Moderator Go2zero Posted August 25, 2023 Moderator Share Posted August 25, 2023 10 hours ago, Stardust said: I know I have a long way to go but doesn't anyone have any recommendations for what the jump dose for bupropion should be? Hi Stardust, you seem to be doing great with tapering! Do you have WD symptoms like irritability, memory problems, blurred vision, sleeping problem or increased anxiety? Such symptoms (and others) can occur when tapering bupropion. But many people do not get them. Bupropion is an odd ball. Lots of people can taper it (quite) easily, while for others it seems to be one of the more difficult drugs to taper. Therefor answering your question is very difficult, if not impossible. There are no figures available for bupropion about the percentage of blockage of the receptors. So that does not help either.... The only thing I can advise, is to continue tapering as you do. If you would have no symptoms, you could carefully speed up the tapering a bit. As soon as you notice (serious) symptoms, slow down or make a hold. If I were you, I would continue to taper until 1-2 mg before jumping to zero. But that is just a guess. I will not take the risk to jump at a higher dose, knowing by experience what that did to me years ago. But that is just me, everybody reacts differently. Certainly with bupropion. 1 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30 Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one. Link to comment
Stardust Posted August 25, 2023 Author Share Posted August 25, 2023 Thanks @Go2zero! I had horrible agitation and cortisol rushes when I tried to cut into my bupropion SR pills to taper. That was a nightmare. ( I wish that guidance would be removed from SA's bupropion page.). But I stopped and stayed on the intact original dose for a few weeks to stabilize and then switched to IR. It's been a pretty smooth ride for the most part. No discernible pattern of symptoms. I tend to be reactive and anxious at baseline and I don't think that has been exacerbated significantly. All in all the Brassmonkey taper has been great for me! Thanks again! 1 Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Moderator Go2zero Posted August 25, 2023 Moderator Share Posted August 25, 2023 1 hour ago, Stardust said: I had horrible agitation and cortisol rushes when I tried to cut into my bupropion SR pills to taper. That was a nightmare. ( I wish that guidance would be removed from SA's bupropion page.) Sorry to hear. The problem is that in big parts of the world Instant Release Bupropion is not available. So we need to give options for those countries where only XR/XL or SR are the only versions on the market... 1 hour ago, Stardust said: I tend to be reactive and anxious at baseline and I don't think that has been exacerbated significantly. I understand what you mean. What helped me was a book of Dr. Claire Weekes. An Australian doctor who was specialised in helping people with anxiety. Her method is so simple and effective! The book I have is Hope and Help for your Nerves. I can really recommend it. It helped me so much! https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Help-Your-Nerves-Anxiety-ebook/dp/B009PFN4IQ 3 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30 Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one. Link to comment
Stardust Posted August 26, 2023 Author Share Posted August 26, 2023 @Go2zero Thank for the book recommendation! Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Stardust Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share Posted August 29, 2023 Since I began my bupropion taper in January I've been splitting my daily dose into a morning dose and an afternoon dose, tapering the afternoon dose. The afternoon dose got down to under 8mg. This week I merged it with my morning dose of 50mg. So far not experiencing any fallout. Hopefully it'll continue to go smoothly. It's definitely more convenient dosing once a day! 1 Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
