Wellbutrin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• DRA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2019

For Depression "This did not work, if anything, it made me feel worse. My anxiety was out of this world, and my depression got worse as well. I was on Lexapro 20 mg and hoped for a change. Well, I was hoping this would work, but it did not. I was on the verge of feeling I was losing my marbles. I hope for others it will help. Back to Lexapro 20 mg."

• Tes...
• January 14, 2019

For Depression "I started taking generic Bupropion XL 150 mg once a day 8 days ago. The anxiety and depression I was feeling were paralyzing me from moving in any direction. I tried every natural option I could research. On day 1, I felt different, motivated, and better immediately. In the days following, side effects started. Heart palpitations, anxiety, fear of everything, nightmares, a rash on my neck, eye twitching, staring into space thoughtless, unable to make decisions, fear of leaving the house. Day 8, and I’m feeling much more at peace. I’m more focused on myself than issues I have with others. No insomnia and feeling less tolerant of binge drinking to calm down. I want to exercise, clean my house, set goals, eat clean foods, and I feel everything is going to be okay. My self-confidence is improved, and orgasms unaffected. I am hopeful that Wellbutrin was exactly what I needed to be the healthy person I need to be, no matter what happens in my life. I just needed a boost and reset."

• dar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "This was the only anti-depressant that I've taken that actually made me worse. Most of the others, Zoloft, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Prozac, either helped a tiny bit or not at all, but never worse. Wellbutrin raised my anxiety sky high. I'm sure it may not be the case for others, but I wanted to share my experience. Good luck to anyone who does try this."

• Ger...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 16, 2018

For Depression "I have had depression for as long as I can remember. My depression tends to be more physical: tired, trouble staying asleep, physically exhausted, and no interest in doing anything physical (e.g., I was an avid runner and weight lifter before). Wellbutrin XL 150 mg has completely helped me in every way possible. I’ve been taking it for over 2 years and I have more energy than ever. Although I still have depressive and anxiety cognitive patterns, Wellbutrin has helped me with my depression and increased my quality of life significantly."

• KAD...
• May 23, 2018

For Depression "I was on Prozac 20 mg, and because it made me feel so good, I would just stop taking them on my own accord, which made me crash. I decided instead of taking them seriously and continuing to take them, I would try Wellbutrin. The first two weeks were awful. I had ringing in my ears to the point where I wished I was deaf. My body was incredibly sore for no physical reason. I felt huge pressure and anxiety in my chest. I stopped working out and didn't want to do anything but lay in bed and watch Netflix, which is so not me. I am now 3-4 weeks in, and I don't have much anxiety, BUT I feel like I developed OCD. I can't stop cutting the tip of my tongue on my teeth, and it hurts. My mouth is so dry. I can't even put on eyeliner because it's like I have Parkinson's disease. I am going to switch back to Prozac today."

• Win...
• January 20, 2018

For Depression "Don't look at the rating, I just started taking this medicine. I have horrible side effects (increased gender dysphoria, depression, extreme anxiety and panic attacks, etc.). I know they will go away, but it's my first strong antidepressant. Please talk to your doctor about the side effects and how to deal with them. Also, I would highly recommend talking to a therapist before getting on this."

• InA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2018

For Depression "If you suffer from anxiety, racing uncontrollable thoughts, high anxious states, and basically need a med to calm you down and get your thoughts under control, I would really talk to my doctor before starting this med. It is very clear that this is an energy-producing medication, so for those of us with anxiety - that can be really bad. A common listed side effect is 'anxiety' & 'anxiousness.' Everyone is different and will have different results to some extent. This is primarily a med for depression - NOT anxiety. So again, be clear to your doctor if you have anxiety with your depression that other choices may be better."

• InA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2018

For Depression "If you suffer from anxiety, racing uncontrollable thoughts, high anxious states, and basically need a med to calm you down and get your thoughts under control, I would really talk to my doctor before starting this med. It is very clear that this is an energy-producing medication, so for those of us with anxiety - that can be really bad. A common listed side effect is 'anxiety' & 'anxiousness.' Everyone is different and will have different results to some extent. This is primarily a med for depression - NOT anxiety. So again, be clear to your doctor if you have anxiety with your depression that other choices may be better."

