Wellbutrin and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2021

"I personally had a horrific experience with this drug, which was prescribed for anxiety and OCD. I had migraines, itchiness all over my body to the point I scratched myself bloody, insane stomach cramping, I couldn’t even think about food or I would literally gag. I couldn’t eat without feeling like I was going to full-blown puke after. I was super shaky, had really bad outbursts of anger and sadness, and my depression has never been worse. The suicidal ideation was powerful and never made me feel so depressed in my life. I wasn’t getting out of bed unless I had to use the bathroom. This medicine personally debilitated me, and if you have issues with being a person that always gets every side effect (like me), I would highly recommend steering clear!"

• Liz...
• October 30, 2016

For Depression "I am an 18-year-old female. I started taking Wellbutrin about 7 months ago for depression/anxiety. Honestly, I haven't noticed much of a difference. I think it has helped me control my emotions a bit more, though I feel more stable. I've just started my first year of college, and I've had a rough time, but I think the WB helps keep my meltdowns to a minimum (sort of). I was hoping to lose a bit of weight, but I didn't really notice any loss of appetite. I've DEFINITELY noticed that if I forget to take it for a day, I feel absolutely miserable. Even if I take it a bit off schedule, I feel sad for a day. Also, if I drink a bit too much, my hangover is AWFUL, and I feel very sad the next day. Keep the drinking to a minimum or don't."

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2009

For Depression "After 7 years on Zoloft, it had stopped working. I was experiencing mood swings and sadness/depression. My doctor weaned me off Zoloft and prescribed Wellbutrin. The first few weeks, I immediately noticed an increased sensitivity in all my senses. There was kind of a wind tunnel effect in my ears, my body was more sensitive to touch (great for my sex life), I became hypersensitive to noise/vibration (a negative), and I had a keener sense of smell (not always positive). I had trouble getting or staying asleep. I stayed on it for six weeks, but when my fuse got shorter and I became very hostile and angry, I was weaned off of Wellbutrin and changed to Celexa. It's been 2 weeks, and so far, so good."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2016

For Depression "I started on Lexapro, which worked at first for me, then, a month later, made me feel like a zombie because I was so drowsy. So, my doctor started me on 200 mg of Wellbutrin a day. The first few days were fine, and then after about a week, the crazy suicidal thoughts started. Then came the mood swings and short fuse. After 2 weeks of this medication, I couldn't stand anyone around me or even myself. I didn't want to be talked to or even looked at, I felt depressed, life wasn't worth anything. So, my doctor changed me to Prozac 20 mg, and so far, it seems to be a good fit."

• aid...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 8, 2023

For Depression "This was my 'miracle drug' for severe seasonal affective disorder for maybe 6 years before it stopped working. The first dose was very overstimulating, but I had medications to counter that. The only side effect I noticed at first was short-term memory loss, but it didn't matter if I couldn't remember yesterday because I had a life I was able to enjoy. But as it stopped working, my memory got so bad that I couldn't read for two years because halfway through a sentence I'd forgotten what I'd read, let alone the sentence before it, so I couldn't string them together. In the end, I was taking 450 mg/day and was feeling very flat, unmotivated, mentally vacant, and emotionally numb - basically the opposite of how I felt when it was working at first. Now I am off of it and I noticed that my compulsion to play online games completely disappeared. Wellbutrin does still work when I increase the dose, but only for about a week. This winter I will try TMS."

• Mon...
• April 3, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "So I’ve taken Wellbutrin once before because my antidepressant (Prozac) was giving me sexual dysfunction. So my doctor said that I’ll add on Wellbutrin to see if that gets better. And I never really noticed a difference with that. But this medication gave me tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and a headache that drove me insane. Oh, also it made me more depressed."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 4, 2022

For Depression "It’s worth a try. Easy to come off of. I’ve cold turkey quit many antidepressants. Insomnia will probably be your worst side effect. Sweating, agitation, restlessness, trouble focusing, and even increased depression and anxiety are common too. It’s an NDRI like Ritalin but much weaker and less selective. I think jogging, drinking lots of water, and an energy drink or coffee or two is more effective. Don’t expect much, but it’s definitely better than SSRIs, SNRIs, antipsychotics, etc."

