Does Wellbutrin work??

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2004
Does Wellbutrin work??
10
Sun, 10-10-2004 - 9:28pm
Hello all. Just a question to any of you who have tried Wellbutrin. How do you feel it works to handle your depression? I have been considering trying it for a while now. I was on Effexor, and it didn't help much. I have heard that Wellbutrin is known for low sexual side effects, help with quitting smoking and losing weight. Those are all HUGE plusses, but I need the help with the depression also. Any comments would be GREATLY appreciated!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2004
Mon, 10-11-2004 - 1:10pm
Hi there! I am on Wellbutrin XL 150 mg and I LOVE IT!!!
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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Mon, 10-11-2004 - 7:53pm

I started out taking Wellbutrin SR along with celexa, because I needed the energy boost.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2003
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 9:42am
Hi! I have tried a bunch of antidepressants over the years to deal with SAD, and I have to say that Wellbutrin was my overall favorite. It worked fast and strong, had very few unpleasant side effects (my sex drive actually improved) and helped me cut down on smoking (DH quit entirely on Zyban so I was hopeful). I hadn't felt so good in a long, long time.

Unfortunately, after 2-3 months on it I had a seizure in my sleep. I don't remember anything about the event. I went to sleep, and the next thing I knew DH was slapping me and screaming, and I was sitting fully dressed on the edge of the bed (which told me that something very strange was going on -- I'm a light sleeper). DH tells me I was shuddering and making guttural noises, and was incoherent and fought him when he tried to wake me. When I woke enough to understand what he was saying, I recognized the combativeness of the post-ictal state in myself from his description (from having worked with children with epilepsy). I had had a seizure, even if I didn't remember it and felt fine. My doctor says that these first-time seizures are most likely to occur during sleep and may leave no after-effects. If DH had not been there I might never have known about it. In fact, I may have had others on other mornings, after he had gone to work (he rises early).

Six months later, my EEG is back to normal and I have not had any more seizures. I was lucky -- it produced no lasting anomalies in my brain waves (a risk). Now I can get my drivers license back -- in PA when a doctor reports a seizure, the person loses their license for 6 months and can only get it back after that if they then have a normal EEG or are on anticonvulsants (which I took for 4 months).

I have read since then that the risk of seizure is greater than it appeared from the pre-release studies done on buproprion, but the manufacturer was not required to notify anyone when mass marketing and after-market studies showed this increase (they do warn of the risk, just not how high it is). Congress is currently working on making it mandatory that the makers report the results of after-market studies to the FDA.

If you decide to take Wellbutrin (and I would try it if I were you, in a heartbeat), you should be aware that this risk is higher than presented (I was told the chance was only 1-3% initially, a fallacy) and take precautions. People close to you should be aware that you are taking a medication that carries this risk, and be encouraged to tell you if you are behaving in ways unlike yourself. There are many types of seizure; most of them are difficult to recognize because they do not involve falling down and shaking. Any odd behavior should be reported to your prescribing doctor immediately.

Good luck with it. I hope you get the effect you are looking for without any unmanageable side effects!

Mary

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-19-2004
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 5:36pm
I am taking Effexor now and have been on Paxil I too would like more input on Wellbutrin. I am still trying to navigate the board, so I can't find the answers you received. Deb
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2002
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 7:22pm
I was on Wellbutrin once many years ago and did not think it did all that much for me... the psychiatrist kept switiching meds on me... must have been on about five meds or so since I was a child. Good luck in what you and your doctor decide what is best for you.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
Wed, 10-20-2004 - 12:54am
Hi there, Wellbutrin made me feel sick to my stomach, I was telling a friend of mine and she had the same experience. I would ask the dr about that. If it is a side effect.

I am going off Paxil and on to Effexor on Friday. Hope it works and I wish you the best. Not everyone is the same. I have acid reflux anyway, so maybe it just irritated that.

Good Luck to you!!!

lyndac
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2004
Thu, 10-21-2004 - 1:08pm

I've been on Wellbutrin for almost a year and it works really well for me. I have treatment resistant depression and this seems to be the only drug which has helped me thus far. I've been on just about every anti depressant out there. The side effects are next to none, I don't even feel any side effects, really. Good luck and I hope all the best for you in overcoming depression, its a battle, I know.

BlueJeanBaby

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2004
Fri, 10-22-2004 - 3:24pm

I've been on it for 3 weeks and I'm praying it will work for me.

Christine

CL

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2004
Sat, 10-23-2004 - 12:19pm
I got the nerve to go to a school counselor two weeks ago and just got put on Wellbutrin. I've never taken any meds before. The info I was given was that anti-depressants could take as long as 4-6 weeks to start working, but that side effects can happen right away. I know yesterday I was a bit dizzy and this morning I had a headache when I got out of bed, but that was just my first pill - ever -, so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2004
Sat, 10-23-2004 - 12:26pm
I want to add that I was also told that Wellbutrin specifically can give you an upset stomach, so you might want to eat before taking it to see if that helps. I was given a paper by my school doctor that lists side effects for antidepressants in general if anyone is interested.