Wellbutrin and me

[cyclonefence]

I posted a couple of days ago about my depression and needing to go back on Wellbutrin. Thank you for all your supportive comments--it's really good to know I'm not alone in this.

Anyway, my doctor's appointment where I will get my prescription renewed is tomorrow, but Monday night I got so bad I told my husband I didn't want to live any more. I wasn't exactly suicidal, just felt like giving up on everything and just sitting in my chair until I died.

He said "That's it--take one of my Wellbutrin" and I did.

I know it's not supposed to work like this, not this fast, but today I am pretty much back to my old self. I'm taking care of things I've been letting slide because depression makes me physically inert and mentally incapable. I know it should take longer to have an effect, but I'm not complaining. It's as if my body is saying "oh there you are, old friend Wellbutrin--now let's get this show on the road!"

I'm so grateful to have a place to (anonymously) let my true feelings be known. I appreciate you all more than you can know. Just to have somewhere to vent without having to deal with the person I've vented to IRL is a precious gift.

[DUgosh]

1. ..

[a kennedy]

2. Wellbutrin was my help for quitting smoking.....was a nervous wreck thinking about when I was gonna

have another cigarette…….these pills calmed me down and I was able to just be “normal”. I never would have quit without them……a miracle drudge for me.

[Cheezoholic]

13. Yeah smoking is tuff. It took a major heart attack 2 years ago Halloween for me to stop after 2 packs a day for 45 years

Still have the last pack I had when it happened stuck to the fridge door. Every time I look at it my chest hurts! Congrats!

[slightlv]

15. My hubby was one of those for whom the side effects were the worst.

His whole personality changed, and not for the better. I'd never heard him talk to me (or anyone else) like he did while he was on Wellbutrin. I finally told him I'd much rather he go on smoking than take one more pill, either that or divorce me. I just couldn't take the emotional abuse any longer. And this, from a man who is normally so sweet and loving. It really did a Jekyll and Hyde on him. For me, it had no effect whatsoever. I finally changed from it to Effexor, and tho it didn't help with quitting smoking, it did even out my depression/anxiety for a good long while.

[1WorldHope]

17. I've heard that for some people it does the opposite of it's intended purpose.

Then other people it works perfect for. There is a test you can take to figure out what won't work for you with psych meds. That would be interesting. I've been taking Prozac for years, like 25 yrs?, it gave me a whole new life.

[a kennedy]

19. Wow, so sorry you had to go through that........

I didn’t have any bad side effects, or at least I didn’t think I did. Can’t ask my husband he passed away in May, so can’t ask to see if I did change. So sorry you had to deal with that.

[MadameButterfly]

3. i am wishing for you peace and healing

You deserve to feel good and enjoy life.

[Lonestarblue]

8. Ditto that!

[Lulu KC]

4. I think it might be one that does work quickly

I know someone who used to take it morning and afternoon and it was evident if this individual forgot their afternoon dose. (Now they're on an extended release.)

Good for you, and I always think how fortunate we are to live in a time when this has been discovered/created.

[SheltieLover]

5. Someone is always on DU to give you a supportive hug!

[Loupe Garoue]

6. I have used it too.

Mostly for seasonal affective disorder, which hits hard up here in the north. It is a very effective medication. Glad you are getting back on it!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. Re: "should take longer to have an effect"

You got buoyed up by positive thinking.

These kind of mental difficulties are not physiological / biochemical issues alone. I don't have to tell anybody that these situations are complex, but relaxed and positive outlooks and practising learning well-balance are useful (but not easy).

I'm very glad you are feeling better and have a supportive partner.

[teran]

9. "Not supposed to work like this"

Hooey. How fast a medication works for you, in your body today, is how fast it is supposed to work. When docs say it will take X amount of time that is an educated guess, an average taken from available data.
I'm thrilled you feel better! The Wellbutrin seems to work well for you. 💚

[Skittles]

10. I had told a depressed ex-coworker I am always awake all night

call me if you need

she has called me a couple of times, but she told me just the idea that someone was available to talk gave her relief....

sometimes just the idea something will help......helps

[peppertree]

11. I hear you

I've felt that way for 30 years now.

But St. John's Wort has kept me around for 27 of those years.

It is what it is.

[cyclonefence]

21. I wonder how many of us

would still be around were it not for helpful substances like St. John's Wort and pharmaceuticals. I know I wouldn't. Thank glob we have access to this kind of help, not to mention the support of places like DU.

[peppertree]

23. Hear, hear.

[LiberalArkie]

12. I believe that your body knows the drug and what to do with it. Like with Nexium.

They say Nexium will take up to 4 days to take effect. Probably for a person that has never taken it. Me, I took it for 20 years. Now If I feel heart burn coming on, I can pop one and no heartburn. My body, I guess my liver knows it.

Your body knows Wellbutrin. You liver knows what to do with it. How to metabolize it.

At least that is my belief on some of the drugs. Probably just me.

My antidepressant is Testosterone injections. Over my life I have tried just about every drug know. None really did anything for me at all. I would sometimes get a little buzz but nothing for the not wanting to get out of bed feeling.

My doc did a blood test and found my level to be very low 20 years ago. I decided to to purge my system 2 months ago and see what my level is without the injections. This was the worst time in my life. By the time I got in for the blood work, I was really ready to just give up and die. It normally takes several weeks for it to get into the system. The very next day I was a different person. Out jogging and having a good time.

Normal level for my age is about 500. Mine was 45.

So yea the body knows what to do with something you have been on before, in my belief.

[cyclonefence]

22. Totally agree

After one dose of Wellbutrin--day and night. I'd been on it (and Prozac) for well over 30 years, and I do think my body was grateful to have it back and knew just what to do with it. I hate Big Pharma, but without it I'd have been dead a long time ago, and just think what I'd have missed!

[Cheezoholic]

14. Sending light your way! n/t

[mountain grammy]

16. So glad you're feeling better

and so good to have a partner who cares..

[XanaDUer2]

18. Feel better nt

[IronLionZion]

20. Glad you found something that works for you