New here...Wellbutrin advice?
 

Hi all! I've been reading all these posts like a fiend and am so happy I found this website! It seems like a great place to find support and answers to questions. Here's mine:

I've been on generic prozac for several months now. I've definitely noticed some not-so-pleasant side effects, including a lowered libido and inability to lose weight (and boy, is it way too easy to gain it!). I've been doing research, and am ready to talk to my doctor about switching to Wellbutrin, but I wanted to see if others on this site have used it, and what they thought.

Any information would be great!! Thanks everyone in advance.

I am currently on Celexa and had some weight gain from it so I asked my doctor about Welbutrin also. I tried it for about a week and couldn't sleep AT ALL!!! I was so jittery and anxious. BUT,,,,I know others who take Welbutrin and love it since there are NOT the weight gain issues. Can't hurt to try...Good luck

I took Wellbutrin for about a year and never had any problem with weight gain. Didn't lose any weight on it, but didn't gain any either. Libido has never been an issue for me ( :D ) so I can't really speak to that.

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I've been on Wellbutrin for about 5 years. I find it works quite well for my depression but I did fell very anxious when taking it. So I was put on Celexa to help that and it did.

I do feel better, although still with some bad days (but no really stay in bed with the lights out kind of days).

Having said this, I think meds., especially for depression, are very specific for whom they work. So, what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.

Also, I believe that depression meds. only work for a period of time. I've been on at least 6 different ones that I thought were working only to find in a year or two they weren't. I've been on Wellbutrin longer than any other and it seems to continue to work.

Hope this helps and good luck with your decision. :hug:

Thanks everyone for your input! I guess I'll just talk to my doc and try it out for myself...you're right about every anti-depressant working differently for each person, and I've heard many different things about Wellbutrin.


I too was on Celexa for a couple years, and for some reason decided I needed to wean myself off of it and try to go it alone. Worked for awhile, but got those old feelings back, so I tried Prozac. Definitely going to try something new now...my boyfriend agrees!!! ;)

Hi there... I am on Wellbutrin and have been for nearly 15 months. I was originally put on it for anxiety but apparently it impacts depression as well. I had a bit of an upset tummy (was warned this could happen) for a few weeks and actually lost about 4 pounds, but after that the tummy issues were over. My dreams got more vivid, but not frightening or anything that caused an issue.

I was on Celexa some years ago and gained weight (14 pounds) in about 5 months despite aggressively following WW. It just really caused issues for me.

I really like the Wellbutrin. If someone had told me about it years ago, I'd have been on it much sooner! Thank goodness for my Doc who listened to my fears about weight gain.

I am new here but not so new to these medications. I work in the healthcare field. I too am on fluoxetine (generic prozac) and my doc put me on wellbutrin to help with the side effects ie "libido". They work really well together. Hope this helps.

Wellbutrin has worked miracles for me... I lost weight when I went on it but I was following WW at the time so I'm sure it was a combination of the two. In any case it has not made me anxious and my life has changed so much from this drug... I am also on mood stabilizers as I am bipolar but Wellbutrin kicked my depression to the curb. :)

Hope that helps!

I Wuv my Wellbutrin XL
 

I have been taking Wellbutrin XL for a year now. Prior to that I had tried Elavil, Celexa, Zoloft and Paxil. I changed to the Wellbutrin after many years on the Paxil. I asked for the change because I found I was "flatlined" on Paxil. I felt basically numb and I had um...no um...mojo so to speak.

I love the Wellbutrin. It has taken me a long time though to learn to deal with actually feeling anything again. I am not depressed, but I am back to normal so to speak, when it comes to the ability to become angry or sad or anxious. Paxil definitely addressed the anxiety better, but my doc gives me a limited number of Ativan to use if the anxiety gets to bad. I have used 12 since January, as I have tried to find non-medicated ways to cope with the anxiety. BTW the sex drive has returned (TMI?)