j1290 Posted August 30, 2023 Share Posted August 30, 2023 22 minutes ago, Stardust said: It's definitely more convenient dosing once a day! I've been doing it 3 x day. That blows my mind that once a day is working for you. More power to you if it works, that would be so much more convenient. Your taper really sounds dialed in, congrats! 1 I am not a doctor and do not offer any medical advice, only my own experience. Consult your physician. 2011-2015 tapered off 300MG of Effexor. Back in the Paxil Progress days. No rebound. 2005-2021: 450 mg Bupropion XL Daily 2021 Buporopion May 450mg/June 400mg/July 375mg/Aug 10th 360mg/ 2021 Dec - 150mg IR, 3x day = 450mg Bup, Heritage manufacturer-yellow color pill. 2022 May 3 - 3 x 150mg IR Bup, Avet brand(pharmacist said they merged with Heritage-orange color) -migraines REINSTATED-BACK TO MY LAST STABLE DOSE/TIME RELEASE 2022 June 5 - switched back to 3 x 150mg XL one time per day= 450 mg total Bup-Apotex brand CURRENT TAPER 2022 Aug 31 - 450MG to 412MG IR Bup//Sep. 28, 2022: 412mg to 375mg//Oct 26, 2022: 375mg to 365 mg//Nov 21, 2022: 365mg to 327mg//Dec 27, 2022: 327 mg to 290 mg//Dec 31, 2022: 290mg to 262mg//Jan 28, 2023: 262mg to 190mg//Feb. 19, 2023: 190mg to 140mg//Mar. 18, '23: 140mg to 100mg// Link to comment
Stardust Posted August 30, 2023 Author Share Posted August 30, 2023 @j1290I hope I didn't make a mistake. 😬 Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
j1290 Posted August 30, 2023 Share Posted August 30, 2023 1 minute ago, Stardust said: I hope I didn't make a mistake. 😬 I hope you don't either, but So what if you did? I made like a million of them tapering 🤣 You'll pivot and find a way that works better for you if necessary. Fingers crossed it goes off without a hitch! 1 I am not a doctor and do not offer any medical advice, only my own experience. Consult your physician. 2011-2015 tapered off 300MG of Effexor. Back in the Paxil Progress days. No rebound. 2005-2021: 450 mg Bupropion XL Daily 2021 Buporopion May 450mg/June 400mg/July 375mg/Aug 10th 360mg/ 2021 Dec - 150mg IR, 3x day = 450mg Bup, Heritage manufacturer-yellow color pill. 2022 May 3 - 3 x 150mg IR Bup, Avet brand(pharmacist said they merged with Heritage-orange color) -migraines REINSTATED-BACK TO MY LAST STABLE DOSE/TIME RELEASE 2022 June 5 - switched back to 3 x 150mg XL one time per day= 450 mg total Bup-Apotex brand CURRENT TAPER 2022 Aug 31 - 450MG to 412MG IR Bup//Sep. 28, 2022: 412mg to 375mg//Oct 26, 2022: 375mg to 365 mg//Nov 21, 2022: 365mg to 327mg//Dec 27, 2022: 327 mg to 290 mg//Dec 31, 2022: 290mg to 262mg//Jan 28, 2023: 262mg to 190mg//Feb. 19, 2023: 190mg to 140mg//Mar. 18, '23: 140mg to 100mg// Link to comment
Moderator Go2zero Posted August 30, 2023 Moderator Share Posted August 30, 2023 (edited) 22 hours ago, Stardust said: I hope I didn't make a mistake Not sure if you make a mistake. My theory is that it is better to spread out the daily dosage with Instant Release. Instant release looses most of its strength in 6 hours. So we get one high peak and then a big drop. A more stable level of medication of always better. See also this graph: Another reason for me to dose 3 times (or even 4) per day, is to get each dosage as low as possible in mg's. My idea is that how higher each dose is, the stronger the reaction in our body is. The lower I keep the levels of the medication the less my body is used to the medication. And therefor easier to taper. It is theory and I cannot prove it. But to me this feels better and safer. Edited August 30, 2023 by Go2zero 1 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30 Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one. Link to comment
Stardust Posted August 31, 2023 Author Share Posted August 31, 2023 @Go2zero Thank you! I'm revisiting my plan... 1 Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Stardust Posted September 4, 2023 Author Share Posted September 4, 2023 Thank @j1290 and @Go2zero for weighing in. You helped me reconsider my plan. You both reminded me how much sense it makes to continue trying to replicate the sustained release my system was accustomed to. So I've decided to hold my afternoon dose for now and just reduce my morning dose for a while until the a.m and p.m. doses are closer to the same dosage. I've still got a long way to go. Pretty sure I lost my perspective because I was in the grip of the ever-present, seductive wish to get this over with and be FREE! Btw, I always had an unusual dose of bupropion. Before I started tapering I was taking Bup SR 100mg once a day for years! Thanks again! 2 Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
