Wellbutrin. Or better, wellthatsucks

I know, I know. It's only been a week, but just yesterday when I nearly bit the head off my children during my good week, I decided to Google "Wellbutrin made me an asshole."

Okay, not exactly that but something about irritability and BLAM about 400 links with "irritability" and "agitation" as a side effect came up and I breathed a huge sigh of relief because wow, I haven't gotten so pissed about my husband not knowing where the baby wipes were in like, um ever.

I realize that it takes awhile for meds to work, or something, and I know it's different for everyone, which is the challenge with SSRIs. What makes one person gloriously happy and skinny can make another person a complete and total asshole. 

That's why you should not run away from the Wellbutrin. It only means that right now, I should. For the sake of my marriage and my children who are somewhat used to mommy being a complete jerk but usually much closer to the end of the month. 

I'm headed back to my midwife in 3o days to make sure my IUD didn't dislodge, so I'm going to ask her about alternatives then. 

These things take time and experimentation, which totally sucks, but I know from the experience of many close friends, when you find the right thing it can be glorious. 

And speaking of the IUD, I had some cramping and bleeding on and off for the last few days, but it seems to have subsided for now. We'll see how it goes when I'm actually supposed to be bleeding. 

I picked up a few boxes of diaper-sized pads and super-sized OB tampons so I'm ready! 

I know, I'm such a bag of giggles these days. 

Comments

[Dorothy]

Wow, super late to the party, but I have to chime in. I started taking generic Wellbutrin XL 150 mg about six months ago for PPD. It worked wonders. Sometimes in the morning I would catch myself thinking a suicidal thought and I'd realize I hadn't taken my pill yet. The main problem for me was that it made sleep difficult, which eventually caught up to me and started making me crazy and giving me horrible headaches. So I got off it a couple of days ago and now I'm a monster. And really tired. But no headaches! Fingers crossed...

[anne]

Wellbutrin made me batshit crazy. You are not alone. Find an alternative. I did not realize how much sicker it was making me until my MD husband pointed it out.

[Jason]

Sup Uncensored,

I was on a steriod for GI issues and the side effects were not explained to me. Let's just say, hated it.
As for IUD, The Wife did her research and was nervous going into it, mostly becuase those posting were getting it in too early, etc. So her ACTUAL experience about a week ago was better than expected. Mild cramping, but all in all not bad. All my best. Take care,

Jason

[Shannon Drury]

I'm late to the party, but I was a happy Paragard user for three years, and in my case the periods actually got LIGHTER...so that might cheer you up? I don't have any other answers, though, as I also take psychiatric meds up the wazoo in search of that magic brain-balancing bullet.

[Joe]

Although wellbutrin may have ongoing side effects for you, some of them are ironed out after a few months.

Speaking from experience, I'd say that if you decide to go back on the WB (or try something else), remember that the feelings of aggression don't have to be translated into acts/words of aggression. We don't choose our feelings but we can choose our reactions. That's why if you're taking meds, going to a therapist can help you with behavior modifications and other techniques needed to manage the undesirable side effects. Obviously, if the aggression doesn't go away, something else needs to be tried. But in the event that it is short-term, some behavioral modifications/interventions might help.

It's disappointing that the WB might not work out, but as others have posted, there are additional options, and I wish you all the best in finding one that works really well for you.

[neth the lawyer]

Thanks for posting this blog..

May be seen i read this blog i feel so sad and i tell to my self why it happend to us. I don't know what i feel if im in that situation. Its very painful but we hope that everything will be alright. just go to the doctor and listen what doctor told you just do it..it will help you a lot..

take care..

[amanda]

I've tried wellbutrin about three or four hundred times or so. For smoking, depression, anxiety, and well- mostly for smoking. And weight loss.

But anyway- I've had different side effects- every. single. time. The best one being the whole quitting smoking and losing weight thing- but never really took it long enough for either of those to stick, since the other side effects were all consuming. Like 22 hour long headaches. And morning sickness (more like morning noon and night sickness, but without the precious cargo that typically arrives 9 months later)

I actually intend to try starting it again this week. I'm hoping eventually ill hit the side affect jackpot, and walk away with a lifetime supply of cash that I didn't spend on smokes.

Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you. I've been told that the side effects do become less bothersome once you get used to the med- although I'm not really one to give the 'stick to it' advice am I?

[Arkie Mama]

Wellbutrin works best for people who need to be hauled out of a deep, recurring depression. I've been taking it for four years, and while it hasn't made me skinny (sob), it has kept me from falling back into that black hole of despair. People who don't suffer from depression, however, find it to be too much of an upper. It makes them agitated, hyped up and irritable.

[Amanda]

So Sean has the app Code Red on his phone. For the longest time he didn't tell me about it..once he did, I felt like it was my crazy qualifier. We both use it and are more forgiving of my dips and work together to keep life relatively mellow for that time. For me, somehow knowing that, yep, all this irrational anger and short-fusedness is linked to my cycle, helps me kind of keep it in check. I also do Evening Primrose Oil and a multivitamin. I'd way prefer to be "smooth sailing" (as the app says) all month long, but it doesn't seem like there is a side effectless option. That doesn't mean I don't read your updates hoping you have found PMS shangrila ;)

[Eiz]

Just a heads up.. If you we're taking a generic version of 300 mg XL (extended release) there's news out today the FDA is recalling it as it has been ineffective for YEARS.

