j1290: gets off the Wellbutrin and on with life!

[j1290]

DAY 1  Cut from 260 to  190.  I'll call it a 3/10.  I don't know if I'm coming or going since I started working 3rd shift this last week, so I don't even know what's WD Normal or what's feeling weird because of the sleep change.  I caught up on sleep the last few days and its been fantastic.  Overall symptoms have been mild today. I've been laughing a lot more lately, and its been really satisfying.  Not gonna lie, I'm kinda getting some anticipation anxiety for the WD symptoms this next few weeks.  When my AD Normal was difficult, I wasn't giving anything up by doing a cut because I felt crappy anyhow.   Now that my AD Normal is almost OK, I'm hesitant to give that up.  Just this moment my brain feels the least cramped up/locked up than it has in decades.  It's worth every bit of difficulty to feel better.  I'm far from done, but if I can hold this level I'm taking 58% less meds than when I started this taper 6 months ago.   Not a bad start.  

[littlebird]

2 hours ago, j1290 said:

Overall symptoms have been mild today. I've been laughing a lot more lately, and its been really satisfying.

I love this! Sometimes a good laugh is just as healing as a good cry, and it's so satisfying to be able to laugh and enjoy the moment. Glad you're having more laughter in life!

[vfx150]

On 1/23/2023 at 8:50 AM, Thorin said:

When I have a day like that (which I have) I find that going to bed is a relief because WD is so unpredictable I may well wake up feeling completely different tomorrow!

Yes, this is my experience too.

 

I am also beginning to realise that getting habitual about WD symptoms can be quite effective. If I feel hopeless, horrible or anxious, so be it. At home its easier (thanks to my supportive family) but at work or socially it's a big challenge for me at his time. I catch myself losing control, overthinking even overreacting to those triggers. I am working on staying centered and not reacting these days.

 

[Stardust]

8 hours ago, littlebird said:

I love this! Sometimes a good laugh is just as healing as a good cry, and it's so satisfying to be able to laugh and enjoy the moment. Glad you're having more laughter in life!

So true!

[Thorin]

9 hours ago, vfx150 said:

Yes, this is my experience too.

 

I am also beginning to realise that getting habitual about WD symptoms can be quite effective. If I feel hopeless, horrible or anxious, so be it. At home its easier (thanks to my supportive family) but at work or socially it's a big challenge for me at his time. I catch myself losing control, overthinking even overreacting to those triggers. I am working on staying centered and not reacting these days.

 

Sounds similar to me. I try to accept the symptoms, remember that they will pass eventually (and why they’re happening) and just sit with them. Continuing life the best I can definitely helps. It’s usually not easy but I feel better if to do these things.

[j1290]

DAY 2  3/10 Weirdness, variable headache, dizzy, muscle twitches.  Overall fine and work safe.  I'm slightly torturing myself with anticipation of the WD symptoms to come around day 6, but overall fine.  I have a long way to go, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  If I can do another entire pill cut to 110(I hope I can) then I should be at a place where I might be feeling pretty good at WD Normal.  Not going to put the cart before the horse, I'm on the lookout for any warning signs of having tapered too fast, but nothing yet.  .

 

Giving myself a chuckle because looking at my notes on Day 7 and 8 I always write to myself to never taper again because it's too much.     I've got those scheduled for my days off, so if things go as they have before at least I can hide out in my bedroom.   I can't wait for the day this taper is over and I can throw out this 3 ring binder because I don't want to be reminded of this LOL  I have yet to do too large a cut.  

 

Just re-read my journal from 2013 about tapering Effexor.  Funny to read.  

 

Alright, I'm off to work, will appreciate the lack of WD while I have it.  I feel a little euphoria maybe?  but not much, and the top of my head that usually feels locked up is less so.  I'm starting to get scary close to feeling unmedicated.  People generally start on this stuff at 150, and I'm at 190 right now.   Compared to the 450 I was on it feels like nothing. 

[j1290]

On 1/27/2023 at 10:33 PM, Fifree said:

Wow I just read this whole thread from 18 months ago, right up to a few minutes ago. Well done John. I’m new to the site and trying to get off Lexapro. Struggling with the notion that it’s going to take YEARS. thanks for sharing your journey and to everyone who’s commented. It’s really useful. 

