EmilyB: Which to taper first-Lamictal or Wellbutrin?

[EmilyB]

I'm almost done with duloxetine and after a long rest, I would like to get off of wellbutrin and lamictal.  Which do I do first?

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I'm very glad you came to our site before you started your next taper.  How did you duloxetine taper go?  At what rate did you taper?  How are you feeling now?  I think it's very good that you will take a long rest before your next taper, to allow your nervous system to really cement the healing from getting off the duloxetine.  

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs and supplements you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  We only need drug names, dosages, and dates, as best you can remember.  Please read the link below for instructions.  

 

How to List Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

We at SA have a harm reduction approach to tapering off psych drugs, so we recommend a very slow and conservative approach.  Tapering is best done extremely slowly, and we generally taper by 10% of the current dose no more than once every 4 weeks, so that the reduction becomes exponentially smaller.

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

This link will help you decide which drug to taper first. In general, we taper the most activating drug first.  I'm guessing you should taper the Wellbutrin first, as that is activating, and the lamictal slows down the nervous system.

 

Taking Multiple Psych Drugs - Which to Taper First?

 

These links will explain practical specifics on how to do the tapering.  

 

Tips for Tapering Lamictal

 

Tips for Tapering Wellbutrin

 

Good luck, and feel free to ask any questions you might have.  

 

 

Edited August 30, 2023 by getofflex

[getofflex]

Since you are still on the Cymbalta, here is information about that: 

 

Tips for Tapering Cymbalta

[EmilyB]

Thanks so much for your help!  I've read some of the information you sent and have decided on Wellbutrin.

I've been tapering off of 60 mg of Cymbalta for about 15 months.  I've reduced at a slightly higher rate than recommended.  My rationale is that I'm retired, have no kids in the house to take care of, have a fairly stress free life and a supportive husband.  I am able to have more disruption in my life, as opposed to working parents with non supportive families and no help. BIG kudos to those who do this under already stressful circumstances!

 

The taper has gone relatively well.  I've definitely had some rough spots, but they go away.  The lower I get, the harder it is and I realize it's because of the receptor occupancy.  

 

I belong to a FB group Cymbalta Hurts Worse.  It's been a tremendous source of help and support.  

 

Thanks for your help, I will dive in to the links.