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[teddy01]

I’m about to start Wellbutrin and have a few questions….. I’ve already previously tried lexapro, cymbalta, vyvanse, and am now on viibryd. All of these made me feel drugged/spacey/foggy and gave me bad sexual side effects (basically inability to climax..I’m a guy btw).

Viibryd supposedly has little to no sexual side effects, but it sure does for me. Same for vyvanse (add medication..previous doc thought maybe that was my problem). So I’m kind of worried that wellbutrin may still have that side effect for me. I seem to be VERY sensitive to these types of medications and my body hasn’t responded very well to anything I’ve tried. Is anyone who’s on wellbutrin having sexual side effects at all? Just curious to know.

I’ve read that wellbutrin can be used with an ssri to help augment and relieve sexual side effects. Anyone had luck with this?

Other than that aspect of it, I’m worried about the most important part, if it will make me feel better. I’ve read a thread here about how many people feel foggy/spacey on it and that’s what I’ve hated about these other meds. Ugh. But you never know til you try I guess. I’ve also read that it tends to not last very long even on the xl/sr formulations. When I was on vyvanse that supposedly lasted 12 hours, but for me it lasted about 4 then I totally crashed. Was horrible. How long on average is the wellbutrin xl or sr lasting you guys that are on it?

And lastly, anyone on or ever been on viibryd and wellbutrin together? Considering this, but may just use wellbutrin alone to start and try it.

[Girly]

Hi teddy01

I have not taken Wellbutrin myself, I have just read some things on it and I know that loss of interest in sex can be a side effect, I think it will be a case of trying it and see how it does affect you.

With regards to viibryd and wellbutrin together I would recommend speaking to your Dr about that, although I do hope that some others on here have some answers for you.

I really hope that the Wellbutrin helps you, remember it can take 6-8 weeks for the meds to be fully functional and theside effects will reduce over time.

Good luck,

Girly

[TxButterfly]

I have been on Celexa (generic) 40mg for 5years. It was causing sexual se and lethargy. My doc added Wellbutrin XL 150mg about 25 days ago. I just moved up to 300mg yesterday. I will not lie to you... the first week, maybe two CAN be rough (esp if you have anxiety). If you can handle vyvanse I think this will be a piece of cake for you. I have panic disorder, so it did hit me hard (the first week). There is a thread called "new to wellbutrin" where 3 of us have journaled our daily symptoms. The second day I took it I felt wonderful. Like a new woman!! I even had sex :0) It was great!! Ok, I know... TMI.. but you asked. So, ya, it helped me in that area. I think that this combo has overall been the best for me, although I have ADD and I am still needing help with motivation. I may ask to add a low dose of adderall if the 300mg does not help. But check out that thread and read it all the way through. It helped me too. To answer your question.. the XL lasts about 8 or 9 hours for me. Peaks at about 3 to 4 hours in.... has not caused much insomnia at all. If so, I take a benadryl, and that works!

Edited by TxButterfly, 02 July 2012 - 11:48 AM.

[teddy01]

I have been on Celexa (generic) 40mg for 5years. It was causing sexual se and lethargy. My doc added Wellbutrin XL 150mg about 25 days ago. I just moved up to 300mg yesterday. I will not lie to you... the first week, maybe two CAN be rough (esp if you have anxiety). If you can handle vyvanse I think this will be a piece of cake for you. I have panic disorder, so it did hit me hard (the first week). There is a thread called "new to wellbutrin" where 3 of us have journaled our daily symptoms. The second day I took it I felt wonderful. Like a new woman!! I even had sex :0) It was great!! Ok, I know... TMI.. but you asked. So, ya, it helped me in that area. I think that this combo has overall been the best for me, although I have ADD and I am still needing help with motivation. I may ask to add a low dose of adderall if the 300mg does not help. But check out that thread and read it all the way through. It helped me too. To answer your question.. the XL lasts about 8 or 9 hours for me. Peaks at about 3 to 4 hours in.... has not caused much insomnia at all. If so, I take a benadryl, and that works!

Thanks..I checked out that other thread and was helpful.

Were you on vyvanse before? I guess that's what scared me about the wellbutrin, I read on other sites that people take it for add (which I don't think I have btw). The whole vyvanse experience for me was like being a drug addict. When you first start it you feel like superman for a few days, then you're always chasing that high so to speak. Take the pill, feel high and out of it but kind of in a good mood for like 4 hours, then crash terribly, and have to have another in order to make it through the day. I would rather take something that I take once a day and it's just kind of "there" you know, not something I am fiending for and watching the clock to see when I can take the next dose. It wasn't even like a high really after a few weeks, it was just that I hated the feeling of knowing it would be wearing off in only a few hours and I would be totally crashed if I didn't pop another pill. I don't really get the impression that wellbutrin is like that, but the add usage and the fact that you have to take it sometimes multi times a day kind of scares me.

[TxButterfly]

Oh... do not be scared of that.. at all lol... They have an XL formula that you take once daily. Supposed to be 24 hours.... however for me, it really on does well for the 8 hours that I need it. Its ok for ADD, but not specifically for that :0) Its more of a mood lifter as it acts on norephinephrine and dopamine (sp?). Just an antidepressant. No harsh crash at all. I would give it a try. But thats just me :0) And no I have not been on vyvanse. I hope you find the right combo for you!!

xoxo
TB

[CosmoGrey]

Hey teddy01,

Wellbutrin actually gave me back my sex drive. It even increased it above what it was prior to the depression. I'm female, so I don't know if you'll see the same results, but I don't think you should worry too much.

[teddy01]

I'm 9 days in now, and I'll warn that for some guys it may be rough to start. Everyone is different of course. For me I had zero libido for the first 5 days, and even had some ED issues for the first time ever in my life :|

But....I'm happy to say that as of now that is getting much better. The last 4 days my libido has come back full force and no issues down there at all :) It's still very very early, so we'll see how it goes, but I'm glad that it seems to be headed in the right direction.

The issue I'm dealing with now is extreme fatigue. The pill is making me so tired and sluggish....which is contraty to the stimulant effect it's supposed to have. I will say that I'm the type who's always in the 7% or whatever of people who get the main side effects on medications like this, so others may not experience the same thing. Hopefully this side effect goes away as well. Fingers crossed.

[cjs]

Wellbutrin did not affect my sex drive. I did feel agitated on 150 mg, so my doc cut me back to 75 mg, and that did the trick. Now I just take it in the morning, and it's motivating. I take a small dose of Paxil in the evening, which does blunt my sex drive a bit. But Wellbutrin only should not adversely affect. Of course, everyone is different. Good luck to you.

[ladysmurf]

Hey teddy01,

Wellbutrin actually gave me back my sex drive. It even increased it above what it was prior to the depression. I'm female, so I don't know if you'll see the same results, but I don't think you should worry too much.

Same here. Out of all the AD's I have ever been on I can honestly say that Wellbutrin and Desipramine were the only ones that did not interfere with my sex drive. Good luck

[Sangdataroi]

I think factors one might consider in evaluating the potential presence, or absence, of effects on "sexual functioning," when taking Buproprion are:

1. your age:

Decline in sexual function, drive, libido, etc., and hormonal changes, are natural with aging (for men: testosterone, particularly).

2. your diet:

Since successful treatment of lower-tongue-cancer five years ago (no recurrence), my taste buds essential "died," and normal salivary function was greatly reduced, and a permanent (evidently uncorrectable surgically) deformation in the vallecula at the base of the tongue makes it impossible to swallow anything hard, dry, or large. I naturally changed over to a vegetarian diet and I live, many days on soy-milk alone to which I add whey protein.

Soy milk has high estrogen content (cooked fermented soy products like tofu do not).

Obviously my personal example here is extremely uncommon:

... but the fact is your diet may well be influencing your sexual functioning in some way (where the "scope" of the word "diet" is expanded to include whether you are obese, or, too thin, compared to your average adult body weight, etc.).

Interestingly: since being on this "involuntary vegan" diet of primarily soy-milk, and whey protein, interspersed with fruit smoothies, and soft vegetables like eggplant, and beans, etc., once in a while some soft steamed fish, my testosterone count has doubled compared to five years ago, and is now in a much-higher-range than normal for a male of my age (near 69).

3. previous history of use of psychotropic medicines:

I've spent years on Prozac, but only in the last three months have I experienced anorgasmia and complete absence of desire for sex.

I have read that use of SSRI's can have long-term effects on sexual function, even after they have been discontinued for years, but, I should note that I have yet to find a reliable (large cohort, double-blind) scientific study that really convinces me of this.

I certainly experienced the typical SSRI side-effects of reduction in sexual sensitivities, and delayed ejaculation, but I, personally, did not experience a diminishing of the physical/emotional satisfaction of orgasm myself, and I thought taking longer to reach orgasm was, actually, in most cases, a pleasurable event for my beloved partner, since she was so multi-orgasmic.

4. presence or absence of erectile dysfunction (ED): in my case inability to achieve, and maintain, adequate erection has not been a problem. But, emotionally, the lack of orgasm is, well, not frustrating, but certainly leaves me with a lack of feeling of "emotional release," and the wonderful post-coital "merging of soul" with a beloved partner.

~

So, after a month on Wellbutrin XR 150 ...

... and then switching to a Buproprion form marketed here as Quomem SR 150 ... because it turns out the WB XR I received was a free doctor's sample, and the S.E. Asian country I live in, where I live, does not carry WellButrin XR ...

... and gradually reducing my dose of Prozac from 20mg. to 10mg. per day, and cutting down the use of diazepam (Valium) to 5mg. from 10~15:

I am finding myself with;

1. definite brightening of average mood

2. more energized: no doubt in my mind the Buproprion is a stimulant; I am sure my blood pressure is raised 10 points on average than previous levels, but it was low-range to begin with.

3. no unpleasant anxiety, or agitation

4. one orgasm, praise be, after nearly 40 days :)

5. on advice of a friend, I have added L-Arginine morning and evening, and I notice my ability to sleep un-interrupted is improving. Note: this is not taken a part of any body-building routine.

I have seen both an endocrinologist, and a urologist, and they don't they see any basic problems in typical tests for blood sugar, thyroid function, liver function, etc.

My intent is to continue the Buproprion another month while phasing out Prozac, and Diazepam, and see where this takes me to in terms of energy, mood, sleep, and sexual functioning.

Right now, using "Occam's Razor:" I consider the hypothesis that: all effects to date are: "placebo;" and the main factors here may be: aging, and diet.

best wishes for your health, Sangdataroi (formerly USA trained M.S.W., psychiatric specialty)

Edited by Sangdataroi, 05 August 2012 - 10:08 PM.