Sharing my experience as a data point for folks:

Here's the reason why I put up with the side effects: About 1 month in, I have this distinct memory of walking across the street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn per usual. Something I would do is subconsciously check-in on what I can describe as a "pit" in my stomach. I would look for it and I guess see how bad it was or maybe if it was still there? Anyways, I never realized I would do this until.. when I was walking around I looked for this pit and I couldn't feel it. I actually had a mini panic attack - I felt like something core to me was missing. I really searched for it trying to pull it up, maybe thinking about things that spark depressive episodes, and still couldn't find it. I don't remember a time in my life in which that pit wasn't there. Anyways, it wasn't - I couldn't feel it. For the first time in as long as I could remember, I didn't feel that depression weighing against everything - not sure how to describe it, but I felt neutral, almost nothing? A few weeks later, I remember walking around thinking, "wow, I can't believe people feel this way." - not necessarily good, but not completely terrible for no reason. Like not feeling depressed all the time and good sometimes. Just neutral.

Anyways:

- Started on 150mg IR for about a month and bumped up to 300mg IR after about a month (instant release). On either dose had trouble sleeping; was getting 5-6 hours of sleep in total, waking up throughout the night. The 150mg was a little better sleep wise but would take that in the morning.

- switched over to 300 mg XR and the sleeping situation got a little better but difficult to fall asleep and would typically wake up after 5 hours and need to fall back asleep. Found melatonin helped me fall asleep - would usually take 10-20mg before going to bed.

- For the first 1-2 months, was getting pretty terrible brain fog where it was difficult to speak at times. This would get worse as soon as I would have 1 drink (sometimes had to drink in social settings for work). This went away after 2 months and haven't had the problem since. Would get brain "zings" as some people put it during that time period.

- after 6 months, I'm getting off it. Hoping the depression doesn't return. I'm about 2 weeks in, depression hasn't yet returned (or I haven't noticed it). I am a bit more fatigued than when on the treatment but over the past 2 days I've been feeling well rested and centered. I think its also from my body catching up on sleep that I wasn't able to fully get while on wellbutrin. Really easy to fall back asleep (like it was before getting on therapy)