Wellbutrin and sex drive

I am taking the generic Bupropion at 300mg per day. I went up in dosage to 300 last month, I'm about 1 week in to my 2nd refill on the 300mg. I am having TERRIBLE side affects right now. At this moment I'm at work trying to concentrate on even saying the right words on the phone - I have no sick time left so I can't go home - my hearing is jacked up. Things fade out and then come back so loud. I feel as if I'm drifting off to sleep and things get quiet and then WHAM someone will say something to me and it's so loud like someone woke me up from a nap. My vision is a little blurry, and I can't remember things. Fortunately I can get away with this for another day at my job, I started feeling like this yesterday, just today started thinking it was my med. I'm not on any other meds. I'm dizzy too. The worst part is I can't remember conversations. At the time of, I know what I'm saying though slower, but if I'm having a lengthy conversation I will probably forget what you said at the beginning. The confusion is what makes me the most upset. Things that I know, little things like someones phone extension, I can't remember and have to look up. The weird thing is all these symptoms come in waves. I'll have a moment of 'normalness' and then right back into the symptoms. I'm even having trouble typing right now. - I'm not hungry and after reading this site I now know why I'm itching all over.

I got on this website looking for a 'quick fix' like eating a big meal, but see I'm going to have to rough it out another day here in la la land. Wellbutrin was working for me in the beginning, 150 mg for 2 months, increased energy, good attitude etc, then wore off a little so we uped it to 300mg. I'm going to go dwn in dosage, try taking the 150mg tomorrow and see how I feel. I hope this wears off!! I am curious to know if you can cut the dosage of 300mg pill Buproprion to 150 by cutting it in half? I just got that refill so I was wondering. Today is going to be so rough! I went straight to bed yesterday after work and guess I will be doing the same tonight. Oh great, my coworker just asked if I was "ok" because I'm being so quiet. Yikes. I've read this email about 5 times to make sure I don't repeat myself since I can't remember!

I've never done this so hopefully it goes where it is supposed to.... I am a 24 year old mommy of 2. I have been on wellbutrin (generic) since late march. So about 3 months. My problem wasn't really depression, but anger. I have always had a short fuse, but I was getting ridiculous with my 4 year old daughter and even I knew it. Well, I was on the 150 xl for a month and a half, then asked the dr. to switch me to something that I could take 2 times a day because the xl wore off right around 5pm and gave me headaches.... So now I am on 150 sr 2 times a day. I have to say that it really is helping me. I kinda feel emotionless sometimes, but I'll take that over feeling like I might rip someones head off. On top of working on the anger, so far I have lost about 25 lbs! I got on the mirena (huge, horrible, god awful mistake) after having my 2nd child and gained about 20 lbs in 1 year. (it also made me the reincarnation of satan)
So, good side effects: No longer angry all the time, no longer fat
And, bad side effects: No sex drive (may be due to 2 kids, not the pills), blurry vision, oily hair, dry mouth (which causes really bad breath in the morning) and I swear, I had Restless Leg syndrome when I was preggers the first time and it was HORRIBLE! It seems that now I have Restless feet syndrome :D My feet always feel like I'm spreading my toes apart (even though I'm not) Don't know what the heck that's all about, but figured I'd throw it in :D I'm also on YAZ which from what I read isn't the best BCP, so maybe I should get off of it.

I've been on Bupropion XL 300 mg (Generic Wellbutrin) for almost 3 months.Overall I feel much better than before.I can cope with lifes issues without freaking,I'm a better mother to my girls.I haven't had any major side effects such as hives or hair loss,however I do notice occasional bouts of anxiety.Tightness in the chest.My libido all but disappeared after having my second child and I'm only 30 years old.I was hoping the Wellbutrin would help but it's really made no difference.Aaargh! But at least I don't have to suffer the depression and guilt due to lack of sex drive and the monotony of everyday living.I'm living my life again...And my hair has never looked better!

Hello I am clinically depressed. They doctors said I was "severely depressed." I haven't done these post ever so I apologize if I can't make my side effects clear and easy to understand.