• Jad...
• December 14, 2017

For Depression "I am a 21-year-old female. I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and addiction (food, substances). These issues came to fruition when I went into my first year of college. I left HS as an honor student and went into college failing classes and unable to stay on track. I had lots of self-pity, mood swings, and slept all the time. I took sertraline for years, but it didn't give me that motivation I needed. It reduced my anxiety but really didn't help the depression. I started Bupropion XL, and things have changed immensely. I'm doing well in nursing school, and I feel much steadier. I have my bad days, but they aren't controlling my life anymore. I do get anxious, but the pros outweigh the cons for me. I also can't drink much (which is a good thing)."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Was put on this after I went to the psych ward for suicidal thoughts and general depression. Before this, I was on Prozac for 3 weeks, stopped taking it due to increased anxiety and extreme binge eating that I never had before. After that, my doc switched me to 20 mg Celexa. Took that on and off for over a year... it helped slightly with anxiety but quickly became as effective as taking sugar pills. I started on the generic SR, 2 a day, and with that, I had slight ringing in the ears, some random panicky feelings. But my mood had improved tremendously, plus my sex drive went way up after just 1 day! My appetite control is great. On 300 mg XL generic now, and side effects are subsiding. Had worries about seizures, but that's rare. 0.3% incidence."

• Sqy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2017

For Depression "The first few days while taking Wellbutrin, which is not really recommended for anxiety, but the doc recommended giving it a try, were not too bad. Around week 2, I began to notice I was miserable, angry all the time, and just not feeling like myself! I am usually a happy person that laughs a lot and enjoys making others laugh! Wellbutrin changed all that! I was now a bitter and angry person that found fault with everything! I wasn't sleeping well, had slight headaches every day, and my head felt cloudy and foggy all the time! I wasn't able to concentrate, which made it difficult for me to function properly at work. I was no longer the happy, silly person I used to be! This drug totally changed my personality!"

• rog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2017

For Depression "I felt better on a lower dose of this drug. Once the 'minimum effective dose' was reached, I felt really jittery and panicky. Once I did my gene testing, I saw that for Wellbutrin, if I take it at all, a lower dose is required."

• BP ...
• August 25, 2017

For Depression "I have bipolar 2 and was on Wellbutrin for about 7 years. It dug me out of a deep depression in the beginning. It caused a lot of anxiety, but I didn't want to get off of it, so Lexapro was added to my regimen. Lexapro helped with some of the anxiety caused by Wellbutrin, but I'm pretty sure now that Wellbutrin has made me more susceptible to manic episodes. Recently, I started seeing a new psychiatrist, and I was ready for a change. He convinced me to finally get off Wellbutrin, and I have never felt better. I feel so much more relaxed. I'm currently on Lamictal, Vyvanse, and Lexapro. I'm sure Wellbutrin works well for others, but it wasn't a great fit for BP for me personally. It dug me out of a big hole at one time, so it works well with depression. Doesn't hurt to try it."

• JC2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was prescribed Wellbutrin 2x a day after Celexa stopped working after being on it 5 years. Within a few days of taking the Wellbutrin, my anxiety was back, and depression was worse. Had trouble staying asleep because my mind was constantly racing. Definitely did not work for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 1, 2017

For Depression "This drug has saved my life! I have struggled with methamphetamine addiction for about 4 years now. The hardest part about quitting was the extreme depression and suicidal thoughts. They always caused me to relapse. My physician prescribed Wellbutrin and it has worked like a miracle. I have been clean for over half a year and feel like I have my old life back! My relationships are healing and my family feels like they have their son/brother back. I am back in college and passing my classes! I don't attribute all that to the drug. Counseling and AA were extremely helpful but I know it was Wellbutrin that got me through the horrible depression to the other side. Only upfront side effects I had were jitteriness and dry mouth."

• JXa...
• June 22, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was diagnosed with depression and panic disorder in 2013. The first medication I was prescribed was Zoloft, which turned me into a zombie. My doctor then switched me to Effexor, which had way too many side effects from mood and all the way to affecting my vision. I was then switched to Lexapro, which was great at masking the depression but made me gain 30+ pounds in less than a year and literally have zero motivation. 3 months ago, my doctor switched me to Wellbutrin and it's made the biggest difference in my life. In the first couple of weeks, my anxiety was a lot worse, but that went away entirely and I haven't had any other side effects. My energy is back, and I genuinely look forward to the next day."

• cis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2017

For Depression "I switched to Wellbutrin after a year of Zoloft, mostly due to weight gain (I'd gained about 20 lbs. in a year). I started taking Wellbutrin 2x a day with a plan to eventually increase to extended release, but the meds kept me up all night. I got maybe 4 hours of sleep a night, even with Zzzquil. My sleep was extremely restless, and I woke up about every hour. I called my doctor and asked if I could switch to the extended release version, but she said it would probably be the same situation. I did like how the meds made me feel. Very little depression, and I felt super energized and productive. Honestly, I was almost too wired; I was very jittery and almost a bit manic."