I wish like hell I was kidding but even NPR was reporting it. They never tested that version and just guessed it would work. People have been complaining about it and side effects for years.

The worst part? May find other generics to have the same problem. My first thought was synthroid. Generic version does not work for most people I know on it. I wonder if it is a untested quality issue.

Regardless, good for you to look into options and getting help. That's always the first hard hurdle.

[Kate]

I'm agreeing with the others-- I never realized how much of a zombie all those meds made me until I went off. I was on them for YEARS.

I never laughed. I never cried, unless just out of complete and total anger. I never really felt emotion.

I know that you were seeking marital counseling with your husband-- but have you ever considered going to a therapist yourself?

I might be a minority here, but if you're having constant feelings/thoughts/actions day after day, year after year, the meds are just going to mask it. You need to look into your own thoughts and behavior patterns, too.

Meds are not meant to be taken long term for most people. These are supposed to be temporary to get you over the hump, or the funk. But...you need to be able to cope. I hope you'll consider talking to someone for yourself.

[Amanda]

I had the zombie reaction to welbutrin. I vote "see an actual shrink". Even a nurse practitioner that is specialized in psychiatry. Everyone is different. While lexapro did work for me in the past, it doesn't anymore. Abilify was awesome but I put on a ton of weight. Keep trying.

[Issa]

I've never tried Wellbutrin. I am currently on nothing. However I spent the previous few years on Lexapro. I think it may take a bit to find the one that works for you.

[Nikki]

I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems. My doctor put me on Wellbutrin a long time ago. I had the opposite problem, I was a complete zombie. Cared about nothing. Literally felt like I had no feelings whatsoever. I was numb to everything. I hated it. Weened myself off of it and never looked back. Strange part was, I went to see my doctor to address more along the lines of ADHD symptoms. Yet I was told I was more along the lines of depressed. I was depressed, on Wellbutrin.

[Christine]

Thanks for your honesty! I had a terrible time on Wellbutrin, despite hearing what a miracle drug it is for some women. I was ultra aggressive and so hyper I couldn't sleep at night. I am now on a very low dose of Prozac one week before period. It is working great. Keep trying!

[maryjo]

try zoloft worked wonders for me, it works quick so you can take it only on those bad weeks

[Cheryl]

You're brave for taking the initiative and finding what works for you. I'm sure most people (heck, myself included) fear the unknown too much to make those kinds of changes. Best of luck.

[Beth from SJ]

Thanks for sharing your story, Kristen. Being so open about your experience can only help others. I have found a winner with Lexapro...

[Brenda]

Boo for Wellbutrin not working. Yay for not giving up! I've been through the cycle of trying to find an SSRI that worked, and I tried one or two SNRIs when those didn't work. I hope you stumble on the right thing sooner rather than later! It sucks that it can be more art than science when it comes to tweaking mood meds.

[Mary]

I take Prozac and it works really well for me (for anxiety and PMDD). The only side affect I had that was bothersome was some weight gain. I tried Lexapro for a while to see if that would be better for the weight part, but my anxiety levels went though the roof, so I went back on Prozac and bought some new clothes. :)

[Lee]

SSRI's are a very complex puzzle. While Christy has a vaild point about psychiatrists. It can be hard to find one who "gets" the PMS issue. I got lucky that Zoloft did the trick out of the gate. Good luck!

[Motherhood Uncensored]

I think that's the next step for me, Christy.

And wow, Mary (and Sonya!) I might have to try that. Thanks for the reco.

[Dawn]

I'm sorry it didn't work for you. My doctor was actually worried about Wellbutrin making my anxiety worse since it is a bit of an upper so they put me on the lowest does possible of lexipro. So far the only real side effects I have are loss of appetite and dry mouth. So so far so good. It's only been a few days so no improvement yet. Good luck finding something that works for you. I hope this works for me.

[mary]

Try acupuncture! I went to my OB with SEVERE irritability (started out 7 days/month and gradually increased to feeling like a jerk almost 2 weeks/month) -- she said, acupuncture or Prozac. I filled the Prozac prescription, took it for 3 days and hated it. Acupuncture has been fantastic. The downside: Prozac = $2.50/prescription, Acupuncture $85/session (2 sessions/month).

[Christy]

Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist? They have been trained to prescribe drugs like this for both on and off label use. They would likely have a good handle on the potential side effects of each particular drug, and be able to prescribe a viable alternative.

[Sonya]

I spent a lot of time on and off SSRIs when I was younger. I got sick of it. It may sound absolutely simple and ridiculous, and may not do a thing for you, but regularly taking a vitamin B complex does miracles for my moods/anxiety. Some recommend taking an extra bit of B-5 on top of that for things like depression and mood swings.