Wellbutrin anyone?

PilatesLover · ‎08-20-2014

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.

LuvmyLab · ‎06-07-2010

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!

KingstonsMom · ‎03-09-2010

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

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

Meowingkitty · ‎06-19-2010

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.

Porcelain · ‎02-19-2014

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.

When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.
"Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

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

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

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

Azcowgirl · ‎04-10-2012

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

get through a rough time.

Drythe · ‎07-09-2011

@PilatesLover

Wishing you well!

"Animals are not my whole world, but they have made my world whole" ~ Roger Caras

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

@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.