Wellbutrin

I know how you feel about not liking to take medication everyday, People usually have to remind me a thousand times a day to take mine. I was on Wellbutrin for about 6 years and it worked wonders! I wasnt on it for Panik attaks I used Clonazepam and Lexapro for that. I have to say though that I never had any Problems with The Welbutrin and would Recomend it. I hope you find a med that works well for you that you feel comfortable taking!

GL
C.

I took Wellbutrin a few years back and I believe that it helped, My experience was that I didn't feel any different just wasn't having these horrifing attacks, I was also taking other meds for depression, and expected to wake up feeling great ready to take on the world. That didn't happen, but I did feel better, and the Wellbrutrin also helped me quit smoking, and was prescriped for my husband to help him stop smoking. So I say try it.

That is the only medication I am supposedly allergic to. I hated it. I felt like I did some major narcotic. I have an axiety disorder as well but luckily its manageable and doesn't need medication. I highly recommend working around it rather than medication for this type of thing. I have been on both sides and any medication seem far worse than the problem its treating. If you think you need meds, try different things. Everyone is different and respond differently. Wellbutrin may work for you.

DO NOT TAKE IT! It completely messed my sister up. There are many other answers to dealing with anxiety besides hard-core drugs! Start with a life coach or a counselor and then meet with a nutritionist about some natural supplements or dietary changes to help stablilize your system. You are responsible for your health and you don't have to take drugs just because a doctor told you to. It's your choice! Read about the side-effects. People think the side-effects won't happen to them and I'm telling you they can and they DO. My sister is proof of that.

Hi A.,

I think it is always worth-while to consider natural alternatives when possible. But NOT because of any scare tactics about western medicine. There can be side effects from any medicine- from benadryl to antibiotics to anti-anxiety meds. But as you read from many posters, there are many more people who experienced the benefis of these meds. Wellbutrin has been around for a long time, and widely studied, and always considered safe.

As a psychotherapist, I have seen so many people benefit from wellbutrin and other meds (I don't prescribe them, just see them for counseling after they've seen the psychiatrist or MD). And while some need to be on them very long term, the majority seemed to need them for two years or less. In mild to moderate cases of anxiety, they work to basically get your brain re-firing correctly, and you won't need them forever.

Again, I'm always open to the possibility of natural remedies, but in my own practice, haven't seen an equal improvement. Though I will say exercise is the best natural thing you can do for yourself.

If you take them, just keep a log of any side effects you may experience and keep talking to your doc. I hope you'll be pleasantly surprised about how much better you feel!

I have no experience with this drug, but if you don't fill the prescription because of issues you have with side effects you need to talk to your doctor again. My grandmother had medication she was supposed to take daily and it made a world of difference in her life when she took it. When she didn't her life was miserable and hard on everyone around her. If you don't want to take daily medication their may be other forms of therapy that you can do to relieve your condition. Good luck to you!

I take it for depression and have had wonderful results. I haven't experienced the side effects.

I have an anxiety disorder--found out in a similar way to what you just wrote I went to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack. the thing people who don't have a disorder don't understand is that anxiety disorders manifest in extreme physical ways, the pain can be excruciating and I often feel like I am going to die or I am going crazy. I went on wellbuterin in Jan. this year. It has made a HUGE difference for me. it took about 6 weeks for it to be completely in my system. but it's wonderful--I don't experience side affects with it although the first 2 weeks I did feel kind of dizzy at times but I was so tired of the panic that I committed to see it through for the 6 weeks. I am SO glad that I did. the problem with asking about something like this on here is that you are only going to get opinions. talking it through with your doc is really the best way to go.
my opinion for what it is worth is to try it for the 6 weeks and see what YOU think.

Hi A.,
I have not taken Wellbutrin. But I did suffer from SEVERE anxiety & panic attacks. I would really encourage you to see a homepath/naturopath. I went from feeling as if I was going to die, stop breathing, having a heart attack, etc. to being able to live a life free from anxiety.

