Wellbutrin 300mg XL, severe jaw clenching, caffeine intolerance, and hair loss—did it make things worse for anyone else?
Hi everyone, I’m hoping to hear from others who might have had a similar experience with Wellbutrin. I am really suffering right now and trying to figure out if this medication is actually working against me.
To give some background: I started on Wellbutrin 300 mg XL back in late December 2025 for anxiety, as I felt completely stuck in a chronic "fight or flight" response due to extreme personal and work-related stress. I previously took Effexor years ago, and tapering off of it was one of the hardest things I've ever lived through. Because of that nightmare, I never, ever want to go through SNRI withdrawal again, so I initially chose Wellbutrin thinking it was a much "safer" antidepressant.
However, looking back, things have steadily gone downhill:
Anxiety, Jitters, and Caffeine Intolerance: I used to comfortably drink two coffees every morning. Starting earlier this year, I started getting terrible panic attacks from caffeine, forcing me to cut it out entirely.
TMJ and Migraines: By April, my anxiety and physical tension spiked, leading to severe jaw clenching (bruxism) and debilitating migraines that have persisted ever since.
Hair Loss: I've dealt with bouts of all-over hair thinning for the past three years due to chronic stress, but it has flared up intensely again.
The Underlying Health Context: For background, I've had ankylosing spondylitis since I was 15 (I'm 33 now) and was diagnosed with lupus SLE in 2020. I take Plaquenil, Cyclobenzaprine, and meloxicam to manage them (biologics failed for me previously).
Between the chronic physical pain, the hair loss, and the intense stress, I am now sliding into depression with deep anhedonia—I can't even bring myself to do the things I used to enjoy.
My rheumatologist recently suggested Cymbalta (an SNRI), but the side effect and withdrawal stories sound utterly terrifying given my past with Effexor.
I’m starting to wonder if Wellbutrin is fueling my migraines, physical jitters, and anxiety rather than helping my mood. But I honestly don't know what else is safe to try.
Has anyone else had a similar experience with Wellbutrin? Did stopping it help resolve things like the jaw clenching, jitters, or hair shedding? If you've navigated chronic pain and anxiety without using an SNRI, what actually worked for you?
** written with help from AI