topic Re: Wellbutrin anyone? in Wellness

Wellbutrin anyone?

PilatesLover — Wed, 05 May 2021 15:25:10 GMT

Long story short, at my annual physical my doctor suggested I might want to try Wellbutrin. I'm considering if I want to go down this road or just deal with my low grade depression and apathy without any meds.

I read of all the potential side effects, but if you have any true life stories I would appreciate hearing about them, should you care to share.

Dry mouth is a concern because I already have that from my autoimmune problems.

Before anyone gets excited let me repeat - yes, I am speaking with my doctor about this and considering my options.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

LuvmyLab — Wed, 05 May 2021 15:40:25 GMT

Not to discourage you but Welbutrin did nothing for me. I don't recall having any side effects and it was years ago that I tried it. Medications react to each person differently so it may work for you. This was just my experience. Good luck!

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

KingstonsMom — Wed, 05 May 2021 15:48:13 GMT

I have to agree with @LuvmyLab, both my DH and I have tried it with no benefit whatsoever.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

Meowingkitty — Wed, 05 May 2021 15:58:39 GMT

I tried it briefly probably 15-20 years ago and it felt like I had a pillow stuffed over my head. I was just foggy and felt weird. I got off of it immediately.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

Porcelain — Wed, 05 May 2021 19:19:59 GMT

I don't regret taking it for a period of time and I don't regret quitting it.

My issues:

Made me grind my teeth in my sleep, totally messing up my lower molars.
Very low threshold for overdosing. A few times I accidentally doubled up and had very scary reactions. One time I almost had seizures. On that occasion I kept feeling like I was about to fall over backwards in my chair or faint and felt separated from my body. And even worse, it happened at work.

It was great for my mood and my drive to get things done and I lost weight I didn't need to lose. It helped me get through a hard time in my life and an acute case of situational mild to moderate depression.

I tried Prozac first, and that made me feel like my emotions and reactions and were enveloped in cotton balls all the time. So I knew Prozac was not for me. Coming off of Wellbutrin gave me headaches, but I am glad to have been done with it for many years now.

If you start taking it, I'd advise starting with a low dosage, and take it more often rather than every 24 hours. That way if you double up accidentally, the symptoms don't last as long. And use a system like daily pill boxes to keep track.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

tansy — Wed, 05 May 2021 19:49:29 GMT

As I recall it takes a long time to take effect. I didn't stay on it long.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

Shelbelle — Wed, 05 May 2021 20:17:01 GMT

My friend tried it to help her quit smoking, did nothing for her, she was able to quit smoking on her own.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

Azcowgirl — Wed, 05 May 2021 21:36:20 GMT

My military son took it for a while for PTSD. It helped him

get through a rough time.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

Drythe — Wed, 05 May 2021 21:58:47 GMT

@PilatesLover

Wishing you well!

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

haddon9 — Wed, 05 May 2021 22:11:00 GMT

@PilatesLover I also experience chronic low grade depression and it can last many weeks with no relief. It will suddenly go away but it usually comes back. I'm in one of those low moods right now.

I'm fortunate that I don't have any health or financial issues which makes me feel like I'm being ungrateful when I feel down but I can't help the lousy feeling. I had also considered taking something and when I last saw my doctor he had suggested a medication (an SSRI but I don't remember which one). They make me a bit nervous so I asked about using something more natural. He suggested SAM- E.

I had forgotten about that supplement until I saw SeaMadien's response and I'm going to do a bit of research on it.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

PilatesLover — Thu, 06 May 2021 13:53:13 GMT

I truly appreciate all of you taking the time to reply with your experiences.

@haddon9 Hmm, I will have to look into this SAM-e, thank you.

A friend also recommended I try DHEA supplements.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

Effie54 — Thu, 06 May 2021 14:27:21 GMT

That's an older drug. I'm surprised doctors still prescribe it. It can be hard to metabolize. There are so many newer antidepressants drugs out there with less side effects. If you don't have biological depression, and it's more "situational", it might not be worth taking. I've seen so many people very ******ed out this year, trying antidepressants, only to find that it didn't work. They don't have biological depression, they're just sad. Therapy in that case works better.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

PilatesLover — Tue, 11 May 2021 14:07:07 GMT

Thanks @Effie54 . The doctor who discussed it with me is a GP and not a psychiatrist.

A good reminder to stick with a specialist especially when mood altering drugs are involved.

I plan to try the SAM-e and some DHEA and keep a journal on any effectiveness.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

Effie54 — Mon, 10 May 2021 14:22:59 GMT

@PilatesLover wrote:
Thanks @Effie54 . The doctor who discussed it with me is a GP and not a psychistrist.

A good reminder to stick with a specialist especially when mood altering drugs are involved.

I plan to try the SAM-e and some DHEA and keep a journal on any effectiveness.

I'm sure each person's body chemistry is different. I worked in a psychiatrists office for years. Wellbutrin was not one that was really utilized by the doctors. Absolutely, stick with a specialist when looking for a certain type of prescription. The Y understand the general practitioners are the first line of contact, sometimes they tend to prescribe, whereas a specialist is really better at it.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

michmi — Mon, 10 May 2021 14:37:15 GMT

Wellbutrin did nothing for me. I do recommend you seek the counsel of a psychiatrist for any antidepressants - just the fact that the doctor suggested Wellbutrin tells me they aren't very knowledgable about antidepressants. Many more effective options.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

CalminHeart — Thu, 20 May 2021 11:42:20 GMT

Wellbutrin is often used to supplement another anti-depressant, which is what my sister does. The only side effect she had is that it made her a little tired but that went away within a week. She was going to take it in the evening if it continued but it didn't. She also has dry mouth from other medical issues but it didn't affect that. She takes the generic Wellbutrin.

When one has a chemical imbalance, trauma, etc etc that causes depression, anti-depressants can be a life saver.

Re: Wellbutrin anyone?

depglass — Thu, 20 May 2021 11:49:32 GMT

I took it for depression maybe 20-25 years ago. Did nothing, either postive or negative.