Depression - Saint Peters, MO

Updated on November 20, 2006
L.K. asks from Saint Peters, MO
25 answers

Does anyone know about or have taken the anti-depressant Wellbutrin? I'm concerned about possible side effects and would like to hear about good and bad experience with this drug.

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J.T.

answers from Killeen on

I took Wellbutrin for about 2 months. I didn't have any side effects. I am off it now, because it wasn't helping me.

J. T

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P.B.

answers from Peoria on

You know what? When I have wuestions like that about a medicine, I look it up on the internet, they'll tell you everything

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S.P.

answers from Kansas City on

L.,

Unfortunately, in my experience, it's almost impossible to generalize between someone else's experience with a drug and your own. Years ago, my ex was beating on me (emotionally, not physically) so hard that I found myself sinking irreversably into a depression. I told my best friend that I was so bad that I felt like checking myself into a hospital. She rushed over with her prozac prescription to pull me out of it. Well, prozac was her miracle drug but my reaction to the drug was really bizarre. On the other hand, I was able to take xanax without problems as an occasional anxiety relief, but a girlfriend of mine became addicted to it.

I think the key is to get your meds from a psychiatrist who is very very knowledgable about medications - not your regular MD. Someone like that will closely monitor the effects of the drug, will believe everything you say about side-effects and will know the full range of drug options for you based on your reactions to drugs you've already tried. It's, unfortunately, a trial-and-error thing. The drug that works for you will be as unique as your individual chemistry.

Anyway, good luck to you.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Wichita on

I took wellbutrin when I was younger..it was the only thing that really worked for me with out making me feel really sick. I liked it a lot. At first I would get small headaches but that all went away. I have heard some people say that it effects your sex life it didn't have any effect on me what so ever when it came to that..but i know they make another type of wellbutrin in case you do have that problem.

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J.P.

answers from St. Louis on

I took Wellbutrin for years (I'm pregnant now, so stopped taking it, even though they say it's safe while prego). I always took it in the morning so it never kept me awake at night.

I had tried a few other medications before that and they all either made me feel like I had no emotions at all or made me completely lose my sex drive. One of the "selling points" of Wellbutrin XL is that there's a GREATLY reduced risk that it will effect your sex drive.

Everyone's body reacts differently to different medications, but for ME this was a lifesaver! I'll go back on it right after the baby's born.

Good luck,

J.

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J.E.

answers from St. Louis on

I took Wellbutrin for a while before and after my 1st son was born. What you really need to remember is that the meds may help correct the chemical imbalance in your brain, it won't make you depression go away on it own. You HAVE to talk to someone and face your problems. I took a varity of meds starting when I was about 14 for a very severe depression that started when I was about 8 (long story). I believe the meds helped at first, but I didn't need them as long as the dr thought I should take them. My short term memory has suffered greatly. I went off them, without asking the dr, when I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd son, I was about 17. I've been off all the meds for depression ever since and I'm now 24. The meds helped get me going in the right direction, but it was the councling that really helped. If you don't have someone to talk to that can help you keep from getting stressed out and depressed again you'll get caught in a vicious circle. I wish you the best in whatever treatment you and your doctor decide is best for you. Ultimatly it is you desicion as to what treatment you decide on. Look at ALL you options, ask your doctor and even as for a 2nd oponion. Try talking to a counicler, they can help you decide if meds is what you need or not.
Blessed Be

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B.K.

answers from Wichita on

Hi L.!
the best advice someone on here can give you is to ask your doctor what is best for you. There are too many strange problems that occur when you take any drugs that aren't right for you.
I have taken Wellbutrin and I liked it pretty well. I didnt' have any strange side effects, but that doesn't mean that you will or won't have anything weird happen to you. Good luck and I hope you getting to feeling happier soon!

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T.H.

answers from Bloomington on

I know that I would have the dr give you a trial pack... I am allergic to it... I looked funny!!! my face blew up!!!!!!!

I did that with wellbutrin and another one I forget shoot it is a common other one though...

Just know this....

Any med is going to take a good week to kick in.. Not just to show if youa re allergic to it... you may feel funny on it.. that is not allergic.. you may feel dizzy.. sleepy..just not right.. I know some who took this wellbutrin and it was like I was Drugged. It is a bit of a shock to your system.. Give it time...