Well to the point I am taking Lamactil and Wellbutrin for over a year now. The side effects I have are acne, laziness, always tired. But the side effect I hate the most is really perverted thoughts. Every waking moment I am always thinking about sex of some sort. I can't enjoy a movie because I am always thinking of sex with the person I am with, be female or male. I am straight but I just can't shake thoughts and hate it to no end. PLEASE let me know if anyone is experiencing these side effects.

Hello,

I am so happy to find these posts. I started the generic Wellbutrin SR 100 MG in the morning about four months ago. She wanted me to increase my dose but there is no way I can handle it. I am also on Zoloft 50 mg for panic attacks. She added the wellbutrin to give me more energy and help with my low sex drive. It gives me lots of energy but I can not have caffeine or much sugar when I am taking it or I have a panic attacks. Also I am very short of breath, I thought this was just my anxiety but after reading all the other posts I am beginning to wonder if it is the wellbutrin. My sex life is a little better but not much, of course I am taking a very low dose. About a week after I started taking it, my back and neck was killing me. I went for a massage and she said I had knots all over my back and neck, this four months ago, I kept getting massages and they just keep getting bigger and will not go away! I am almost certain the wellbutrin is making me tense and causing these. I decided to call my doctor today and ask to go off of it.

What is funny is I was on it a few years back but it was Wellbutrin XL not generic. It was wonderful! I had the best sex life, I had so much energy and no side effects.

I just wanted to share my story.

I really appreciated the way Wellbutrin worked for me. It helped increase my sexual desire (which was seriously lacking with my depression) and gave me energy. The first 3-7 days I had some problems with very minor hallucinations (though I suppose any hallucinations can be minor). I had to go off it though because of the tremors. My chin would shake/clench and even my little ones would notice my hands shake (especially when eating or drinking). I am on another form of anti-depression medicine now and it works well, but the good side effects of the Wellbutrin (higher energy level, increased sex drive, not feeling hungry) are all gone except for the anti-depression. Too bad there isn't something else you can take to get rid of the tremors while on Wellbutrin.

I have been on generic Wellbutrin 150 mg for 3 weeks for PMS. The first week I had some strange side effects: heart racing with light-headedness, constant yawning, weird sensation at the back of my neck. They all went away and I felt fine.

However, I stopped taking it 3 days ago because of the severe cramping and diarrhea. My doctor warned me I would have stomach issues the first week - and I did - but now I have it the day after I have an alcoholic drink. So anytime I have a drink, which is several times a week, I have to expect spending an hour in the bathroom the next day. Not even Imodium can stop what's coming.

Sorry, but alcohol trumps WB. Too bad too, because it increased my sex drive and suppressed my appetite.

To make a long story short (I think). Taking Celexa (20 mg) for more than 4 years definitely caused decreased sexual sensations (numbed nerves), though it did change my life. In October Switched to Wellbutrin XL. Withdrawal from Celexa was not easy but Libido is definitely back. Problem is I am angry ALL the time at my husband. In fact, I've been angry almost from the get go from switching to Wellbutrin. I have also been puzzled by slight hair loss in the back of my head at the hairline. I have of late experienced abrupt halts in thought processes and my periods, though I am 45, have suddenly become irregularly. Frankly I didn't realize that Wellbutrin could likely be the cause of these symptoms until I read some of these posts. I really would like to wean off of this drug (was prescribed 300 mg but have taken 150 mg due to feelings of being 'wigged' out on higher dosage - did up the ante for just over a week to see if that would help but didn't seem to matter)...Nevertheless, I really think Wellbutrin is causing me to feel deep resentment toward my husband. This is not a usual emotion for me and it pretty well started immediately after I began taking Wellbutrin. I really could use your opinions(s). IS THE WELLBUTRIN causing the anger??? Did the Celexa simply MASK existing problems??? Is it a combination of both. Is this depression again or am I in the process of slipping back in??? (anger was not a previous symptom of my depression though black clouds, low esteem, doom and gloom and sadness were) Also, aside from anger and sheer resentment, I feel as if I'm spinning my wheels, that I'm in rut and that no matter how I try to move forward, I can't - I really feel lost and am so angry at my husband and see him in such a different way that it is almost to the point of being ridiculous). THANK-YOU so much for your replies.