• Txt...
• May 31, 2011

For Depression "Just started Wellbutrin after a hysterectomy. My hormones were all out of whack, and I was possibly suffering from slight to moderate depression right before the surgery. I have been on it for 8 days, and I already feel much better. I can't wait to see how I feel after a month or 2. I stopped crying and am much more leveled off. I am still a little withdrawn at times, but I am going to make myself get out there and get back into the normal swing of things. I am on 150 mg."

• Gwe...
• July 30, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "This is for anxiety/major depressive disorder and BPD. The side effects suck. Since I've been on Wellbutrin, I've had severe dizzy spells and severe insomnia where I stay up all night and get 2-5 hours of sleep in the morning, on good days. My appetite suppression is not as extreme as other medications I've been on, but I have lost 5 pounds on it. I like eating, so I don't like that. I had my first self-harm episode, and it had been over a year, and it was over something insignificant that happens all the time. It gave me depression. I personally haven't experienced a good thing about this med, but I'm giving it another month or two to work. I'm hopeful."

• 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."

• sla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been suffering from anhedonia for 1.5 years. I don't feel happy, but I'm not angry or experiencing any other emotion. I heard about Wellbutrin, and I had some hope, so I asked my doctor to give it a chance. Day 26, I feel horrible. I felt the same 2 weeks ago. I thought these side effects would go away and it would be my lifesaver because it's a dopamine inhibitor. I was hoping it would work, but now I feel completely hopeless. I don't know if I should give it more time or get off this drug, it is my last resort. Other antidepressants just make me feel worse, Wellbutrin too, but some days I've been feeling a little hope and more energy. I don't know what to do anymore."

• 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."

• Har...
• September 6, 2016

"I was on 20 mg of Celexa for 2 years to treat anxiety (GAD) and OCD. With Celexa, I never had any side effects, and the only thing I noticed was my weight would fluctuate. My doctor suggested Wellbutrin because it was weight neutral and also could help with ADD. I tried it for 4 weeks, which I know you should give it the full 6-8 weeks, however, 4 weeks was enough. I had horrible headaches, no appetite, felt like I was strung out, up days, down days, depressions (which I have never had), horrible anxiety, no motivation, horrible ADD, and the list goes on. I told my doctor, but she urged me to continue. Finally, my hair started coming out, and I was done. This is a powerful drug, and I am sure it does wonders for people who need it, but not me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 25, 2017

For Depression "I've been taking Celexa, gabapentin, and Wellbutrin for the last 2 years. Diagnosed with type 2 bipolar, ADD, and dyslexia. I've tried different drugs over the years, and the above combination worked fairly well. Then, 2 weeks ago, I ran out of Wellbutrin and Lopressor. So, between the 2, it was hard to get a reading on my mental health. Restarted Wellbutrin after 10 days without, still waiting on Lopressor. The thing I've noticed is a complete lack of interest in anything, which I'm guessing is what causes some people to feel suicidal. Not feeling that way now, however, I know the feeling."

• Not...
• July 11, 2011

For Depression "I'm shocked to see not a single negative review listed. The first day taking Wellbutrin after drinks with a friend (not advisable), we had a bad fight, my anger was uncontrollable. The next day, I had a fight with my roommate, I was absorbed in rage, completely unaware of others' feelings. That week, I was stuck in my head, angry, charged, paranoid, and isolated. A week later, I had a terrible fight with my roommate resulting in a bad physical altercation, cops were called, and the next day she moved out. The next day, I was extremely depressed and indifferent. I stopped taking it. Maybe I didn't give it time. Don't want to discourage others, but if you have irritability/anger issues, be very aware and cautious."

• Eme...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2022

For Depression "Do not take this. It literally can take you to a nightmare world. I felt better at first even with the side effects and endured them for a month. Then it made me scared and psychotic. Felt unloved, lost, and detached from myself. It's one of the side effects and it's not rare. I have never felt so bad. It's not worth it. Believe me, you will regret it."

• Lun...
• February 21, 2018

For Depression "A few days after starting these meds, I had the overwhelming feeling of really dark depression."