Just wanted to share that with you ok.... Not scare you ok...

It does help I know several on it!!! and they are sooo happy they stuck it ou!!!!!

Good luck!!! and hope you will be good soon!!!

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M.H.

answers from Springfield on

I took Welbutrin for a few months, I personally did not like it, I could not sleep and I had no sex drive. I have taken several anti-depressants...prozac,lexapro, paxil, zoloft, all of which seemed to make me numb instead of dealing with my problems. I did take Cymbalta, it was the best by far! No iterferance with sleeping, energy, sex drive, or any side effects. It actually uses to types of chemicals to help you. You should check it out on webmd.com. If you have never been on them before, you may want to try some alternative methods as anti-depressants are hard to get off of once you start them. Analyze the reasons you think you need them, if you truly have an issue that needs treated, they will help. If you are using them to put up with other peoples poor behaviors (ie hubby or etc.) don't do it. Your feelings count no matter how others may feel about them, and AD's do mask your emotions and feelings. I generally felt numb on all of them except Cymbalta.

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K.S.

answers from Springfield on

Hi,
I'm a pharmacist in Springfield, and I take Wellbutrin XL currently. I don't have any side effects and feel like it's helping me. Its benefits include much lower risk of losing your sex drive, and it's well tolerated as opposed to Effexor. I hesitate to say this, but I feel like my sex drive has even improved! If you have a history of seizures you should consider something else (like generic Celexa, Lexapro, generic Prozac, etc.) Best wishes! K.

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L.C.

answers from Bloomington on

If you need any information on any drugs go to the website webmd.com They have any and all information on drugs and their side effects. I hope this helps.

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L.Z.

answers from Peoria on

wellbutrin is i very week drug from what i have noticed. My daughter had to take it to help her calm down enough to sleep. I havent seen any side effects of it and she has been on it for 2 years. WHat i have noticed that if she takes it she is harder to wake in the morning but that is it. well good luck.

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K.B.

answers from Champaign on

L.,
I am currently on Lexapro and have not had any problems with it other than a slight dry mouth but I can deal with that. I take this for depression. I have been on Wellbutrin to help ease the mood swings when I tried to quit smoking. However it did help with the mood swings but it did take a toll on my sex drive but gave me lost of energy which I would burn running after kids and cleaning most of the night since I couldnt sleep while on this. I have tried Paxil years ago for depression and it made me feel numb and I would not have any feeling as in happy/sad. I just felt like a big walking lump. My mother is on Zoloft and it has helped wonders with her. I also worked with a lady that took Prozac and became addicted to it and took them like candy because she loved the high she would get off it. I would talk with you doctor and weigh out the options and go from there.
K.

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J.S.

answers from Kansas City on

L.--

I work with the Postpartum Resource Center of Kansas, so this is a question we get a lot.

Wellbutrin is not the typical SSRI, like Prozac or Zoloft, so it has some unique features. The important thing to remember is that if you are not able to tolerate the effects, you should talk to your doctor.

Wellbutrin is unique in that it gives depressed people a little energy boost, which often is just enough to get them up and moving. Unfortunately, for people who have--or are--experienced anxiety, Wellbutrin can agitate them more.

Wellbutrin also curbs cravings. This is why it is sometimes used to help smokers stop smoking or overweight people stop overeating. However, with people who are having difficulty eating, as a result of depression or anxiety, the Wellbutrin can exacerbate the decrease in appetite.

Truly, like every medication, taking this is going to depend upon your symptoms and the extent to which you can tolerate its side-effects. You should discuss this with your doctor before taking the medication, so that you can be sure you have the right prescription.

Jen

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K.P.

answers from Tulsa on

Hello L. K, My mother is on Wellbutrin and seems to be doing good.. I can't think of any bad things I have heard from her on the drug but can remember when she was on it and then stopped taking it for a few months.. she starting having anxiety attacks and bad dreams and just over all bad days.. but she is now back on it and seems to be doing a whole lot better.. it is helping her stop smoking as much too :) which makes me very happy.. but I really haven't heard of any bad effects. Good luck and I sure hope you find something that works.. I bet you are under a lot of stress working full time and going to grad school.. finger's x'd that you get the assistance you need!