I missed this the other day somehow.  😂😂😂 Not gonna lie, I feel like I owe you a beer or something!!!🍻🍺🍸  

 

I would be much farther along if I hadn't made a ton of mistakes, but as far as I can tell, that's not unusual.  I remember like yesterday the first day I began tapering this stuff.  I did everything wrong LOL If I could give advice to myself before I began, I'd say to invest a month in reading every article on this website twice before starting my taper.  I missed a lot of things or didn't understand them before I did my first cut.   

 

I'm not familiar with Lexapro, but when I read your intro that was similar to what I experienced on Effexor I thought, Oh, I see @Fifree got to meet the parabolic curve of the Occupancy Chart, and sure enough I was right!  I think I found this in the subforum on research and studies here.   Of course read for yourself, but as I understand it, and what I experienced with Venlafaxine, is that where that dotted line is on the chart, below that is where 10% cuts are going to start to matter a whole lot.   I also took away from one of the articles that when you're approaching that dotted line, haven't crossed it yet, things are getting spicy.  Food for thought.  I was able to cut from 225mg of Effexor to 75mg relatively easily, but below that dotted line was a trick.   

 

Lots of people here make a solution and taper so slowly they don't feel symptoms.  You really will get through this, Fifree, one day at a time.  I wouldn't wish symptoms on you, but certainly happy to have you here!  Please post often and let us know how you're doing, will you? 

[Fifree]

I did indeed fall off the very sharp edge of the parabolic occupancy graph. Whoo. What a ride. I’m feeling almost normal again now at Day 15 and hopefully it’s gonna stay that way until day 28. Thanks for the link to the chart. I’m so glad someone’s out there doing scientific research on this now. As part of the SSRI generation I can’t help feeling a bit like one of those poor souls in earlier mental “health” miracles like lobotomies and bad shock treatment. Why are they handing these things out like they’re nothing? I can’t wait to get off this crap but I know I need to be patient. 
 

Anyway, nice to meet a fellow traveller. I wish you all the best. 

[j1290]

8 hours ago, Fifree said:

I did indeed fall off the very sharp edge

haha yeah that got my attention as well when it happened to me!  Really glad to hear that you're getting close to normal again, I only wish I could speed up the process for you.  

 

It hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized it might take years to get off of this stuff, and that's just a function of me being on it for so very long.   I do take solace from the idea that I should be able to taper off fairly rapidly(and I am) till I get to that parabolic part of the graph, and that by the time I'm down that low, I'll barely feel medicated.   I'm feeling substantially reduced side effects and I still have a long way to go.  

 

Welcome aboard!  There's a lot of good company around here.  Makes the journey much easier.  

[littlebird]

1 hour ago, j1290 said:

It hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized it might take years to get off of this stuff, and that's just a function of me being on it for so very long. 

 

Yes, feel you there! I combed through stories on this site when I first found it, looking for anyone who had successfully tapered off the lowest dose of Pristiq, and finally found ONE success story that took 6 years from lowest dose to off. 

 

6.

 

Years.

 

That feels like an eternity!!! 

 

There's a grief and coming to terms process with this med stuff, oof. Just gotta keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep it moving!

[j1290]

DAY 3   Overall, 2/10.   Things are starting to get weird in the wee small hours of the morning, head pressure and activation and lockup.   Overall, though?  I think my guess was correct, that the WD is easier for the simple reason that I have less meds in me giving me side effects, at least so far.  Day 3 has previously been a fun day with a clear mind, more vivid sensations, and whatever the word for a small mood elevation is.  I was pumping gas in my car and thinking that wind doesn't normally feel like this LOL.  Had a lot of laughs today and I'm having more joy in my life.   This is the tipping point, the WD starts kicking in for the next 14 days or so, but it was fun to feel almost med free for a bit.  Littlebird says she could really feel 100mg of IR, so I have to think that at 190mg there is still a lot farther to go before my emotions are completely un-blunted.   I think if I can hold this cut and not have to reinstate, then I can drop another entire pill(75mg) and get to 110mg.  Since 150mg is considered the starting theraputic dose, I think I'm one cut away from experiencing something close to freedom.  I can't wait to see how the WD goes the next few days because I think it's a hint as to what my endgame will look like.   Considering I haven't had to take meds for headaches or anything lately, things are looking good.  Fingers crossed!

