Wellbutrin and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• December 3, 2012

For Depression "This drug was not for me. It's very stimulating. It made me aggressive, angry, and irritable. It had several unpleasant side effects, like headache, heavy head, agitation, and fatigue. Strange shock sensations in the brain, loss of appetite, unwanted weight loss, insomnia, broken sleep, nightmares, trembling, and dehydration. And with all that, it never lifted my mood at all. It made me completely dysphoric. I cried daily, screamed at my husband and kids, and hated myself and my body so much I had thoughts of self-harm. In the past, I have taken SSRIs and never experienced anything as negative as this. Although the sexual side effects on others were atrocious! That is one thing Wellbutrin didn't cause, sexual dysfunction. I am a 31-year-old female."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2012

For Depression "Really bad. I didn't feel better at all, just constantly 'wired' like I had drank 6 cups of coffee. I couldn't sleep at all."

• 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."

• sle...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 12, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "All this drug does is amp me up and keep me awake all night. That’s just my experience from being on it for a while."

• Ver...
• August 19, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I believe this is an overall fantastic drug, but likely not the best fit for those with a history of chronic insomnia. I was prescribed Wellbutrin after quitting Lexapro (to avoid sexual dysfunction associated with SSRIs) and experienced a temporary decrease in my depression but developed horrific insomnia that lasted the entire duration of my use of Wellbutrin. Because I was chronically underslept for a period of 6 months, my depression and panic disorder worsened exponentially to a critical point, which resulted in me quitting Wellbutrin. Thankfully, Wellbutrin was much easier to taper off and quit than conventional SSRIs! No brain zaps or severe withdrawals. Give this drug a chance, but be wary if you already battle with sleep."

• Eva...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2021

For Depression "I had to stop Prozac, which worked very well on me, but unfortunately started causing neutropenia and related skin problems. The doctor recommended Wellbutrin 75 mg for a week then to increase to 150 mg. Straight after the first dose, I developed hand twitching/tremors and felt, in general, very jittery. I could never increase it to 150 mg. I felt weird, one minute hyper, the next minute tired. Did not sleep or feel very well. I’ve been on it for 4 weeks and am really struggling. Prozac worked very well on me, Wellbutrin affects dopamine and noradrenaline, so completely different neurotransmitters than Prozac. I am starting now Vortioxetine, which is a newer generation SSRI with less side effects, etc. Hoping for better days."

• Nee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2017

For Depression "Started taking it, and I slept well at night and awoke early around 5 to start my day happily. But come 8 a.m., and I am drowsy and needed to take already two hours nap. Awake and resume my day with not much difficulties. Then at 2 p.m. again I needed a nap? So how was I gonna make it to work and my appointments too? I went cold turkey. Felt much better after that. Only to crash again. I did try other antidepressants, including Pristiq. But I suffered with insomnia with these meds. I know I need to start again, but so confused if I should resume Wellbutrin."

• Iwa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 5, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on Wellbutrin 75 mg x 2 a day for a week. I have CFS and MDD, SAD, as well as mild OSA. My sleep doctor suggested Wellbutrin because of its stimulating effects after I asked about Provigil or Nuvigil for my extreme fatigue and depression. The first four days, I felt like I drank 20 cups of coffee. Jittery, gnashing my teeth, tensed-up muscles, hard time sleeping, while still depressed. Not a good combination. After four days, the stimulant effect suddenly went away and was replaced by the worst sleepiness I've ever felt. An hour after taking the pills, I practically fall asleep. Drowsy and sleepy all day to the point of not being able to function at my job. Not sure if I can continue Wellbutrin for much longer."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2016

For Depression "I have been on Wellbutrin 150 mg for 3 days now, doc said to up the dose to 300 mg after my first week, it has been hell to say the least. I have had terrible migraines, a very 'slumped/sluggish' feeling, and I can't sleep! If anything, I feel worse! I just want this terrible phase to be over! One thing positive I will add is that it has helped me with my weight tremendously - I have lost 10 pounds in 10 days, losing about a pound a day on this medication."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Mes...
• September 12, 2016

For Depression "I was started on WB XL 150 mg 8 weeks ago. The first couple of weeks, I had nausea, fogginess, and had trouble sleeping. This started to taper off at about the four-week mark. Last week, my doctor increased it to 300 mg, and I have had fogginess/dizziness. Since I've been on it, I've had some abdominal discomfort. Is this normal, and will it go away? Do you get the side effects again when it has been increased?"

• Mor...
• August 17, 2016

For Depression "I've been battling depression for quite a while now. It all started after a cancer diagnosis. I'm currently a survivor but feel extremely depressed after my longtime boyfriend left me. I feel extremely lonely without him and couldn't cope with life. I would think about suicide day and night, so I realized I needed help and decided to take Wellbutrin. The good thing is that it gave me lots of energy and I was able to focus better, but the downside was that I couldn't sleep. I'm looking for another medication now."

• Anonymous
• July 23, 2016

For Depression "I took bupropion for about two weeks, and I didn't like the side effects. I can't sleep, and with kids, it's a big no! It's been about two weeks since I stopped, and I wish I didn't. I get anxiety attacks, I want to cry! And dizziness. I will visit my doctor soon."