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C.L.

answers from Rockford on

hi i have been on lots of different anti-depressants and my doctor put me on that wellbutrin and i flipped out and ended up in the mental instiution but i know other people that have no problems on it

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A.C.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi
I have taken sevral differnet anti-depressants and had less side effects with Wellbutrin than many others. I need a pretty high dosage but it helped me very much. I also had counseling with a Psycologist, which was also VERy important and helpful.
If you are a spiritual person I would also suggest anything by Dr Wayne Dyer (you may have seen him on PBS). My library system has many of his items on VHS, DVD and audio CD. I would suggest them all (he's never done a bad program or book!), but you could start with "There is a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem".

Peace to you - A. C

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K.T.

answers from Springfield on

L.,
I just finished taking Wellbutrin while pregnant for my second child. I had a rocky year with an unfortunate traumatic accident caused by a guy unable to control his car in the rain last December. My 2yr old daughter, husband,and I found out about Jacob coming the day of the accident in the ER. He and I made it but, I had some depression issues related to recent events and another child. I just started back to work part time to see how it goes since recovering my injuries and there were many. I can only say WOW did the Welbutrin help me out and no bad effects for me. Just had to wein off of it when finishing the treatment. Go for it it makes life feel better but therapy works in addition to it or talk to us on line also. Enjoy life! It can be sortened unexpectedly! Let me know if this helps at all. Best Wishes.
Kir
PS I have a masters degree, military, full time work and mother also. I understand life's demands and would love to chat about that too, sometime.

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D.B.

answers from St. Louis on

I had a physician prescribe Wellbutrin for me to quit smoking once. Not only did I not succeed in quitting smoking but I had a lot of problems sleeping. I couldn't fall asleep or stay asleep quite often. When I did sleep I would have the most vivid, bizare dreams.

I personally would never take the medication again but I can't say that you will have the same effects. Just wanted to share my personal experience.

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J.L.

answers from Peoria on

I don't know about that one. I have been on lexapro it helped me out.

J.

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M.H.

answers from Wichita on

hi L., i'm M. and i'm here in wichita as well. my husband is stationed @mcconnell afb and i've been married for a year ..i'm 28 yrs old with 2 kids, a 3yr old and a 2mth old so do i know about some anti-depressants....oh god yes...wellbutrin helped out alot with my smoking...i went from a pack and a half aday to 2 cigarettes a day. i used it during my pregnancies...then after i had my children i continued to use it and it stopped helping with my smoking but it definitely kept me from laying in the bed all day...it kinda hyped me up and had me on the go from sun up to sun down. to some that may be a good thing to others it may be horrible...but with 2 kids and husband to clean after and chase around it helped.

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J.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I took Wellbutrin while on other medication for weight loss and only experienced dry mouth. My doctor even said it increases your libido!! Good luck!!

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L.D.

answers from Kansas City on

My husband was on the Wellbutrin for awhile but had problems sleeping too. So he quit taking it. Last year when I lost my dad in a house fire, the doc put me on Lexapro. It's the best thing I've ever taken. I've stayed on it for my mid-level OCD. Absolutely no side effects that I've noticed and I tend to be very sensitive to medications of any sort, even herbs. It has made an awesome difference in my life. So if you want to ask your doc about an alternative to the Wellbutrin, I wholeheartedly recommend the Lexapro.

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B.S.

answers from Tulsa on

I am taking wellbutrin right now. I just switched from effexor...so far so good. I take it for GAD (generalized anxiety disorder)the good thing is that it magically made me stop wanting to smoke! Effexor gave me so many bad side effects...sweating, nightmares, all kinds of weird stuff. so far the only side effect I have had with Wellbutrin is occational dizziness. I have been on it for 2 months now. The dizziness is getting better too. My sex drive came back, and I am not as big of a train wreck as I used to be.

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J.T.

answers from Topeka on

My mom was on that and she did okay with it. I am also been diagnosed with depression but i was put on paxil. all i can say it try www.webmd.com.

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