SolidmiseryonAD: Hello Go2Zero – Here’s my Update: My Exodus off Bupropion

[SolidmiseryonAD]

 

This update is in reply to the Go2Zero inquiry regarding my progress …he asked about it a year ago. My apologies to Go2Zero for not responding sooner – but I’ve been through Hell and back.

 

Today, February 14, 2024, my dosage stands at 4.5 mg. I began with a 300 mg dosage back in November 2018.  I’ve been tapering at a rate of 7%.

 

45-mg to 30-mg Tapering Range

I vividly recall the time when my dosage was in the 30-mg range. To give you some context, I come from a highly toxic family background, where my early life trauma was never addressed. However, during the tapering phase between 45-mg and 30-mg, it felt as though I was awakening from a chemical lobotomy. That period marked the beginning of my realization of the trauma, neglect, and abuse I had endured. While I'll spare you the specifics, it was profoundly challenging, to the extent that I sought out a therapist to help me work through these issues.  

 

The majority of therapists I've met throughout my life were not helpful, except one who assisted me in discussing my family of origin trauma. Unfortunately, she relocated to another state. Following her departure, the subsequent therapists (Big Pharma's prison guards, I call them) I consulted failed to acknowledge that it takes years to discontinue antidepressants SAFELY. Moreover, they attributed the withdrawal symptoms I faced with each tapering attempt to a resurgence of my 'depression' rather than recognizing them as part of the withdrawal process. Since when does a migraine, so severe it makes me wish for death, actually indicate my 'depression' is returning?

 

At 45-mg to 30-mg, the flashbacks were horrific, bringing to light numerous unresolved issues, especially since my parents had passed away. I felt manipulated into looking after them in their old age, dedicating thirteen years of my life to their care, only to be disinherited. It was later that I truly came to understand the depth of their cruelty, realizing they were my abusers who deliberately undermined my potential for personal growth and survival. With their passing, I was left again to deal with the aftermath of their actions, facing the challenge of cleaning up the mess they left behind. Journaling has helped with overcoming emotional spirals and ruination. 

 

I also started working with a personal trainer and focused on exercise during this period. Throughout my tapering journey, I had an unexplained craving for sweets. My trainer suggested tracking my diet on Cronometer because it monitors nutrient intake. This exercise led to a revelation: I was under-eating. Growing up in poverty, where ketchup served as spaghetti sauce and breakfast often meant boxed pancakes mixed with water, under-eating had been a constant in my life. This deficiency led me to crave sweets.

 

However, my cravings for sweets disappeared once I adjusted my diet to ensure I consumed enough food to meet my nutrient requirements, supplementing it with vitamin D, magnesium, potassium, fish oil, B12, and calcium.  I use nutritional yeast to get my B vitamins, but I discovered that B supplements activate my symptoms.

 

I struggled to find information specifically on how nutrition could aid in tapering off antidepressants, so I turned my focus to nutrition in addiction recovery. Through my research, I discovered that professionals in addiction recovery are quite familiar with the nutritional challenges faced by individuals tapering off drugs. According to one article, 'Addiction can lead to diet-related problems such as hypoglycemia, adrenal fatigue, allergies, and digestive issues.' This statement (code word addiction in actuality means the drug itself and/or its tapering) essentially results in these health complications, highlighting the importance of addressing nutritional needs during the tapering process. I discovered that I must cook every single meal I eat because gluten, refined sugars, dairy, and MSG make my symptoms worse.

 

Growing up, my dietary habits aligned with those that Dr. Barbara Reed Stitt, see reference below, suggests can predispose individuals to 'addiction' (IMHO, my eating habits made me a candidate for future antidepressant use). These are the eating patterns I recognized and needed to modify during my tapering process:

 

• Skipping breakfast – I had to eat a high-protein breakfast.
• A high sugar intake and refined carbohydrates – I had to cut out everything, including fruit, except blueberries.
• Frequent consumption of processed foods – Now, I cook everything I eat.
• Insufficient protein intake, fresh fruits, and vegetables - needless to say, I often go to the store, and eggs are my new best buddies!
• High consumption of milk - I can't drink milk. 

 

Adjusting these habits was crucial for supporting my journey away from antidepressants and improving my overall health. 

Reference: https://mhof.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Nutrition_in_Addiction_Recovery.pdf

 

As I progress to lower doses, I've observed that my periods of stabilization, or "holding," need to be extended. I must maintain each dose for at least 63 days at these reduced levels before attempting further reduction.  

 

Question: why is it harder to taper at lower doses? Is Bupropion like traditional antidepressants? I didn't think so, but am I wrong? This is what I understand: 

 

Tapering off antidepressants like Bupropion becomes more challenging at lower doses for several reasons, and this phenomenon is not unique to Bupropion but is common across many psychiatric medications, including traditional antidepressants.

 

Pharmacokinetics: As the dose decreases, the relative change in dosage represents a larger percentage of the total dose. For instance, reducing from 300 mg to 150 mg is a 50% reduction, whereas going from 6 mg to 3 mg is also a 50% reduction but might have a more pronounced effect on the body because the drug’s presence is much less, to begin with.

 

Brain Sensitivity: The brain adjusts to the presence of the medication over time, a process known as neuroadaptation. Even small reductions can significantly change neurotransmitter activity at lower doses. Bupropion specifically affects dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, which may become more sensitive to changes as the dosage is reduced.

 

Non-linear Pharmacodynamics: The relationship between the dose of a medication and its effect on the body is not always linear. For some medications, including antidepressants, the effects at lower doses can change in unexpected ways. This can mean that a small decrease in dose can lead to disproportionately large changes in drug action.

 

Withdrawal Symptoms: Withdrawal symptoms can become more pronounced at lower doses due to the body's increased sensitivity to changes in medication levels. This is especially true for drugs the body has become dependent on for maintaining neurotransmitter balance.

 

Additionally, I've noticed that encountering a cold or infection significantly impacts my ability to taper. Under these conditions, the withdrawal symptoms intensify to such an extent that I'm compelled to temporarily reinstate my previous dose for about a week to manage.

 

Understanding that Bupropion functions similarly to a stimulant, I've learned to avoid any substances that might have a stimulating effect as they exacerbate my condition.

 

Staying hydrated has become a pivotal aspect of my routine. Consuming a diet rich in green vegetables has been particularly beneficial in maintaining hydration and numerous other health benefits.

 

Wellbutrin Withdrawal, Bupropion Tapering Help, Side Effects & Alternatives | Alternative to Meds. - Alternative to Meds Center

This video might be helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9tZZ6-YSwc&t=523s