15 replies to this topic

[chroncile]

I was diagnosed with MDD and decided to do research on what antidepressants are available to me. Bupropion appealed to me the most because not only does it relieve one from depression, but it also normalizes cognitive performance: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1924979/

I took Wellbutrin XL 150 mg for a month and life was definitely a lot better than when I was not taking it. I decided to search these forums about it and all I saw were negative comments about bupropion and I convinced myself to stop taking it after I read a few stuides that suggested bupropion might induce hypersensitivity (low white blood cell count), parkinsonism, and it can reduce tyrosine hydroxylase expression. And there was also the possibility of dopamine receptor downregulation even though there were no actual studies on this. I've been off Wellbutrin for over 2 months now and my quality of life has returned to how it was before I started taking Wellbutrin.

Aside from being a nAChR receptor antagonist, I couldn't find any negative side effects that would suggest bupropion is anti-nootropic.

I'm thinking about going back to my psychiatrist for a new prescription because Wellbutrin definitely helped me with my depression.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't consider this?

[1thoughtMaze1]

In my opinion depression is one of the most detrimental to life conditions, if what you were taking got rid of it, then take it.

[nupi]

If it helps and you can deal with the side effects (which generally are quite benign, especially compared to other anti depressants), take it.

From all I read, it is quite safe. Safer than SSRI and I had zero discontinuation issues (got off it due to stomach issues :(

[JChief]

I took it for a time while in high school a decade ago. It caused serious problems only when I exercised. I would fatigue much faster and my heart would start pumping like crazy and would get nauseous. Eventually I quit it and the problems went away. No explanation. But I am not a fan of it due to that personal experience.

[pedr0vsky]

I liked it, it gave me a lot of energy. It is an atypical antidepressant, did you consider an SSNRI first?
It helped with dual-n-back at first, then it lost that effect.

[chroncile]

I never considered anything other than Wellbutrin. SSRIs and SNRIs are out of the question for me. Are you still taking it, pedr0vsky? What effects did it have on you, both positive and negative?

[pedr0vsky]

SSRI's or SNRI's are considered to be the first line of antidepressants. Only if they don't work your doctor should prescribe you an atypical antidepressant like wellbutrin.
I was on cymbata for about 2 years, it is a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It was a good anti depressant, but it gave me a hell of a withdrawal...
Wellbutrin has a much higher half life so it has a much smother withdrawal.
Wellbutrin gave me a lot of energy and a sense of pleaser, was difficult to sleep on the first week on it. It is a dopamine norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and dopamine is the pleaser neurotransmitter, so it has an effect on that. Serotonin, on the other hand is the happiness neurotransmitter, so cymbalta gave me more joyful days. They are both good antidepressants. I think wellbutrin is slightly better on energy and focus, for studying for example.
Every person is different and depressions are not all the same. I think wellbutrin is better for depressions when you fell apathy, and SNRI are better when you are sad. I think you should talk to a good psychiatrist, they have a lot of experience on this and they probably now what's best for you, but if you feel good on wellbutrin, go for it. Just remember that antidepressants are not miracle drugs, and that you are not weak by being on antidepressant, it is need real courage to admit you have a problem, believe me, i have been there. Antidepressants are "pain killers" for the mind, they just help you resolve your problems, they don't do it for you, if you think they will resolve your problems you will not improve your situation. Antidepressants just take the "pain" away, so you can address your problems. You are the one who was to resolve them, don't forget that.

Edited by pedr0vsky, 03 February 2012 - 03:41 PM.

[nowayout]

SSRI's or SNRI's are considered to be the first line of antidepressants. Only if they don't work your doctor should prescribe you an atypical antidepressant like wellbutrin.

Well, a very large percentage of patients get sexual problems on SSRIs and SNRIs. Wellbutrin does not have this side effect. So if this is an issue that worries the patient, maybe an SSRI or SNRI is not the way to go.

[pedr0vsky]

yes, that's true.

Edited by pedr0vsky, 03 February 2012 - 09:19 PM.

[nupi]

SSRI's or SNRI's are considered to be the first line of antidepressants. Only if they don't work your doctor should prescribe you an atypical antidepressant like wellbutrin.

There are plenty of reasons to choose Wellbutrin over an SSRI looking at it's side effect profile and mode of action alone. Also, discontinuation syndrome seems to be less pronounced (I had none, but then again I had no obvious one with Effexor, either)

[ddd2011]

There are plenty of reasons to choose Wellbutrin over an SSRI looking at it's side effect profile and mode of action alone. Also, discontinuation syndrome seems to be less pronounced (I had none, but then again I had no obvious one with Effexor, either)

You can count yourself extremely lucky for getting off Effexor without withdrawal, For me it was hell which lasted for months after I took last tablet - and I also did lower my dosage gradually before stopping. On the other hand, I quit Strattera (NRI) cold turkey with any problem.

[pedr0vsky]

SSRI's or SNRI's are considered to be the first line of antidepressants. Only if they don't work your doctor should prescribe you an atypical antidepressant like wellbutrin.

There are plenty of reasons to choose Wellbutrin over an SSRI looking at it's side effect profile and mode of action alone. Also, discontinuation syndrome seems to be less pronounced (I had none, but then again I had no obvious one with Effexor, either)

Venlafaxine ( Effexor) has a half life of about 5 hours. It should had give you an hell of a withdrawal. Except if you were on it for a brief period of time.

Wellbutrin didn't give me withdrawal either, but i was on it for a brief period of time.

[nupi]

I know it should have, but after being on it for approximately 6 months, I had no withdrawal (I had not quite entirely cold turkey but instead started to forget taking it more and more days)

[chroncile]

I have considered the situation thoroughly and decided to take the Wellbutrin. I had about 40 tablets left over from when I quit it. My depression sucks the life out of me; I can't get out of bed like normal people, I have hypersomnia, extremely low motivation and extremely low libido, can barely laugh at what would be funny things, irritable, and just not enjoying anything. There are more negative things my depression does, but I think the ones I wrote are enough to justify how bad my depression is.

Anyway, I guess I'll make a post update 30 days from now to see how Wellbutrin has affected me.

[nupi]

Sounds kind of like myself - Wellbutrin definitely does a lot in this case.

[KC_in_SD]

How now, Chroncile?