Wellbutrin

[Reese777]

Does anyone here take Wellbutrin? Are you pleased with it?

I have been having "issues" lately and my doc put me on 150 mgs of Wellbutrin a day....makes me a bit nervous taking it, but I'm starting to think that me starting something like this is long over due...

:(

[Reese777]

Bumping

[story1267]

Reese, I don't take it but my DD does and has for several years. It does seem to help her. Also my brother took it for a while while he was quitting smoking and it helped him as well.

I guess it all depends on your reasons for taking it. There are many similar items on the market and one may be better for your particular situation than another.

One warning though is to never take too much at one time. My DX took it for a while and nearly gave himself an embolism - he was supposed to take it twice a day and he was taking it all at once. He got a really severe headache - we went to the ER, he had a CT scan and everything.

Sometimes we need a little help and I'm all for "better living through pharmaceuticals" when the need is apparent.

HTH!

[eaglobo]

Reese,

While I'm not on Wellbutrin, per se, I feel completely comfortable in sharing the fact that I have been on Zoloft since November of 1999, and will be on it for life, due to family history of depression, which has claimed the life of one of my brothers and my father, while a 2nd brother is in a constant state of crisis simply because he won't take his meds.

So what, I have to take a small little pill in the morning, it doesn't define me. What does define me is how I live my life in relation to my condition.

I exercise (obviously, or I wouldn't be on Cathe forums...:7 ) have given up alcohol, and those people who I would only associate while drinking.

The lifestyle changes I have made have made me a better husband, employee, and friend, there is simply no shame in taking medication, trust me, but that alone won't get you where you want, you have to incorporate exercise, and since you as well are on these forums, I am assuming you do!

I have 9+ years of experience on these meds, please fell free to PM me anytime.

[Beth11]

I took it several years ago, and stopped because it was giving me bronchial spasms. Weird feeling - the doc first thought I'd come down with adult onset asthma. Also, as another poster indicated, taking too much can have negative consequences. I accidentally doubled my dose (a low one, by the way) a couple of times and it made me dizzy and sick to my stomach.

Other people may do fine with it, but it taught me the need to be very careful with dosages, etc.

Beth

[beccajanern]

Hi Reese,

I have battled depression for years. Like Jerry, I have a very strong family history of it. Mine was compounded by the fact that I had severe post-partum depression after the birth of my third son.

Wellbutrin was one of many several anti-depressants I tried. It did not work well with my body. I don't say that to scare you, just to say give it a good two to three weeks and see how you do. If the side effects are too much for you to handle, or you don't feel like you are gettting better, then let your Dr. know. There are many other kinds that may be better suited for your body chemistry.

I am currently not taking any meds because my DH and I have prayed about it and we do not feel that is what God would have me do. My side effects were so horrible with the meds that I became suicidal. Again, that is just me and I truly beleive that meds are one of the many tools that God gives us to deal with this disease. God is healing me in other ways. I know that it is not His plan that I would be buried in a pit of depression.

I applaud you for seeking help in this situation! That is the first step to recovery.

[melanalyus]

I've been on for about 5 weeks. Works for me. :D

~Melanie~

Jadon born 11/23/05
Justin born 1/17/04
Jory born 4/9/94

[CollinsMom]

Like Jerry, I have been on anxiety/depression meds for several year, and may be for the rest of my life. Clinical depression is a serious illness and often responds very well to treatment -- either medication, lifestyle changes, therapy, or all of the above.

Currently I take Zoloft and that is the medication that seems to work best for me. I did try Wellbutrin recently and it was not right for me, but has helped many many people.

As others have said, be careful to take the medication exactly as your doctor prescribed, and make sure you let him or her know how it is working for you. If it does not work, please be patient and do not give up. Finding the right medication can take some time and patience!

[librarydiva]

I have been on Wellbutrin since my marriage dissolved in 2005. It has been a tremendous help. I have had chronic clinical depression all my life and after experiencing the side effects of other antidepressants in the past (weight gain, no libido, dry mouth, etc.) I had sworn off them and was not excited about the idea of trying the Wellbutrin when my therapist suggested it. However, I was clearly at a crisis point in my life where I was in desperate need of some help so I agreed to try it. It has worked really, really well for me. I experience NO side effects from it and it keeps me feeling like myself, a fact both I and my boyfriend appreciate! I too have many family members with chronic depression and I would not be surprised if I stay on Wellbutrin long-term.

The idea of taking a medication can seem like a scary step. But it does not indicate an absence of willpower or moral weakness. It's just a chemical imbalance in your brain that needs to be fixed just as you'd need to take insulin if you had Type I diabetes.

My therapist was also the first dr. EVER to diagnose me with severe anxiety and I take medication for that daily as well--- and it has revolutionized my life. For 18 years I was unable to drive a car due to panic attacks. I no longer suffer from them, and I can drive and do many things I was unable to do in the past. For me, these medications have been a true blessing. My life is so much richer and fuller now that I am not hampered by depression and anxiety and I feel so blessed to be here to enjoy my beautiful son, my satisfying career, and my new relationship. Not to mention feeling well enough to work out with Cathe!

I wish you all the best in your quest for wellness!

Cheers!

-Karen:-)

[maddiesmum]

I took Wellbutrin for anxiety and depression for one and half years. I started at low dose and after a year doubled it. Neither did anything beneficial for me at all. What I did notice and hate was the terrible insomnia and vivid dreams I suffered for the first month as my body got used to the drug. I got past that and would have stayed on it if it had actually done anything positive for me. But to tell you the truth, I do better with hard, consistent exercise and regular sweaty treadmill sessions. I am fitter now and saving money I used to waste on both drugs and therapy, which also proved useless.

Clare