 

7 hours ago, littlebird said:

here's a grief and coming to terms process with this med stuff, oof. Just gotta keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep it moving!

 

Absolutely this.   I thought I could get off Effexor in under a year surely, and it wound up taking 3.5-4.   You said it, littlebird, just keep it moving.   We're making progress every cut, and it adds up quick.   

[Stardust]

15 hours ago, j1290 said:

I do take solace from the idea that I should be able to taper off fairly rapidly(and I am) till I get to that parabolic part of the graph, and that by the time I'm down that low, I'll barely feel medicated.   

 

This is very interesting! How did you figure this out? Did you make an actual graph. Math wasn't my best subject!

[littlebird]

13 hours ago, j1290 said:

20 hours ago, littlebird said:

here's a grief and coming to terms process with this med stuff, oof. Just gotta keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep it moving!

 

Absolutely this.   I thought I could get off Effexor in under a year surely, and it wound up taking 3.5-4.   You said it, littlebird, just keep it moving.   We're making progress every cut, and it adds up quick.   

 

One of the benefits of time flying quickly the older I get! How did a month go by so quickly? I was looking back at when I joined this site, and all the positive changes since then, and it gives me hope for the future. I've already made progress in less than a year, and time does seem to fly by at a fast clip the older I am, so maybe we'l be on the other side before we know it! The way you're going, won't be too long till you have a Sun of Recovery in your thread title.

[j1290]

35 minutes ago, littlebird said:

The way you're going, won't be too long till you have a Sun of Recovery in your thread title.

haha  I didn't expect that.  That would be a great day!   

 

7 hours ago, Stardust said:

This is very interesting! How did you figure this out? Did you make an actual graph. Math wasn't my best subject!

oh nah I'm not good at math either.  I'm just guessing.  I was referring to one of these charts.  I can't explain it in other than layman's terms but if you want the scientific explanation it's in the actual study.   It's pretty commonly accepted that once you hit that dotted line on the Dose part of that chart, things get serious about doing 10% cuts of your last dose as the occupancy rate starts to go parabolic.  That 100% matched my experience on Effexor.  

 

Unfortunately as far as I know there isn't any similar chart for Bupropion, so my hypothesis is that around 50-75mg the Bupropion will need to be tapered at the 10% rule.  I've had to try out a lot of theories, and sometimes I even get them right !  heh

[littlebird]

22 minutes ago, j1290 said:

1 hour ago, littlebird said:

The way you're going, won't be too long till you have a Sun of Recovery in your thread title.

haha  I didn't expect that.  That would be a great day

 

You’re well on your way there! 🌥️⛅🌤️☀️😎

[Thorin]

51 minutes ago, j1290 said:

haha  I didn't expect that.  That would be a great day!   

 

oh nah I'm not good at math either.  I'm just guessing.  I was referring to one of these charts.  I can't explain it in other than layman's terms but if you want the scientific explanation it's in the actual study.   It's pretty commonly accepted that once you hit that dotted line on the Dose part of that chart, things get serious about doing 10% cuts of your last dose as the occupancy rate starts to go parabolic.  That 100% matched my experience on Effexor.  

 

Unfortunately as far as I know there isn't any similar chart for Bupropion, so my hypothesis is that around 50-75mg the Bupropion will need to be tapered at the 10% rule.  I've had to try out a lot of theories, and sometimes I even get them right !  heh

@Stardust I can vouch for what @j1290 is saying here. I didn’t really have any trouble until I started reducing below the lowest therapeutic dose of the (different) med I’m taking. Have a look at the work done by Mark Horowitz if @j1290 hasn’t pointed you in that direction already.