j1290 Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 18 hours ago, Stardust said: Btw, I always had an unusual dose of bupropion. Before I started tapering I was taking Bup SR 100mg once a day for years! I take the IR 3 times a day because that's what it says on the bottle and on various websites, and I'm a rules follower that way. It very well might be easier on some people to take the IR once a day somehow, but I'll never know myself because I'm too chicken to try 😂😂😂. I had to pivot so many times on brands/time releases last year, that I don't want to change anything, even if potentially there's a gentler way to go. 18 hours ago, Stardust said: Pretty sure I lost my perspective because I was in the grip of the ever-present, seductive wish to get this over with and be FREE! I'm 11 days into this reduction and my mind is telling me not to wait another 2 weeks, that I should do a cut now and not waste time LOL 🤣 I know the feeling. 18 hours ago, Stardust said: So I've decided to hold my afternoon dose for now and just reduce my morning dose for a while until the a.m and p.m. doses are closer to the same dosage. I've still got a long way to go. I adjust the doses to be as close in size as possible to each other, and take them 7 hours apart. Personally I've never felt myself as being notably sensitive about either of those things. Some days I'll take doses 30 minutes to an hour early because of convenience, and I've never been able to nail down any particular effect. @Go2zero For as many times as I looked at that chart, I never noticed that the dose size was different for each of the time releases, I always thought they were the same MG. I'm kinda surprised we can still get the IR in the USA, it doesn't seem to be a very popular option any more. I am not a doctor and do not offer any medical advice, only my own experience. Consult your physician. 2011-2015 tapered off 300MG of Effexor. Back in the Paxil Progress days. No rebound. 2005-2021: 450 mg Bupropion XL Daily 2021 Buporopion May 450mg/June 400mg/July 375mg/Aug 10th 360mg/ 2021 Dec - 150mg IR, 3x day = 450mg Bup, Heritage manufacturer-yellow color pill. 2022 May 3 - 3 x 150mg IR Bup, Avet brand(pharmacist said they merged with Heritage-orange color) -migraines REINSTATED-BACK TO MY LAST STABLE DOSE/TIME RELEASE 2022 June 5 - switched back to 3 x 150mg XL one time per day= 450 mg total Bup-Apotex brand CURRENT TAPER 2022 Aug 31 - 450MG to 412MG IR Bup//Sep. 28, 2022: 412mg to 375mg//Oct 26, 2022: 375mg to 365 mg//Nov 21, 2022: 365mg to 327mg//Dec 27, 2022: 327 mg to 290 mg//Dec 31, 2022: 290mg to 262mg//Jan 28, 2023: 262mg to 190mg//Feb. 19, 2023: 190mg to 140mg//Mar. 18, '23: 140mg to 100mg// Link to comment
Moderator Go2zero Posted September 4, 2023 Moderator Share Posted September 4, 2023 1 hour ago, j1290 said: For as many times as I looked at that chart, I never noticed that the dose size was different for each of the time releases, I always thought they were the same MG. I'm kinda surprised we can still get the IR in the USA, it doesn't seem to be a very popular option any more. Not completely understand what you mean to say. What I see in the graphs is that the Extended Release gives off a higher dose directly after taking it. So it is more stimulating after taking it. And it looses its strength later on. Therefor best take this one in the morning. I think this is a quite ideal pattern of dosing. The IR looses its power rather fast after taking it. After 6 hours most strength is gone. Therefore it is so important to take IR 3 timers per day. At higher dosage levels I even prefer 4 times per day, to prevent too high peaks after each dosage. In my experience that may give quite a blast. I once took 75mg in 1 time. Man did I sweat and had a raging heart for a couple of hours 😂😅 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30 Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one. Link to comment
Moderator Go2zero Posted September 5, 2023 Moderator Share Posted September 5, 2023 10 hours ago, j1290 said: I'm kinda surprised we can still get the IR in the USA, it doesn't seem to be a very popular option any more. I do not think this is a good thing. On the container of XL and SR is said that the pills should not be cut. In lots of countries (like total Europe) only XL is available. And the lowest one available is 150mg. Most people belief what the container says. Also most doctors and pharmacists belief this. So if one would not be able to cut a 150mg pill, how can we taper these meds? We know we CAN cut those pills. But who else knows and trust themselves to do so? That's why I am not glad that IR seems to disappear more and more. I would not be surprised if this is marketing strategy. So that more and more people will stay hooked on these drug. 1 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30 Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one. Link to comment
