Wellbutrin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• JDa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 8, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I am an (older) teenage girl who has struggled with mental illness my whole life, and I’ve been on many medications, and my least favorite is Wellbutrin. It caused my anxiety to worsen, made me constantly dizzy and shaky. I would lose control of my eyes, and they would roll into my head several times every hour, and it actually made my eyesight worse (sounds unlikely, but it’s true). I wouldn’t recommend this drug to anyone."

• 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."

• Emi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on a lot of different antidepressants for my anxiety/MDD. I was on a whole handful of different prescriptions for a while, trying to figure out what worked best, and no matter what pill I've been on, I've noticed I feel a little high, like I'm more outgoing and more talkative, but I can feel a buzz in my head, and I've also struggled with migraines/headaches on other pills (including this one which happens almost daily now). I have trouble focusing, I have severe panic attacks, I feel extremely anxious most of the time. My fiancé felt like it was ruining our relationship because the side effects are too much to handle. We went out to dinner recently, and I literally broke down crying, and we left the restaurant because of my uncontrollable mood swings. I don't know how I fully feel yet because it's been such a short period of time since I started this pill, but I know I don't like the side effects I'm experiencing so far. I'm not looking forward to weaning off these pills."

• Anonymous
• August 11, 2011

For Anxiety "Have only been taking for three days. Have some headaches, nausea, no big deal. I don't like the feeling after my second dose at night. I have gotten panicky and felt like I was going to have a panic attack, but have not so far. I am mainly using this to quit smoking, and I see that it is triggering my anxiety somewhat, but I have already lost the urge to smoke and will quit on my quit date. I would rather deal with side effects for a couple of weeks than die of lung cancer and leave my children with no mother. Especially after losing my mother at a young age and my grandfather. I am hoping this will help my depression and anxiety after I am used to it. I can't wait to be smoke-free soon."

• Sho...
• August 12, 2011

For Panic Disorder "Today is my second day, and I feel okay. I am in transition from Celexa to Wellbutrin XL. I take Wellbutrin XL 150 mg in the morning and Celexa 10 mg in the evening. The only main noticeable side effects are I am a little anxious, and I have stomach cramps. They are not terrible, though. I expect to have some transition period. I know it sounds crazy, but I lost 1 pound in the 1st day I took it. Celexa put 10-15 lbs on me that I cannot take off, even with exercise. I will keep you updated!"

• dpr...
• April 21, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I’ve suffered from pretty severe major depressive disorder and anxiety since I can remember, diagnosed since I was 18 (now 25). Tried Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Lexapro, and none really helped me escape the deep hurt I felt 24/7. About 16 months ago, I started taking this drug, building up to 300 mg XL over a 2-week time span. That was a pretty horrific time if I’m being honest - manic, crawling out of my own skin, couldn’t sleep at all. But then my doctor added 100 mg of Seroquel at night for my sleep. Over the next 3 months, I felt myself lift out of the darkness a little. She also added an anti-anxiety (Klonopin). Wellbutrin didn’t solve my depression, but it definitely did help save my life. If you’re just trying it out for the first time, try to get past the bad side effects in the beginning if you can. It’s been worth it for me anyways. Long-term side effects have been anxiety, reduced appetite, memory loss, restlessness, nausea, and some confusion/disorientation."

• Mr ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2022

For Depression "Started Wellbutrin XL 6 weeks ago after having depression and constant anxiety and bad side effects on SSRIs. The first 2 weeks I didn’t notice much or have any side effects. Week 3 my anxiety was the worst I ever experienced, and at points, I felt like I was having a heart attack. This side effect subsided after a week and left me feeling better than ever. No depression whatsoever, and my anxiety is at a normal and manageable level. I feel normal for the first time in years, this medication saved my life. It takes time to have a full effect, so be patient."

• 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."

• Ale...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Wellbutrin is probably the best antidepressant on the US market. It's best to start at > 75 mg a day to make sure you can tolerate it; there are many for whom this medicine does nothing or causes anxiety or other health problems. Regardless of what they say, do check your liver and kidneys; it is more non-toxic than a lot of drugs, but it does take a toll on your body over time. For me, nothing as of yet."

• gig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2012

For Depression "I was on this about a month and titrated my dose slowly. It might've started to improve my depression at first, but that didn't seem to last. It also probably increased my anxiety. It caused constipation and upper GI slowness as well that took three weeks to improve. It also caused a pungent feminine odor that lasted the entire time I took it, not just before my period."

• 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)."

• Kat...
• August 20, 2021

For Depression "150 mg XR. I have low dopamine, so I thought this would be awesome for my ADHD. Wrong! The first week was AWESOME. I felt more awake, motivated, and less hungry. Cool, right? Week 2, I started getting a little irritable... maybe because I couldn’t freaking sleep! I've never had sleep issues EVER until this. By week 3, I was extremely manic. Horribly paranoid. I had racing thoughts that wouldn’t stop. I am going through a divorce, so you can imagine all I wanted to do was GO INSANE because of my hatred for this man. It was not manageable on this medication. I was so thirsty, my head felt like a balloon, extremely confused and forgetful, most awake I've ever felt, couldn’t breathe right, constipated. Went to the ER... they didn’t do ANYTHING. The medical field is an absolute joke. Also, I was BREASTFEEDING… I was told it would not affect my baby. Ha!!! As soon as I stopped the meds, she stopped crying, started sleeping again, and regular poops again."