[Stardust]

2 hours ago, j1290 said:

oh nah I'm not good at math either.  I'm just guessing.  I was referring to one of these charts.  I can't explain it in other than layman's terms but if you want the scientific explanation it's in the actual study.   It's pretty commonly accepted that once you hit that dotted line on the Dose part of that chart, things get serious about doing 10% cuts of your last dose as the occupancy rate starts to go parabolic.  That 100% matched my experience on Effexor.  

 

Unfortunately as far as I know there isn't any similar chart for Bupropion, so my hypothesis is that around 50-75mg the Bupropion will need to be tapered at the 10% rule.  I've had to try out a lot of theories, and sometimes I even get them right !  heh

j1290-  I see - I think it makes sense that the 50-75mg mark would be the point where the steep part of the parabola starts - and that the point where the occupancy rate starts to go parabolic is the point where the dosage is at a "therapeutic" dose as Thorin commented.

Thanks for help lighting the way. 

 

1 hour ago, Thorin said:

@Stardust I can vouch for what @j1290 is saying here. I didn’t really have any trouble until I started reducing below the lowest therapeutic dose of the (different) med I’m taking. Have a look at the work done by Mark Horowitz if @j1290 hasn’t pointed you in that direction already.

 

Thorin - Makes a lot of sense.  Yes I've seen the video with Dr. Horowitz, Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management on YouTube.  Excellent.   It would probably help to revisit it. Thank you for reminding be about it.

[Thorin]

17 minutes ago, Stardust said:

Thorin - Makes a lot of sense.  Yes I've seen the video with Dr. Horowitz, Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management on YouTube.  Excellent.   It would probably help to revisit it. Thank you for reminding be about it.

His actual papers are very informative as well. Happy to help if I can. The more we help each other the easier it is and at the very least you feel less alone on this journey!

[j1290]

28 minutes ago, Stardust said:

j1290-  I see - I think it makes sense that the 50-75mg mark would be the point where the steep part of the parabola starts - and that the point where the occupancy rate starts to go parabolic is the point where the dosage is at a "therapeutic" dose as Thorin commented.

Thanks for help lighting the way. 

Like I said I'm just guessing, I don't pretend to know how bupropion actually works.  My thought is exactly what @Thorin said so succinctly.  As best I can tell the starting dose is 150mg on the various time releases, so I'd set that at the high end of the range through 50mg at the low for when I hit the curve.  My gut says 50-75mg based on other people's reports and wishful thinking on my end.  

[littlebird]

I developed some nasty headaches since I separated the Wellbutrin from the Gabapentin (but that's also when I switched to IR so who knows). Anywho, they feel like dehydration headaches, and I've noticed that I'm much thirstier than usual. Have you noticed hydration playing a role in your headaches? The aching head is really not making for an easy day, ooooof not loving this symptom.

[j1290]

DAY 4 The fun part of the taper is over :'(  Good bye euphoria, it's time for irritability.   Whatevs.   I handled it well while in company, but the less contact I have with others the better, and things are going to start getting bumpy over the next few days and weekend.   Working 3rd shift and trying to sleep isn't helping anything, but c'est la vie.   I had to relent and take some blood pressure meds today, and it helped me keep it together.   Will be interesting to see if I start getting headaches again.  I would love to have one less pill I have to take.  Judging by my records, I took a absolute *ton* (by my modest standards, mind you) of pills to fight headaches for the last 18 months.  To have a break of a few weeks is awesome, and I think it's likely that certain aspects of the WD symptoms will get easier as I get farther down.  Not trying to curse myself but so far I haven't had a crash, which makes me think it's unlikely till I hit the dropoff that I think is waiting at around 50mg or so.  I'm not trying to get ahead of myself but I can dare to dream.   

 

I'm gonna saddle up and ride this bronco.  The next ten days will be interesting.  Compared to my last 5 cuts though, these first 4 days have been easier.  The pressure/head on fire/headaches just isn't as bad.  YET.  Onward to tomorrow!

3/10

[j1290]

5 hours ago, littlebird said:

I developed some nasty headaches since I separated the Wellbutrin from the Gabapentin (but that's also when I switched to IR so who knows). Anywho, they feel like dehydration headaches, and I've noticed that I'm much thirstier than usual. Have you noticed hydration playing a role in your headaches? The aching head is really not making for an easy day, ooooof not loving this symptom.