i have been on W 150xl now for 3 days. I have had UNREAL side effects for the short period. The first day - within 30 minutes I started having racing heartbeats. I could literally SEE my chest thumping. It was so horrible I had to lay down with my feet up for around 10 hours. I couldn't even move without feeling like I would pass out. I felt very nauseated but didn't throw up. Since then, I am struggling with being groggy and can hardly stay awake at all. I AM having very interesting dreams - so I guess if I have to be asleep all the time, at least the dreams are good. Needless to say - I am STOPPING this drug.

I do tend to have a tendency to be extremely sensitive to drugs - so have done well with lower dosages of other things in the past.

Prior I have been on zoloft for the last 6 years off and on for depression. i have done well on Zoloft(had reactions to generic so went with actual zoloft) at 25mg or 50mg, but have been frustrated that it killed my sex drive completely and I literally can't orgasm. This was the reason for the switch to Wellbuterin, and although I feel some sex drive coming back- it just isn't worth it. I will be going back into my doctor and going back on Zoloft. The wellbuterin has been a nightmare so far and I am NOT willing to tough it out just to have decent sex.

G. in WA

I started Wellbutrin in the beginning of December. Someone very close to me passed away and I developed severe anxiety with some depression. I took some control of it with simply taking Ativan, but the doctor insisted I get on something for depression as well. I didn't really understand why I need to take a pill when I was just fine before this event.... but ok, I agreed.

I was prescribed Wellbutrin XL 150 mg. I was optimistic about it. She said it might improve my focus, give me some energy back, had no sexual side effects.

I took it in the morning, and usually with at least something in my stomach. The first 3 days of taking it, I was severely unstable. I think if I didn't have my boyfriend, I would be dead right now. I would cry uncontrollably, for no reason, pace, have terrible anxiety... I remember going through my closet, throwing things around, looking for a belt, throwing a few on the bed and taking one and tightening it around my neck.. I then walked around and was looking for a place to hang myself.. Luckily my boyfriend got home because he had a bad feeling about what was happening with me... otherwise I, to this day, do not know what I would have done.

After the first 3 days... things sort of calmed down... sometimes I would feel "better" in little spurts the first week.

I also had my sex drive for the first 2 weeks and it was good. I still wasn't "happy" but the medication wasn't doing any significant harm.

In the 3rd week, I lost interest in nearly everything. I didn't want to step foot outside. I stopped talking to my family, stopped answering my phone, I would lay in bed for hours, thinking of depressive things. I began eating, a lot. Constantly. Which shocked me since it is supposedly supposed to suppress appetite. I stopped going to school.

In the 4th week, and last, things gradually, and then quite suddenly just went downhill. It started with me becoming very agitated, snapping at everyone. My mental clarity was out the window. When someone said something, it took me a long time to register it, if I ever did. Sometimes my boyfriend would look at me after saying something and I would realize, oh my god, he said something... I really didn't hear/listen anymore. I was brain dead to everything except these horrible thoughts of just wanting to die. As the days progressed in the 4th week, I became more and more depressed. If I had to describe it, I would say it was a mental breakdown. I would cry hysterically over nothing. Absolutely nothing. I couldn't think of a single reason. I would start to cry while brushing my hair, while eating, sitting, watching a movie... I would cry 20 or more times a day. I really wanted to die because I could not bear it anymore. I felt like this was the end and it was going to end.. I wanted to inflict injury on myself, but focused my thoughts on more "permanent" damage -- suicide. I became obsessed with buying a gun. I swear if I had one, I would not be here. I would hit myself, all over my legs, while sobbing uncontrollably on the floor. Days later my boyfriend would ask where the bruises came from because it would be in such a weird area that there was no way i walked into something... and I would tell him I had no idea, and I didn't..... until later I realized it was me, hitting myself.... I felt very depersonalized. I felt unpredictable and I felt that I was not sure what I was going to do next, I was afraid of myself and very paranoid. I lost my appetite and never wanted to eat, thinking of food made me nauseous. I felt sick to my stomach. My anxiety was through the roof. My mind wouldn't stop spinning with thoughts, repetitive... until eventually it lead to another breakdown.

