stick around.

Aside from that, I can say that I still feel the meds coming on. They seem to kick in around 2 hours after taking them and come and go all day long. It doesn't matter if I take them with or without food, this is the norm. I am still taking this (Burpropion in the morning) along with Trazodone at night , for sleep (50mgs). I have not experienced the "Awake" feeling that most have talked about, yet. I have had many moments of mental clarity, but they're usually followed by brain fog, again.

I will report back in another week with how I have been doing. I find that many people over forums say they're starting these meds and never report back as to how they're doing, how long they were on the med, and if they continued or found something else that worked for them. Just a tad frustrating... ;-)

Edited by alwaystired, 02 March 2012 - 10:17 AM.

[duckylove]

I just started taking Wellbutrin SR brand formula 100mg few days ago. Pdoc has me taking it for SAD in the morning. Additionally, he says that I have atypical symptoms of depression that manifest like anxiety, but not an actual anxiety disorder.I have no previous psych med or drug use experience. Total newbie to all this. WB has been causing me to feel spaced out in an oddly focused way-- like I can just stare at a wall comfortably, but I don't feel disoriented. It's different than the usual mild buzzy body feeling I have, which I didn't really notice about myself until I had this spaced out calm wash over me on WB. My husband says I'm "stoned." I've been getting intermittent waves of this calm "stoned" feeling, then back to my usual flat depressed feeling, then to an agitated/heart racing feeling. The agitated feeling is mostly in mornings and a brisk walk has wiped it out and talking myself out of any panic about it. I have been drinking my usual tea with decent amount of caffeine in it, the stoned feeling does seem to come after that. I will track it better, as this forum has brought up the possible connection. My sense is that the waves of spaced/stoned feeling is due to the time release quality if the med. I have several more weeks before I know anything conclusive, but I wanted to chime in that I totally understand the waves of spaced-out feeling.

[alwaystired]

Well, I will say that today COMPLETELY SUCKED!! I felt really depressed today, exhausted, broke into a few cold sweats and for no reason. My appetite came back... I'm so confused, at this point. It was beautiful outside today and all I wanted to do was be in bed. I even had plans to go out tonight with friends and I have canceled them.

Is this normal?? Does the med calm down after a while and my body get use to it?? Is this how i'm going to feel until the real effects kick in??

I'll report back in a few days to say how I'm doing.

[alwaystired]

Well, today was MUCH better. I had my normal reaction to the meds, today. Appetite was supressed, felt the rush of the meds around 4 hours after taking and then I had my 30-45 minutes of mental clarity and feeling very happy. Then, it went away as usual, and I feel like my normal self. Just going to tough it out for a few more weeks to see if this kicks in and is for me. I'm getting sick of the UP and DOWN with this med. Not sure if this is the generic thing, or not.

[greengohome]

Well, today was MUCH better. I had my normal reaction to the meds, today. Appetite was supressed, felt the rush of the meds around 4 hours after taking and then I had my 30-45 minutes of mental clarity and feeling very happy. Then, it went away as usual, and I feel like my normal self. Just going to tough it out for a few more weeks to see if this kicks in and is for me. I'm getting sick of the UP and DOWN with this med. Not sure if this is the generic thing, or not.

In my experience that rollercoaster stuff evened out after upping dose to 300 mg XL and sticking it out for 3 weeks. Wait and see if it evens out for you.

Also some fluctuation in mood and concentration during the day is normal, most people feel better in the morning, drop off in the early afternoon, and then feel better by evening.

[onmyown]

It's been awhile since I was on bupropion so I don't remember how it felt. It helped me out for a while then made me have worse thoughts so I had to go off it. I'm considering going back on it for short term stabilization right now. Anyhow, all the mention of coffee and caffeine made me remember that caffeine affects the way the body metabolizes the medication so it's possible the effects are when the body has the most of the medication in it. Can't remember the exact explanation I got but that revolution show just had something on it too this past week.

Best wishes.

[alwaystired]

Well, today was MUCH better. I had my normal reaction to the meds, today. Appetite was supressed, felt the rush of the meds around 4 hours after taking and then I had my 30-45 minutes of mental clarity and feeling very happy. Then, it went away as usual, and I feel like my normal self. Just going to tough it out for a few more weeks to see if this kicks in and is for me. I'm getting sick of the UP and DOWN with this med. Not sure if this is the generic thing, or not.

In my experience that rollercoaster stuff evened out after upping dose to 300 mg XL and sticking it out for 3 weeks. Wait and see if it evens out for you.

Also some fluctuation in mood and concentration during the day is normal, most people feel better in the morning, drop off in the early afternoon, and then feel better by evening.

Well, that is what I'm going to do. Today marked my 7th day on 300mgs. So, I have at LEAST 2-3 weeks until I can look at this and decide what it's going for me. From that point on, I will decide on weather or not to go brand name, or try another generic.

It's been awhile since I was on bupropion so I don't remember how it felt. It helped me out for a while then made me have worse thoughts so I had to go off it. I'm considering going back on it for short term stabilization right now. Anyhow, all the mention of coffee and caffeine made me remember that caffeine affects the way the body metabolizes the medication so it's possible the effects are when the body has the most of the medication in it. Can't remember the exact explanation I got but that revolution show just had something on it too this past week.

Best wishes.

That's interesting... I didn't really think about that. As much as I love my coffee and it's helps me get through my day, I should probably give it up for a bit to see if it's hindering the medication.

Thanks for the info!

[alwaystired]

Well, it has been 1 week since I've replied.

This Wednesday will mark my 3rd week on this medication. I do feel at times that it's working, but it comes on so strong and fades so fast. I see my doctor in 2 days and at that time I plan on requesting the brand name wellbutrin even if it requires me paying directly out of pocket. I'll report back if I start the brand name.

[alwaystired]

Well, saw my doc today. She was not happy when I told her that I felt the drug come on and leave me soon after. She said she has heard of generic wellbutrin doing this with her other patients.

I'm now taking 1 month of samples of Aplenzin @ 522mg.

I will report back in 1 week as to how I'm doing.