Today and yesterday I've felt a bit better... And by that I mean not on the verge of tears. I still don't feel what I should, but at least this is a step in the right direction.

aliquot, you said you're taking a generic wellbutrin? I had a bad experience with Tiva company's version. I had been taking the name brand, then the pharmacy switched me to that brand. I thought I was going crazy. Check out the People's Pharmacy website to read stories from people who experienced this. If you're not feeling better in a few days, I would contact my doctor to try to get another prescription. Still, it could just be taking a while to kick in. I hope you do feel better soon!

Thanks Laurie. I've been feeling better, but not HAPPY. I don't know if I'm really supposed to feel happy though, but I don't really feel different than I did before either way. Doc said I could switch to 2 150mg in the morning instead of 1 in the morning and 1 at night so I may try that.

I had a very similar experience when I started on it (generic XL version). I was taking 150mg in the morning, and while I did feel much more sane and stable, I just didn't feel happy. I could remember feeling happy and I knew where I wanted to get to, but I just wasn't there. I think I was two months in when I switched to 300mg, also one pill in the morning.

That made all the difference! After a couple more weeks it was like I could breathe again - I felt light and free and happy. It was amazing.

I've been on that dose 7-8 months and I'm still doing pretty good. I still have some bad days, and occasionally a rocky week - like this week I'm rather irritable, but everyone goes through that.

I wish I could say the wellbutrin was helping me take off some of the weight. I put on about 15lbs when the dr put me on celexa. They switched me because my weight was just going up and up. That was in about a month. I've been on the welbutrin for about 5 months now. It really helps me stay focused and I don't have that hopeless feeling. The medication really helped me think straight to make some big changes in my life. I don't think "it" makes you happy, but the focus and clear thinking make the happiness possiable. I've been on several different ones until they could find one that didn't give me awful side effects. I'm just happy I don't drive to work wanting to cry anymore... of course I did quit that job and have a much better one now. It's like an abusive relationship... you don't realize how bad things are until you are away from it and can evaluate.

I hit the gym about 4 to 5 days a week... workout for about 90 hard minutes. Going to have to do some serious calorie counting and hope that gets it under control.

Anyone get worse before getting better? When I started I basically cried for about 3 days straight...now I upped to 300mg and the same thing is happening...

I'm on a minuscule dosage (75mg) due to concern of sparking mania (I'm bipolar, so anti-depressants are tricky). For me, at least, the first month or two on Wellbutrin turned me into a rapid-cycling monster. I flew from rage to despondency crazy fast. Now I only take it every other day, and things have evened out.

It sounds like you had the same reaction before? Maybe hang in there and see if it gets better. Good luck!

I was CRAZY when I was first on it. Paranoia, anxiety, delusional, overly emotional, crying, couldnt sleep, pacing, out of it, etc. But after about 4 days, the fog "lifted" and I felt amazing! I barely notice a difference anymore....I just feel like "me".

I will say that I've been on about 10-15 different meds for depression and anxiety for the last 10 years. My first med was Prozac and it was a WONDER drug when I first went on it! I realized after about 8-9 months that it didn't work for my anymore and learned this was fairly common. After struggling with meds for years with a doctor, I got to a breaking point, and a psychologist recommended me to a psychiatrist. BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE. If any of you are stuggling with your meds, and you aren't already, go find one! It's well worth the money!

My new doc has tried a couple different "cocktails" for me, and once we found one that worked well, I stayed on it until my body evened out and I didn't feel miserable all the time - I was taking Wellbutrin, Lexapro, and Clonapin. Those of you having trouble sleeping - adding 5 mg of Clonapin was a savior for me!

Once I felt on top of the world, he slowly started weening me off and taking the levels of everything down. I went off the Clonapin first and we did that for 2 months, then he lowered the doses and finally took me off the lexapro. Being an anxious/irritable person, I could immediately tell a difference without the lexapro - I felt like an irritable, anxious maniac!

I expressed this to him, so he put me back on a low dose... long story short, the wellbutrin XL (300 mg) and Lexapro (25 mg, I think!) are great for me!

Those of you getting help and dealing with this horrible disease - good for you! I've found in the last 10 years that it is nothing to be ashamed of, and it is MY responsibility to go to the doctor and be 100% honest with him to help me help myself!

Keep your chins up - once you get the meds right - you'll feel like new chicks!

After dealing with depression for far too long I am back on Wellbutrin. I am starting at 150 XL (generic and yes I know it's not as good but works for me). I will most likely be moved up to 300 XL.

I'm in the honeymoon phase as it's called. I feel wonderful and happy and motivated and not hungry! I was able to deal with the stress at work. I can only hope this continues after the first couple of weeks.

I also got a referral to a psychologist (reg. doc gave me the prescription for wellbutrin).

I am excited and for once....I am hopeful.

I hope everyone finds whatever works for them and remember there is hope! ^_^

Man, I wish I had a "honeymoon phase"... :\

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents, for what its worth. I am Bipolar and primarily take Lamictal. I was also taking Wellbutrin (150mg) , since I still felt some depression. I had been taking the Wellbutrin and not doing very well then I found a new pdoc who diagnosed the bipolar and added the Lamictal (best move of my life). After reaching a level dose of Lamictal, she removed the Wellbutrin. This happened last November. I started getting depressed again, so she put the Wellbutrin back in and I felt great.

