Bupropion for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Ver...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 25, 2022

"I had major depressive disorder, which became worse during the winter months due to seasonal affective disorder, and was also diagnosed with borderline personality. Within a week of taking Wellbutrin, I went from having crazy mood swings and anger outbursts every day to feeling calm and stable. For me, it has no listed side effects except weight loss, which was a positive!"

• Bla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2023

"Two years ago, I was pressured into taking this by doctors and my family for depression and ADHD. I was on no other medications at the time. I was started on the lowest dose. Side effects went from 0 to 100 by the end of the first week. Experienced severe paranoia with psychosis (spiders all over walls, painful bug-crawling sensation under skin, auditory hallucinations). I should've gone to the hospital, but I'm used to being told I'm overreacting, so I stayed up till 3 am with someone playing ping-pong to distract me. Cut cold turkey that night (since it was only a week in), and most of the issues were gone the next morning. Spoke to a medical professional recently who was prescribing me an SSRI, and she told me this experience on Wellbutrin did not surprise her. Disappointing to see them so unfazed by my story when I was pressured so heavily for a year straight by other doctors to take Wellbutrin. I'd go into the doctor's offices, and there'd be posters encouraging you to ask for the drug."

• All...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 11, 2023

"I've been battling depression off and on for 25+ years. I've been prescribed Wellbutrin several times, despite my telling the doctor that it does nothing for me. Each time, I was at a therapeutic level dosage-wise (300+ mg) and for long enough (6+ months) to be sure of the effects. I have never felt anything from Wellbutrin -- I may as well be taking a placebo. No side effects, no mood effects either way, just nothing. The most recent time I tried it, it wasn't really doing anything, so my psychiatrist took me off it after my ADHD diagnosis for this reason. Zero side effects, zero effects!"

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2020

"I switched from Zoloft to Wellbutrin in November 2019. When I first started, I had, of course, beginning side effects from anxiety, stomach issues, appetite loss, etc. All those symptoms slowly passed, and I noticed a change in my mood, as did others. I not only have depression but anxiety as well. When I started this, my anxiety got worse, then better, then worse again. My doctor prescribed me Buspar for my anxiety, it did end up helping for a short time until recently. I had a very awful first panic attack. I decided to get off Wellbutrin as my anxiety was at an all-time high. The withdrawal symptoms are not so great, but I’m glad I’m off of it. If you have depression, then this medication is great, but if you have anxiety, I would consider a different route. Everyone is different and experiences medication differently, so do not take what I said and apply that to yourself. Talk to your doctor and see what is right for you. Best of luck."

• Rev...
• November 15, 2016

"I have been on Wellbutrin for a year and a half. If you do not respond to SSRIs (like me), I would definitely recommend giving Wellbutrin/Bupropion a go. At the end of the fourth week on 150 mg, just before I was about to tell my doctor it was another dud - I very suddenly felt clear and not like a slug human. I would say it's such a strong feeling that you will know if it works and the day it starts. I had a horrible time falling asleep, lost my appetite, but felt super ecstatic! Maybe it's because for the first time in 8 years (I am 26), I felt what it's like to not see doing the most simple of tasks as a stressful chore. I could have cried! I've lost a bit over ten pounds since being on it. Currently, I am on the highest dose, which is 600."

• Joh...
• January 9, 2017

"I've been taking 15 mg Remeron at night for sleep and also to help with the depression when I wake up in the morn! I recently started the Wellbutrin XL for about 5 weeks now, and I think it's a good mix for me. Before the Wellbutrin, I was always tired and not into anything! Feeling down, yet once I started Wellbutrin, it brought me back to life! I can finally do things and be happy about doing stuff. So far, so good! I'll keep ya posted..."

• Anonymous
• July 6, 2016

"Taking Wellbutrin 300 XL for a while now. Previously used an SSRI, which had little to no effect in that I would contemplate suicide nearly daily and had zero interest in life in general. Now I actually want to do things again, I am enjoying life, and I have more energy. I can't say enough how well this drug has worked for me. The only side effect I've experienced is decreased appetite, and I've lost a few pounds, which for me is a good thing."

• Rep...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2015

"Coming from a very problematic childhood, I've been labeled everything from A to Z by psychiatrists and given a slew of meds. Wellbutrin, in my experience, has been beyond beneficial. At first, for the first week or two, I had slight tremors, irregular heartbeat, major insomnia, and headaches, but I dismissed them. I still have slight insomnia, which is why I take them when I wake up. But reading comprehension, multitasking, thought focus, and moods overall have dramatically improved! I'm one of those people that may have to take them for the rest of my life, but I'm not complaining =). One thing that does bother me, though, is dry mouth from Wellbutrin, but I take Biotene, which helps a bit. Enough to make it worth it anyways lol."

• Ste...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 5, 2014

"I started this medication at a time when I did not have any health insurance and had to pay around $40/month for it. One of the very first things I noticed when taking this medication was that I started smoking fewer cigarettes; it made the cigarettes taste the way they should, horrible. I never had any other side effects from the medication. When I switched to another medication, it became very apparent that I was not doing as well as I had been while on the Wellbutrin SR, so I switched back after a few months and a couple of different meds. This is definitely my favorite; I'd been on several different medications for my MDD and always had terrible side effects. Not with this!"

• Don...
• March 3, 2019

"Good! There are big pros and some cons. Pros: big decrease in depression and slight decrease in anxiety, slightly increased sex drive, increased curiosity/motivation, improved verbal fluency and thought process, no weight gain. Cons: more aggressive, worse sleep, far more difficult to meditate/fall asleep, struggle to live in the moment due to amplified thoughts. I’ll stick with it as it does work, although the cons could cause me to discontinue. I’ve been on 300 mg XL for 2 months."

• mou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2019

"I am diagnosed with bipolar I and MDD, and I can say after many, many meds this quite literally feels like it has saved my life. I have had energy and life since getting put on Wellbutrin and recommend it to anyone struggling."

• Esj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2015

"I'm 16 and am limited to medications that are safe for me to take because of an extreme anxiety disorder I have. When I first started Wellbutrin, it was slow to see changes, but now I can honestly say it's helped me so much. Something a lot of people don't know is that it may also help you lose weight in certain situations. I began my sophomore year at about 180 lbs, and now I'm at 155. (I am 5'7") I feel so much healthier now and also happier. I highly recommend this for teens who are struggling with other medicines."

• Goo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2020

"I started Wellbutrin and Abilify 4 days ago, and already I'm noticing some relief. I have anxiety and depression, and the anxiety has gone down a noticeable amount. It was at 8.6/10, now it's at a 5.5/10. And I've had anxiety and depression as well as schizophrenia for years now. Finally found a combination that works. I wouldn't say I'm cured, though. Just better than before. I also take Loxapine for my schizophrenia. So whatever that combination of Abilify, Wellbutrin, and Loxapine is doing, it's helping."

• Cha...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 18, 2022

"Wellbutrin XL 300 mg once a day changed my life. I have used it for 20+ years. I started using it when it came out to help keep my weight down and to help with the amotivation aspects of depression. This medication helped me with motivation, socialization, and pushing myself to achieve more. I would not have become a doctor or gotten married without Wellbutrin. However, after all these years, I realized the fibromyalgia I have been fighting for years is due to Wellbutrin. It has gotten so bad that I would have constant neck spasms and not be able to get out of bed without taking several layers of pain medication. I read up that Wellbutrin can cause myalgias. I was also taking Adderall for my ADD, this also worsened the muscle spasms. I currently had to stop Wellbutrin completely. Myalgias went away. I have tried other medications for depression, but nothing has given me the get-up-and-move attitude like Wellbutrin does."

• Zol...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 14, 2019

"I have taken Wellbutrin since 1984. I liked that it eliminated my sex drive. I didn't like that it got rid of my ability to recall dreams. Surprisingly, it also inhibited my ability to cry. It numbed me, allowing me to retain jobs for most of the past 35 years. Yes, Wellbutrin has saved my life, kept me employable, checked my over-the-top sex drive, and numbed me. Recent health issues kept being labeled as 'depression' by medical people until I gave my doctor a list of blood and urine tests I wanted. I was finally diagnosed as pre-diabetic, low Vitamin D levels, and excessively low iron - not depression. So I'm back on 150 mg of Wellbutrin, as I've been on and off it for nearly 35 years."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

"Since patients come to this site to gauge whether to try a new prescription, I'll describe how Wellbutrin XL 150 mg has affected me in one week. I asked my doctor to switch from Celexa since it was just OK, but not as effective as I wanted. The first side effects I have been experiencing are: drowsiness in the mornings (not fatigue, but cold medicine), heart palpitations (when I have tea or coffee in the morning; coffee is 10x worse no matter when I drink it, even decaf). Also, in the afternoons or evenings, I get this heavy, weighted feeling all over my body, like it's too hard to lift my arms and legs, plus added sleepiness. On the plus side, I have not felt depressed or unmotivated. Above all, my libido has gone from 0 to 100 in a few days (I have never been completely mentally and physically engaged in sex before; something on my mind always got in the way)."

