effects of wellbutrin

[sirlan]

I've been on wellbutrin for a week now -- 100 mg twice a day. Did anyone else get mild headaches every day while on it?
The first couple of days, I noticed something different about the way I was thinking (a little improvement in concentration), I was a little more relaxed, and was able to get a little more done than usual. However, either it isn't working as well now or I'm getting used to it but I still have headaches every day.
Is this normal? Any thoughts?

[joanrdtobe]

Greg: I don't remember headaches as a side effect when I first went on Wellbutrin......I would hang in there a bit longer with the Wellbutrin, take a few Advil, and see if the headaches perhaps don't go away......especially seeing as you're having good results already with the Wellbutrin.....Is there any other reason why you think you may be having the headaches other than them being a side effect of the medication? Like are you under a lot of stress? Perhaps they are stress headaches....

Even starting a new med is stressful....

.What do others think?

[Andrew]

I had such horrible nightmares on Wellbutrin, I quickly took myself off the med.

[joanrdtobe]

Originally posted by BIG
I had such horrible nightmares on Wellbutrin, I quickly took myself off the med.

OH NO (You are the first person I have heard that from......with regard to this med)

[Andrew]

Would wake up in a cold sweat, screaming my head off.

[sirlan]

Hi Joan -- I've had migraines and sinus headaches most of my life but I've never had mild headaches every day like this until I started on Wellbutrin. I'm getting the headaches about 6 hours after taking it. I'm also getting some dizziness. I'm convinced it's the Wellbutrin but I'm going to keep taking it until I go back to my doctor. I'm making notes about all of the effects I'm getting from it so I'll see what he says. If it gets worse, I'll give him a call.

I haven't had any nightmares yet but I have had some weird dreams. I'm not sure I'll be satisfied with this medication but I want to make sure I give it a fair chance. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks

[joanrdtobe]

Greg: I'm sorry you've had to live with migraines....

Anyway, the Wellbutrin is not only giving you mild headaches but dizziness too?? Hmmmm. Good idea to keep the journal to show your doctor....of when the headaches and dizziness and any other effects come on.....perhaps note how bad the effects are as well....Yes please do call your doc if it gets unbearable....

Hang in there.....no this med may not be the right one for you after all but hey things might turn around....in any event you have a great attitude about the whole thing.....wanting to give it a fair chance and all....

[joanrdtobe]

Greg: I looked up Wellbutrin under WEBmd website. It said that dizziness is often a side effect of Wellbutrin and suggests that it often comes from rising too fast after sitting or lying. And so it suggested to rise slowly after sitting or lying down.

It also listed "headaches" as the first non-serious side effect...and suggested to continue taking the med if headaches but talk to doctor...which you're doing so cool

[sirlan]

Thanks Joan -- that's what I just read also. The headaches are annoying but I'm hoping they go away soon. I have a feeling I'll end up on something else next month anyway (with all new side effects to enjoy).

[joanrdtobe]

Lucky you ....Seriously, hang in there....it's a rare person who finds the right medication on the first try....not that that will make you feel any better by my telling you that....

Okay, how about putting some cold towels behind your neck, lie down in a dark room and listen to some soft music.....such as Pachelbel's Canon in D minor...that might help your headache...

ALSO drink lots of water....maybe some slight dehydration going on.....which exacerabate headaches....

[sirlan]

Actually, I go through around a gallon of water every day. As for the headaches, they're really mild. Between migraines and kidney stones, I have a high tolerance for pain and these headaches are just mildly annoying (but every day). It could be worse -- at least I'm not having seizures.

[joanrdtobe]

Kidney stones? I had had one ONCE and thought I would die....you MUST have a high tolerance for pain if you get kidney stones frequently....

And about seizures...good you're not having them...What my doctor did tell me about seizures...was that Wellbutrin could possibly cause them if one goes over the upper limit allowed...He would not allow me to go over 450 mg (150 mg 3x per day). I'm on 400 mg now (200 2x per day). No side effects.

Probably won't happen for you with 200 mg per day.......can you imagine having seizures as a side effect of a med? Scarey.....

[amiegrace]

I LOVE WELLBUTRIN.

When I first went on it, I had way crazy dreams and headache and tremendous nervousness. Funny, the nicotine patch did the exact same thing when I tried to quit smoking. All of the Wellbutrin side effects subsided in about 4 weeks and I thank GOD that I held on.

HANG ON! The side effects mean that it's starting to take effect. After about six weeks, I was done with a 2 pack per day smoking habit and have NEVER returned to it. I don't even crave them.

If you are having migraines and kidney stones, perhaps mineral supplementation would help? And B vitamins also? These do me a world of good. Most docs recommend b6 supplementation in any case. Also fish oil capsules help way much.

If you drink coffee or tea or other caffeine drinks, you may want to lay off for a while.

PS -- Goody's Powders are the bomb for headaches.

[tiggwin]

Sirlan - I'm sorry you have to deal with even just slightly annoying headaches. I've noticed that many side-effects from Straterra go away over time. Maybe the same will be true for you and Wellbutrin. I took wellbutrin for 6 years, and my headaches from Wellbutrin mainly came from missing a dose. Once I took the next one, the headache went away.

[joanrdtobe]

I've been on Wellbutrin now over 7 years....and at this time I experience no side effects at all....none....not even a little

And when I've made the mistake of forgetting to take my meds, oh God, I felt it and paid dearly.....