I haven't had any trouble losing weight on Wellbutrin, in fact since I changed over, the increase in energy, and lack of that feeling of just "sleepwalking" through the day, has helped me get more motivated than before.

I have never attributed my weight gain to any of the several medications I take, I have attributed it to overeating and drinking to compensate for the depression and lack of good pain management. I don't think I have ever suddenly packed on a number of pounds for no reason based on starting a new meds.

No such thing as TMI on this site!!! :carrot:

So I started the Wellbutrin a few days ago, and I swear already I feel a difference. A bit more energy, definitely. Hopefully in a few weeks I'll be feeling the full effects.

I too struggled with a low libido while on fluoxetine...and that's depressing in itself!!! My poor boyfriend doesn't understand that it has nothing to do with him, and everything to do with the stupid side effects of my medication.

So we're both excited to see the outcome to this!

I've put my dieting on hold for a little bit until I see the results. It's just so hard to be motivated when you have no energy to do anything at all, much less exercise.

Hopefully in a few weeks I'll be back on plan. Wish me luck everyone!! And thanks for all the wonderful feedback :hug:

Hi !

I had an appt with a new Doc today. She took me off the prozac,40 lbs weight gain, and on wellbutrin xr 150 twice a day. I haven't had it filled yet. No matter what if this med works and I can lose some weight I'll pay the cash for it. Anyone know how much it may cost me tomorrow? LOL.

Thanks
Kelly

I also had a very difficult time sleeping on the prozac. Sigh. i hope this one isn't as bad.

Kelly

Hi Kelly,... I don't know where you are, but I'm in Canada... Cost is about $120 for 90 and I take one 300 XL per day. It's the only medication I'm on, so other than antibiotics, I can't say if that's a lot compared to other daily meds or not.

Thank you. Here, Detroit area, is 80 dollars for one month of the 150 twice a day. Ugh. But if it works I don't care.
Thanks for the input!

Kelly

I have taken both Wellbutrin and Prozac, and them in combination.

Prozac = weight gained for me. I took it for 10 years and over that 10 years gained 60 pounds. BUT, it helped my mood so I stayed on it. I could lose weight via Weight Watchers while on Prozac, but it was hard.

Wellbutrin = weight loss/no weight gain. It sped up my metabolism so I could eat whatever I wanted and not gain, and as soon as I cut down my food intake I began losing weight EASILY. However, having said that, I would never take Wellbutrin again because I was a wreck on it -- anxious, BAD skin, hair fell out. It wasn't worth the weight loss. And I can't believe I am saying that, but it really wasn't.

Prozac/Wellbutrin combo = nothing different. Just felt like I was taking Prozac alone.

It could be all different for you (and probably would be, the bad skin and hair falling out aren't that common), so it's worth a try. Depends on if your problem is depression or anxiety.

~Choirgirl~

I was on Wellbutrin for a short period of time, but suffered severe reactions from it. It felt like there was a tight rubberband around the back part of my tongue, and I got all these little welts on the inside of my mouth, my mouth tasted metallic, and I had a rash all over my body. It took a while for the symptoms to go away because it stays in the system for a while. I was terrified. I have never heard anyone else who's had a reaction like that, but just so you know. They said I might have been an allergic reaction to the coating.

Right now because of my OCD and depression I'm on 40 mg Prozac, 100 mg clomipramine, and 0.5 mg clonazepam.

I"m on day three of my wellbutrin and so far so good. No reactions, yet. I have noticed that I'm not picking at food all day. The junk at work. Or maybe it's in my head, lol

I'm on Wellbutrin now & have been on Celexa in the past. I think Celexa worked the best for me out of anything I've tried. But, if I never had sex again for as long as I lived, I think I would have been ok with that. Hubby was not so much into that plan, so I had to quit Celexa. I've been on Wellbutrin for almost 2 years. Libido went way up. Hubby used to remind me to take my happy sex pills.

I used to take the twice a day pills. The only major side effect for me was not being able to sleep. But I figured out that there was no insomnia if I absolutely did not take the second pill after 2:30 in the afternoon. I'm on the XL once a day now & haven't had any problems.