j1290 Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Hey Stardust 👋👋 how's things going with your taper these days??!? I am not a doctor and do not offer any medical advice, only my own experience. Consult your physician. 2011-2015 tapered off 300MG of Effexor. Back in the Paxil Progress days. No rebound. 2005-2021: 450 mg Bupropion XL Daily 2021 Buporopion May 450mg/June 400mg/July 375mg/Aug 10th 360mg/ 2021 Dec - 150mg IR, 3x day = 450mg Bup, Heritage manufacturer-yellow color pill. 2022 May 3 - 3 x 150mg IR Bup, Avet brand(pharmacist said they merged with Heritage-orange color) -migraines REINSTATED-BACK TO MY LAST STABLE DOSE/TIME RELEASE 2022 June 5 - switched back to 3 x 150mg XL one time per day= 450 mg total Bup-Apotex brand CURRENT TAPER 2022 Aug 31 - 450MG to 412MG IR Bup//Sep. 28, 2022: 412mg to 375mg//Oct 26, 2022: 375mg to 365 mg//Nov 21, 2022: 365mg to 327mg//Dec 27, 2022: 327 mg to 290 mg//Dec 31, 2022: 290mg to 262mg//Jan 28, 2023: 262mg to 190mg//Feb. 19, 2023: 190mg to 140mg//Mar. 18, '23: 140mg to 100mg// Link to comment
Stardust Posted September 17, 2023 Author Share Posted September 17, 2023 Hello @j1290, I went back to the drawing board so I'm sticking with dosing 2xday. AM & mid afternoon. I fully credit @brassmonkey for how smoothly it continues to go. I don't seem to be experiencing much in the way of withdrawal symptoms so far. In fact the activating effects of bupropion seems to have eased up so I don't get massive early afternoon cortisol surges now, just brief, manageable ones. I'm still super excitable - my anxiety goes into overdrive if a mosquito flaps its wing a mile away. I'm exaggerating but you get the picture. Anxiety has always been my albatross so it may or may not be due to withdrawal. Benzo withdrawal left me with an over sensitized CNS too. Recovery from benzos can take an unbelievably long time. So, it's going well just excruciatingly slooooooooooow! Thanks for asking! 1 Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
j1290 Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 3 hours ago, Stardust said: In fact the activating effects of bupropion seems to have eased up so I don't get massive early afternoon cortisol surges now, just brief, manageable ones. I'm so happy for you! Cortisol spikes are no fun, any relief is a huge gift. Fantastic. 3 hours ago, Stardust said: Anxiety has always been my albatross so it may or may not be due to withdrawal. Benzo withdrawal left me with an over sensitized CNS too. We all wound up in this boat for a reason, yanno? I hear you about the anxiety. I'm doing a straight Bupropion WD, and as best I can tell it seems like the anxiety is going down a little with each reduction. FWIW, I really think you're going to be pleasantly surprised when you get to the other side of this. I know what it's like to be sensitized by Bup withdrawal, and you have benzo WD on top of that? Anybody would be nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof in those circumstances(Win for the Tennessee Williams reference hah! 😁) Sounds like your taper is going smoothly, I'm super happy for you. I know the process sucks but you're keeping it moving, this is all good news! 1 I am not a doctor and do not offer any medical advice, only my own experience. Consult your physician. 2011-2015 tapered off 300MG of Effexor. Back in the Paxil Progress days. No rebound. 2005-2021: 450 mg Bupropion XL Daily 2021 Buporopion May 450mg/June 400mg/July 375mg/Aug 10th 360mg/ 2021 Dec - 150mg IR, 3x day = 450mg Bup, Heritage manufacturer-yellow color pill. 2022 May 3 - 3 x 150mg IR Bup, Avet brand(pharmacist said they merged with Heritage-orange color) -migraines REINSTATED-BACK TO MY LAST STABLE DOSE/TIME RELEASE 2022 June 5 - switched back to 3 x 150mg XL one time per day= 450 mg total Bup-Apotex brand CURRENT TAPER 2022 Aug 31 - 450MG to 412MG IR Bup//Sep. 28, 2022: 412mg to 375mg//Oct 26, 2022: 375mg to 365 mg//Nov 21, 2022: 365mg to 327mg//Dec 27, 2022: 327 mg to 290 mg//Dec 31, 2022: 290mg to 262mg//Jan 28, 2023: 262mg to 190mg//Feb. 19, 2023: 190mg to 140mg//Mar. 18, '23: 140mg to 100mg// Link to comment
