I just started taking Wellbutrin today

[FightingBoredom]

No need to reply. I'm just logging this event so I can remember when I started taking the stuff. I might even track my progress daily. It depends on how well the meds work whether I rememember or not!

I just started at 150mg today. My doctor says she wants me to increase to 300mg after 2 weeks if I don't have any bad side effects.

[Johna]

Do you smoke? Wellbutrin helped me stop smoking

[FightingBoredom]

I don't smoke.

But 2 days into it and I feel a little more focused and the FOG feeling is lessened. I was able to stay focused on my deliverables nearly ALL day today and I noticed that several times I wanted to do something else and was able to quickly return my attention to the immediate priority work.

[FightingBoredom]

OK, for the past 2 days I have felt ZERO motivation to do anything that requires mental effort, especially work. I just feel like laying around all day and watching movies...or even going out and riding a bike aorund the neighborhood...which I've done both days hoping that it will help me feel more motivated mentally.

I even thought forcing myself to work might get me through to a point where I feel more motivated...and it's not working.

I guess this would be week 2 on WellButrin.... does this sound like a normal phase of ramping up on this med?

[FightingBoredom]

I started on the 300mg tabs today.
I haven't noticed any real benefit to taking WB yet....but it's only been 10 days.

[speedo]

I develop anger after several days at 300 mg. I can handle 300 mg for a few days and 450 for a single day, but once the blood levels of welbutrin gets too high , I become one grumpy rascal.

Your experience may be different, but you might want to keep an eye on it, so you (and others around you) don't get an unhappy surprise...


Me

Originally Posted by FightingBoredom

I started on the 300mg tabs today.
I haven't noticed any real benefit to taking WB yet....but it's only been 10 days.

[Fly Away]

Originally Posted by speedo

I develop anger after several days at 300 mg. I can handle 300 mg for a few days and 450 for a single day, but once the blood levels of welbutrin gets too high , I become one grumpy rascal.

Your experience may be different, but you might want to keep an eye on it, so you (and others around you) don't get an unhappy surprise...


Me

I am new to wellbutrin too and heard about the anger problem some people develop. An interesting thing happened with me when I started taking WB. Instead of feeling angry I became more assertive in a good way. In all honesty I needed to have a little anger since I often just hold it inside. I noticed I was not a pushover with my kids like I had been becoming. I did not get angry but stated what I wanted, stuck to it and followed it thru til completion. Before this they were getting away with things I would normally not of allowed but just could not keep up with. What a relief to me to be able to parent, be involved and stay consistent with what I was asking from them. I had things running so smoothly at home it was a real relief.

I hope things go well for you too.

[FightingBoredom]

I've noticed a little anger but not really toward anyone. It's more a feeling of anger that I have about being alive at all.
It's weird. It's not that I want to die. It's just that I feel like I don't enjoy much of anything and it doesn't matter what meds I'm on or what's happening.

Maybe I need to go on a vacation or something.....

I still think my focus is better on WB but I'm not really any more motivated to do anything than before. I feel like ..."what's the point?" I just keep getting older and gotta pay the bills and every day seems like a cycle that keeps repeating itself even when the scenery changes it's still the same old crap...just a different day.

I don't feel depressed and hopeless...I've been there. This is more like my brain goes through a logical calculation and sums up that 80% of life is just a waste of time.

Feel free to post or not post a response. I started this thread just to track my progress on WB. I'm not looking for an answer...just sick of asking questions!

[FightingBoredom]

Well, I'm at 3 weeks and have been on 300mg for 12 days now. I feel more cynical and lethargic than ever.
My paranoia has increased.
My feeling of "who gives a hoot" has increased.
I feel tense and unmotivated.
I go to bed earlier than usual from emotional exhaustion and wake up earlier than usual feeling freaked out about things that I can't put my finger on.

I think I'm going to continue the WB for another month.

If it doesn't get better pretty soon I'll be throwing a pity party....and you're all invited!

[speedo]

Get with your doctor. You could just be having some short term depression, but some of these meds can cause psycosis , so you have to be on your guard against any odd happeneings with yourself. This can be a serious thing, so DO get in touch with your doctor ASAP.

Me

Originally Posted by FightingBoredom

Well, I'm at 3 weeks and have been on 300mg for 12 days now. I feel more cynical and lethargic than ever.
My paranoia has increased.
My feeling of "who gives a hoot" has increased.
I feel tense and unmotivated.
I go to bed earlier than usual from emotional exhaustion and wake up earlier than usual feeling freaked out about things that I can't put my finger on.

I think I'm going to continue the WB for another month.

If it doesn't get better pretty soon I'll be throwing a pity party....and you're all invited!

[Imnapl]

FlyAway,

I agree with Speedo. Go see your doctor. I went on Wellbutrin to stop smoking and noticed some side effects the first week, but not what you're describing.

By the way, it worked for me.

[speedo]

I'm betting thta 300 mG is too much, and backing off to 150 mg might be the thing to do, but talk to your doctor. It sounds like you are getting a stimulating effect from the welbutrin.
I bet your insomnia has increased lately too...


Me

[FightingBoredom]

I stayed on the 300mg dose because I'm SO sick of trying new meds and having them NOT work.

I've stopped or changed my dose of half a dozen new meds before the time that I would expect to see any positive effect due to side effects.

So, long monologue short: I noticed today that the pity party feeling is gone. I am feeling like stepping up and make changes for the better. It's a feeling I've missed for some time!

It's odd and great at the same time to FEEL like I can get rid of my fear by telling it to go away, don't bother me!

Will it last? Obi-Wan...we can only hope.....

[wolfie860]

I've been on this medication for 13 yrs, after being a virtual guinea pig agreeing to so many med trials all which proved ineffective.(e.g the SSRI's and 1 tricyclic). It changed my whole outlook on life; going from feelings of hopelessness to motivating me to make necessary changes. I had been maintained on the 300 mg's for 10 yrs then it started too lose its efficacy. I panicked knowing the crashes that occur when I attempt to take drug holidays. I had a tremendous doc (back in MI)who instead of changing my meds all around raised my dose to 200mgSR twice daily. That was all I needed to improve. Sure there is minute risk of seizure.. but what meds don't have risks? It's was primarily Bulimics who had the seizures anyway.
In regards to helping me stop smoking, that never occured. Probably because I had been smoking all the while and didn't really want to quit.

Side effects will always occur with any med, due to changes in our brain chemistry. The S/E should wear off in about a week(give or take), then hopefully you'll start noticing an improvement in your mood. But for your benefit give it 3 weeks before stopping as you'll know by then if the med is truly helping.(of course this should be discussed w/ your doctor)
As my previous Doc would say, antidepressants/ mood stabilizers only work for those who need it. If you don't need any psychotropic meds then all you'd experience were the side effects and never the benefits.
Find the lowest dose that works for you; if 150 mg does the trick then great. Good luck, I hope you find the right med and start feeling better soon.

[FightingBoredom]

Wolfie860, Thanks for the input and support.

Since my last post I'm still seeing a positive effect from the WB at 300mg. I don't feel any better in the areas of motivation or improved mood.