Withdrawal from Wellbutrin (generic version) - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

Healthy4Life · 06-21-2009, 11:56 AM

Hello,

Let me say first that I know I should not stop Wellbutrin abruptly, but after being on it for two months, I started getting a racing heart with a resting pulse rate of 129 repeatedly, and I already am on medication for high blood pressure. I have a scaly rash on my neck, and I could literally feel my heart beating so hard it felt like it skipped a beat. I discontinued it yesterday and am planning to see my doctor tomorrow. I didn't want to go to an emergency room for a fast beating heart when I'm pretty sure it's the Wellbutrin. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this happen? Also, I'm experiencing crying jags, which I am pretty sure is my fault for stopping it, but I couldn't take the fast heartbeats any longer. I don't think I want to keep taking this medicine feeling that way. My husband says it's causing problems in our already strained relationship since I stopped the medicine and he wants me on "something."

I'm just overly stressed, and I know stopping the medication magnified the situation. I'm the only financial support in our marriage and have been for 6 years. My husband is still awaiting a disability hearing, and finances are so tight (as they are for a lot of people). I have the weight of the world on my shoulders, and I have no family or friends (besides my husband).

Just wanted to give you a little background to show that I do have a reason to be stressing, so the stressing/crying isn't really out the ordinary for me, it's just magnified since stopping the Wellbutrin. The fast heart rate has settled down since stopping it.

Just wondering if anyone has gone through withdrawal and what else I could possibly try to help ease my stressful situation and crying. I've tried Celexa, amitriptyline, and now Wellbutrin. I don't want to gain weight, as that is already a big issue in my depression. Any input would be appreciated. I know not to get medical advice from the Internet, and I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow, so please don't fuss at so much for stopping the medication. It was the Wellbutrin XL, and you're not supposed to split those, so decreasing the dose wasn't an option. The pulse was a scary thing, and I can't see my doc until tomorrow, but I am going. Any (not fussing) input and hugs would be helpful. Thank you!

ladyviv · 06-21-2009, 01:06 PM

I was on Wellbutrin for one week and stopped! I turned into a raging lunatic; could not control my temper.

My OBGYN put me on Cymbalta for helping with the symptoms of menopause. I love it! It helps me to control the situation, not the other way around.

Healthy4Life · 06-22-2009, 03:49 PM

My doctor decided to move me down to 100 mg of Wellbutrin. I like how Wellbutrin has worked besides the fast hearbeat, so hopefully this lower dose will be what helps maintain without causing any side effects.

sindy9001 · 06-23-2009, 04:37 AM

Good luck! Healthy4life.

goldenhorse · 07-08-2009, 02:24 PM

Probably the Wellbutrin is not what your brain needs. I take Lexapro for anxiety and Wellbutrin for depression. The combo has been wonderful for me. I hope you find the right prescription.

harrismm · 07-08-2009, 05:21 PM

Wellbutrin XL needs to be slowly discontinued.You are correct, can not be split.You need to take every other day for a week , then every 3 day....

sarpinking · 07-11-2009, 07:03 PM

I had extremely bad effects from withdrawals of Wellbutrin. I have been on many antidepressants. Wellbutrin, Effexor, Cymbalta, and now Lexapro.

take a deep breath · 07-12-2009, 09:20 AM

hi healthy4life. I am currently taking wellbutrin and have had no problem. my dose was actually increased a few months ago from 150 - 300 a day.

i wonder if goldenhorse is correct, that an anxiety med would do some good. but as you said, talk to your doc about it.

i totally understand the stress/depression mix. quickie on me-only child, one surviving elder parent that due to diabetes had a partial foot amputation a year ago. due to complications there were 8-10 surgeries, multiple pain meds that made her out of her mind and i took care of her house and bills for 9 months while she was in hospitals, therapy and nursing home for medical care. she isn't a 'friendly' person and is difficult with everyone.

on top of that, i live alone with the typical economic issues.

i used to effexor xr, but i didn't like it much. it seemed to work for a while, but i realized i was wasting my money and tried to quit cold turkey-BIG mistake. i would be crying one minute and laughing hysterically the next-literally. once i weened off that, i didn't take anything for a while till i broke down crying in my gyno's office last year and she started me on wellbutrin. once i started taking this, i felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. everything wasn't doom and gloom and i would actually do normal everyday tasks, like clean my house, go see the few friends i have, etc. i can't imagine what i would be like right now if i weren't taking this, cause it was prescribed before my mom's problems came to light.

i hope this helps you in some way and shows that you are not alone in the stress/depression dept. stick with it and work with your doctor to find the right med for you. it may take some time, but once you find it, you won't look back!

sarpinking · 07-13-2009, 01:00 AM

Yeah, I agree with the description of effexor xr withdrawals. They were the worst of the wellbutrin. It worked the worse for me.

sometimes you also need a mood stabilizor like abilify. But it depends on the doctor. My doctor has me on lexapro right now as well as klonopin for anxiety as needed. I'm also on an ADD/ADHD medicine, adderall for concentration and focus issues related to my depression. Which my doctor is in favor for using combos of antidepressants with adhd meds. Even for older adults. So, I think it just depends. Sometimes it takes many trys to find something that works the best for you.

Healthy4Life · 07-19-2009, 06:53 AM

Thank you all. It's nice to not feel so alone in my situation. I weaned down to 100 mg of Wellbutrin a day, and my doctor says to try that for a few months. I take alprazolam p.r.n. for my bad anxiety. On a yucky note, I have gained back the 4 pounds I lost since I cut back my dose of Wellbutrin. I don't have heart palpitations anymore on this dose, though. I don't know what's going on with my body. I usually lose weight in the summer. I've started back up my walking routine, but now I break it up into three 10-minute walks a day. That's more manageable, and the sunshine helps my mood too. This weight gain has happened since I started my walking again, what's going on with that?

Thanks again. No one else in my immediate life understands depression and especially my anxiety. They always says it simple enough to just stop worrying and being anxious. Wish it were.

Pisces · 07-21-2009, 05:50 PM

Be careful with Wellbutrin, it caused me to have a grand mal seizure from misusing it ever so slightly. Just be very cautious and listen to your doctor.

Luckybustert · 07-21-2009, 11:54 PM

The brand version of Wellbutrin works great for me, but the generic version does not. When the generic became available, my pharmacy switched me and it felt liked I'd been dropped completely off medication altogether. It was horrible and I was miserable until my doctor started me back on the brand version a few weeks later. I have a friend who takes Wellbutrin who has since had the same experience with the generic, and have seen a lot of reports online that the generic is *not* the same as the brand, despite what the FDA, healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies would have us believe.

quiffy · 07-23-2009, 11:57 AM

I also had problems with the generic but not the brand name. I had more headaches and insomnia with the generic. The brand name seems to work pretty good for me. Helps keep the negative self talk at bay as well as stopping significant portions of my obsessive nature. I did notice at 300mg/day that it became harder to concentrate and I was more antagonistic so I dropped back down to 150 mg a day. Seems to keep me right at that place where I still feel like me but being helped.

Idealmuse · 07-23-2009, 01:43 PM

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ladypeanutj · 08-17-2009, 09:36 PM

The generic version of wellbutrin has been known to cause ill effects. Although it is typically the 300 mg due to the releasing agent. Self magazine did a big year long study and has independent results.

All of the psych type drugs make me tired so I take my wellbutrin at night.

Good luck and I hope you find a combo that works for you.