Gnarly headaches are exactly the symptom that I got from the IR.  I always had a slight headache from the XL with scalp burning sensation on the top of my head, but for lack of a better term I'd call IR headaches migraines.  They've gotten much milder as my dose has gone down.  I personally haven't found a lot of relief from water, but I see people on Reddit saying that they need to hydrate all the time.   

[Go2zero]

12 hours ago, j1290 said:

Unfortunately as far as I know there isn't any similar chart for Bupropion, so my hypothesis is that around 50-75mg the Bupropion will need to be tapered at the 10% rule.  I've had to try out a lot of theories, and sometimes I even get them right ! 

Hi J1290, this is my experience also. Until the 55mg I could taper fast and easy. From 55mg further down it became much more difficult. But most people seem to be able to taper bupropion quite easy. So difficult to say beforehand how things will work out.

 

You have done a great job so far, going quite fast from 450 to 190mg.

 

As far as I know there is no occupancy/dose chart for bupropion. I asked Jim van Os (a well know psychiatrist and professor who knows a lot about these things) and he told me there is none as far as he knows.

 

But according to my experience it is very hyperbolic....  And getting steep between 70 and 50 I guess.

 

I am still struggling with the last bits of Prozac. Now only at 0,11 mg (about 1 pill divided over 6 months). On hold again... Even at this low dose level WD symptoms can be quite heavy... I expect another 5-7 months to get away from the Prozac. Then a long hold (5 months or so) to stabilise. And then continue with the bupropion taper. Hopefully that will be easier after having stopped the Prozac.

 

Edited February 1, 2023 by Go2zero

[j1290]

1 hour ago, Go2zero said:

Until the 55mg I could taper fast and easy. From 55mg further down it became much more difficult. But most people seem to be able to taper bupropion quite easy. So difficult to say beforehand how things will work out.

Sorry to hear you're going through this, my man.  As I recall I heard from a few people here and another person elsewhere that in the 50's they hit the wall on tapering.  I have felt every cut, so I don't have any reason to be optimistic I'll be able to move faster than 10% when I get down.  But I hope I will :/

 

1 hour ago, Go2zero said:

You have done a great job so far, going quite fast from 450 to 190mg.

Thanks.  The whole process has been unexpectedly challenging.  I had to really knuckle down and be very deliberate about the taper.  If this cut holds and I don't have to reinstate, my very rough plan is to go from 190 to 115 to 75 or 50 if I'm feeling bold.  I can't even imagine being down to 50 mg, sounds incredible.  

 

1 hour ago, Go2zero said:

As far as I know there is no occupancy/dose chart for bupropion. I asked Jim van Os (a well know psychiatrist and professor who knows a lot about these things) and he told me there is none as far as he knows.

Good to know.  The studies I've looked at all say there isn't enough data to study for Bupropion or something like that.  

 

1 hour ago, Go2zero said:

But according to my experience it is very hyperbolic....  And getting steep between 70 and 50 I guess.

Appreciate the confirmation.  Once I started reading those studies it all clicked that the initial dose they prescribe very likely gets you to the top of that curve, even if I don't have an actual chart.  As you know there's just so few of us tapering this stuff.  I just can't find a lot of info, and certainly not much for people that have been on it as long as we have.  

 

1 hour ago, Go2zero said:

I am still struggling with the last bits of Prozac.

You don't deserve this.  Did your WD get lots heavier at 66mg or so?  With the Effexor, since it's so short half life, I knew within a day or so if I'd reduced too much and needed to reinstate.  I don't know what that looks like on Bupropion since the half life is so long, but my hunch is I'll know it when I get there.  

 

 

 

[Go2zero]

4 minutes ago, j1290 said:

Did your WD get lots heavier at 66mg or so?

Yes, that is correct. And the lower I got the more difficult it became. Even a 1 mg cut gave me extreme heavy symptoms. A few times they lasted more then half a year.