• KAE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2015

"I've been on Wellbutrin XL for a few years and recently was switched to Wellbutrin SR. I felt an immediate difference. I was dizzy the first day, but the 2nd day I was alert and calm. I've lost 10 pounds in the few weeks I've been on it, which is good going from 150-140."

• Koa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2014

"I was skeptical about bupropion. I started this at 150 mg. I am bipolar and must say that it has been a Godsend. I read up on it and how it can give you energy plus can also help with concentration, I scoffed in a way. No longer do I scoff. I am so grateful that I take this, it does not affect any SSRIs as it's differently made up. I am on Zoloft and bupropion, these do not cause me a problem. It is possible to take these with bipolar, yes, there is research regarding antidepressants and bipolar, but for me, it has given me back my life - I do have energy to leave the house, I can concentrate, my memory is better, but I now have a life - a social life. I go out. So please don't be scared off by antidepressants and bipolar - ask the question."

• GrN...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2022

"Wellbutrin, or bupropion, is by far the best medicine I've taken for relieving depression. It takes time on this med, so don't give up too soon. I have been on 300 mg for 6 months, and I am seeing results that I never saw with other antidepressants, and I have taken most of them at one time or another. Every antidepressant I've taken in the past caused me such apathy I can't function. I now have pleasant, or even joyous, thoughts occasionally, and I am getting interested in life again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 7, 2016

"I have tried many different kinds of antidepressants, but I must say that Wellbutrin XL 300 mg has been the best. I have been on it for 3 years. I am so much happier and just feel better in general. The only side effect I have had while taking it is dry mouth. I was always a calm, attentive student even before I had the medicine. But since I have been taking it so long, if I happen to miss one or more days of taking it, I act as if I have ADHD. I am unable to focus and talk like a Chatty Cathy. If you have ever seen a little seven-year-old with really bad ADHD, that's me. I will skip in place, bounce up and down, and whatnot. I have NEVER had ADHD or ADD (I am super calm), but if I don't take it, I act like it. That's my one and only problem."

• com...
• December 31, 2015

"I was on 150 mg Effexor for nearly a year and continued suffering with depression and anxiety. It affected my libido to the point that I couldn't stand being touched by my husband. I've been on Wellbutrin for nearly three weeks, and it's been a miracle for me. My energy level is up, I can focus again, and my libido has increased. The only negative I have had is it doesn't help my anxiety."

• But...
• January 24, 2017

"I've only been on this medication since the 18th of this month, but one thing that I have noticed with this medication is that it is helping me to not have a constant appetite. I was not only needing help with depression, but I was also needing help with weight loss, and at this point, I don't know how the weight loss will/will not work with med, but I do know that I do not have an appetite like before taking this. And for that, I am very grateful. I also understand that it could take 3 to 4 weeks before I notice the effects for the depression. I am hopeful!"

• Bri...
• October 5, 2019

"Have been on Wellbutrin for almost a month now. I was originally prescribed 150 mg once per day, but my psychiatrist recently upped my dosage to 300 mg per day. The only reason I’m rating a 5 is because I haven’t felt any drastic difference yet, as it takes time for these medications to work. The things I have noticed are that I don’t feel sad anymore and I don’t cry near as much. Right now I’m feeling complete apathy and indifference towards everything, and my psychiatrist assures me that I am on my way to recovery."

• Cou...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 8, 2015

"I've been off and on this medication for about 8 years. I originally started it to help me quit smoking (which worked wonders for me, I was able to quit) and later was put back on it for seasonal depression disorder. It helps me a lot with depression, especially as it worsens in the winter. Side effects I experience are increased anxiety, heart palpitations, increased heart rate. I've been on 300 mg (150 mg twice a day) before, and my anxiety was horrible. If you're on a higher dose and suffer with anxiety, you may want to try a lower dose. I currently take 150 mg a day, and it's very helpful. It gives you that spark of motivation you need in the mornings."

• hac...
• September 13, 2017

"In the last 6 years, I have taken a few meds for my depression. Started with Lexapro, which helped but caused very quick weight gain. Switched to Cymbalta, which caused a rash. Switched quickly to Prozac, which caused horrible dreams and sexual issues! Was then put on Wellbutrin by a psych NPR because of my issues with weight gain and sexual side effects. The drug was a miracle for me! Lost 45 lbs in 2 years after starting it, and sexual side effects disappeared! Started out on 150 mg a day but upped to 300 mg a day when I had a depressive episode! Since upping the dose, I have had no issues other than unusual dreams, but can live with that! Nothing's perfect!"