Wellbutrin question...

nurseygrrl, LPN · Mar 17, 2003

Thank you all for the advice. Yes, the doc does know me pretty well...he wasn't trying to push drugs on me :). I spoke to him for about 20 minutes after his initial question and he thought I might do some research on Wellbutrin and see what I thought about trying it. I would never just start popping pills unless I had all my info straight! Again, thanks for the advice, but the weather outside today is an antidepressant in and of itself! 60 degrees!!!

LilgirlRN, ADN, RN · Mar 17, 2003

As with any SSRI there can be side effects, but I found that this was the only one I could take. I was very depressed at one time, used to lie in the bed and think how much better it would be to be dead than alive. Wellbutrin helped tremendously, it saved my life, but now that I am not in that kinda funk I don't need it, so I don't take it anymore. Thank goodness :)

sunnygirl272 · Mar 18, 2003

Jedav · Mar 18, 2003

Originally posted by LilgirlRN
As with any SSRI there can be side effects, but I found that this was the only one I could take. I was very depressed at one time, used to lie in the bed and think how much better it would be to be dead than alive. Wellbutrin helped tremendously, it saved my life, but now that I am not in that kinda funk I don't need it, so I don't take it anymore. Thank goodness :)

Just a technicality, but to be clear for those interested...Wellbutrin SR is an NDRI-norepinephrine/dopamine reuptake inhibitor rather than an SSRI...Therefore, WellSR is not associated with the serotonin side effects of weight gain and/or sexual dysfunction.

LilGirlRN, I'm glad that it helped you and your much better now!

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Mar 18, 2003

Rusty, thank you for making a note of it. If you do end up going back on it, and the tmj pain returns let me know? My doctor thinks I am being ridiculous. I like to hear this theory validated by others, makes me feel less crazy!!

casperbjs · Mar 18, 2003

I never even thought about Wellbutrin and TMJ. I was having so much trouble with TMJ and a tooth bothering me in January I made an appointment with my dentist. Of course I just went to him and it had quit bothering me, plus I also have quit taking Wellbutrin. I never even associated the two together. The dentist told me that TMJ could even cause a certain tooth to bother me too. Wow! Thanks for the info!

kittyw · Mar 18, 2003

You all are going to think I'm nuts. .... but I had TMJ pain that was alleviated with wellbutrin. :uhoh21:

rinker · Mar 24, 2003

I started taking wellbutrin about 2 years ago to quit smoking, that worked but I also had other issues as well so I am still on it for depression. It worked for me, initially though the side effects were awful. I thought I had the flu for weeks until my husband asked the obivious question. Just be careful of that. No I haven't experienced anything with the tmj-sorry

RN2B2005 · Mar 24, 2003

I've been on Zoloft (100mg BID) and Wellbutrin SR (150mg BID) for almost five years.

Wellbutrin, for me, has been a terrific drug. I'm on the higher end of the dosing range, taking a total of 300mg/day, and have had very few untoward side effects. While on Wellbutrin, I've taken OTC drugs (aspirin, antihistamines, etc.), antibiotics, vitamins, etc. and never had an adverse reaction.

If and when your doctor prescribes Wellbutrin, he will likely do the slow ramp-up to the desired dose. Doing otherwise encourages seizures and headaches. The only side effect I had when first starting Wellbutrin was a migraine headache that lasted about two days--horrible, but it hasn't been repeated in five years. Zoloft has been shown to cause bruxism (night tooth grinding) but Wellbutrin has not.

I guess I have trouble believing the negative anecdotal reports about TMJ and other things, especially when the drug was taken at such low doses and for such short periods of time. You definitely shouldn't let such stories stop you from seeking effective medical treatment.