 

But that may have to do, because I am still taking the Prozac. The bupropion influences (slows down) the metabolism of the prozac. So when the bupropion is lowered in dose, the prozac gets metabolised faster. Giving the effect of tapering both at the same time. And my WD symptoms of the prozac (and before the escitalopram) are quite heavy. So I am still hoping that tapering the bupropion without taking the prozac will become easier. Probably 1 year before I can start tapering the bupropion. So then I will find out....

[littlebird]

8 hours ago, j1290 said:

I always had a slight headache from the XL with scalp burning sensation on the top of my head, but for lack of a better term I'd call IR headaches migraines.

 

That sounds about right! Last night it got so bad I drew a bath, filled it with CBD, then lay in the water in the dark willing the pain to ease. Rough stuff! 

 

8 hours ago, j1290 said:

I personally haven't found a lot of relief from water, but I see people on Reddit saying that they need to hydrate all the time. 

 

Is there a community like this one on Reddit?

 

Hope today is a good day for you! Let's win Wednesday.

[j1290]

3 hours ago, littlebird said:

Rough stuff! 

 

Sorry to hear that, Littlebird!  OTC meds never helped me.  I was prescribed Sumatriptan, Clonodine, Alieve(you  can buy OTC), and Xanax as a last resort to deal with them.   I don't like the pills, but they were enough to get me by while I tapered.

 

There are various wellbutrin/bupropion/antidepressant communities on Reddit but none that are dedicated to tapering antidepressants that I can find, but it may exist. 

 

I love Let's Win Wednesday!   I've got a rough night tonight, but Thursday is my last day of the work week so just one more to go.  Please let us know how you feel today!

[Thorin]

26 minutes ago, j1290 said:

4 hours ago, littlebird said:

Rough stuff! 

 

Sorry to hear that, Littlebird!  OTC meds never helped me.  I was prescribed Sumatriptan, Clonodine, Alieve(you  can buy OTC), and Xanax as a last resort to deal with them.   I don't like the pills, but they were enough to get me by while I tapered.

I found Clonidine helped with the anxiety at times but it gave me a very heavy body load and fatigue the next day. I haven’t taken it in ages actually which is good (I haven’t felt the need). But it helps if you’re REALLY struggling. @littlebird I’ve definitely found that low dose THC has helped the most (like our previous conversation) but obviously you can’t take that during the day while you’re working (or I can’t). Hope things improve for you! I figure that’s you I was chatting to on the other site? I saw the picture on your profile. This one seems to have a bit more info and activity on it.

 

i’m going to edit this to add my thoughts on Xanax. Xanax is an extremely effective med in the short term. Nothing has made me feel calmer than Xanax. Long term Xanax is extremely detrimental to your health and brain function. I fully respect anyone else’s decision to use any meds. And if used rarely you’ll probably be fine. But Xanax has a way of creeping up on you so just use it with a really healthy degree of respect for what a powerful medication it is. Not meaning to overstep the line here just wary and I do get worried about my friends on here at times (which is normal considering I get worried about everything 😅)

[littlebird]

4 minutes ago, Thorin said:

I figure that’s you I was chatting to on the other site?

Which other site? Made this AI image as a lark, then it fit when I was trying to figure out a username and image for here. I don't think I used it anywhere else, but maybe I did? I was pretty scattered when I first arrived here.

 

Wellbutrin is hitting at the moment like amphetamines (without the helpful linear thinking), so my anxious mind is going to paranoia, "Is someone impersonating my anonymous med account somewhere?"

 

Had some weirdness with folks online in the past, including at one point a cyber-stalker (0/10, do not recommend), so it has already crossed my mind that maybe I'm too exposed on this site. That's why I didn't have a location for awhile, post-stalk paranoia. Hard to tell what's anxious thinking and what's real. Wellbutrin has me tripping today.

[littlebird]

27 minutes ago, j1290 said:

Sorry to hear that, Littlebird!  OTC meds never helped me.

 

Same here! When a migraine got too out of control in the past (effexor was a beast for those), I did get some help from that weird injection migraine med, but I'm hoping I can keep these from getting into that territory. Headaches are debilitating. Wonder how many in my life were med-related, and I had no idea? Hope yours are better today!

