I've been on wellbutrin for a little over a week now. I didn't tell my doctor this, but when I asked for an antidepressant for feeling a little depressed, I was really suicidal but didnt want to tell anyone. I have been depressed for about a year and inthe last 10 months developed a gambling addiction and spent $50,000 that I didnt have. And I wasnt alone at the casino, let me tell you. Slot machines are like OCD on steroids. I hit rock bottom about 3 months ago, then hit it again, and again and again. I did it to escape the stress of my job. I did it to escape all the bad memories of my past. I was just numb and playing the slots is a great way to completely escape from your problems. Then when you have lost all your money, the original problems are still there and now you're also facing homelessness. I don't know why I did it. For my whole life I have been so careful with money. I saved every penny. Then, I went to the casino with a friend. I couldnt stop playing for hours, until I lost $55 and went home very depressed. Then I went back a week later to try to win the money back. I won it back and more! The next week I won the jackpot $2000. Then started to play for more money,higher bets, etc. One night I lost $5000, and was numb. I signed myself to the self ban list, but it doesnt work, they let you right back in the door.
Anyway, since being on Wellbutrin, I have not gambled in the past week and a half, I have lost about 5 pounds, and wish I had been on this med for the past 10 years. My life wouuld have been so different. I'm getting things done that I couldnt face before. I am hopeful about the future. I was even able to stay calm in my job. I'm going totry to get on the 450 dose, because I need to really lost more weight, and I think the 450 would do it. Also, I still have some symptoms of depression and I think the higher dose would take care of it. I was on Lexapro about 5 years ago for a depression that was much milder than the one I have(had) now, but Lexapro gave me little manic happy episodes at work, and I gained a ton of weight, But being on Lexapro, i didnt care, it was all right. thats the thing on Lexapro, EVERYTHING is all right, even when it shouldnt be. With Wellbutrin I am completely myself--minus the depression. I also have more self confidence and I'm not nervous around people. I have had social anxiety since I was born, and Wellbutrin has eliminated those symptoms too.