Wellbutrin / Zyban / Bupropion
 

I would like to start a thread to give others some details about the effects (possitive or negative) of Wellbutrin / Zyban / Bupropion. Anyone can join me with their experiences.

I started it on Sept. 23rd 2004 (generic Wellbutrin). I had brain fog the first day with 150mg, and sleeping issues - ongoing. I had the "runs" on day 4 and 5 when I increased to 150 twice a day. My quit date is Sunday Oct. 3rd 2004, and I will keep this thread going with my experiences and whatever else.

How is everyone else doing this this drug? I hope to get some replys.

Well an update for now, my stomach has been really grumbly for the last two days, I forgot to mention that. I assume it's the medicine but you never know.

I took Welbutrin for only 2 weeks. It made me feel so horrid I quit. They had me start it to help me quit smoking. I actually smoked the same if not more. I ahd bad headaches,moods were off kilter, insomnia, very upset stomach.. They said the symptoms I had would subside in a few weeks but I did'nt give it a chance. That was what happened with me anyhow. Ya know I wish ya the best Amy :)..
Im on day 130... Holding my quit tight as hell.

Angel

It's been one week today. The insomnia is getting better, I only woke up twice last night. Everything else is gone for now.

That's great Amy.. I hope it works well for you.

Angel

I did notice a rash around my belly button and it was itchy yesterday, but today it's just a little pink and it doesn't itch.

The first time I tried Zyban, I was pregnant. It was awful. Caused upset stomach (as if morning sickness wasn't enough), left me feeling kind of 'out there', don't really know how to describe it. Needless to say, shamefully, I continued to smoke (My daughter is perfectly healthy, thank God).

Second time I tried it, I was pregnant with my son. This time, the doctor gave me something for the upset stomach and it helped a LOT. I was able to quit within two weeks and stayed quit for 10 months, no problem. For me it worked wonderful. I WOULD think about smoking, but then I'd just kinda roll my eyes, and think..."Nope..can't"

That was just out of habit, and mainly at the trigger times.

You'll notice I said 'quit for 10 months'...well, the hubby quit smoking too, but one day I found out he'd been smoking again. It started out as just smoking one on the weekend, and then one a day, and now I'm smoking again like I never quit.

I've tried again since, but I used the generic form of Zyban, and it didn't work. Or maybe it was because I wasn't pregnant and so it didn't affect me the same way, I don't know.

I am planning to quit again, and will try Zyban again, but right now... on induction... I don't think that would be a good idea! ;) lol

I wish you the best of luck! It's great NOT smoking, and I kick myself every day for starting again. Even in ten months, I could breath better, things tasted better, I had more energy ...etc.

Good luck! And keep us posted! For me, when I quit, it kept me going to post every month that I'd made it without one.

Best wishes!!!!
:bhug:
Nonnie

I think it's working, the cravings aren't even there unless I hit a trigger, like stress or needing a break from something. That is more out of habit than a physical crave so it's good so far. I do have to say yesterday (day 3) was rough, but not as bad as when I attempted the many times before, that was always the day for me to break.

Hope all is well with you Amy and that your quit is still growing :)

Angel

Forgot to update this thread, this is one of my journal entrys from Oct. 9th:


"Well, my face is swollen and I have hives all over, the doctor said he doesn't think it was the wellbutrin, but I think that's what it was. He told me take some allegra and stay off the wellbutrin till Monday, then call my regular doctor and start up the wellbutrin again. I really hope it's not the wellbutrin. Anyway he thinks it could be the TV dinner(something about preservatives), the chromium I just started taking as a supplement, or the chemicals from when my fiance was cleaning the guns last night."


The doctor still says he doesn't think it was from the wellbutrin and I am to call him when the hives go away and then resume the wellbutrin. Guess we'll see. The hives are now just about gone and I believe there will be no trace by tomorrow morning, hopefully. I will update after calling the doctor.

Oh, and yes Angel I am still quit.

Well they finally called me back today and the doctor wants me to start the wellbutrin again and stay away from the chromium. I think I will go get some Claritin for hives maybe just in case. I am going to take the wellbutrin either tonight or in the morning. But I will definately make sure to space it out to 12 hours instead of 10 like I was doing.

Ho Hum, Ho Hum. Just waiting it out.

Everytime I have an itch I look at it to make sure it's not a hive. This is really annoying.

Hello Amy and wtg on keeping your quit. I sure hope it's not the Welbutrin for you since you feel it works for you. I myself had to stop it. I seem to be sensitive to many medications. Sucks. Take care and wishing you alot of support this weekend.

Angel

:) :thup:
I'm at day 176 and I am still using the wellbutrin. I have had no problems taking it. I feel it is a lifesaver for me. It gets my mine off of cigs and tells my brain "you are a non smoker" and "see it's not so bad." Been off the patch since July 5th. The stepping down wasn't so bad at all. At first after you quit it's kind of hard but it get sooo much better. I go days or sometimes whole weekends without thinking about it and when I do think about it - it doesn't stay long. Can even drink without getting urges. I would reccomend wellbutrin/zyband to everyone. I had tried to quit many other times.
Barb

I found to be allergic to the wellbutrin, got hives all over my back on Wednesday and called the doc, he says to stop the wellbutrin, but if the hives come back then there is something else to blame.