• Mou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 15, 2017

For Depression "I have been on Wellbutrin SR prescribed off-label for major depressive disorder for about 3 years now. Initially, I had the same kind of side effects that are common, such as headache, some anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. The side effects diminished and pretty much went away after about a month, and I take my second dose at midday so that it doesn't impact my sleep. Overall, this medication has made a huge difference in my quality of life and has stopped me from experiencing cripplingly low moods and huge rapid mood swings. It continues to work as well now as it did at the start of treatment. It has also helped me to focus and concentrate on a task in a way that I found hard before. My main concern has been the impact on short-term memory."

• Sti...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 14, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I take this drug to help combat Major Depression (had for 1.5 years). I have also tried Paxil (made me crazier), Prozac (did nothing for me) and Effexor (worked well but the sexual side effects were worse than the depression). I started Wellbutrin at 150mg and slowly increased to 300mg after completely titrating off Effexor, had to increase to 450 because MD came back. So, here is the deal - at first this drug feels awful (realize that most antis are like this in the beginning). I had to stick with it for at least a month and the extreme anxiety has always normalized. But OMG - this is the first drug that motivates me to get out of bed and face each day. For me it helps to balance my down mood & 'urge to isolate' and sabotage my day."

• bea...
• May 5, 2017

For Depression "I wanted to put up my experience with Wellbutrin because some people may have the same issues that I had with the drug. In the onset of taking Wellbutrin, I had, each time, slight to severe anxiety and almost worsening of symptoms in proportion to how hefty of a dosage I started off with. Long story short, I'm never getting off of it again. BUT if someone is trying to get on Wellbutrin and is having awful anxiety and no sleep or appetite like I did, you might ask your doctor if you can take a small dosage and taper up. I literally started with 18.5 mg and I still had a few symptoms from that, but I could also feel improvement at the same time. I increased by 18.5 mg more every 3-7 days. I'm now on 300 mg and knock on wood, my life is back."

• Amb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2017

For Depression "This medication really blows. It is like I'm not even on anything. If anything, it makes me irritable and jumpy. I am taking 150 mg 2x a day. I switched to this from Celexa because Celexa was making me extremely forgetful, but other than that, Celexa was actually working. I have anxiety and depression, and this stuff does absolutely nothing. I'm going to my doctor Monday to switch to something else."

• Tan...
• December 29, 2016

For Depression "Now on day 3 of 150 mg Wellbutrin. I feel jittery, out of it, like my brain is cement and won't move when I turn my head. I can hardly concentrate for a conversation. I drop things, I have trouble thinking straight. I drove my car the first day but should not have. I will continue hoping that these horrible side effects go away."

• rob...
• December 10, 2016

For Depression "I just started taking Wellbutrin. Before, I was on Lexapro but became tolerant of it. So, the doctor prescribed Wellbutrin. The first time I took the medication, I woke up thinking I was in another state. And now I live in Florida... must have been a dream. Anyway, I'm not sure about Wellbutrin, and yes, I know it takes time to tell if it's going to work. I just wish I was not so anxious and had a scared feeling inside me. I don't like being alone, but I don't have a girlfriend, just friends that are too busy to stop by. But we are all around 57, 58, 59, and 60... so I guess that figures... Has anyone had good results with Wellbutrin?"

• Cma...
• December 3, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been taking this medication for about 2 weeks now. I got prescribed it in the hospital after a fallout. I tried Prozac while in high school and had no luck with it. Then was prescribed Zoloft a few months ago and obviously didn't work, considering landing myself in the hospital. Now trying Wellbutrin. Even though I have just started it, I'd say that I do see some positive effects in it. I have more motivation and am trying to do better for myself. But I do have some side effects including really bad headaches, ringing in ears, insomnia, dizziness at times, with nausea. I also have noticed that taking Excedrin to suppress the headaches doesn't help but makes my anxiety increase. Don't take a dose late either as that just increases mood swings."

• Los...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 24, 2016

For Depression "Started post-breakup. Happy now, don't credit meds, but still take WB and never want to stop (unlike Clonaz. and Desipr.) because of other reasons to take. Lost weight, gained energy, desire to be social. Now only anxiety and IBS; the WB counters some sexual side effects of other meds. NOT a morning person, but 450 SR (12hr) right before sleep (RIGHT before or insomnia) = hop out of bed at alarm. If I take 450 in the morning, easy to resist food. Wish I could have both, but splitting dosage or taking XL (24hr) doesn't work. 167 lbs 6 years ago at start, down to 125. 3 years of 130 lbs but built-up tolerance, so then 150 lbs 2 years ago. Took at night for months, then back to morning, and now 1 year 135 lbs. 450 mg is max. New doctor: split time night and morning. But that would defeat half its purpose."