How? My naturopath treated my WHOLE body, not just a symptom. Panic & anxiety can be brought on by different things: an instance (mine was a tornado), chemical imbalance, etc. I took a constitutional remedy (a remedy that was a fit just for me & my symptoms). And the best part? NO SIDE EFFECTS. I would encourage you to take a look into it. It is well worth it. I hope for the best for you. G

Their office is called: Denver Naturopathic Clinic.

I took it back in 2005, but it was prescribed for depression. Since then I have taken a more natural path, by finding herbal supplements and mind calming exercies to help with my depression and anxiety (which occurred Dec of '07). I recommend researching natural ways of relieving anxiety because it helps cure the problem instead of just alleviating or covering it up. Hope that helps!

Make it a GREAT day!

S.

P.S. A GREAT book I have found to help in this and many other areas of life is "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne.

From personal experience, it is by far the best thing that I have done for myself. I suffered from depression and anxiety for years and after my 3rd child was born slipped into post-partum depression really bad, and have been on it ever since. What a HUGE difference it has made in my life. I am ME again. I tried to go off of it once and it didn't work out very well, I slipped right back into my depression, which only proves that this is something that my body really needs. If I had high blood pressure I would do something to fix it, but I don't I have depression, so I have done something to fix it. I have seen a counselor, exercise regularly, and I take my meds because its all part of taking care of myself and in turn taking care of my family. I need to be healthy (physically and mentally) so that I can take care of them and me, and if it means I need to take a pill everyday, so be it. In fact I have to take 4 pills everyday and I agree with you, its not something I ever wanted to do but there are just some things that herbs can't fix. I wish they could because I hate having to be on them but I would rather be healthy. I hope you make the choice that works best for you and your family. Good luck. Remember that you are not alone in this, anxiety and depression affect more people than you know.

S.

Hi A.!
I have been on Wellbutrin on and off for many years now and I can tell you it was an absolute GODSEND for me! Not only did it work within hours, but I finally felt like "MYSELF" again, "NORMAL" ~ Difference between NIGHT and DAY! Depression "runs" on both sides of my family and I personally have dealt with it (plus anxiety) MOST of my life. I have tried MANY different anti-depressants before and I consistently come back to Wellbutrin because I have never had any negative side effects with it. In fact, Wellbutrin was the only med. that DIDN'T change my sexual desire or well-being. I had really negative sexual side effects with every other anti-depressant I took (especially Prozac)! I have also managed to wean myself off slowly before, after being on it a long time (years at a time) and have been off of it for about 5 years (until a few months ago when I had a severe panic attack). It's not addictive. Just know that medication works differently for each person individually. Side effects could totally affect one person and the next person could have absolutely no side effects. You probably just need to try it out on a temporary basis and see how it works for you. I also personally know that panic (anxiety) attacks are REAL and cognitive (behavioral) therapy can help more than (or along with) medication. My advice is to find the "tools" necessary to stop the panic attacks as they are triggered (or even before ~ if you know what triggers them). Here are just a few suggestions I have: picture in your mind a "STOP SIGN" and say out loud, "Stop...everything is fine, I am calm, this too will pass and I will be just fine." (Or just say whatever reassures you and calms you the most.) Sometimes, I have to repeat it several times! Some of the time, these attacks come unannounced and unprovoked, so it's difficult to control, but you CAN control them before they get worse. Also if you feel you will "pass out," just "cup" your hands over your nose and mouth and breathe slowly. This has helped me many times. I sympathize with you and wish you luck! I hope this medication works well for you if you choose to take it. It absolutely saved me and my family! =)

I have never been on anti-depressants or medicine for anxiety attacks. However, I do have friends who have been on anti-depressants and once they went and got their hormones checked and went on bio-identical hormones the symptoms stopped. A healthy diet also helps. Once I went on progesterone I felt a lot calmer and less anxious. The bio-identical hormones are just like the ones that are produced in your body naturally so there is no side effects.