I just started taking Wellbutrin 3 days ago. So far, the only side effects I have are dry mouth and helping to curb my appetite. I haven't quit smoking yet. My doctor has me on 150 milligrams per day for the first week, and then 300 milligrams per day after that. He told me it takes 3 to 4 weeks before it really starts working. In the meantime, he told me to try to cut down on cigarettes and buy a brand I really hate, and smoke those.

Has anyone else been given this same advice?

Christy, I have read that advice online before. I assume it would help because I know I couldn't keep smoking something that makes me sick. You should definately set a quit date and stick to it though, most of the sites I read say to quit on the second week of the meds. Careful with this though because as you can read in this thread it took 2 weeks and 2 days before I had my allergic reaction to it.

My doctor still doesn't think it was the wellbutrin because I still have hives today. It's another waiting game and can take a while to get out of your system.

Thanks Amy.

I am going to keep taking it with the hopes that I will not have an allergic reaction and I will finally be able to quit once and for all. The patch didn't work. The gum didn't work. Cold turkey didn't work.

Christy, one more thing. If you do happen to have a reaction, if you have the money (which I don't so I wont) ask your doctor for the IR type of wellbutrin. I have read many cases where the person is actully allergic to the casing on the SR type or the die, rather than the med itself.

Hi Amy. Thanks. So far, the only side effects I have had are dry mouth and not being able to eat very much. Over the weekend, I had to force myself to eat and I can only eat just a little bit at each meal. What scares me about this is that I am taking 150 milligrams a day right now and on Wednesday, I will be taking 300 milligrams a day. I hope this doesn't affect my eating even more. Have you had this problem?

I didn't have that problem, but you should also remember not to take the second dose too late at night when you start otherwise you will be up all night.

Actually, when I start the 300 milligrams on Wednesday, it is in 1 pill, which I will take in the morning so hopefully I will be able to get some sleep at night. Right now, I've been sleeping really good on the 150 milligrams.

Hi Amy and happy hump day. :D

I've started my 300 milligrams of Wellbutrin this morning. The bottle contains a big red sticker that says "May cause drowsiness." So far, so good though. Right now, I'm having a severe case of dry mouth. That's okay though, right? It is just an excuse to drink more water. :)

Anyway, the reason I am writing this morning is to find out from you how the Wellbutrin has helped you. Did you stop smoking right away when you started taking it? Or, did you wait a few weeks like my doctor has suggested I do? Also, how did it help you? Did it curb your cravings for a cigarette? Did it help with irritability, etc.? Did you change your daily routine in any way to help you?

Right now, I'm starting to prepare myself for my quit date. I've been reading alot on www.whyquit.com, trying to quit smoking in my house, and want to get back on Atkins induction and lose more weight before I quit (I have this fear of gaining and gaining and gaining....because I've been heavy in the past and because my mom's side of the family is obese and most of them have diabetes....I'm a sure candidate for both!) But, the Wellbutrin has been curbing my appetite so, right now, that is a good thing. What worries me is the side effect of anorexia. Scary situation, I think.

Any info. from you re: your experience with the Wellbutrin would be great! I just want to know what I have to look forward to. :D

Thanks, :wave:

Christy

I was told to quit in the second week of the meds and so I did, on the tenth day. It seemed to work for me just fine that way. I think it worked great, I had no cravings physically and it helped alot with the mental cravings also. I wouldn't worry about weight gain because as you mentioned it decreases your appetite. The anorexia issue is only a problem if you are anorexic before you start the medicine. The dry mouth is a common side effect and nothing to worry about.

I am still quit even with out it.

Hope this helps. I think you should also keep some postings (logs) in this thread jus to let others know it does work.

Thanks Amy. :)

Once I get to my quit date, I will keep posting on this thread with my progress.

Christy

Hi Amy.

I haven't quit smoking yet, but am on week 3 of the Wellbutrin. Upping to 300 milligrams hasn't really affected me. The only side effects right now are dry mouth and crazy, crazy dreams. I've been sleeping very well and no rashes so far. Also, I've noticed not craving cigarettes so much lately and once I realize that I am not smoking while doing a daily routine when I normally would be smoking, I end up lighting one. I'm still preparing myself for my quit date by doing a lot of reading on the subject and taking this med.

I'll keep you updated. :)

I spoke too soon!
 

Hi Amy.

Just wanted to let you know that on Saturday, after being on the Wellbutrin for 2.5 weeks, I broke out in hives!! I spoke too soon on Friday, huh? :) Anyway, I am really bummed about it. I went to the walk in clinic on Saturday because I didn't want to spend the weekend with a spreading rash. So, the doc I saw was not my usual doc and he said he didn't understand why I would break out in hives after being on the Wellbutrin as long as I was. I told him I've read and heard about this happening. So, he gave me 2 prescriptions of medicine to take, one for the hives and the other for the itching. Long story short: I'm no longer taking the Wellbutrin. :(

Thought I'd let you know. I think I am going to wait until after the holidays and try the patch again.

Bye for now. :wave:

Christy

So sorry to here that. I have gone back to smoking. I just don't think it's my time, I don't want it enough.

So sorry to hear that. If it makes you feel any better, I hear the average person tries quitting 10 times before they actually quit for good. :)