I've been on Wellbutrin for over a year. Prior to that I was on the highest dose of Paxil. My mother died May before last and that really affected me. I was staying in bed and just sleeping. By August, I was having a very difficult time even making it to work.

My physician put me on Wellbutrin and I had to start tapering the Paxil. I had some withdrawal symptoms due to the Paxil, but they only lasted around a week. The Wellbutrin made me feel great. I no longer stayed in bed all day. Occasionally, I have some depression, but at least I am out of bed.
Also, it has given me more energy than I had before. My appetite went away for awhile and what is good about that is that I stopped gaining weight. Prior to the Wellbutrin, I gained 30 pounds after my mom's passing. That came off and I am at my present weight.

I do get very minor anxiety attacks, but these dissipate with deep breathing and a short walk.

I asked my doctor if he could think of something else for me to try, instead of the Lexapro I had been on. My problems were that I still had vague suicidal thoughts, and had no ambition to do something about my shape.

He suggested Wellbutrin 150XL, once a day dosage. I felt a difference in a couple of weeks, and was finally able to really commit to exercise and eating well. I made the switch in late January/early February of this year; and by late July had lost many pounds and inches because :carrot:

Oh wow, an entire group of welbutrin users, I am in heaven. LOL

I got put on Welbutrin about 6 weeks ago, 100mg (sr) and I have lost 11 pounds, and I have been able to get out of bed in the mornings and actually move. Before I was awake until 5 am and sleeping until 10 am, and damn with two kids that just isn't right!

I have depression, but the overlying issue of borderline personality disorder and major stressors in my life atm.

I would reccomend Welbutrin to anyone. However, though I did not suffer any side effects, I am am pretty sure I have never suffered a side effect of any drug, so that sort od negates that issue.

Posted earlier:

"I had an appt with a new Doc today. She took me off the prozac,40 lbs weight gain, and on wellbutrin xr 150 twice a day. I haven't had it filled yet. No matter what if this med works and I can lose some weight I'll pay the cash for it. Anyone know how much it may cost me tomorrow? LOL.

Thanks
Kelly"

Kelly:

If you're paying out-of-pocket, ask for the "regular" Wellbutrin as opposed to the "XR". You will be able to get generic Wellbutrin which will bring down the cost tremendously.

Oftentimes, when a drug becomes available in generic form, the drug company will make an extended release form (XR, XL), which won't be available generically for several years.

While it is certainly more convenient to take one or two pills a day rather than three or four, if you must pay for your prescriptions in full, then you may want to consider the regular Wellbutrin (in generic form).

Peace,
Julia

I have been on Wellbutrin for about 10 months now I think? I started seeing a doc back in January because of significant behavior issues... they diagnosed me with Adult ADD. I was also on the brink of being homeless with my twins at that time, so I cried in the first visit and she gave me Wellbutrin lol. I've been taking both for quite a while... recently bumped both meds up slightly... but I have a lot of stress and heart ache going on again in my life now... so who knows. I haven't cried in forever, and over the past few days I have teared up real easy, cried on the cell phone in the grocery store today and currently can barely open my eyes because I cried so much tonight I have swollen eye lids lol. Bad. But that's not the norm since being on these meds.

I haven't seen weight loss from either med... but I have cut way back on my smoking. Thank you, Wellbutrin.

Ive never been on wellbutrin, but am on edronax at the moment and am noticing its a lot harder to lose weight. Maybe wellbutrin would be worth a go!

And Im amazed at how expensive anti depressants are for people in some countries. Here I think full price is around $25 - $30. I pay a maximum of $5 for mine because Im on a health care card....

Cost of Wellbutrin
 

gosh, I had to pay for my Wellbutrin refill the other day, because there was a problem with Rite Aid's system taking my flex-spending card...it is $60.00 for me.

