nsulfurable: Is viibryd a bridge to freedom from Wellbutrin?

[nsulfurable]

I went off Wellbutrin in December 2023.  I had been on it about two years.  I was also given Adderall about the last 6 months of that time because I was so sleepy and unable to initiate tasks.  I was given Modafinil as well.  I was also imbibing about 400 mg of caffeine.  Still really tired "excessive daytime sleepiness," not narcolepsy.  My blood pressure was super high.  I refused to start a BP medicine when I was taking a lot of meds that could raise it.  I tapered off Wellbutrin over 6 weeks.  Now, I've been off everything for about 12 weeks.  My mood is depressed worse than before the meds.  Two weeks ago, I started tearful all the time.  I have ruminative negative thoughts.  I am not suicidal.  I believe this is withdrawal because I experienced similar symptoms trying to taper off twice before.  The psychiatrist agreed to do GeneSight testing as a compromise since she was against stopping the meds.  Turns out, there are only 4 antidepressants I don't have severe genetic interactions with.  I told her to pick one and I would try it (because I am that miserable and she was talking hospitalization).  She ordered viibryd yesterday.  I don't want to prolong the withdrawal or make things worse.  I don't believe meds are a solution.  I'm wondering if anybody has tried viibryd to ease withdrawal from Wellbutrin.  They work on different neurotransmitters so I don't know if it is rational.  The Wellbutrin was not even functioning as intended because of my genetics impeding its metabolism and receptor activity.

Edited March 2 by FireflyFyte
Updated title

[FireflyFyte]

Hello nsulfurable,

 

Welcome to SA. Thank you for summarizing your drug history in your signature.

 

As you might be aware from resources on our site, 6 weeks is a very fast taper from Wellbutrin so what you are currently experiencing could well be withdrawal. You can read more about The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization.

 

32 minutes ago, nsulfurable said:

She ordered viibryd yesterday.  I don't want to prolong the withdrawal or make things worse.  I don't believe meds are a solution.  I'm wondering if anybody has tried viibryd to ease withdrawal from Wellbutrin.

 

We do not recommend adding in a new medication to try and help with withdrawal. You may want to consider a re-instatement of a very small dose of Wellbutrin to see if it helps ease your withdrawal symptoms. More information on this approach can be found at About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. 

What was your last dose of Wellbutrin?

 

Thanks,

 

Firefly

[nsulfurable]

Thanks for your attention and feedback.  My last bit of Wellbutrin was 75 mg daily then  every other day.  I went down to that pretty fast because I had tried tapering off about a month before but the symptoms were too bad.

[FireflyFyte]

13 hours ago, nsulfurable said:

My last bit of Wellbutrin was 75 mg daily then  every other day. 

 

We do not recommend skipping doses as a means of tapering. You can read more on why NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER.

 

Also, 75mg is a high dose to jump from which could be contributing as well.

 

If you want to consider re-instatement, let me know and can confer with other moderators on a dosage.

[nsulfurable]

I don't know if reinstatement is a good choice since I've been off it 10 weeks now.  I read the information about kindling, and that seems like a risk.  Also, I am trying to maintain a working relationship with my psychiatrist, so I need to consult with her before deciding.  I work in the mental health field, and I find it astounding that psychiatry in my area does not seem to recognize the severity of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.  I guess they are okay with people being drug dependent forever.  

[FireflyFyte]

On 3/3/2024 at 10:37 AM, nsulfurable said:

I read the information about kindling, and that seems like a risk. 

 

Yes, it is a risk but that risk is minimized by reinstating a very small dose.

[nsulfurable]

On 3/4/2024 at 2:00 PM, FireflyFyte said:

 

This week, I am very sick with fever, head & chest congestion, body aches, and fatigue.  It started with a 2-day sore throat.  Is this attributable to antidepressant withdrawal or probably just an infection? 

[FireflyFyte]

11 hours ago, nsulfurable said:

Is this attributable to antidepressant withdrawal or probably just an infection? 

 

Withdrawal can have physical symptoms but it could also be a virus/illness so best to test to be on the safe side.