Back in March of 1997 I began using Welbutrin as a stop smoking aid. I quit for approximately 6 months than started sneaking one or two every so often. Would quit again for a few months then start again. On/Off.<BR>Since the revelation of the affair in Feb. of 1999, I have not attemped a whole hearted stop smoking campaign although I rarely smoke more than a5 or 6 cigs a day now. (Only when I have a few drinks do I seem to go over the limit.)<P>Anyway, When I started taking the Welbutrin conincided with many of the changes I was making in improving the situation with my H. I did not know of OW at that time, but was aware that H had a lot of gripes about this, that and the other thing in our marriage, most related to domestic tranquility and our sex life. The welbutrin seemed to give me more energy for household chores after having put in a full day at school and there was no doubt that my libido increased! Another side effect was a certain amount of "ditzyness" accompanied the drug, inability to concentrate for very long on anything. Made me "forget" to smoke or at least made it easier to push cravings out of my mind. <BR>To come to the point....<P>There have been times over the last few years that I stopped the welbutrin. Cravings increased, drinking increased and depression increased. When I begin again with the welbutrin, things seem to normalize and I can better fight urges and depression. Am not as tired either. Am I a person with a true chemical imbalance, who should always take a light antidepressant? Is it harmful to continue forever on such a substance? I feel so much better about my self, my self-control and my life in general when taking the welbutrin. (Other than the occasional ditziness, which can be funny sometimes) Is there anyone else out there that feels they may need antidepressants for the rest of their lives? <P>Just wondering.<P>Beth<P>P.S. Plan to jump back whole heartedly on the non-smoking bandwagon sometime around the anniversary of Discovery Date. There are several good stop smoking support bulliten boards on the net. One of which is called "Just4u.com" I think.

Beth, <P>As a former Welbutrin user, I'd say that if you find yourself better off on the medication, then continue taking it. Especially if it keeps you from smoking---that's a very important health benefit.<P>It's difficult to tell if you have a true "chemical imbalance", because the chemical nature of depression (and urges) has yet to be fully established, and it's difficult to monitor the levels of these chemicals in the brain. In general, these medications are OK for long term usage, although you may want to talk to your doctor specifically about welbutrin's long-term effects.<P>Having said that, there's plenty of data on the long term effects of smoking, so I think you're better off with the welbutrin.

It has immensely improved my quality of life as well - if I ever went off it and felt like I was going back into my "slump", then I would be running to the pharmacy. I think wellbutrin is amazing! I don't know about the long term side effects, but hey who even knows what's in our drinking water?????<P>Because this is a relatively new drug, I'm not sure if there is any data on long term effects. I've surfed the net but haven't been too successful in finding that info. Maybe you'll have better luck.

I was on St Johns Wort from Jan-Jul & started on Paxil. Didn't have many side affects from the St Johns Wort & only a few from the Paxil (the runs & upset stomach. All gone after a few weeks). I haven't looked into any long term affects of any of the drugs so I can't answer (yet ).<P>Definitely consult a Dr. if you are worried or feel you need more tests and such for a chemical imbalance.<P>I have read somewhere that anti-deps are being looked at as a stop smoking aid.<P>------------------<BR>Prayers & God Bless!<BR>Chris<BR>For relationship info check out <A HREF="http://www.pcisys.net/~chriscal1/resources.html" TARGET=_blank>Marriage & Relationship Resources</A>

Hi, Beth,<P>Count me as a long-termer. I was first diagnosed almost 11 yrs ago, & went on Prozac with very good results; got off periodically (for pregnancy tries & mainly because you're 'supposed' to at some point!) - always became depressed again within six months max. You can't imagine the havoc all these cycles of depression were wreaking on our marriage.<P>I finally had a big crash 2 yrs ago - returned to our counselor, who told me Prozac can stop working in long-term use ("The Prozac Poop" ). I was put on Wellbutrin, which helped with the *depression*, but left me still feeling edgy & irritable (i.e. it only tackled half my symptoms).<P>Now I'm on Zoloft, which is great, plus a *pinch* of Wellbutrin to counteract the sexual-dysfunction aspect of the Zoloft. For me, it's a great combination, and I fully expect to be on anti-deps forever. I really don't like who I am depressed. <P>And no, I don't feel like I'm a "fake" personality created by drugs - first of all, a recent study showed that anti-deps do *nothing* to people who are not depressed; and secondly, I feel that proper meds have given me BACK the "real me". (That cranky b*tch was somebody else!!! )

Well, I am on the Wellbutrim, went off temporarily due to pregnancy but they are saying it's a B list drug so ok to have during the pregnancy. It makes things easier to deal with but I don't notice exactly what it changes other than the fact that I can feel a difference in my spinning wheels! Either way, if it's working for you I would keep on it, I am! God Bless!<P>------------------<BR>Chick's <BR>Bren<P>You won't see things until your ready to not be blind!<P><BR>

Hey Gang,<P>Zyban, the help you to stop smoking drug is exactly the same as Wellbutrin, the help you through depression drug.

i was the same as chick's--had to stop for pregnancy, but found that i did not eat if i did not take it, so i took it occassionally, so the baby would get big enough (she's fine).<BR>if i don't take my wellbutrin for a day or two, i become a screaming hell b!tch..so i try not to forget.<BR>boy, i hope it is ok in the long run, but yep, it sure is better than smoking!<P>------------------<BR> <A HREF="http://www.alladvantage.com<BR>ID#" TARGET=_blank>www.alladvantage.com<BR>ID#</A> atp-113<P>