With my luck, it reached it's worst around the new year when everything was closed and I couldn't get a hold of anybody. I desperately called mental emergency facilities but all they said they could do was commit me for at least 72 hours and I didn't want that. I just wanted this to end, NOW, not be trapped in another hell hole. My mental doctor was closed so I tried to see my primary care and he was too afraid to mess with anything and told me to double my ativan dosage (WHAT! Because of Wellbutrin, I went from taking .5 or less mg of ativan a day to taking 2mg or more and still, it barely did anything!), so I went to the ER, and they did nothing, except tell me that the only way to help me would be if I went to a hospital for 72 hours. I said NO. It is ridiculous to allow someone to get this bad, and to not help them immediately, instead leave it up to them, to either be placed in some state run down mental facility or kill themselves that day.

I got a hold of my doctor the next day and she switched it immediately.

I took Wellbutrin 300 mg for two years before to quit smoking and for mild depression. After the initial (weeks 2-4) side effects of nausea, dizziness and headaches - I felt great. Not drugged and not overly emotional. I had been crying all the time and felt hopeless. I felt much better (and didn't want to smoke at all). I quit it for about 2 years and now I am back on Wellbutrin for the last 7 months. I started with Cymbalta - but hated the loss of sex drive (not able to orgasm - so who wants to have sex, right?) and felt drugged. So Wellbutrin was a welcome "old friend" I didn't have bad side effects with switching and have been pretty happy. EXCEPT for the one very scary side effect that I have experienced just a handful of times - but I really am curious if anyone else has had this HEAD TRIP WHILE DRIVING: It has happened when I'm on the interstate and/or bridge when I am driving at fast speeds, and my head feels whoozie all of the sudden and my brain seems to shift sideways - like on a roller-coaster, up and down, sideways - and I am amazed that my hands don't go with it and drive me into the wall! It takes intense concentration and wheel gripping to get myself where I can pull off the road. What the?? I don't want to ever experience this again - but it is so OCCASIONAL. The only variable I can think of is that I have not been faithfully taking the WB at the same time everyday (I'm more and more forgetful) and have skipped a day. Has ANYONE ELSE had a similar experience???

Strange I started Wellbutrin 4 days ago and I've been noticing that my tongue and lips and face feel numb or sort of itchy at times. Been very irritable and emotional and cried a lot today over nothing. Sex drive is through the roof though with more intense orgasms, something that I could never achieve on Effexor. How long does it take to get a good idea of how well this stuff works?

I was on SSRI's for a while (lexapro, zoloft) when I finally couldn't take the tiredness, weight consistency, and NO sex drive. So I tried Wellbutrin SR 150 2x a day. Started off at 150 for a few days and felt like I was given a new life! I had never felt so good. Then it was time to increase my does to the 300mg. I started getting headaches, dizziness, my ears are ringing so bad I can't hear very well anymore. So I went back down to 150mg per day. I don't feel as tired, but it's still there. The ringing won't go away and I am still dizzy. The funny thing is, is that I can almost guarantee it's the same time everyday. I get the dizziness and headaches around 3pm, they go away(most of the time I have to lay down) and by about 5pm they're gone, but by about 10pm they're back. And it happens every day like clockwork. I like the way I feel (minus the headaches and dizziness, and ringing) my brain doesn't feel "numb" like I did on the Zoloft or Lexapro, and I have lost a few pounds which doesn't hurt, but I don't think I should feel like this everyday. I want a medication that I can feel good on without headaches and dizziness. And PLEASE no ringing in the ears. It's good to know that other people are experiencing these side effects, I really thought I was the only one.

i have been on Wellbutrin for a while went off it and had to go back on it i feel tired all the time no energy to do anything. I eat all the time even when i am not hungry i am gaining so much weight it drives me nuts, I am calling the Dr. to see if we can change something. I can't stand to be touched sex drive none have no cares just here.