I took it for about a year to help with my anxiety, and I didn't have any negative side effects. I noticed that I didn't need to sleep as long though, which was interesting, and I would still feel fine. You should be okay, and just make sure that you listen to your doctors advice because you can be weaned off of it in time, but it's always best if you have the doctor tell you when that is and don't just try to stop on your own - that's usually when you hear of people having a hard time with it. On the otherhand, if you do have any side effects (get sad all of the time or anxiety gets worse) make sure you talk to your doctor right away because everyone reacts differently. But from my personal experience it was great and it really really helped me when I needed it. I've been off of it for almost 3 years now and I'm still doing great. Let us know how it goes and good luck!

Hi A.,
Any time you are prescribed this kind of medication, I would suggest seeking a second opinion. Anxiety disorders can be treated medically, and they can provide a measure of relief, but anxiety can also be treated in other effective ways. You can seek help from a qualified counselor who can help you understand how to overcome anxiety, so that you might not have to rely on medication for years to come. One significant book that has been in print (and reprinted) for years is called "Feeling Good" by David D. Burns. You will learn that thoughts preceed emotion, and that you can learn to control your thoughts and hence your anxiety. Other lifestyle changes that have helped me are getting more sleep, drinking more water, daily exercise (even walking for 20 minutes), and eating whole, simple foods. Prayer can change your life, too. God answers our sincere prayers. Simply learning to think/speak positively in a moment when you feel anxious can help you regain peace and calm. Changes do not have to happen overnight, but we have time in life to learn how to overcome our problems. There is so much you can do that is within your control to help you.
Best wishes,
L.

A.,

I have taken Wellbutrin. I took it for depression, and I have to admit I not only needed it, but it helped me a TON!! There were a few minor dizziness episodes, to the point that standing was well an issue, but I did alright, even drove myself to the doctor's only for him to tell me that it was the medicine!! Luckily I got there and home without incident, it took major concentration.

Go ahead and take it is my suggestion. It helped me to relax and I was able to deal with my life situations a lot better and I feel like it truly bridged a gap to sanity that I didn't have.

V.
married 9.5 yrs, dd 7.5, dd 2 months, dog 2 yrs. Life is good!!

MD's 'diagnose' based on symptoms and then prescribe a medication for those symptoms. However your symptoms can be for many different issues. If this is the first time this has happened it really concerns me that your doc was so quick to prescribe medication but then again that's what they are trained to do. I would keep a diary for a couple of weeks food, activities, daily goings on and see if this happens again and if it does see if you can find a 'reason'. If you do have a lot of stress I would try exercise, yoga, meditation and other forms of relaxation. I would also visit your local health food store and see if there are natural remedies you can take. All medications have side effects and most can lead to other issues. I feel the less chemicals you have in your body the better off you will be.

I would first go the natural route and talk to a naturopath and see if there is an imbalance in your body that could be causing some issues. A good naturopath will be able to recommend alternatives medicines (homeopathy & flower essences can be very good at treating anxiety issues) or food balances. However, if after 6 months, you are not seeing a result, you may want to consider Wellbutrin. One of my best friends went on Wellbutrin after a major panic/anxiety attack and it has really helped her feel "more regulated." It's going to be different for everyone. The natural route can be a little harder at first, but it can be easier in the long run to not have a pharmaceutical controlling your body. Best of luck!

I was diagnosed with severe depression many, many years ago. They tried all different kinds of medications. None of which helped and some (including the Wellbutrin) had scary side effects.

Today, I am depression free. It isn't because of any form of chemicals- pharmaceutical or naturopathic. I now understand from many years of studying and my own experience that our belief systems determine our biology. I was even taught this in my masters level psychology program. There is tons of new information available.

Don't get me wrong, I know meds and especially naturopathic/homeopathic approaches can support change. But they are only a short-term band-aid. Therapy, self-care, examining unconscious fear-based beliefs, releasing self-judgement, group work, etc. are all ways to approach a permanent cure. Anxiety, depression, addiction, etc. are symptoms not the problem. Yes, they are biological symptoms and the biology is a by-product of belief; change belief you change chemistry.

Just think about what triggered your anxiety attack. What were the fearful thoughts that were running rampant through your mind just before and during the attack?

Just some information about a different approach. I hope it at least helps support you in exploring all the different things that may be available to support you. Anxiety attacks can be terrifying and I support you in resourcing them in every way that you can. T.

Hi A.,

I took Wellbutrin for a short amount of time for the same reasons as you are taking it. From what I know, it's extremely mild. I actually had to switch to something stronger. When I first started taking it; I felt weird too. I was afraid that I was part of "prescription nation" so to speak. I wondered if it was something I could handle myself and whether I was taking the easy way out of it.

Just know; that I have been on meds for about 8 years. It's the best thing I have EVER done for myself medically.

I do have some side affects (sexual) but both my spouse and I agree the side effects are worth it when it comes to my anxiety and depression.

My honey on the other hand; went the natural route. We went to a naturopath and got on a regimine of rebuilding the adrenal glands and taking supplements. I can't say whether that would have worked for me. I doubt it. My anxiety and depression are severe. You know your body better than anyone. Follow the route that makes sense for you.

Good luck and don't let yourself feel defective or strange about it. If you needed medication for heart problems, you wouldn't feel weird about it would you?

I hated it. Awful sexual side affects, and it didn't help my anxiety much. It's like the new Prozac, cure-all miracle drug that docs prescribe to everyone instead of figuring out what is really wrong.

Many, many people take Welbutrin with wonderful results! My advice (from decades of family experience) is to try it for a month, which is what professionals recommend. See how you feel in 30 days, and then talk with your doctor if you think that you need something different.
In the meantime, exercise! Walk somewhere pretty and refreshing, and dwell on things that make you feel secure and happy. Anxiety attacks are real, physiological events - - and you can manage them!

My docs put me on Wellbutrin when I started freaking out with anxiety after getting the Depo Provera shot. It worked for me. I still get HORRIBLE anxiety right before my period and it works to curb those attacks also. I have been on-and-off of it and have never had a problem quitting taking it. My only problem is that my anxiety is hormonal so I'm looking at a more permanent way to solve my hormone problems.

It also helped me with the up-and-down moods swings that I had after my 3rd son was born. It helped me enjoy my day AND my kids again. I felt like cleaning, and cooking and doing all the things I just couldn't make myself do otherwise. I didn't experience any side effects and it really helped me mellow out and not sweat the small stuff. I was so bad sometimes, that I couldn't be happy because I had this empending feeling of doom- like something BAD was about to happen ALL THE TIME! Everytime the phone would ring, I'd jump out of my skin, my heart would start pounding. I was SURE something bad was on the other end. Wellbutrin took away all of those feeling for me and I knew a few days after starting taking it that it was helping.

i think it really depends on what your main condition is. wellbutrin worked fine for my depression and OCD. when i was unable to get it refilled right away, i got really dizzy and it didn't go away until i'd been back on it for a couple days. but when i later slowly transitioned to a different antidepressant, there was no problem with dizziness. but when my husband took wellbutrin, it accentuated his anger issues and he became irrational. he was given another med to help with the anger, but had an allergic reaction to that. it was a miserable time for us. so if you are going to take it, read the side effects and allergic reactions so that you can spot them quickly and tell your doctor before it gets worse. i once took an antidepressant which gave me diarrhea about a month after beginning it. it took me 2 months of diarrhea to realize that the med was causing it. even my doctor didn't put the pieces together. good luck! i hope you find a med that works well for you and you are feeling healthy again soon!

I was on Wellabutrin and Wellaburtin slow release for about 2 years total. It did nothing. This was after I had an allergic reaction to Zoloft. They ended up putting me on prozac which helped a little but mostly I just managed to control my anxiety disorders on my own but I know that's not always possible.