I was on Wellbutrin for years with absolutely no side effects. I gained weight, but in all honesty, I cannot attribute it to Wellbutrin. I ate a lot, and whenever I wanted (well that's why I slowly ballooned up to 208 lbs).
I recall that a 90 day supply of 100 mg (I was only on 100 mg once a day) was about $90 or $96 but I get it all paid for by insurance (through my work benefits) so all I paid was $2. I am in Canada, too.

I can't remember who asked about cost, but there's a website out there that helps with prescription costs in the US. You have to meet income guidelines, but otherwise its pretty sensible. Its www.needymeds.com. While the programs usually go directly through the manufacturer, this website just keeps a list of what all is available. There is a page for Wellbutrin. :)

Take care!

like 2 years ago i was on Wellbutrin and it helped me lose 37 pounds. I was also on Effexor. I went off of both of them....trying to get pregnant........I tried a few months ago to go back on Wellbutrin with Celexa, but the Wellbutrin caused me irritability and anxiety, etc.....
Talk to your doctor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was on 40mg Celexa for 2 years and gained 100 pounds. It turned me into a numb, carb-binging eating machine. I had a terrible reaction to it, but I also had a very terrible doctor who thought that as long as I didn't feel depressed, everything was fine. Not feeling anything at all wasn't a problem, apparently.

Three years ago though I switched doctors and was put on 200 mg of Wellbutrin instead, and it's fantastic. I have felt 100% normal since then. I still have a sex drive :) and I haven't had any depression symptoms and my eating returned to normal.

So, with the right psychiatrist and supervision, Wellbutrin can be great. But a good doc can help you find the right medication. I take a generic version of the 200 mg SR - and my insurance is good so I pay about $15 a month.

I've been on Wellutrin for about 6 year or so. I had been taking 300mg a day. When things fell apart for me last year, my dr lowered it to 150 and added 200mg of Zoloft. The combination works pretty well for me. Occasionally I wonder if something else would work better but I don't want to deal with the "trying it out" period so for now I'm going to stick with this. I've also taken Effexor, I felt really good on it but my husband said it gae me a total personality change. Didn't do well on Paxil, it made me throw up. Cymbalta did nothing for me. I think that's all the ones I've tried. It is a huge struggle to figure out a med or meds combo that works for you and then when you addd in weight issues it just further complicates it. But I know I could not function without them so I have to figure out a way for us all to coexist in peace, if you will, LOL!

wellbutrin dosage
 

I made a switch from zoloft to wellbutrin recently. I don't think the wellbutrin is working as well for the depression, and have been considering upping the dosage, as my doc suggested after a trial period. I do find if I take the drug later in the day it makes my too jittery and I can't sleep, so I will have to get advice from my doc about the best way to increase the dosage.
The upside is that I am not getting bladder infections since the switch.
The ssri's have a tendency to cause mild to moderate urinary retention, but since I had surgery to correct my incontinence, it works too well and I was getting repeated uti's.
I don't think my weight gain was due to the meds. I was gaining over the years before I started, and there was no change in my weight after going to the wellbutrin. I think its all up to me from here on in.
I hope that when I settle out of perimenopause and the hormones get stable again, that my depression will improve and I can go off the meds.
thanks for your stories everyone.
fatmad

Hi everyone,
I just noticed something with being on the wellbutrin. I actually feel full after eating a normal portion. I was on paxil for 3 years and switched to wellbutrin in Aug. While on paxil the only time I ever felt full was after eating so much that I was almost sick but the other day I got full and couldn't finish what was on my plate. I just find it interesting and that would explain why I've been able to lose 14lbs without feeling like I did anything.
I was just excited and wanted to share a positive.
Take care,
K

I've taken both Prozak and Wellbrutin, and found that the latter made me manic, whereas the former made me depressed. Antidepressants are like anything: not every type is right for everyone. Just keep in mind that any prescribed mood adjustment drug can take about three months to take full effect. It's obviously hard to be patient when you feel like you're suffering, but the wait can be more than worth it when you find the right medication.