Stardust Posted September 17, 2023 Author Share Posted September 17, 2023 Thanks @j1290! Props for the Tennessee Williams reference. I've always depended on the kindness of strangers! 2 Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
j1290 Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 2 hours ago, Stardust said: I've always depended on the kindness of strangers! LOL zing!!! 😄😄😄 1 I am not a doctor and do not offer any medical advice, only my own experience. Consult your physician. 2011-2015 tapered off 300MG of Effexor. Back in the Paxil Progress days. No rebound. 2005-2021: 450 mg Bupropion XL Daily 2021 Buporopion May 450mg/June 400mg/July 375mg/Aug 10th 360mg/ 2021 Dec - 150mg IR, 3x day = 450mg Bup, Heritage manufacturer-yellow color pill. 2022 May 3 - 3 x 150mg IR Bup, Avet brand(pharmacist said they merged with Heritage-orange color) -migraines REINSTATED-BACK TO MY LAST STABLE DOSE/TIME RELEASE 2022 June 5 - switched back to 3 x 150mg XL one time per day= 450 mg total Bup-Apotex brand CURRENT TAPER 2022 Aug 31 - 450MG to 412MG IR Bup//Sep. 28, 2022: 412mg to 375mg//Oct 26, 2022: 375mg to 365 mg//Nov 21, 2022: 365mg to 327mg//Dec 27, 2022: 327 mg to 290 mg//Dec 31, 2022: 290mg to 262mg//Jan 28, 2023: 262mg to 190mg//Feb. 19, 2023: 190mg to 140mg//Mar. 18, '23: 140mg to 100mg// Link to comment
j1290 Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 Hiya Stardust, how's things these days? 😎 I am not a doctor and do not offer any medical advice, only my own experience. Consult your physician. 2011-2015 tapered off 300MG of Effexor. Back in the Paxil Progress days. No rebound. 2005-2021: 450 mg Bupropion XL Daily 2021 Buporopion May 450mg/June 400mg/July 375mg/Aug 10th 360mg/ 2021 Dec - 150mg IR, 3x day = 450mg Bup, Heritage manufacturer-yellow color pill. 2022 May 3 - 3 x 150mg IR Bup, Avet brand(pharmacist said they merged with Heritage-orange color) -migraines REINSTATED-BACK TO MY LAST STABLE DOSE/TIME RELEASE 2022 June 5 - switched back to 3 x 150mg XL one time per day= 450 mg total Bup-Apotex brand CURRENT TAPER 2022 Aug 31 - 450MG to 412MG IR Bup//Sep. 28, 2022: 412mg to 375mg//Oct 26, 2022: 375mg to 365 mg//Nov 21, 2022: 365mg to 327mg//Dec 27, 2022: 327 mg to 290 mg//Dec 31, 2022: 290mg to 262mg//Jan 28, 2023: 262mg to 190mg//Feb. 19, 2023: 190mg to 140mg//Mar. 18, '23: 140mg to 100mg// Link to comment
Stardust Posted October 5, 2023 Author Share Posted October 5, 2023 Hi j1290! Plugging along. I have to make sure I don't focus on the timeline for the taper because when I do, I want to tear my hair out! I'm constantly pumping the brakes to resist temptation to speed this thing up. Just venting but I imagine you can relate. My withdrawal symptoms are still pretty minimal so far, thank you brassmonkey. I really liked that Rick Ashley song you shared btw! 1 Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
j1290 Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 44 minutes ago, Stardust said: I'm constantly pumping the brakes to resist temptation to speed this thing up. Just venting but I imagine you can relate. Boy do I hear that. If you're having low symptoms, well in my book you're certainly doing it right! That's fantastic news. 45 minutes ago, Stardust said: I really liked that Rick Ashley song you shared btw! oh heh I forgot about that, glad you liked it! 😁 I am not a doctor and do not offer any medical advice, only my own experience. Consult your physician. 2011-2015 tapered off 300MG of Effexor. Back in the Paxil Progress days. No rebound. 2005-2021: 450 mg Bupropion XL Daily 2021 Buporopion May 450mg/June 400mg/July 375mg/Aug 10th 360mg/ 2021 Dec - 150mg IR, 3x day = 450mg Bup, Heritage manufacturer-yellow color pill. 2022 May 3 - 3 x 150mg IR Bup, Avet brand(pharmacist said they merged with Heritage-orange color) -migraines REINSTATED-BACK TO MY LAST STABLE DOSE/TIME RELEASE 2022 June 5 - switched back to 3 x 150mg XL one time per day= 450 mg total Bup-Apotex brand CURRENT TAPER 2022 Aug 31 - 450MG to 412MG IR Bup//Sep. 28, 2022: 412mg to 375mg//Oct 26, 2022: 375mg to 365 mg//Nov 21, 2022: 365mg to 327mg//Dec 27, 2022: 327 mg to 290 mg//Dec 31, 2022: 290mg to 262mg//Jan 28, 2023: 262mg to 190mg//Feb. 19, 2023: 190mg to 140mg//Mar. 18, '23: 140mg to 100mg// Link to comment