Now, spring comes along and I started not feeling not so great anymore. The problem is that the weather is warmer and the sun comes out more, so it's like light therapy and I started feeling better. I talked to my pdoc and we lowered the Wellbutrin to 75 mg. So far, it is working for me. I feel good without feeing too good, if you know what I mean.

Sorry to ramble on, but I wanted to share this, just to say that sometimes weather can make a difference. I never would have considered it before, but now I realize that it's something to consider.

I was going through this forum to get some feedback on Wellbutrin, and wondered from post to post if someone was talking about Wellbutrin XL or SR. My Dr. said there is a big difference between the XL and SR, with the Wellbutrin XL being the better one for speeding up the metabolism, therefore helping with weight loss.

GR8 - I am on Wellbutrin XL. Also, I am not aware of any scientific published data supporting the theory that Wellbutrin actually speeds up your metabolism, so your doctor needs to start reading up on the literature. The consensus in the scientific community is that Wellbutrin can help you lose weight through "improved appetite regulation, decreased food cravings, or improved motivation".

Reference: Anderson JW, Greenway FL, Fujioka K, Gadde KM, McKenney J, O'Neil PM. Bupropion SR enhances weight loss: a 48-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Obes Res. 2002;10(7):633–641.

Let me rephrase that. Since other AD's have a tendency to slow down the metabolism therefore making it nearly impossible to lose weight, Wellbutrin XL does not slow the metabolism down. I took Wellbutrin SR about 3 years ago and gained 10 lbs. in 2 weeks because of cravings, whereas I know at least one person that started Paxil over 10 years ago and lost weight, made it to goal and is still maintaining that weight loss today.
Each person is still different and you just have to know your body and what works for you. You also have to find a Dr. who is willing work with you.

I have been on wellbutrin for depression for 5 months and went from 197 to 160...... Im active so as fast as that sounds, im healthy and doing great. Im much better socially beacuse of the meds and much more pleasent to be around!!!!

I've been on the Wellbutrin 300mg QD since February and I've lost 30 lbs now. :-)

Turns out I lost 20lbs in 3 months on Wellbutrin... went off it after getting pregnant, miscarried (totally unrelated), but have kept the weight off, even though I haven't gone back on the meds. Haven't needed them, but would go back on in a heartbeat if I started feeling depressed again.

Hello friends, A friend of mine recomended that I see my GP for depression. I've been married for 22 years. Lately the marriage has had alot of issues, and I'm feeling depressed. The husband told me I'm to heavy and he's not attracted to me like this. Its so hard, I fight back depression, which makes me want to just eat. I need to do something soon. Its getting out of my control. Is Welbutrin good for depression, and will it cause me to gain wt?
Thanks
Zinger

I'm on wellbutrin 300mg and without it I don't want to get out of bed in the morning or do anything at all. When I first started it, I couldn't sleep without a sleep aid because it REALLY increased my anxiety. I can finally sleep without help (though melatonin helps). I do think it helped me to lose the weight I have lost so far, but mainly because it helps me to function.

Wellbutrin has really helped me get thru some hard times; though I don't really like taking medication, so use it until I'm back on track and then go off again. I definitely feel like W has helped me lose weight... not sure if it's the drug or just that I no longer feel like crap and eat all day long. Being depressed and gaining weight are a vicious cycle for me. Hope that helps!

Hi,
My understanding is that Wellbutrin is the one anti depressant that does NOT cause weight gain. As always I would encourage you to ask your doctor. Good luck.
Sheridan

Which Wellbutrin are you taking?

I have almost completed my first month on Wellbutrin and it's helped me in about a million different ways. I rarely have cravings and when I do they're little more than passing thoughts. Wellbutrin can contribute to insomnia and exacerbate anxiety, both of which are problems that I've had pretty much my whole life. But with the Wellbutrin helping me control my obsessive thoughts, I'm calmer and am able to sleep better. As a result I've been able to exercise better and I don't eat to stay awake/because I'm stressed. I've lost 14 pounds this month and I still have 4 days until my next weigh in!

Hi, I'm on both Celexa and Wellbutrin. They both work differently and can work well together. Celexa is somewhat sedating and should ideally be taken in the evening. I take my Wellbutrin in the morning.

Celexa works on the serotonin levels in the brain, whereas Wellbutrin works on the norepinephrine and dopamine levels.

I'm not a physician, so please don't take this as medical advice, but I've been on antidepressants for a couple of years with good results.

Take good care of yourself!

Weight loss plateau is the worst
 

Wellbutrin was a miracle for me too. :carrot:

I work FT now, 2 jobs, so for me its lack of time to exercise that is my Roadblock to losing weight any faster.:dizzy::dizzy:

Its like Molasses in January currently for my weight loss speed.:snowglo::brr::snowglo::brr::bat:

I work 2 jobs because my 1st job which is a FT job doesnt quite pay me enough to survive here in CA, USA.:?::(:mad:

I am also agoraphobic so cant move to a cheaper state ever....:(

When I do have the time i do love to take walks at night following dinner. I really miss lap swimming though.:swim:

I dont like commuting to at he pool and they changed the class from Free Lap Swim to some weird class like Accelerated Swimming which i have Not a clue as to what that entails and dont wish to reg and then have to drop the class if I cant swim my heart out.:p

So Wellbutrin for me is working well. I have energy to work 2 jobs. I eat less. Sometimes I even forget to eat a meal until i feel dizzy and almost pass out, oopsy...:p

But still need to drop 40 Lbs.....:?: