Wellbutrin users?
jmessina205
Posts: 190 Member
At my doctors appointment yesterday, my doctor mentioned Wellbutrin as an option for me to try and help control my anxiety/stress as well as increase my energy and possibly help me loose weight.
I'm doing my research, but also was just looking to see if anyone has/is using this and your thoughts. Do you feel more energized and have you lost any weight. Or any bad experiences.
I'm doing my research, but also was just looking to see if anyone has/is using this and your thoughts. Do you feel more energized and have you lost any weight. Or any bad experiences.
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We looked at Wellbutrin last time I was in for depression/anxiety. My doctor opted to go with effexor instead. Otherwise I'd be able to give you my experience on that specifically.
However, I've been on a couple of different medications. Some of them have effects on appetite and/or energy. But I think the effects of them vary by person. I can tell you, though, that for me, dealing with the depression and anxiety can definitely help increase energy levels and curtail extra eating (if you eat your emotions and now have other ways of dealing with it). They can also increase your appetite, though, so make sure you're still tracking -- and weighing or measuring.
IME, dealing with the depression is the important thing! Just know that you are not alone in this.0 -
I was on Zoloft and gained 20-25 lbs in less than a year. My doctor switched me to the generic Wellbutrin last year and I've been able to lose those extra lbs and keep it off. I found that it did give me extra energy to exercise and suppressed my appetite so I wasn't as hungry. I still have 5-7 lbs I want to lose but I think the Wellbutrin did help in the beginning to kick start it. I agree with manthjulz though, you still have to watch what and how much you eat.0
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Thanks!!! I did take Zoloft for a few years for depression/anxiety, and other then making my mood fairly stable I didn't see any other differences.
At this point I wouldn't really say I'm depressed....been there, but I don't feel that way now and don't really want to ever again lol. But, I do still deal with my anxiety, it's not as bad as it has been in the past but due to some unavoidable stress it's been worse lately. That's why he recommended a low dose of Wellbutrin, apparently it's supposed to be more mild?
I really don't know that I want to take anything else. At this point it's just research and weighing my options
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I just learned that if you have bulimia, you shouldn't be on Wellbutrin. It can trigger seizures.
I was on Lexipro (which helped with the depression) and Wellbutrin (which gave me energy), but just had my Lexipro switched for Prozac. I was told it will stop my urge to binge.0 -
I have been on wellbutrin for over a year and while I wasn't actively trying to lose weight I did maintain my weight versus gaining which has been my experience with other meds. The key thing I found to be helpful with my anxiety and depression is exercise. It has truly changed my life, and I can't imagine going back to a life without it0
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i have heard that wellbutrin suppresses the appetite and can be used to help lose weight while being treated for depression. as opposed to the many that make you hungry alllll the time
me, it gave me vertigo, so i cannot take it
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I've been on Wellbutrin two times in my life (for depression) and both times I lost 5-10 lbs in the first few weeks. It definitely kills your appetite.0
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I have been on wellbutrin for over a year and while I wasn't actively trying to lose weight I did maintain my weight versus gaining which has been my experience with other meds. The key thing I found to be helpful with my anxiety and depression is exercise. It has truly changed my life, and I can't imagine going back to a life without it
Yeah, I need to get on an exercise program. It does help with my anxiety and energy level.0 -
I just started taking Wellbutrin a few weeks ago and have noticed a definite decrease in appetite. My doctor said it can take 5-6 weeks to see any therapeutic benefit, but I think I feel a little bit better. I have experienced the other fun side effects-- insomnia, constipation, and dry mouth, but those have abated a bit.
Lexapro blunted my emotions so much that I felt like a robot.0 -
tarheelntx wrote: »I just started taking Wellbutrin a few weeks ago and have noticed a definite decrease in appetite. My doctor said it can take 5-6 weeks to see any therapeutic benefit, but I think I feel a little bit better. I have experienced the other fun side effects-- insomnia, constipation, and dry mouth, but those have abated a bit.
Lexapro blunted my emotions so much that I felt like a robot.
