Bupropion

[Sapper1]

As far as therapy goes, I'm a firm believer in counseling of some sort. VA, psychiatrist, etc. I've been going for a few years and as hard as it was to go, and as much as I hated it, it works. It's a very slow process and takes a lot of hard work but it will help.
As fat as drugs go, I was completely against it. I did not want to rely on or mask the problem, I wanted to fix it. However, a few months ago I was prescribed bupropion (Wellbutrin) to quit smoking. As it does work for smoking I couldn't help but realize how many of my ptsd symptoms have dissipated. I'm not bouncing around giggling all day, but for once on over 11yrs I actually feel normal! SO, my mind has changed on the drug issue. I still continue to go to counseling and I still work on becoming a better person, father, husband. It's like this bupropion takes the major edge away though. The beginning minor side effects are a little agitating but after a few weeks I don't feel any different. Just NORMAL! Anyone else ever use this or have this effect from something else?

 

[OldDoorGunner]

Sapper, I have been on 5-6 meds, one was bupropion, made me sick. But that is normal, some work very well, on others not so good. I use Alprazolam (Xanax) only one that worked. Something you may want to think about is looking up the drugs you are given and checking their side affects......Some of this stuff is nasty, like the one I am on. So I keep an eye on it and feel OK in using it. It's a give and take deal on the side affects.

J R

 

[JarHed]

I was on wellbutrin for depression for a while. It was helpful. Just be mindful of the fact that if and when you are going to be taken off it you'll need to do it slowly by tapering down the amount over a period of time. I believe it's an SSRI and does change the brains chemistry.

Anything to help quit smoking.

 

[BaMuoiBa]

Welcome Sapper to the forum.

Most of the folks would agree to exactly what you said about therapy and that includes this old Nam fart.

It's a very slow process and takes a lot of hard work but it will help.

Ya got that right!

As you already noticed - if it's in the PDR we have someone who using it or tried it. I believe that there is a good interactive chart in the therapy / medications as well.

Pull up a chair - lot to read.

Ba

 

[Sleeping Dragon]

Sapper,

I'm on bupropion, 450 mg. per day. I ramped up gradually from 150, then 300 and now 450.

My civilian doctor perscribed it to help control a brain chemical imbalance. Seems I have far too much norepinephrine (a hormone / neurotransmitter ) responsible for vigilant consentration, and not enough dopamine resopnsible for cognative process.

In simple terms this condition amplified the effects of post traumatic stress, kind of like PTS on steroids. For me the shit is working. I still have all the problems that I faced before drugs. But, now I have a better chance to effectively use the skills I've learned to keep the Dragon asleep.

Bupropion is just one more tool I use along with many, many others. It's definately a complex process. And, that my Brother is the point that the VA and all the other "experts" are missing. Yoga, golf, satisfying work, an understanding wife and family, this forum, my counselor and on and on....... are all the things I use to get me through the day.

Sometime they all work, sometimes none help. And, that's why it's so important to keep looking, keep trying and keep learning. As Jar put it so accurately, "IT'S A GRIND".

SD

 

[Sapper1]

Thanks guys!

My wife wants me to also try this drug called Viagra!! I told her that it wouldn't put me in the mood, I'd just go to sleep with a hard on! Her reply: that's fine, you don't have to be awake!! Lol! At least she can have a sense of humor with this!

 

[OldDoorGunner]

:D:D:D:D:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO: That was a good one Sapper!!!(y):ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

 

[JarHed]

Actually, one of the side effects of wellbutrin is and inability to get an erection. Gotta' say if you're depressed that doesn't help. :rolleyes:

 

[SteveMD]

Sapper. Been with Wellbutrin for six months or so (300mg), along with so many others...Sertraline, Propranolol, Prazosin, Mirtrazapine. I forgot what they all do, but like SP, they work. It's sort of a weird normal, but I'll take that in lieu of....

 

[SpcRhaviland]

Bringing this one back up...

I have used Wellbutrin since 2012. It's a selective dopamine reuptake inhibitor. It's an upper in the world of antidepressants, known to exacerbate anxiety.

I think it's great. I've tried five different anti deps, and this is the only one that didn't make me a carb fiend or mess with my sex life.

No long term issues with this one for me. Best of luck!

 

[holdenmonty]

I finally remembered after I saw the title to this thread. Bupropion is the anti depressant that my dr gave me he said it usually helps out guys that get the "porn star" effect while taking Zoloft. I haven't had a chance to see if it works yet but hopefully I will find out before my next appointment with the dr.