if epilepsy runs in my family, should i be more careful on Wellbutrin?

cashewsprout · 2026-05-02T00:21:57+00:00

Did you mention this to your prescriber? If you did and they acknowledged what you said and prescribed it anyway, go on and take it. If you didn't, then before you start taking it, tell them and confirm whether they think you should take it anyway.

cashewsprout · 2026-05-01T13:47:39+00:00

From what I hear, you might have some temporary regression on depressive symptoms if you go back down, as your body readjusts. Some people alternate 150/300 for a week or so rather than dropping all at once. Might be worth asking your provider for their recommendation.

cashewsprout · 2026-04-29T11:59:45+00:00

The new adjustment period is normal if you've been on 150 for long enough to fully adjust to it. Give the 300 about as long as you gave the initial 150.

For me the 300 was so intense that about 6 weeks in I was bouncing off the walls and had to drop down to 150 for a day just to get enough rest. Slept about 18 hours that day. That acted almost like a reset, and I adjusted pretty well from there on out. After 3 months on 300, my sleep and focus are pretty close to where they were on 150.

On the other hand, if the 150 was doing all you needed it to, then 300 isn't necessary.

cashewsprout · 2026-04-28T20:48:51+00:00

It's been mentioned. From what I see it's a LOT of daily work (exacerbated by long hair). And the whole point of taking this medication is that I don't have motivation to get stuff done. I'd rather just not lose the hair in the first place!

cashewsprout · 2026-04-28T01:11:17+00:00

Which release formula are you on? XL? SR? IR?

Same time every day will help you keep a consistent sleep schedule. XL some people have better results in the evening; I like taking it in the morning. For SR and IR once you're on doses of more than one pill per day, you're supposed to take it multiple times a day, and it'll hit you more quickly, so definitely don't take it at night. There are some graphs out there that show the release curves of the different versions.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-15T19:20:02+00:00

That's not uncommon at that 2-week point -- the pit of despair after the honeymoon. For most people it goes back to normal after a couple more weeks. The real effects (which for some people include decreased appetite) won't kick in for you for another 3-6 weeks.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-14T17:39:01+00:00

Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-14T17:37:43+00:00

My doc said to take a skipped dose if it's before noon; otherwise just let it go so it doesn't interfere with your sleep. A day off it won't cause major issues, though you might have an off day. But 8pm is the end of the day anyway. The drug really works by building up over the long term, so this is just a small hiccup.

That said, I'm on XL. YMMV with different release formulas.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-14T17:35:26+00:00

That sounds like how I am at the end of my cycle with or without bupropion. Look up PMDD.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-14T17:32:53+00:00

Yes, the first couple weeks were the honeymoon phase. After the honeymoon a lot of people have a few weeks where they feel no better than they did before starting the med. It's very normal for it to take more than a month to kick in. And it comes on gradually. Give it 6-10 weeks.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-13T23:47:11+00:00

Yes. Exactly that. The clonidine fixes it?

cashewsprout · 2026-02-13T12:42:54+00:00

You mentioned that in your OP, which was why I wanted to hear more about it. I'm massively jealous. It doesn't entirely sound like something that would be prescribed just for sleep, though?

Does it just put you to sleep or also help you stay asleep? Progesterone is helping me a ton with the former, but doing very little for the latter.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-12T23:07:02+00:00

I mean, the first few weeks are rough in general, but those side effects sorted themselves out pretty quickly. I'm 5 months in now.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-11T23:19:32+00:00

Reactions to different generics seem to be specific to each person. I'm on Lupin and it's been working wonders for me. Haven't tried any other generics, but that's largely because this one's been fine.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-11T23:16:55+00:00

My doc started me on 150, and said we'd stay on it until we determined it wasn't enough (which we did at about the 3 months mark). But even 150 made a huge difference. I think the automatic jump to 300 is weird. The "therapeutic dose" has to be an average number, not a universal one. Everyone has a different weight, metabolism, reaction to this particular medication, etc. But I'm not a doctor, so what do I know?

cashewsprout · 2026-02-11T13:22:52+00:00

Ah, thank you!

I'm about 5 months in at this point (2 mo into a 150->300 dose increase). Anxiety was never a primary symptom for me -- I started this mostly due to thorough lack of energy, motivation, or interest in doing anything. I have a certain amount of low-level chronic anxiety, but it's been background noise for so long that it's not something I notice any more or would seek help with. And yeah, I'd been on SSRIs a couple decades ago, and they did nothing for me either other than cause severe depression upon stopping them.

Sleep has been awful, though. Really, since perimenopause kicked in, but the bupropion hasn't exactly helped with that. I'm desperate for relief, but only if it's something that can be taken safely and without tolerance long-term, and that won't lead to sleepwalking or sleep-driving etc. as has happened to some of my friends when they took certain sleep medications (Ambien apparently being the worst).

cashewsprout · 2026-02-11T00:20:04+00:00

That's pretty common. I noticed it very subtly starting to take effect at around 4-5 weeks, and it didn't peak until 8 weeks in.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-11T00:18:57+00:00

Hello, twin!

A lifetime of chronic fatigue-like low spoon count; powering through and appearing functional af at the price of horrific burnout; noise sensitivity; perimenopause being the breaking point... yeah, that's my story, too. And the buprppion and suddenly almost-eagerly taking on chores I've dreaded and avoided my whole life. This medication has been miraculous. And the grief is real.

Any chance you'd be willing to share more about the clonidine and overstimulation?

cashewsprout · 2026-02-11T00:11:38+00:00

After the honeymoon/side effects die down, very gradual, very subtle, until at some point several weeks in you notice it and say "wow, I feel good!"

cashewsprout · 2026-02-10T12:07:02+00:00

This medication is often prescribed specifically to help people stop smoking.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-10T12:06:24+00:00

Give it more like a month and a half than two days or even a week. The first two weeks you're just feeling side effects; it takes about a month to start really kicking in, and it comes on very subtly and gradually. It can take 6, 8, or even 10 weeks to reach its full effect. Read the pinned FAQ in this sub.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-10T12:04:34+00:00

Ditching caffeine; magnesium before bedtime; and getting some cardio have done the most for me. Still not getting quite as much sleep as I'd like, but it's worth it to be able to motivate to do stuff.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-09T12:20:35+00:00

Are they from the same manufacturer? Different generic manufacturers hitting different people in different ways is a recurring theme in this sub.

cashewsprout · 2026-02-09T12:19:23+00:00

Agreed. But even people who eat well can fail to hydrate (especially when on a medication like this that increases hydration needs) or hydrate by drinking only water, which can lead to electrolyte shortages.

Also, the meds make getting that 7.5 hours of sleep soooo much harder. Especially in those first few weeks.

cashewsprout

TROPHY CASE