Hi there! I was diagnosed with OCD when I was 8 (12 years ago) and have been pretty consistently on Zoloft with varying doses. This past year, I have begun to struggle more and more with depression and my OCD has been spiked because of this due to the nature of the depressed thoughts and my fear of dying/hurting people/etc. Recently, I was given a perscription for Wellbutrin to accompany my Zoloft. I am currently taking 200mg Zoloft and 150mg Wellbutrin. I have been taking this Zoloft dose for about three months and just started Wellbutrin about a week ago. I was wondering if anyone could comfort me in this adjusting period with possible success stories. I was also curious how long it took people to adjust to Wellbutrin. Do you ever feel like a normal person again? It has improved my energy definitely, but I still get the scary thoughts and crying spells. I know it's still new and I have to give it time, but I was just curious to see others experiences. If Wellbutrin wasn't good for your OCD/depression, is there a drug you prefer?
How effective is the Zoloft/Wellbutrin combo for OCD and depression?
Question posted by italwaysgetsbetter on 18 June 2015
Last updated on 21 April 2022 by PitaRose
5 Answers
I have OCD, panic disorder and depression- I take Zoloft which really helps my ocd and anxiety but makes me very lazy and I Have such a hard time reaching an orgasm and when I do it’s not great or worth all the effort so now I also take Wellbutrin, it gave me my energy back and helps with other problem. It takes about 3 weeks to get use to it though. It made me a bit jittery , I don’t think it helps anxiety or ocd but great for your mood and I’m enjoying things again
This is my experience this past year...
I am on that exact same combo. All the SSRIs work differently on different people so you have to just try them. I built up to those dosages. Zoloft dealt with my anxiety in that I no longer had full-blown, debilitating and painful panic attacks. I still have anxiety but I can deal with it with breathing, distraction and relaxing techniques. The Wellbutrin was prescribed because I could not get an erection very easily and, when I did, it felt lousy and I could not have an orgasm. It takes several months for all these drugs to settle down. Zoloft made me sleepy and Wellbutrin woke me up and fixed the erection problem perfectly. But I gained weight. I know others that have gained weight on Wellbutrin. So, you have to watch your diet and exercise. Also, watch out for a period of dizziness from Wellbutrin that is kinda like vertigo.
It goes away but I fell down a few times and it scared the crap out of me.
It was at least four months before it all settled down (most of the side-effects are gone) so, please give them a chance. You won't regret it. As for OCD (which I have had for all my life) diminished considerably with the Zoloft after about two months. The action occurs spontaneously less often and the impulse can more easily be denied when it does come up. When combined with the reduction of panic attacks, I feel much more in control. I do not feel great (still have depression) but I feel a lot more normal and in control.
I had Wellbutrin added to my Zoloft a few years ago, and while I have considered asking my doctor to bump up one or the other (getting ready to move, buying a house, and some other major things coming down the pipes that have me freaking a bit) the combination has worked really well for me, much better than either did alone. My therapist told me that Wellbutrin has become a popular addon therapy. I guess it plays well with the other antidepressants.
Anyway, hang in there. When your doses level out and get to therapeutic levels things should get better. Just keep your doctor informed. I've said this before on these forums... You aren't bothering your doctor, you are PAYING them. Most doctors, the good ones anyway, expect to hear from you about your progress so they can see what works and what might need to change.
Best of luck!
I was on Zoloft after having tried a number of other SSRI's. Zoloft did ok , however a bit lethargic, and only just keeping the dark cloud of depression out of reach. Wellbutrin was prescribed (300mg) alongside the Zoloft, to offset the lethargy. Amazing results. I have even phased out the Zoloft and just remain on Wellbutrin. After suffering deep and ugly depression, I can say that the Wellbutrin / non-SSRI has done well for me. My current life situation is the worst ever, yet I manage to keep depression at bay with the Wellbutrin. I took an additional product called Stablon, alongside the Wellbutrin for a while (I did have a bit of a dip in mood which decided this strategy), and as another non-SSRi (I think so anyway) my mood was good. Only stopped the Stablon because I have just had to move to my home country, which doesn't have Stablon available. It may be an option for you to research anyway.
Are you an OCD patient or only depression? I'm ocd patient and I want to consider the idea of taking Wellbutrin given the fact that has helped you. But I need to know if you suffer of OCD.
Thanks you in advance!
Zoloft/sertraline is good for both depression and OCD. Wellbutrin/bupropion is good for major depression. These could well be the combination you need. The dosages may need some fine-tuning.
The Wellbutrin needs as little as 4 days or as long as 4 weeks to feel the effects. The Wellbutrin can be increased in as little as 4 days. The Zoloft is already past the 6 week point and fully in effect. The usual adult target dose for WELLBUTRIN XL is 300 mg/day, given once daily in the morning.
If the 150-mg initial dose is adequately tolerated, an increase to the 300-mg/day target dose, given as once daily, may be made as early as day 4 of dosing.
There should be an interval of at least 24 hours between successive doses.
Both medicines have enjoyed much success.
Here are Wellbutrin patient reviews:
https://www.drugs.com/comments/bupropion/wellbutrin.html
And Zoloft patient reviews:
https://www.drugs.com/comments/sertraline/zoloft.html
Related topics
wellbutrin, zoloft, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, dosage, diagnosis
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
