Wellbutrin

My doc just put me on it about a week ago. 150mg once per day for 7 days, then 300mg once per day. So far, it seems to be working pretty well. Thoughts? Experiences? Comments? Rumors? TIA.

 

One of my friends was on it when we were in college. She was recovering from Lyme disease, and depression is a symptom. Anyways, it did wonders for her. The only thing is that her dr. let her stay on it for years. It can become addictive if used long term. It was pretty hard for her to go off of it.

From what I understand, it is the same thing as Zyban. I have known a couple of people who got prescriptions for it in order to quit smoking because Zyban wasn't covered by insurance. It worked for 1 person, but not the other.

You've been through a lot lately Hasbeens. I hope it helps you to start feeling more like your old self again.

 

Thanks, WW. I appreciate the feedback.

This is definitely not something I want to have to stay on for a long period of time. I'm just hoping I can build some positive momentum, get in better shape, and then my body should be okay on its own again. Hopefully. I have heard that weaning off antidepressants can be a real bastard, though. Oh, well. I'll deal with that if/when it presents itself. Until then, I'm just trying to get better. So far, it's working, and I'm happy about that. I'm also happy about the 10 pounds I've lost over the last couple of months. Hopefully I can keep that going, too.

 

Regular Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR (sustained release) or Wellbutrin XL (extended release)?

If the doc went up in steps like that, it's probably 300mg of XL (little round white pill with black writing on it.)

Wellbutrin is actually an old antidepressant that was pushed aside when the SSRI's (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft etc... ) came around. But in recent years, it has become popular again.

A lot of people have great success with Wellbutrin. (It makes me shake like a whore in Sunday School! I tried the Zyban to stop smoking.) Bupropion is the proper name for it. If it's ordered for depression, it's called Wellbutrin. It it's ordered to help you stop smoking, it's sold under the trade name Zyban.

The major risk with Wellbutrin is that it lowers the seizure threshold which is usually not a problem for people with no history of seizures, but just be aware of the potential.

 

It's not a controlled substance and any medication with addiction potential is under The Controlled Substances Act.

 

HB, I'm glad you've found something that's helped you out. Yes you have been through a lot in the last 6 months or so......

BTW, I'm not sure if I've mentioned this, but about 2 years ago I was put on an ADHD medicine (not officially diagnosed with it though) and as much as I tried to get off of it a couple of times, I found I couldn't. I am proud to say I have been off of it for 4 weeks now and have come to the realization that it wasn't going back to school that sent me over the edge, but my job itself. As much as I hate to say it, I was feeling a lot of anxiety over the job, and with the new one, I don't feel that at all. We'll see how long this lasts......I have confidence that I can do it.

BUT anyways, I'm glad we've got someone like Fred who can help fill us in on these medications. Kinda like having an insider! LOL

 

I took it for awhile several years ago

couldn't tell if it made a difference or not - quit taking it without any problems

one side effect is supposed to be insomnia - but since I'm a night owl any way I never noticed any difference

some people I know that take it/took it swear by it

 

I guess addictive was the wrong term. I just meant that depending on the doses, and circumstances, people can have a hard time, emotionally, coming off of it. In my friend's case, she had to stop taking it when she wanted to start a family. Eventhough she came off slowly, and under a physician's care, her hormones still had a hard time adjusting to being off of it.

 

Great news about the weight loss HB! It's hard to lose weight any time of year, but especially during the holidays. Keep up the good work One thing I am curious about. Did your doctor mention weight gain as being a possible side effect? I don't know about Wellbutrin, but I do know that it is a side effect of a lot of antidepressants.

 

Yep, it's Wellbutrin XL.

Yeah, my doc mentioned the Zyban association.

He mentioned that, too. He said that he'd start me on 150mg then bump me up to 300mg which was the "normal dosage for a guy my size". He said the max dosage was 450mg, but "that high or any higher and you start running the risk for seizures". As both my parents have experienced seizures by different triggers, I'm sure my doc is going to lean toward being conservative with me.