Moderator Go2zero Posted December 9, 2023 Moderator Share Posted December 9, 2023 Hi Stardust, How are you doing? Is your signature up to date? Or did you do some tapering since last April? If so, at what dose are you right now? 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30 Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one. Link to comment
Stardust Posted December 11, 2023 Author Share Posted December 11, 2023 Hi @Go2zero- I'm still plugging away. My symptoms are manageable so far. My signature is up to date - I use the US date format month/day/year. 😊 My current dose is bupropion 40mg. Slowly but surely. I try not to think too far ahead. Thanks for checking in. It's very kind of you! Take care, Stardust Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Moderator Go2zero Posted December 11, 2023 Moderator Share Posted December 11, 2023 13 hours ago, Stardust said: Hi @Go2zero- I'm still plugging away. My symptoms are manageable so far. My signature is up to date - I use the US date format month/day/year. 😊 My current dose is bupropion 40mg. Slowly but surely. I try not to think too far ahead. Thanks for checking in. It's very kind of you! Take care, Stardust You are doing great @Stardust. Very consistent tapering which I see. Thanks for letting me know about the US date format. Can be somewhat confusing for us in Europe. But now everything is clear to me. As said, you are doing great. Let us know when you might need some advise. Take care! 🙏 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30 Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one. Link to comment
Stardust Posted January 27 Author Share Posted January 27 It's been a year since I started my bupropion taper. I've been following @brassmonkey's Slide Method and it's been going very smoothly. My CNS is highly sensitized since my doctor put me through a rapid benzo taper so it was important to me to be very cautious. I know many people find they can get off bupropion relatively quickly but others don't and end up having a hellish experience. I couldn't risk that since benzo withdrawal was an absolute nightmare. It's frustrating that I have another couple of years of this taper but weighing all the considerations, it's clear that this is how I've got to do it for my own wellbeing. I'm very grateful that I've had such a good taper model to follow in the Brassmonkey Slide Method. 1 Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted January 27 Moderator Share Posted January 27 I'm so glad it is working well for you. Keep up the good work. 1 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
Zim337 Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 Hi Stardust, I’m looking at your taper numbers and I’m impressed. Down from bup 100 to 35, congrats! I hope you feel good about it, and that you have less side effects. Good luck going forward! Zim Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others Lyrica 2003-14 Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2 taper 2022 Jan - May to 25 x 2 Citalopram taper 2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg, Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0 Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium Link to comment
Stardust Posted February 17 Author Share Posted February 17 @Zim337 - Good to hear from you! How are you doing? Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Stardust Posted March 12 Author Share Posted March 12 Does anyone know what the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines say the jumping off point is for bupropion? Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Moderator Go2zero Posted March 24 Moderator Share Posted March 24 On 3/12/2024 at 6:11 PM, Stardust said: Does anyone know what the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines say the jumping off point is for bupropion? I do not know what these Guidelines say. To be honest I do not have good experiences with guidelines given by "experts" about jumping dosages. My personal experience with tapering prozac learned me that given guidelines for jumping dosages most often are too high. I made my own calculations based on SERT percentages per dosage. For several SSRI's there are formulas to calculate the SERT (serotonin receptor blockage percentage). I found that the lower I came with the prozac dosage, the less I could