[Thorin]

4 minutes ago, littlebird said:

Which other site? Made this AI image as a lark, then it fit when I was trying to figure out a username and image for here. I don't think I used it anywhere else, but maybe I did? I was pretty scattered when I first arrived here.

Oh, ok. Was chatting to someone on the Inner Compass Initiative (it’s another site for med withdrawal) and they said they followed @j1290 and myself on here. Based purely on the med they mentioned I thought it was you! Sorry! It’s a mystery! Exciting!

[j1290]

5 minutes ago, littlebird said:

effexor was a beast for those

The less I remember about that trip the better!  LOL

 

7 minutes ago, littlebird said:

I did get some help from that weird injection migraine med, but I'm hoping I can keep these from getting into that territory. Headaches are debilitating.

Did the injection help?  I just might be out of the woods with the headaches, but the next few days will be the proof.   Suma helped me just enough, but I never liked it.  

 

9 minutes ago, littlebird said:

Wonder how many in my life were med-related, and I had no idea? Hope yours are better today!

Million dollar question right here!   I had low level headaches and scalp burning forever, essentially on Bupropion and only vaguely put it together that it might be the massive dose of pills I was taking every day LOL  Did I talk to you about the headache hat?  I repeat myself but they work really well.  Have you looked at the Migraine community on Reddit?  I found them to be a good bunch.   Hope you're feeling better today as well!  

[littlebird]

10 minutes ago, Thorin said:

Was chatting to someone on the Inner Compass Initiative (it’s another site for med withdrawal) and they said they followed @j1290 and myself on here. Based purely on the med they mentioned I thought it was you!

 

Well shoot, you're about to find me on there! I hadn't heard of this one. Fun!

 

2 minutes ago, j1290 said:

Did I talk to you about the headache hat?

 

Yes!! Yesterday I was dreaming of a cool headache hat, which would also signal to those around me, "Shhh, don't talk now." I thought about putting an ice pack on my head under a hat.

 

3 minutes ago, j1290 said:

Did the injection help?  I just might be out of the woods with the headaches, but the next few days will be the proof.

 

NEEDLE TALK TRIGGER WARNING! Oh yeah, that was great. I didn't even know I had a migraine at that point, thought I had a stomach bug and the headache was secondary. Couldn't keep meds down, so I got that thing. It worked so fast, I curled up for a nap, and it chased the migraine away.

 

Really, really hard to use. Even with all the pain I was in, I had to psych myself up. It's spring-loaded and really jams into you hard, and needles aren't my favorite thing in the world. I had to keep telling myself, "123, press the button. Okay, now, 123, go. Okay, try again, 123..."

 

Hoping yours never get to a place where you need it, but if you ever get really sick from one, highly recommend. Worked so fast it was like magic. 

[Thorin]

1 minute ago, littlebird said:

Well shoot, you're about to find me on there! I hadn't heard of this one. Fun!

Come and check it out. It’s different to here but it’s fun to drop in and have a chat. People seem to use their real names (so you’re prepared) but there’s nothing stopping you from using any name you want.

2 minutes ago, littlebird said:

Really, really hard to use. Even with all the pain I was in, I had to psych myself up. It's spring-loaded and really jams into you hard, and needles aren't my favorite thing in the world. I had to keep telling myself, "123, press the button. Okay, now, 123, go. Okay, try again, 123..."

Oh man that sounds terrible 😂🥴

[littlebird]

2 minutes ago, Thorin said:

Oh man that sounds terrible 😂🥴

 

Oh, it was. Which made me get more serious about taking care of headaches before they get to Stabville, USA! Now I'm all about the early care: hydration, lowering light, stress relief, ice cream, crying, etc.

[littlebird]

1 hour ago, Thorin said:

I’ve definitely found that low dose THC has helped the most (like our previous conversation) but obviously you can’t take that during the day while you’re working (or I can’t). Hope things improve for you!

 

You know, I got so frustrated with how frozen in fear I felt after Wellbutrin kicked in that I smoked some Indica and it pulled me out of anxietytown into a cute little window of tolerance and I could finally make headway in a task I was too scared to tackle. Thanks, Earth, you really went off with cannabis!