I have been taking Wellbutrin 150 generic bupropion 2x daily for one month. I have been experiencing very noticeable and disconcerting hair loss (a la 'male pattern baldness'). RAPID. I took the shears to my head because I was going crazy at the amount of hair I was losing (that seems to have slowed the process!)
Also, extreme memory loss. I forget the names of friends and family; sometimes myself. I will call people the wrong name by accident. More than a few times, I've stopped mid-sentence in conversation, forgetting what I was talking about. Almost like I've been put on 'pause' for 15 seconds. The crappy thing is that I'm sure that the person can see that I'm struggling.
I am very scared to drive: 35 mph seems like I'm playing a drugged up video death game. There have been episodes where I feel like I've been sleep-driving. Sort of like an out of body experience. Which freaks me out because I manage to make myself aware of the danger in the situation but the body/brain connection seems impaired.
I am/was an avid reader (3-4 books per month) but I have completely lost interest and the couple times that I have tried, I couldn't read half a page before quitting. I read the same sentence over and over without making any connection. The same with my writing. It has become a chore.
Also, extreme impatience at the smallest things which before I would have not been bothered by. Sometimes even seething anger, which is very out of character. Since I've been on Wellbutrin, I can no longer tolerate the "cuteness of children" antics and such. There are no 'minor' annoyances anymore.
I told the doctor of the symptoms I was having, not attributing them to the Wellbutrin (which I now call 'Zombie') and I was completely dismissed. The hair loss and memory problems he attributed to stress, and he wanted to up the dosage to 300mg and prescribe Xanax (which I call 'Mind Eraser' from previous juvenile dalliances).
I don't like ANY medications...Which reminds me...I forgot why I'm even taking it...the doctor suggested I should take it after telling him I felt like crap after a bout of Lyme Disease. I laugh at the completely unnecessary BS I've put myself through for a month!!!
I feel like I have little choice other than to wean myself off. I will most certainly NOT keep my 3.5 GPA this next semester if I continue taking this drug. I am glad I found this site, because the doctor looked at me like I was crazy when describing the symptoms. Now I know what to blame/quit.
***ON A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE, I WAS ABLE TO QUIT A PACK A DAY CIGARETTE HABIT AFTER TWO WEEKS!!! After 10+ YEARS of trying patches, gums, lozenges, and even chewing tobacco (ick) I've been able to go two weeks without smoking. Wellbutrin has made me FORGET about the habit.