Anyone have experience taking Bupropion ?

Posted by fate @fate, Nov 17, 2021

Starting a new medication for MDD and GAD is something I swore not to try again. Over time, I venture to say I have tried it all. I only got better by going off meds. Yet here again out of desperation I consented to give Bupropion (Wellbrutin) a try. Research tells me it effects dopamine reuptake as well as norepinephrine. Any advice or experience appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Hello fate, I took Bupropion for about 6 years and found it was a tremendous help. Towards the end, I didn't feel like I needed it so with the advice in Glenmullen's book, and my doctor, I tapered off. I need smaller doses so I did involve my doctor who was
helpful and supportive.
I also took Zoloft and I can tell you that was a royal monster to taper off, giving me anxiety so that I could not sit down -pacing it was terrible. I would never take an SSRI again! But I persisted and succeeded.
The Bupropion wasn't bad to taper, I just went slowly. No digestive issues, no anxiety problem. It's been over 2 years now. Now I take a small dose of Buspar for GAD and it works like a charm. I have some Lorazepam for "emergencies" but rarely need it.
I loved the Bupropion and it got me through without weight gain. My circumstances changed, no depression, so I got off of it.
It was good when I needed it and easy to leave when I didn't.

REPLY

I have also recently been prescribed Wellbutrin for anxiety and depression. I have been taking antidepressants for years and adding to see if it helps with motivation, mood etc. Hopefully, I can back off some of my other meds. Good luck to you and keep in touch with your progress.

REPLY

I am currently on Wellbutrin & have been on it the past. Neither time was a problem going off & getting back on.

REPLY
@marionwilhelm

I am currently on Wellbutrin & have been on it the past. Neither time was a problem going off & getting back on.

Jump to this post

Good to know! Thank you very much.

REPLY
@suz55

I have also recently been prescribed Wellbutrin for anxiety and depression. I have been taking antidepressants for years and adding to see if it helps with motivation, mood etc. Hopefully, I can back off some of my other meds. Good luck to you and keep in touch with your progress.

Jump to this post

Keeping fingers crossed for both of us. Keep in touch!

REPLY

I've been taking Wellbutrin for many years starting when my husband had cancer. I had to increase the dose after he died, then reduced the dose years later only to have to increase again after other traumatic events - 2 sons have died, home fire with complete loss, more losses than is helpful to go into just to say that the depression following all of it just persisted. I did wean off it this past year after it had been 3 years since the last son died only to find out just how low I felt and how lost I felt and displaced without the life I used to have. I have remarried and have a very nice life but I still have a broken heart. I haven't been willing to do SSRIs because I know just how hard they are to get off and the side effects aren't worth it. The Wellbutrin works well for me. To me it's about the quality of life. I want to have some quality as best I can. I do still have a daughter and 3 grandchildren, a wonderful husband and surprisingly, my health.

REPLY

Firstly, very sorry to read about your losses. I have been on buproprian on and off for 20 years. I too, get depressed when experiencing loss. I used to resort to alcohol but that doesn't work!! Buproprion works very well for me. I even experienced a small weight loss taking it while I dealt with my sorrow and grief, never to put weight back on after I quit taking it. It is cheap also. I had no side effects. I have had a life filled with sorrow and loss, too. My entire family is gone and 6 months ago my house burned down and I lost my 'fur buddy.' 100% loss. All I had was the clothes on my back. I am starting over and started on the bupropion again. It takes a while to work, but it is worth the wait.

REPLY
@suz55

I have also recently been prescribed Wellbutrin for anxiety and depression. I have been taking antidepressants for years and adding to see if it helps with motivation, mood etc. Hopefully, I can back off some of my other meds. Good luck to you and keep in touch with your progress.

Jump to this post

That was my experience, too. It was added to my GAD plan & has worked both times. I doubt if I will ever go off my current regimen of Wellbutrin & Duloxitine. Together with small nibble of cannabis brownie at night & my life is good. I am a 68 yo female & have anxiety since I was 8 or 9. I am so grateful for for my original MD that first recognised my problem.

REPLY

I too take Wellbutrin and Cymbalta, I don’t do well with Wellbutrin by itself, makes me too anxious/agitated.

REPLY
@lindasmith1222

Firstly, very sorry to read about your losses. I have been on buproprian on and off for 20 years. I too, get depressed when experiencing loss. I used to resort to alcohol but that doesn't work!! Buproprion works very well for me. I even experienced a small weight loss taking it while I dealt with my sorrow and grief, never to put weight back on after I quit taking it. It is cheap also. I had no side effects. I have had a life filled with sorrow and loss, too. My entire family is gone and 6 months ago my house burned down and I lost my 'fur buddy.' 100% loss. All I had was the clothes on my back. I am starting over and started on the bupropion again. It takes a while to work, but it is worth the wait.

Jump to this post

My heart aches for you. Take care.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.