Wellbutrin equals no weight gain?

[john-john]

I am a 30 year-old male and have been taking SSRI medications for Depression and GAD for about six months now (the first two months Celexa and the last four I crossed over to Paxil.)  I am very pleased with these medications and have had good results with both of them.  They have improved my life a great deal.  However, both medications instantly caused a weight gain of 10-15 pounds, a side effect my Psychiatrist mentioned might happen.  At first I didn't mind, being so happy that I was releaved of my problems.  But more and more I was begining to notice my "spare tire".  Several weeks ago I began an intensive daily exercise routine and have faithfully endured a low-fat, sensible diet.  The weight, however, just doesn't want to come off, no matter how hard I try.  I have heard via this forum that Wellbutrin in particular often does not carry the sexual and weight-gain side effects as does the SSRIs.  In your opinion and experience, does Wellbutrin, "generally speaking" live up to this reputation?
Thanks for any help.

[Magwheels]

Has anyone used the wellbutrin/zoloft combination for depression, add, and learning disabilities?  If so, what are the actions that would assist remedying dyslexia?  Thanks, Mom

[Suzi_qt]

Hello all!

I have just found this site and have enjoyed reading the post. I fell I have learned a lot from your experiences. I would like to share mine to hopefully help others as well.

I am a 31yr old female. There is a history of depression (& alcoholism) on both sides of my family. My eldest sister is also currently being treated. I have clinical depression.

I have never liked taking medications, preferring to let the wonderful machine that is my body take care of itself. I have come to realize that there are some things my body cannot "fix" by itself. I take my anti-depressants regularly - I need them.

I was first diagnosed with depression my freshman year of college (1989) after a bout of mono. The doctor prescribed the "wonder drug" Prozac. I was on it for just over a year. I never noticed a difference using the Prozac, but everyone around me knew instantly if I hadn't taken it! I went off the medication because I got married & didn't have insurance.

The depression did not seem to bother me for about 3-3 1/2 years. Then, I found myself getting further & further involved in activities to the point where I was only sleeping about 2-3 hours a night. Natrually, I crashed.

I was totally incapable of any activity at all. I sat on the bed and cried for 10-12 hrs a day non-stop. This went on for about 2 months before my husband literally dragged me to my doctor's office. We tried several different medications (2-4 weeks on each with no improvement!) Finally, she prescribed Celexa for me. Within a matter of days, I felt like a totally new person! I had my life back! When I went for my 3 week follow-up apt, I re-introduced myself to the doctor, telling her she was fianlly getting to meet the real me! I don't recall having any particular side-effect in the sexual area.

I stayed happily on the Celexa for about a year & a half. Slowly I noticed problems were creeping back in to my life. I started having severe insomnia - going days at a time without being able to sleep! I was having major problems in my sexual life - I either was a stone or a nymphomaniac! I had a couple of extra-marital affairs, just to keep up with my body's cravings.

Needless to say, this was complicating my life to the point that I was non-functioning again! This time my doctor referred me to a psychiatrist & psychologist. Working with the psychologist it has become obvious that I have been having bouts of depression since I was 10.

The psychiatrist tried several medications & doses (including Paxil) before prescribing Serzone. (All taking weeks to try out.) The Serzone seemed to help, but left me feeling exhausted all the tims and I still had problems with the insomnia.

Wellbutrin was then added to my medication. I built up to the point where I took 200mg Wellbutrin in the morning, 100 WB in the afternoon & 300 mg Serzone at bedtime. I have been happily on this mix for about a 2-2 1/2 years now.

Since being on this mix, I have lost over 50 lbs. & dropped from a size 24W to a size 16W. My appetite has lessened - sometimes it's ok, sometimes I have to force myself to eat, but I have not been dieting at all. I stopped drinking caffine (WHICH WILL INTERFERE WITH ANTI-DEPRESSANTS!), stopped drinking sodas, started drinking more water, & eat protein snacks instead of carbohydrates. I still eat the cabo's if I want them. (don't even try to take away my Snickers!!!) Yes, you CAN loose wait by eating cheese!!! My sex drive seems to have settled out into a healthy range.

In the last few months, there have been some major upheavals in my life. I lost my job due to 9/11, declared bankruptcy (too many bills ran up while I was unable to work), & have been working 3 part-time jobs to try & make ends meet. I also have been fighting bronchitis & a severe sinus infection for over 3 weeks. (Not complaining or looking for sympathy, just sharing stressors.)

Naturally, I have started having problems again. I have been experiencing severe daytime fatigue - sometimes sleeping for 12 hours straight & waking up exhausted; desiring to "escape" -ngrossing myself in books, crossword puzzles, surfing the internet (aything to avoid thinking about my life); forgetfullness; making errors at work; etc.

I saw my psychiatrist last week and he upped the Wellbutrin to 400mg/day. Hopefully this will help. I will let you all know!

Anyway, I hope my experiences can help some of you! Sorry I ran so long!!!

Suzi

[Peagee]

Gracie, you are having WITHDRAWALS from Effexor and need to wean off very slowly.  And be careful also re mixing the two medications.  Am only on a quick online stop-off, but have picked the first link on Effexor on a search engine for you and hope this helps.  http://depression.about.com/library/weekly/aa052598.htm
You could also type into a search engine:
effexor side effects withdrawal symptoms
and you should get plenty of information through the links.

Maybe you should rethink about getting pregnant until you've sorted out getting off these medications?  

All the very best to you with the withdrawals, there are links to  sites posted in messages here where you can get support.

Paula

[crazy gracie]

I've just started taking Wellbutrin SR about 3 days ago, I had been on Effexor SR for the last 2 or so years.  I've decided to have another baby but I wanted to take an anitdepressant that might be safer than Effexor SR.  I didn't try to taper off one and slowly start the other, I've tried that before and went off the deep end, that was terrible!!  So this time I went from taking Effexor SR 3 times a day to Wellbutrin SR twice a day and after the second day I started feeling dizzy for quite a few hours until the Wellbutrin SR kicked for the day and then I started feeling dizzy again in the evening.  But today I feel terrible, even though I have taken the Wellbutrin SR several hours ago, I still feel very dizzy, it's like I can't even move my eyes around without feeling dizzy, it's terrible.

I'm hoping some one can share any similar experiences, will this eventually go away or should I just go back to the Effexor again.  If it's something that will eventually go away after a few more days, I may be able to wait it out, but I have a 6 year old boy and I take care of my elderly parents, I just can't have too much time out.  

Can anyone help me out?

[OCAngel]

The jury is in on Wellbutrin.  I don't like it.  I am going to quit the Wellbutrin and go back to the Effexor.  Somehow through gym visits and starving myself (not really), I will keep the weight off. The symptoms I experienced on Wellbutrin were heart palpitations, crankiness, anxiety, and my face broke out!  Hey! I did lose 2 lbs, though!  Even so, I don't think the weight loss was worth the feelings of being on the edge all the time.

[Peagee]

I think the 'list' of side effects somewhere above your own message (in this thread) mentions "weight gain or loss".  Hope that helps?

[janski]

i just weaned myself off zoloft, what a nightmare! i gained so much weight on it thay it defeated the purpose for taking it(depression). i thought of going on wellbutrin but heard it can also cause weight gain. not everyone will gain weight but after what happened for me with zolof i just don't feel i should take the chance. right now i feel fine but who knows what tomorrow brings. ive been off zoloft for one week now.

[OCAngel]

Hi All,

Well, it's my second day on the Wellbutrin. I am being eased off the Effexor at the same time.  I have cut the Effexor to 35 mg. and only taking 35 mg. of Wellbutrin, until next week, when I start 75 mg. of W and none of the E.  OK, is it just me doing the "woman thing" or can I start to notice withdrawls this soon?  This is only my second day and I have broken up with my boyfriend 3 times today, yelled at my cat, have no interest in sex, and having trouble catching my breath. As I mentioned in my prior post, I had great results with the Effexor, except I gained 20 lbs. I work out 3-4 times a week and eat less than 1500 cal. a day, but continue to gain. I was able to control the sugar cravings with L-Glutamine.  I understand the Wellbutrin has a stimulant in it. Is this what is making me cranky? Could this cause the breathing trouble?  I slept good last night, so no trouble there. Thanks for your help!

[rocketcat]

Hi everybody.  I'm a 29 year old female and I've been on Wellbutrin for 9 months. When I started taking it my weight fluctuated between 160-165. I gradually lost a few pounds here and there. By the 7th month I was down to 155-150. The thing I don't get is this: I have wanted to lose some weight, and figured 145 would be good since I'm muscular and 5'7" .I was doing some dieting (real food. no chemicals or pills)and then stopped when I got to 147. But after I stopped the dieting I continued to lose weight. Now I'm down to 140, my boyfriend and my friends are saying I'm getting too thin, and even I am getting concerned. ...I'm eating A LOT and I am still losing weight.
    I also take ortho-tricycline for birth control and that usually makes a woman gain weight. I am very active (avid cyclist) but I'm not doing anything different. Does anyone think this is the Wellbutrin? Or do I have something else going on that I should be worried about?

[Peagee]

AS Justsayno has already pointed out, you need to watch out for Effexor withdrawal symptoms.  If you type in Effexor side effects withdrawal symptoms on a search engine you will find a lot of information on it.  I've just done this for you and one site is:

http://depression.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.publinet.it/users/ad88/sideven.htm

and an extract from that page says:

Withdrawal syndrome - sometimes severe and prolonged. Characterised by:
headaches
nausea
dizziness
mood lability
Gastrointestinal upset
recurrence of depression
bizarre dreams
paraesthesiae
auditory hallucinations
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Sexual dysfunction
Hypotension
Constipation
Sweating
Anxiety
Convulsions
Sleeplessness
Palpitations
Tremor
Abdominal pain
Rash
Hypertension "

As Justsayno said, don't be surprised.  You could type in Wellbutrin side effects also.  I've done that for you too.  One of the many links is:

http://wellbutrin-side-effects.com/side-effects-of-wellbutrin.html

And an extract from that page says:

Side Effects of Wellbutrin
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Wellbutrin.
Seizures are perhaps the most worrisome side effect. Wellbutrin was temporarily removed from the market after its initial release due to the occurrence of seizures in some patients.

Although Wellbutrin occasionally causes weight gain, a more common effect is weight loss: Some 28 percent of people who take this medication lose 5 pounds or more. If depression has already caused you to lose weight, and if further weight loss would be detrimental to your health, Wellbutrin may not be the best antidepressant for you.

More common side effects may include:

Abdominal pain (Wellbutrin SR),
agitation,
anxiety (Wellbutrin SR),
constipation,
dizziness,
dry mouth,
excessive sweating,
headache,
loss of appetite (Wellbutrin SR),
nausea,
palpitations (Wellbutrin SR),
vomiting,
skin rash,
sleep disturbances,
sore throat (Wellbutrin SR),
tremor
Other side effects may include:

Acne,
allergic reactions (severe),
bed-wetting,
blisters in the mouth and eyes (Stevens-Johnson syndrome),
blurred vision,
breathing difficulty,
chest pain,
chills,
complete or almost complete loss of movement,
confusion,
dry skin,
episodes of over-activity,
elation, or irritability,
extreme calmness,
fatigue,
fever,
fluid retention,
flu-like symptoms,
gum irritation and inflammation,
hair color changes,
hair loss,
hives,
impotence,
incoordination and clumsiness,
indigestion,
itching,
increased libido,
menstrual complaints,
mood instability,
muscle rigidity,
painful ejaculation,
painful erection,
retarded ejaculation,
ringing in the ears,
sexual dysfunction,
suicidal ideation,
thirst disturbances,
toothache,
urinary disturbances,
weight gain or loss


I hope that the above helps.  As you obviously have access to the internet it is in your own interest to research these drugs across the wider scene.  It takes only a few moments to set a question to a search engine and doing so could save you (and everyone else who is on these types of drugs) a LOT of misery in the future.  

Its your choice - your life.
Best wishes
Paula

[JustSayNo]

Angel - don't be surprised if you experience withdrawal from Effexor... it can easily set in...

DiscloseTheTruth

[john-john]

Dear OCAngel,

How are you liking your Wellbutrin so far?  I know it's too early to make any major judgements, but what's going on so far?
How about the 4 to 2 per day frequency you mentioned.  Any improvement?  Weight gain, weight loss?

[Peagee]

Here's a short article on Wellbutrin...  

"Zyban started off as the antidepressant Wellbutrin, which its maker tried to bring to market in the late 1980s. The launch was held up when it caused a higher-than-predicted number of seizures in bulimic patients. As the drug company put Wellbutrin through new tests for safety, it also investigated anecdotal reports that the antidepressant appeared to help patients kick their smoking habits.

Wellbutrin was reformulated and approved for sale in the United States in 1997 and in Canada in May. Months later, Zyban hit the market in a Madonna-like reinvention -- same content, new packaging and new audience."

I'd suggest that you do a Google search on Wellbutrin, side effects, withdrawal symptoms ?  

Peagee

[OCAngel]

What a surprise!  I switched from Effexor RX to Wellbutrin just today.  I have been on the former for a year and have had very, very good results.  My sexual appetite did decrease, a bit.  It went from 4 times a day to only two, but my boyfriend needed the break anyway. The reason I switched was because I gained 20 lbs!  Each time I would mention it to my doctor he would tell me that at my height, my weight of 120 lbs is still considered "within the range".  He must be looking at the mid-west girls' chart, because here in Southern CA 120 lbs is HUGE! Anyway, I am very concerned about what side effects I can expect. Since I have had such good results on Effexor, I concerned that things might not go as well on Wellbutrin.  Any comments regarding side effects---good or bad---is welcome.

[john-john]

Thanks for the comment, Gripper.  Were there any side effects to your taking Wellbutrin?

[silvercomet]

I'm on Wellbutrin to stop smoking and I've lost about 5 pounds with no effort. I'm very active though.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Yes, it does, but it not always as effective as an ssri, so if you think of making a switch, keep that in mind.