• Pin...
• November 19, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and have also suffered the loss of my family. I had 5 major surgeries in one year and have attempted suicide several times. I've been on a variety of meds and have watched my weight balloon from 140 to 240 lbs because of these medicines. Am I better because of Wellbutrin? Maybe at first, and it is easier to move my life along. Side effects: itching that drives me nuts, no sex drive, I've only been able to drop 40 lbs, can't sleep, agitated really easily over stupid stuff, crying at the smallest thing. Yes, I still have days I don't want to get out of bed, but after a while, I finally do. No suicide thoughts right now, which is good."

• Anonymous
• October 13, 2009

For Depression "I've been on Wellbutrin for about a month and a half. I started with 200 mg/day for the first month, and my doctor just raised it to 300 mg/day. The only good thing I can say is that it's completely killed my appetite, which I don't mind because I needed to lose weight anyway. I've experienced the heightened senses that I've read about. I'm also having problems sleeping. So far, there has only been one day where I felt truly happy. The rest of the time, I'm either at the same hopeless and depressed point I was at before I started taking the pills, or I'm somewhere in between completely hopeless and just mediocre. I'll give it a little while longer because I know these things take time, but so far, it's useless as far as helping me with my depression."

• Don...
• October 4, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been taking 150 mg for 2 weeks now. I felt the effects in just a few days. I have a lot of energy, and it has increased my thirst. I've lost a few pounds. My only problem is sleep. I've been taking zolpidem for 3 years (5 mg) and it isn't helping much. I've taken a few other antidepressants in the past, and this has been the most effective."

• fee...
• November 10, 2013

For Depression "I just started Wellbutrin. I have a two-month-old and a 3-year-old. Out of nowhere, I started to feel scared all the time, confused and can't concentrate at all, and then I would have panic attacks and thoughts of death, not kill myself, just the thought of dying. I've been taking it for a week and a half. The first day, I felt high, and it scared me, and I have trouble sleeping, but keep in mind a two-month-old too. But I can say the panic attacks have stopped. I'm not scared anymore, this is working for already. They say it takes a month to really get it to work, and it's already helping. I'm looking forward to seeing how much this medication can help me. I'll keep everyone updated. #Feeling hopeful"

• Jay...
• January 5, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've only been taking it a week. I went up to 300 mg on the fourth day to help me quit smoking, but I will also continue the medicine for my depression. So far, after the first day of taking this medication, I've noticed I will not sleep more than 9 hours, which I could easily sleep 12 hours. When I smoke a cigarette after the first day, first couple of days 1-6 so far, I do not feel any effects of the cigarette, it's like I'm just filling up my lungs with smoke and not being ''rewarded'' mentally... but the craving was still slightly there. I also see people saying this medication is making them angry... I don't know, I roll my eyes at that, but everyone's different."

• 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."

• jmm...
• April 15, 2015

For Depression "I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, as well as a bit of OCD regarding my weight well over 10 years ago, but started taking medication for it only 2 years ago. I'm on Wellbutrin again, after a year or so off of it, for about 6 days now, and I haven't felt much of a positive change whatsoever, unfortunately. The one side effect I've been getting is extreme migraines. I suffer from chronic migraines anyway, but they're never usually this bad every day. I'm not sure if it's because I'm still coming off of the Zoloft while starting up the Wellbutrin. Zoloft gave me awful headaches and major weight gain along with some insomnia. I'm sticking it out and hoping that the migraines go away. I have been nauseous daily also."

• Bri...
• November 20, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I'm male, 54 years old and weigh about 180 lbs. The first time I tried Wellbutrin, it was 150mg twice a day. It was too much for me. Side effects: Jitters, hyperactive, constant bouncing of knee when sitting, clenching teeth, weight loss, tinnitus, insomnia, dull headache in back of head. I decided to quit Wellbutrin but recently resumed using it. I only take 75mg in the morning (5 AM) then 75mg at 11 AM. They are the 'SR' type. I will continue using this dose until my body adjusts and then I may up the dose to 150 twice a day. For me, starting at 300mg a day was far too much. I believe starting lower, I will be able to remain on this."

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2012

For Depression "I took this medicine for about 6 weeks. I loved the increased energy during the day, the weight loss, and decreased desire to smoke! But it didn't do much to improve my mood and PMDD, and I had trouble staying asleep at night."

• Nat...
• June 6, 2021

For Depression "Just starting this med. The first couple days, I didn’t think it was doing much, but I noticed I couldn’t sleep for very long. I wasn’t as hopelessly sad as I had been the week prior, but I was experiencing an array of stomach-related side effects (constipated until I was very much no longer constipated, bloating, stomach aches, and VERY nauseous the first night). Fast forward a few days, I still can’t sleep very much. I’m artificially active is the best way to describe it. I’ve been pretty inactive throughout the pandemic, but I walked to get iced coffee in 90-degree heat, cleaned my apartment, had people over, then went to the gym later because I was so jittery and couldn’t sit still. It also has given me quite a bit of anxiety and some irritability alongside the constant need to be active. I hope that over the next few days, the anxious thoughts, stomach issues, and insomnia calm down."