reduce in SERT. At a certain moment I found that I could not reduce my SERT level more than 0,02% without getting heavy WD symptoms. But I was still at a total SERT level of 0,11 % then... Several experts say that one can jump at a SERT level of 1%.... Can you imagine what might happen of we jump at a SERT of 1%, when a taper of only 0,02% gives us heavy WD symptoms??? This is why I tapered down to a SERT level of 0,01%. It took me 5 months extra to taper down from SERT 1% to SERT 0,01%. But I am very glad I did so. I am off the prozac now for 1 month and the WD symptoms are very much acceptable. I haven't felt like this ever during the 6 1/2 year period of tapering. I will do the same with the 32 mg of Wellbutrin I still need to taper. The theoretical jumping dose which I calculated is: 0,4 mg. This can be arbitrary, I know. But I rather go safe. I have seen quite some people jump at 15 mg or even at 5 mg. And many of them suffered from heavy symptoms then... I will not take that risk and will taper down to the mentioned 0,4 mg. And in the end I might decide to go even a bit lower if my body would tell me so.... Unfortunately I have never been able to find graphs of formulas to calculate the receptor blockage percentages for Wellbutrin. 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30 Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one. Link to comment
Stardust Posted March 26 Author Share Posted March 26 @Go2zero Thank you so much for your response. I understand what you're saying about the reality on the ground when your response to cuts doesn't fit the expert's tapering model. I'm at 27mg bupropion right now.I have about a year and a half left to taper bupropion so I'm nowhere near jumping. But I'll definitely keep your wise words in mind. Congratulations on getting off Prozac! When do you think you'll resume your Wellbutrin taper? Thanks again! 1 Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Moderator Go2zero Posted March 26 Moderator Share Posted March 26 12 hours ago, Stardust said: Thank you so much for your response. I understand what you're saying about the reality on the ground when your response to cuts doesn't fit the expert's tapering model. More than welcome @Stardust. Always happy to share my thoughts and experiences. And thank you for sharing yours here. We are all helping each other here by sharing. 🙏 12 hours ago, Stardust said: I'm at 27mg bupropion right now.I have about a year and a half left to taper bupropion so I'm nowhere near jumping. But I'll definitely keep your wise words in mind. On what is this one and a half year based? How do you "plan" your tapering speed? For me it is mainly what my body tells me to do. Going slowly and careful and by trial and error. And also doing my math as far as possible... I find planning difficult. Reality often is different in my experience... 13 hours ago, Stardust said: I'm at 27mg bupropion right now. Could you please put that in your signature and keep that updated please? 13 hours ago, Stardust said: Congratulations on getting off Prozac! When do you think you'll resume your Wellbutrin taper? Thanks! Is was a heavy ride with the escitalopram and prozac... I am suddenly in a wave again since 2 days. Hopefully not too long and not too heavy.... It was to be expected to have some WD symptoms after stopping the prozac. The moment of resuming my Wellbutrin tapering lies mainly in how the further healing of the prozac withdrawal will go. I hope to resume the Wellbutrin tapering in about 3-4 months from now. But until the moment of resuming, it will be all theory... 🤣 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30 Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one. Link to comment
Stardust Posted March 26 Author Share Posted March 26 My taper has gone pretty smoothly so far. My projection depends on whether it continues to go smoothly! I'm prepared to slow down if I need to. I appreciate the reminder. After this taper is done, when I'm stable, I plan to taper off buspirone. It still blows my mind that getting started with these medications was such an almost nonchalant, blasé act in contrast to this long, painstaking process of extricating ourselves from them. Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg; 4/13/24 25mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
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