Wellbutrin XL

[Sterre]

Last year I was on Welbutrin XR, 150 mg. (I am not sure what the difference between XL and XR stands for. I know XR stands for extended release, but XL? )

I switched from lexapro to Welbutrin because of the side effects the lexapro had on me.

The first weeks of taking Welburtin I was very uptight, very speedy. I was easily irritated and sharp as a knife. My thinking got very fast and clear.I had angry outbursts.
My sexual appetite was increased, as was my abbility to enjoy sexual activity.( that was really nice, after all those years of low to almost no libido)
The speediness decreased a little after a few weeks, but the fast thinking and the sharpness in my way of thinking remainded. ( wich was good while a was still working, I could detect a problem and analyze it within a minute)
I was more energetic, and needed less sleep. I was feeling rested and awake after 6 hours of sleep.
I had a craving for sugar and sweet things and was more emotional then I ussually am.
The nice thing about Wellbutrin for me was that I felt less medicated, there was no fogginess and no feelings of flatness. The diffucult part of that was that I was more sensitive to everything, I felt everything, and that was very intense.

It did not help with my feelings of depression, and I was affraid that if I increased the dosage I would became manic, because I was thinking so fast and clear on the Wellbutrin.
After I lost my job, I decided to quitt the Wellbutrin, wich was very easy to do. I hardly had any physical whitdrawal effects, except for an overwhelming tired feeling.

I don't have any experience with drugs, but I think to me the Wellbutrin had the same effect as speed or amphitamine has on people. It was okay, but it didnt do nothing for my depression.

I dont think I will use it again.

 

[Iam]

Thanks for sharing Sterre. I definitely have more energy which is a huge plus, but I'm not wired. At first I had horrible nightmares which is a common side effect early on and they did go away. I am also sleeping thru the night now which is wonderful! I still feel depressed, or maybe just sad, much of the time. My T said today that is to be expected while I am going thru the trauma therapy. At least now I can tolerate the therapy, without it I was suicidal so I do know it's helping.

 

[Sterre]

He Iam, Good to read that it's helpful for you!

Yes, the extra energy is a big huge plus! One of the nice things while using Wellbutrin was that I was able to feel sadness and sorrow, wich can be very helpfull when you are going trouhg trauma therapy.

Keep up the good work Iam!:tup:

 

[Iam]

GAH Sterre! Though I do agree :tup: I started therapy because I was numb to negative and most positive emotions. Couldn't cry at all. I went off citilopram at the suggestion of my therapist. Then the emotions became overwhelming. The wellbutrin is allowing me to feel without being bowled over by the emotions. Can't say I enjoy feeling the pain, which so far is stronger than being able to feel joy. I guess it is necessary though, but I still hate it!

 

[Iam]

Back on this thread again. I was still feeling depressed so my dr. upped my wellbutrin from 1,500 mg to the standard 3,000 mg. The first week was hell. I was dizzy and nauseous. The side effects lessened and my depression did get better. I was even feeling more energetic for several weeks.

I am 6 weeks into this decrease and have felt sick for a couple of weeks. I have a headache on the left side of my head. I feel achy and dehydrated. I've got muscle twitches again and in fact my muscles hurt all over like fibromyalgia. I am foggy headed and my short term memory has gotten much worse.

I am starting to think that it's the wellbutrin. Will call my dr. on Monday and see what he thinks, but am curious to find out if anyone on the forum has had these side effects?

 

[Iam]

Oh and I have gotten a bloody nose several times in the last week or so.

 

[BloomInWinter]

UGH....so sorry to hear this, Iam!!!!

Have you told your regular doc about the bloody nose? That can be caused by a number of things which all need to be checked out. Such as blood pressure, for instance.

(((((Iam))))))

*Linking Arms*

 

[Iam]

Thanks Bloom. No, I haven't told the Dr yet as the bloody noses just started last week. The worst being when I was sobbing about problems with our youngest son. I normally am on the low side as far as blood pressure is concerned. I used to get bad bloody noses as a kid so figure it has to do with being upset.

This morning is the first that I suspected that it's the wellbutrin making me sick. I counted the weeks back to when the dosage was upped and realized that I really haven't felt well since then. Need to call my dr and make an appt.

Having the depression symptoms lessened is wonderful, but not at the cost of feeling too sick to do much. Dang.....wish I could find the answer.....

 

[Heather]

dr. upped my wellbutrin from 1,500 mg to the standard 3,000 mg.

Sorry about all the problems you're having lam. Just wondering is that dosage correct? Seems very high. Are you sure it's not 150 and then he upped it to 300 mg?

 

[Iam]

Yes Heather you are right....I accidently added the extra zero. I suppose I could just be sick, but really haven't felt well since he upped it to 300mg.

 

[Heather]

Sorry you feel so crappy. I've been on Wellbutrin at 300mg. never had any problems but everyone is different and tolerate meds differently as well.

I hate that you have to go through this!!!

Hugs. Lots and lots and lots of hugs.

 

[Gamereign555]

I tried welbutrin and reacted the same way with it as I did the prosac. Sweaty, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, gassy and bloated feeling...did I mention gas? I would also get boosts of energy that made me feel uneasy, neither of them made me feel like my depression was being helped. They commonly try to prescribe these meds first, sometimes they just give them away to you as a trial if you have no insurance, I think its because they are so cheap. I tried each one for about a month one after the other.

I ended up settling for Celexa, it had a more calming effect on me than the other drugs did and I felt the difference almost right away, withing days. With an adjustment period after 2 weeks, which was uncomfortable for me but after getting through it I hope Celexa always works for me because it also drastically lowered my anxiety level. The other drugs felt more speedy, especially the prosac which actually has a stimulant effect.