I have been taking Wellbutrin SR for about 6 weeks. I started out taking 1 per day then increased to twice a day 8 hrs apart as prescribed. I love this stuff. I am no longer depressed and a bonus is I am starting to shed some weight. I was going through menopause (I am 53) and did not have a period for about 6 months. I also had a decrease in sex drive ( actually none at all) and now my sex drive has returned along with my period. I had been having horrible hot flashes and those have stopped also. My energy level is fantastic. I feel 30 again except 3 nights ago I noticed a ringing in my ears. It only seemed noticeable upon laying down to sleep. Then the 2nd night it was louder. Last night it was almost unbearable and this morning the ringing is still noticeable even after getting up and busying myself. Anyone have this problem? I read side effects this morning on the online PDR and ringing, roaring and hissing is one of the possible side effects listed, but says nothing about what to do about it or if it is a sign of something more ominous. I would appreciate anyone that has experienced hearing changes while on Wellbutrin to let me know about it and how it was resolved. I would hate to have to stop taking this medications it has made such a wonderful difference for me.

i've been on wellbutrin3ooxl from zoloft100(that drove my sex drive away),for 4 days and since i have had great slippery sex but my head,hands and feet feel fuzzy from time to time like i might pass out.i hope it goes away or get a lower dose cause i love it.....

I have been taking WB 150mg/daily for 3wks now and having strange side effects: headaches on right side of head returning, insomnia but once asleep I fall into a very deep sleep, neck pain, hungry one minute and not the next, decrease in intensity of menses, dizziness at times. Anyone out there with similar problems and if so what was done to calm them? I need to be on an anti-depressant but not wanting to take anything that causes weight gain or decrease in sex drive.

I am a 29 y/o male and have been taking Wellbutrin for 3 years. I have notice the urination problems well as the awful muscle tiredness in the morning. I feel so tired but feel so awake on the other hand. I don't know how to explain it, after I make myself move in the mornings I am not tired any more. I see that Wellbutrin is suppose to help with the sex side effects, I have a great if not an excessive sex drive with Wellbutrin (according to my wife lol) but I have no to little ability to have an orgasm. I mean I ejaculate but don't have an orgasm. I am worried. I don't want to give how much I gained being on Wellbutrin. But would like to have an orgasm. Please give me help if anyone can.

I have been on Wellbutrin XL 150mg for 5 days now and have noticed that I am very short with people and experiencing anger. I tend to lash out. Will this go away?

My son and I have both taken Welbutrin. I didn't really notice a lot of side effects. I know that it did not effect my sex drive which other meds did. I lost weight, lost interest in drinking alcohol, lost interest in smoking. Had more energy,
My son has had some different things happen to him. He gets real sharpe headache pains in the left top of his head. They come and go away within about 30 seconds. Has anyone ever had that problem? He tried getting off of the meds and experenced all these body pains. It drove him nuts so he went back on welbutrin. The body pains have gone away, but the head pains came back. The doctor said the head pains would go away if he took his meds regular.

I've been on Wellbutrin XL 150 for a few months and I love it! The first few weeks were a bit hard because I felt constantly jumpy, nervous, and had a hard time sleeping. But there are side effects with almost everything for the first little while! Now that I've been on it for a while, I've noticed I'm losing weight, feeling energetic, and I feel hopeful about my life! Also I have a ridiculously increased sex drive. It may not be right for everyone, but for me it's been awesome so far.

I have been on wellbutrin 75mg twice a day for about 2 weeks, the only thing I dont like is the shocks I feel little shocks sometimes for about 20 minutes after i take it, i was taking lexapro for about a year and it helped for my depression butthe side effects were horrible no sex drive and I gained about 20 pounds, so 3 weeks ago my dr switched me from lexapro to wellbutrin so hopefully this works with out all the bad side effects, my dr said wellbutrin shouldnt put weight on me....hope not

I've been taking 300mg of Wellbutrin everyday for a year now... It does work wonders, it was like night and day for me... I only suffer from one side effect.. I have absolutely NO sex drive whatsoever. It was a gradual decline for me. I'm in my early 20's and in the prime of my life! And have little or no interest in women! Anybody else suffer from this problem?