• bjd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2015

For Depression "Just starting day 3 tomorrow. Seem to feel better already, but very cautious. Have anxiety, tho, and take Ativan 0.5 mg, 3 times a day that helps. With all the good reviews, I am very hopeful. Wish me luck."

• bub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2019

For Depression "Once I started this medicine, I would be woken up by my stomach pains. This medicine made me queasy and sick for hours on end. This is a little TMI, but it gave me terrible diarrhea ALL DAY LONG. I had little to no appetite, which was kinda exciting but not when I literally needed food in my stomach to calm the pain. Did not make my depression any better; honestly, it worsened my anxiety and made me much less social. All I can say is - I will be going back to my good ole Cymbalta!"

• 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?"

• Fee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2016

For Depression "My daughter suffered from depression and anxiety and had tried SSRIs. We thought this might help give her more energy and feel better since it affects dopamine. However, over the summer, her anxiety got worse. At college, her anxiety got even worse. She became paranoid and even started hearing voices. She ate very little and slept very little. She stopped going to classes and had suicidal thoughts. She called me and said she felt constantly 'jittery,' so I told her to get off the drug. Basically, it increased her energy and made her mood much worse. I don't recommend this for someone who suffers from anxiety since it affects norepinephrine - the fight or flight response."

• Fee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2016

For Depression "My daughter suffered from depression and anxiety and had tried SSRIs. We thought this might help give her more energy and feel better since it affects dopamine. However, over the summer, her anxiety got worse. At college, her anxiety got even worse. She became paranoid and even started hearing voices. She ate very little and slept very little. She stopped going to classes and had suicidal thoughts. She called me and said she felt constantly 'jittery,' so I told her to get off the drug. Basically, it increased her energy and made her mood much worse. I don't recommend this for someone who suffers from anxiety since it affects norepinephrine - the fight or flight response."

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2011

For Anxiety "I was put on a 150 mg dose about 4 weeks ago for mild depression/anxiety. I had dry mouth, headaches, spacey feeling, and nervousness, all of which added to my anxiety. I switched to 300 mg for 1 week, but the jitters increased, and I could have climbed the walls! Rarely felt like eating. It did not negatively affect my ability to orgasm (like Lexapro did), which was nice, but couldn't handle the side effects. Trying Cymbalta."

• Sug...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2023

For Depression "I have mixed reviews of this medication. This made me extremely hyper, as if I had 13 cups of coffee, jittery, made my heart beat super fast. I was doing mindless tasks around the house and out of the house, like organizing carts and stuff in the grocery store. It made me happier, but then when it wore off, I had intense anger beyond imaginable. I loved how energetic it made me feel. Oh, and it made my libido skyrocket."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2021

For Depression "I suffer from low mood and anxiety. I had read about Wellbutrin in the past, but only recently my doctor recommended it. I'm quite fit, exercise, eat well, get as much sleep as I can, as I believe they are the three pillars to manage your physical and mental status. This Wellbutrin seems to be a magic pill. Day 1. Motivation increased immediately, and WANTED to do physical work at my parents' place. After that, I had terrible anxiety and depression for the rest of the day and was fatigued. Day 2. (Today) Totally motivated, fully social, no anxiety, I feel myself, getting numerous things done, but all in a controlled way. I'm 46 and have my libido back big time. I'm actually shocked. My doc said to take 1 tablet as soon as I wake up (150 mg SR) for 3 days, then switch to 2 tablets from day 4. I know this is ridiculously early to write on here, but give this med a go! (Insomnia only drawback)"

• Per...
• February 18, 2021

For Depression "I have mostly managed my depression/SADD/PTSD for years with exercise, light box, and talk therapy. My doctor and I recently agreed the lowest dose, 100 mg, of Wellbutrin would help me out of a particularly low winter. I tried 150 mg years ago for a few months. The jittery side effects made me look forward to getting off it then. However, now I have no side effects, sleep great, my focus on work is back, and find it easier to do my usual lifestyle routine to address my depression. I appreciate having Wellbutrin as a tool to use when I really need it. One caveat, I do find that if I have more than 2 drinks, the following days I get pretty down. Also, exercise + Wellbutrin = self-esteem × libido, just sayin."

• 000...
• December 23, 2015

For Depression "I started taking this a week ago, I think. I never wanted to use meds, but I'm in the middle of a major depressive episode that began around mid-late October. I'm a single mom of a 4-year-old. I feel like she takes more care of me than I can of her sometimes, and that makes me feel awful. I decided to ask my doctor to do something because I figured nothing could feel worse. Day 1, I had a lot of energy, days 2-4, I was very anxious and irritable over nothing. That has now passed, but I still don't feel better, not really. I don't feel overwhelmed with the feeling of wanting to die, so I guess that's good, but I still feel it. I'm not suicidal, though I have been in years. I just don't want to move out of my bed, clean the house, or do anything really."

• 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."