Wellbutrin XR Experiences

[Swamp56]

Hello everyone!

After weeks of feeling like trash and suddenly lacking motivation and a drive to do anything, my counselor, psychiatrist, and I have determined that I've slipped into some kind of depression. Both my counselor and psychiatrist recommended some kind of pharmacological intervention in addition to therapy. My doctor decided that the best medication for me was Wellbutrin XL and, as such, prescribed it to me at an initial dose of 150mg and is going to have it increased to 300mg after 4 days.

I was just wondering what people's experience of Wellbutrin was like, and whether or not there is anything that I should know before taking it that might be useful (side effects, interactions, etc).

I've already been warned by someone I know who is taking it that it isn't a good idea to take at night due to its insomnia effect.

Thanks for any help!

[confused]

I really like wellbutrin. I started on 150 and went up to 300. It is activating so I take it in the morning. The first couple of days I felt a little "speedy", like I drank a pot of coffee, but that feeling went away. It seemed to start working quickly.

[jt07]

Wellbutrin never helped me much. In fact, it made me feel worse. It never made me feel speedy, but it did give me a lot of anxiety. It helps a lot of people though, but it just wasn't suited to my brain chemistry. Your friend is generally correct. It is usually advised to take it in the morning to avoid possible insomnia at night.

[Eden]

I'm on it, thought a relatively low dose, I'm working my way up to 300 far more slowly. I haven't noticed a difference at all. Good luck.

[crtclms]

I've been on the XR version just for a year or so, I was on the regular stuff for about 20 years. My pdoc thought it might boost my mood because of the more even release. I also was pushed up to 450, but that is as high as I can go.

The first week, I was really speedy, talked too fast, had trouble sleeping. Not manic, just jittery. And I felt a little better. But when the jitteryness calmed down, it felt like it stopped working. Then after about a month, I realized I was feeling better. So don't give up if it seems to stop working after a few days.

[Moody]

I was on it for about 9 months and I loved it. It made me feel kind of wired for the first 2 weeks, and I had trouble falling asleep at night even though I took it in the morning, but after the first couple of weeks those side effects went away. I felt too wired when I moved up to 300mg a month or two later, so I just went back to the 150 a day dose, it worked fine.

I only went off it because after 9 months it suddenly caused me to have a chronic daily migraine. I have tried Wellbutrin XL a few times since then, but it doesnt seem to work like it did the first time. Oh, and I never had any trouble when I went off Wellbutrin XL, no withdrawal effects. It was one of my favorite meds, I just wish I could keep taking it.

[lavender fairy]

I take 200 mg of the SR version, and I have noticed that my depression has definitely lessened since I started taking it. I'm not thinking of suicide nearly as much, I am able to get more accomplished, and I even find myself smiling from time to time.

[Swamp56]

I took it for the first time early this afternoon and so far, so good. I noticed that my energy levels are much higher (if I'm not mistaken, this is a CNS stimulant) and that I am very attentive, but no jitteriness or any other strange side effects!