I have been taking Welbutrin for nearly 3 weeks and feel like I am seriously losing my mind. I feel like a walking zombie, numb to everything and my mind feels foggy. I can't remember things and am having a hard time diffrentiating dreams from reality. No appetite, extreme feelings of up and down, inability to concentrate, no sex drive, no ambition, crying all the time uncontrolably. I don't think I felt remotely close to this before I started taking this medication. Does this get better at 4 weeks or stays the same? I can't even remember what I was like before this. Anyone else having same symptoms?

I've been on Wellbutrin XL for about 9 weeks now and I originally started out on 150mg a day and now my dose has been upped to 300mg a day. I was put on wellbutrin to see if it would help me quit smoking and also for depression. Previously I was on Zoloft and Buspar together. (I won't even get into the side effects with those two)

1. After about a week on 150 mg I experienced sharp and short headache pains in different places but that has since gone away.

2. I am on a computer at work for 8 hours a day and sometimes it seems to take me a few seconds to catch up with the words/numbers I'm typing and at times It seems like I'm re-arranging letters or numbers around backwards without really noticing it unless I check it as I type. Hopefully this will go away it seems to be slowly disappearing.

3. I've also noticed an increased sensitivity to light.

4. I've also felt very energetic, pulse racing and keep thinking my heart is going to jump out of my chest and sometimes there is some slight discomfort.

5. The oddest thing to happen and this only started happening 4 days ago is that I've started having heart burn symptoms and I've never really even had heartburn before maybe once or twice in my life. I think it has to be the wellbutrin but I'm not sure if thats a HUGE side effect or happens to most people but I did see a couple of people mention that in the previous posts. It's really starting to make me nervous and I've been taking tums etc. like crazy and I hope this side effect goes away as soon as possible.

6. An additional note to line 5 I've also experienced constipation.

7. I did experience a decrease in appetite for a couple of weeks but that seems to have stopped. I haven't noticed any weight loss or weight gain at all. My weight has stayed the same for the most part give or take a couple of pounds.

8. Sex Drive: orgasms are more intense

9. Dry mouth: that has stopped completely

10. I do drink alcohol and smoke regularly and due to the risks I was told not to suddenly stop drinking etc. due to reverse side effects of the wellbutrin and what could happen and I'm still drinking here and there so maybe thats causing the heart burn along with the wellbutrin; I'm not completely sure.

I have not experienced any joint pain, loss of hearing or ringing in the ears, hives, increase in acne or seizures since I've been on wellbutrin. The only side effect I'm having trouble dealing with is the Heart Burn and it has to be the Wellbutrin since I've never experienced it really before or I could just be getting older. (27) Either way it is has been almost intolerable at times.

All in all it's not a bad drug so far and hopefully as time goes on the side effects will lesson.

If you have experienced heart burn as a side effect feel free to respond I'm very curious to see how common it is.

This site has really given me some insight about this medication.

Best Regards

Been about two months now. Mostly good effects regarding mood, appetite, cravings. Sleep pretty good except for occasional weird nightmares. Constipation is managable. Lost sex drive (from Prozac) is back, some memory problems; not bad. However, I am having hair loss so scary I'm going off it- the Wellbutrin, that is.

Have been taking the Wellbutrin to quit smoking. It worked great for that. Had a real bad mood episode though when I took a herbal supplement called Rosavin while on the Wellbutrin. It wore off in a few hours. Later, I read the Rosavin label and it said not to combine with antidepressants. Maybe will try Rosavin alone.

I am on wellutrin paxil cr and clonazepam. I have server miagrains ,dizzyness sleeplessness, confusion, forget things, verry emotional, and sex drive has ran out the door. I know all this from all the medications The Drs have had me on. some hair lose itching skin breaking out rash on arms,legsand face they say ok but not When dizzy I can not walk or drive my car and verry hard to take care of family