Wellbutrin got me out of a Major Depressive episode. It kicked in in about 2.5 weeks. I've been on Wellbutrin twice before and that's what I notice about it--the response is not gradual but sudden. In other words, it should be easy to tell when it's staring to work because you can "feel" it. For a few days, after the 2.5 weeks I also experienced increased energy and motivation, as well as a renewed pleasure in activities I used to enjoy. This, as in prior occasions, was short-lived. It might not make me "cheerfully happy" but I will give it credit for consistently lifting me out of major depressive states.
Titrated downward twice in two weeks for the usual adverse effects: hypersexuality, insomnia, craving alcohol, slight hyperacusis (ear pulse), mild teeth grinding.
Cost:
< $25 monthly
Date
Sep 30, 2010
Advice & Tips
At prescribed doses, induced hypomania. At lower doses, may have helped with concentration, depression and fatigue—or not. Did keep me awake if I took it after noon. Stopped because I came to see it as contributing to irritability. This gets complicated, because giving it up can do the same—perhaps because it's habituating/addictive. Be all that as it may, I feel better off without it now.
Cost:
< $25 monthly
Date
Aug 05, 2009
Advice & Tips
Dosage, dosage, dosage! Be observant about effects, report them, and work with your prescriber to optimize the dose. Micromanage as needed. Use the instant mood readings to spot trends. Get multiiple prescriptions (in different dosages) if that's what you need to manage and your prescriber will cooperate.
Cost:
< $25 monthly
Date
Feb 21, 2009
Advice & Tips
Be vigilant about effects, particularly hypomania, and how they relate to dosage and timing of dose. Charting your instant mood can be very helpful for this. It works for me to adjust the dose according to my pattern of good and bad days, and this helps a lot in evening out my moods. If you notice tinnitus, particularly pounding in the ears at night, check out other causes; bupropion may be making you more sensitive to something that you can fix with an earwash or other measures.
Cost:
< $25 monthly
Date
Nov 10, 2008
Advice & Tips
Dosage, dosage, dosage! Observe the effects, and work with your prescriber to find the dose that's best for you (assuming this is the right drug for you, which of course may not be the case). Through quite a bit of trial and error, I arrived at a dose of about 60 mg a day, which I manage by taking 50 mg (half a 100 mg tablet) 4 days a week and 75 mg (the smallest tab available) 3 days a week. I'm generally sensitive to medications, and many people tolerate and benefit from much more, but the same principle applies: weigh the cost and benefits and see if you can optimize their balance through adjusting dosage (always in consultation with your prescriber).
Cost:
< $25 monthly
Date
Aug 19, 2008
Advice & Tips
This is in my experience and according to a friend's report a "speedy" drug. Watch effects carefully and be prepared to adjust dosage as needed.
I was not as lucky as those who get improved libido on Wellbutrin - mine has actually decreased. It also caused a mild erectile dysfunction.
But it's the best antidepressant I've ever had. Totally worth it!
Purposes:Reactive Depression, Major Depressive Disorder, and Treat my mood condition(s)(Started Mar 24, 2006)
Date
Dosage
Reactive Depression
Efficacy
Major Depressive Disorder
Efficacy
Treat my mood condition(s)
Efficacy
Side Effects
Adherence
Burden
Sep 15, 2011
400 mg
Daily
Sep 09, 2008
400 mg
Daily
?
Date
Sep 15, 2011
Advice & Tips
I've been taking Wellbutrin since 2006. Since I've had several severe depression episodes since then, I really don't think it is helping at all.
Cost:
< $25 monthly
Date
Sep 09, 2008
Advice & Tips
Well, I'm still depressed somewhat. But the reasons for it are more than biochemical, so I'm taking the med. Who knows what kind of shape I'd be in without it? (previously, bad!)
Medication was very good and I took it for many years. I just wanted to see if I could manage my mood and energy level without taking prescribed medication. I weaned myself off the drug by taking it every other day and then three times a week then twice a week until I stopped completely. No adverse effects. Constipation no longer a problem.
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