apollo24: Introducing myself

[apollo24]

Good evening. I wanted to take a few minutes to introduce myself. I am Apollo I am a mid 40s female and I live in the South. I was originally on Wellbutrin 18 years ago after having my second child. I was dealing with some post party depression and staying at home with my two kids under two was HARD. I stopped it about 9 years ago with hardly any problems except increased anxiety. Fast forward to 3 years ago. I lost both my brother ( at a young age to a horrible disease) and my mother also at a young age within 10 months each other.  I had never really had anxiety before but wow the anxiety after those two events was overwhelming. I was put on Prozac first and I did not like it at all only took it about 3 weeks then the dr switched me to Lexapro. I started at 5 went up to 10 and for the last 6 months have been at 5mg. I was also added Wellbutrin after explaining that my energy was drained and the sexual side effects and weight gain were affecting me to much with the Lexapro since I had taken it before I was like this should be no problem and for about 3 weeks It was like a wonder drug bringing back energy I had been missing. Now it doesn't seem to do much. I have been researching and thinking about getting off to the Lexapro for over a year. My anxiety attacks are still there though I seem to have fewer of them. They actually were the worst when I started the Lexapro. I am tired of feeling sluggish, out of it and having brain fog. All that said I am also taking compounded hormone therapy for extremely low levels of all hormones. I know all of these together are the perfect storm. I know I stayed in fight or flight for about 3 years while my brother and mother were sick. I have found a couple of good therapist and I think the time is right. I feel like on the other side of this panic and anxiety is freedom and I think I can create that on my own without the help of these drugs. Thanks so much for reading this far and please have a good evening. 

Edited August 6 by Emonda
Name to title

[Emonda]

Hi @apollo24

You've certainly had a "perfect storm".

So the moderators can best help you, please complete your drug signature by following these instructions. Adding a signature ensures your drug history appears at the bottom of every post, making it more efficient for those trying to assist. This link should go directly to your own signature: Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

4 hours ago, apollo24 said:

I have been researching and thinking about getting off to the Lexapro for over a year

Why taper by 10% of my dosage? The reductions should get smaller and smaller each month, for example: 10mg, 9mg, 8.1mg, 7.3mg etc. This process involves a degree of trial and error, as there is no way of predicting how an individual will respond. Importantly, if you develop unpleasant side effects from tapering, halt the taper, give yourself time to settle, and once stable, taper more slowly and by smaller amounts moving forward. The experience of others suggests that the lower you go in dose, the slower you need to go with tapering.

Those that taper too quickly often develop very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. This Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) is a helpful summary of what many experience.

4 hours ago, apollo24 said:

I have found a couple of good therapist and I think the time is right.

 

It's good to have some support on this journey, and this sounds positive.

 

4 hours ago, apollo24 said:

I feel like on the other side of this panic and anxiety is freedom and I think I can create that on my own without the help of these drugs.

 

I can certainly relate to this! It's a slow process, but worthwhile in my experience.

 

Some general info:

We don't suggest many supplements, but two that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. Add one at a time and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium and. Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

Avoid alcohol.

Don't change the manufacturer of your AD.

Once again, welcome to S.A. When you add you signature we can chat further.

Emonda

[apollo24]

In your opinion or from what you have learned do either Wellbutrin or Lexapro mess with the stomach? I have had unbelievable stomach issues the last couple of months. Vomiting at least once a week, I know my anxiety gets activated which does not make it any better. Severe constipation and IBS symptoms. I had the scope and colonoscopy everything looked great. ( go figure). I have been tapering on the 5mg but after reading here I was doing it wrong even though dr recommended. I was doing 5mg every other day. After reading here I am taking every day. I am on a trip to my family home which is always tough after the deaths but when I get back home I want to try to get rid of the Lexapro first. 

[Emonda]

I had stomach issues with Lexapro. Those issues were far worse issues with Sertraline.

 

You should put both your medications into the drug interaction checker (google it) and see what you learn when you combine Lexapro and Wellburtin.

 

2 hours ago, apollo24 said:

after reading here I was doing it wrong even though dr recommended. I was doing 5mg every other day.

 

I'd be looking for a better-informed doctor.

 

2 hours ago, apollo24 said:

After reading here I am taking every day.

 

Did you revert from 5mg every second day to 2.5mg every day = the same 5mg every second day?

 

Or, have you effectively doubled your dose and gone to 5mg every day?

 

It'd be good if you added this info to your signature.

 

[apollo24]

19 hours ago, Emonda said:

I had stomach issues with Lexapro. Those issues were far worse issues with Sertraline.

 

You should put both your medications into the drug interaction checker (google it) and see what you learn when you combine Lexapro and Wellburtin. I have done it and it's a major interaction I can't believe people would prescribe this together. 

 

 

I'd be looking for a better-informed doctor.- Agreed and searching

 

 

Did you revert from 5mg every second day to 2.5mg every day = the same 5mg every second day? Uh hadn't thought this basically doubled so I will cut them again to taper back down as it's only been 4 days. 

 

Or, have you effectively doubled your dose and gone to 5mg every day?

 

It'd be good if you added this info to your signature.

 

 

[apollo24]

Are involuntary muscle jerks and horrible gut health a side effect of either of these drugs? Or leg cramping 

[Emonda]

Have a read of this:

 

Involuntary movements

 

and

 

This Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF)