Wellbutrin Concerns...

[QuantumIncision]

Okay, so I am having an issue.  I was extremely suicidal and depressed and had mood swings all over the place and extreme apathy about everything.  Like I wasn't living.  I diagnosed myself with a dopamine deficiency.  I told the doctor I wanted Wellbutrin.  He gave me 450mg to begin (which I knew was high).

The strange thing is...I took the Wellbutrin the first day and about 30minutes later, I knew I was under the influence of something.  I wasn't as depressed, my negative thoughts were mostly gone, but everything was really hazy.  It is like I am living in a dream world.  Like, you KNOW you are doped up on this drug...at least with me.  I was surprised at the quick effects..

Anyway...on to my concerns.  A part from the haze I am under, I cannot sleep.  If I go to sleep I wake up in the middle of the night (never had this problem).  I actually used to sleep like 15 hrs/day.  Now I am lucky to sleep 4 hours.  And I am never really tired, I always feel awake on it.  Also, I used to love food.  Like food was the high light of my life.  But with wellbutrin, food is nothing.  It isn't pleasurable.  I cannot even eat all my food usually because I just don't want to.  

Also I am severely agitated and irritated by everything.  I think wellbutrin transferred my once overpowering depression into overpowering hate and hostility.

Basically wellbutrin really makes me feel drugged up all of the time.  

I should probably tell the doctor to lower the dose to like 150mg...Any suggestions?  I like the drug because it helps with my apathy and severe depression and suicidal tendencies.  But it seems to be transferring this negative energy in other ways (though I prefer these side effects over how I used to feel...)

[DYSLEXIC]

there is always is a down side  and Wellbutrin  is its stimulation , anyone with bad anxiety that usually starts the depression in the first place will go through the roof.  Add  wellbutrin to your AD is the normal way, to help AD flatness,.in the patient that is a zombie on there AD

[bradysj1]

Just realized the original post was from 2009 lol oops, well hopefully my comment can help someone else.

[bradysj1]

Are you in the US? The maximum daily dosage here shouldn't exceed 400mg/day due to the risks of seizures and even then it should only be after a tolerance to the drug has been built up.
Yes, Wellbutrin (bupropion) is a stimulant drug and is different from most other antidepressants such as SSRIs whereas they tend to take weeks to take effect, bupropion can usually be felt sooner and I myself felt it on the first dose too. I also believe myself to have a dopamine deficiency and probably serotonin too mostly from much abuse of recreational stimulant drugs. SSRIs have way too many negative side effects I believe such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction and even increased depression. Another reason why I think bupropion is a much better choice and should actually be the first choice treatment rather than an SSRI.
The other thing is that even though bupropion only inhibits the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine it does also indirectly increase serotonin as well. Another reason why it should be the first choice for treating depression because SSRIs do not raise dopamine or norepinephrine levels and surprisingly certain ones have been shown to actually DECREASE dopamine levels by as much as 50%! Another thing is, for me at least, bupropion has caused me to lose weight by not wanting to eat as much and there is no sexual dysfunction. I had insomnia to start (I usually fall asleep around 3 or 4 am) but have actually been falling asleep either a little earlier or the same time since I started taking this drug.
Now to finally fully answer your question, yes I believe 100% that the negative effects you're getting from bupropion are because of the extremely high dose you were started on. I started on 75mg recently and am still on that same dose and it is working good (granted I didn't receive it through a pharmacy so I guess I'm treating myself but I am well versed on this field of study as I'm working on it for a career). Anyway, you should suggest that you want your dose to be lowered to either 75 or 150mg/day. I take 75mg in the morning and can sleep just as easy as before when I finally want to at night, I have no brain fog or anything else, only positive effects i.e. more motivation, much less apathy, more energy, etc.
Hope this helped and you can get what you need out of this helpful drug.

[DYSLEXIC]

ENGLAND don't get Wellbutrin   its banned has an AD for seizure problems.  a few people with weak hearts died on the med. best to find out your heart is cool first.    WE get it has anti smoking called ZYBAN and there is a thriving drug  culture on zyban  stimulant

[psyvamp71]

sounds like they started you out at a very high dosage-- the usual route is to start at a lower dose and titrate upwards as the needs require. that could be one thing, starting at such a high dose, that causes your side effects. You don't say how long you've been taking it-- but the longer you take a med the more accustomed to it your body becomes and usually the less side effects you'll notice. I take 300 mgs of Wellbutrin ( the generic) daily, and seems that I dont have much desire or enjoyment of alot of things I used to do either-- also I don't sleep as much either--and sleeping for long periods of time can actually be a symptom of your depression. Hope this helps. We all need support, hugs my friend.

[remar]

Wellbutrin is a stimulating med, that's why your not sleeping or eating as much.
It sounds like you may need to cut back on your dose so you should talk to your Dr about doing this. Take care. Remar