Yeah, I wasn't depressed anymore, but I felt like sludge. Zero energy. That's why they added the Wellbutrin. Coming off Lexipro was NOTHING compared to the nightmare of coming off Effexor.0 -
(Side Note)
They package Wellbutrin under the name "Zyban" as a stop smoking aid. I used Zyban to quit smoking with good result. So if your a smoker (probably not on this board) it may help you stop even if that's not why your taking it.0 -
I took Wellbutrin a long time ago for mood issues. I didn't take it for very long because it made me feel jittery and sweaty and speedy. I think I took it for a couple of months. I was a smoker at the time, and it completely changed the taste of my cigarettes. They tasted awful. I still wanted to smoke, but I felt punished every time I did. I didn't quit, but I also had no intentions of quitting at that time. No one told me it helped with weight loss, but perhaps that is why they put me on that first before any other meds given my weight history. I was at my lowest weight ever around that time after intentional weight loss efforts, and oddly enough, I was both the skinniest and unhappiest I had ever been!0
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Here's a recent Wellbutrin thread: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10212949/anyone-on-wellbutrin/p10
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ashleesaid wrote: »I've been on Wellbutrin two times in my life (for depression) and both times I lost 5-10 lbs in the first few weeks. It definitely kills your appetite.
For some people. OP, I have been on it for about 5 months now. I haven't noticed any change in my appetite. You may or may not get that side effect.0 -
tarheelntx wrote: »I just started taking Wellbutrin a few weeks ago and have noticed a definite decrease in appetite. My doctor said it can take 5-6 weeks to see any therapeutic benefit, but I think I feel a little bit better. I have experienced the other fun side effects-- insomnia, constipation, and dry mouth, but those have abated a bit.
Lexapro blunted my emotions so much that I felt like a robot.
Yeah, I wasn't depressed anymore, but I felt like sludge. Zero energy. That's why they added the Wellbutrin. Coming off Lexipro was NOTHING compared to the nightmare of coming off Effexor.
^^ This for Effexor. What a nightmarish drug to come off of. Talk about withdrawal symptoms!
I was on Wellbutrin for about eight months. I actually had INCREASED anxiety while taking it, and had to take another drug to combat the anxiety. I didn't have any issues losing weight while taking it though, and my appetite stayed about the same.
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I've been on Wellbutrin for over 2yrs now. I don't think it's effected my appetite either way. Iv lost & gained while on it, but I don't think the meds had anything to do with it. Overall I've been happy with it.0
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They put me on that years ago to help with quitting smoking (a generic of zyban) and it basically mimicked a stroke for me...body when numb, gibberish speech, massive headaches to where they had to give me Demerol to knock me out...not good. I did take Zoloft for anxiety and it helped tremendously. No weight gain either but everyones body chemistry Is different. Good luck with it!0
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I've been on it for ~7 years. I stated taking it after trying just about everything else. I was actually in the depths of my eating disorder and depression at the time. I was pretty underweight so it was a risky move. Thankfully, it ended up working wonders and gave me the motivation to get my *kitten* together. I gained up to a healthy weight and have maintained for years. I thus don't have any objective anecdata about its effect on appetite, but it made a world of difference for me and is definitely not compelling me to eat too much or too little at this point. Good luck 0
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I've never noticed any of these drugs affecting my hunger or weight. Effexor is pure poison though, there's nothing like getting gigantic "brain shocks" just by missing a dose by an hour.0
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I was on it for five weeks and ate my way out of my entire wardrobe within two weeks because it turned off my satiety signals and I was always hungry. I'm still not down to my pre-Wellbutrin weight. I wish I had never taken it.0
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I've never noticed any of these drugs affecting my hunger or weight. Effexor is pure poison though, there's nothing like getting gigantic "brain shocks" just by missing a dose by an hour.
SERIOUSLY! It felt like the skin on my face and chest would pulse off my body. Lightning in the brain is no good.0 -
I was on wellbutrin for a while and it made everything worse. I was so angry all the time and just wanted to sleep. Then they lowered my dose and the only thing I still wanted to do was sleep but the anger was gone. I didn't have any weight loss on it.0
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If you have strong anxiety issues, I would recommend a different anti-depressant than Wellbutrin. Part of why Wellbutrin helps with weight is it tends to increase movement - it can almost be likely being slightly agitated. That means it can make anxiety worse.0
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I used Wellbutrin for depression back in 2001. I do not recall it giving me energy, perhaps that depends on the dose. I do recall losing weight because it totally killed my appetite.
A friend of mine went on it to quit smoking. It is known to help with cravings. She too, lost weight.0 -
I use Wellbutrin and I never noticed a change in appetite. Now, for me, it's for depression and social anxiety, not energy. My doctor and I discovered that I was very low on vitamins B12 and D, and getting those raised is what helped my energy level. Granted, taking the Wellbutrin at the same time might have helped, but getting the B12 I needed was the key for me, even now. My husband can always tell when it's time for my shot. XD
But then, every medicine will affect people differently. The listed side effects are only possibilities. If you start any kind of anti-depressant medicine, make sure to do regular followups with your doctor to monitor how it's affecting you. That way, you can make adjustments as needed and work out the best treatment for you. It may take a while to get that balance you need, but if you do need the meds to get that balance, then so be it. It will improve your quality of life once you do get that balanced.0 -
killingtheantagonist wrote: »I was on wellbutrin for a while and it made everything worse. I was so angry all the time and just wanted to sleep. Then they lowered my dose and the only thing I still wanted to do was sleep but the anger was gone. I didn't have any weight loss on it.
I've never personally been on it, but my ex-step father was. He had similar symptoms as these.But then, every medicine will affect people differently. The listed side effects are only possibilities. If you start any kind of anti-depressant medicine, make sure to do regular followups with your doctor to monitor how it's affecting you. That way, you can make adjustments as needed and work out the best treatment for you. It may take a while to get that balance you need, but if you do need the meds to get that balance, then so be it. It will improve your quality of life once you do get that balanced.
THIS0 -
I've been on Wellbutrin for a few months now due to depression and because my doctor had said that it was good for weight loss. Ultimately, I've found that my depression had not changed; if anything, it's worse...I need another profession. As far as weight loss, I feel that I've been running to food faster than I can swallow what's already in my mouth. I'm absolutely miserable! I've gained more weight and basically become prisoner to my cravings and to the contents of my fridge. I need a solution and Wellbutrin is not it!0
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But then, every medicine will affect people differently. The listed side effects are only possibilities. If you start any kind of anti-depressant medicine, make sure to do regular followups with your doctor to monitor how it's affecting you. That way, you can make adjustments as needed and work out the best treatment for you. It may take a while to get that balance you need, but if you do need the meds to get that balance, then so be it. It will improve your quality of life once you do get that balanced.
So much this!!0 -
It has really helped me with my depression/weight loss/ and stop smoking but god awful for my anxiety. It made it a lot worse to the point where I don't really go out except to go to work and get food. Otherwise I avoid going anywhere..0
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tarheelntx wrote: »I just started taking Wellbutrin a few weeks ago and have noticed a definite decrease in appetite. My doctor said it can take 5-6 weeks to see any therapeutic benefit, but I think I feel a little bit better. I have experienced the other fun side effects-- insomnia, constipation, and dry mouth, but those have abated a bit.
Lexapro blunted my emotions so much that I felt like a robot.
Yeah, I wasn't depressed anymore, but I felt like sludge. Zero energy. That's why they added the Wellbutrin. Coming off Lexipro was NOTHING compared to the nightmare of coming off Effexor.
^^ This for Effexor. What a nightmarish drug to come off of. Talk about withdrawal symptoms!
I was on Wellbutrin for about eight months. I actually had INCREASED anxiety while taking it, and had to take another drug to combat the anxiety. I didn't have any issues losing weight while taking it though, and my appetite stayed about the same.
What other med did you take ??? for your anxiety0
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