finsterbaby Help with withdraw from Lexapro and Wellbutrin

[finsterbaby]

Hello all,

 

I'm generally very private about my medical history and have never posted to a public forum before, and feel a little uncomfortable doing so,  but I could really use some insight and reassurance BEFORE I see my health care provider tomorrow afternoon.

 

Here is a brief background on my history: 

Bi Polar 1 and Bordereline Personality, Panic disorder,

Past medical history: Paxil, Ativan, Lamictal, Ambilify, Probably something else I can't recall..

Current: Lithium, Trleptal, Xanax, Lexapro (Tappering), Wellbutrin

 

I have tapered off Lexapro before only to shorty go back on it. I know that this is one of the more difficult ones to tapper off of, but this seems excessive.

 

The tapering has been for 2 1/2 weeks. Wellbutrin was introduced as a substitute for the lexapro.

 

As of the last 3 days, I am experiencing excruciating brain zaps, dizziness, fatigue, and a consistent  and concerning muscle spasm on the right side of my face.

 

My question is: Has anyone here been on both of these medications? Are these symptoms most likely the withdrawal from lexapro OR could this be the wellbutrin. How long did your lexapro withdrawal help for? Being that I cannot take any NSAIDS (no advil, alive etc.) is there anything you took to help alleviate this? 

 

 

 

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, finsterbaby.
 
You have classic withdrawal symptoms. It's the Lexapro you're reducing? If I were you, I'd go back to the immediately previous dose -- updose a little -- and stop tapering to let your system settle down.
 
Please read
Why taper by 10% of my dosage?
 

Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)
 
Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?
 
You are on a lot of drugs. They may be interacting and making you feel poorly. Please put ALL the drugs you take in the Drug Interactions Checker http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html
and copy and paste the results in this topic.
 
Before you started tapering Lexapro, how did you feel on your drug cocktail?
 
It's unlikely your health care provider will know a bean about tapering and withdrawal symptoms, so don't be surprised there.

[finsterbaby]

Thanks for the response. It's somewhat a relief to know that these are some classic symptoms. 

 

It is the lexapro that I am reducing so perhaps I do need to go back up to the lowest dose. 

 

The drugs are interacting poorly and although the Lexapro has worked well for two years with my bipolar, it's now causing some manic episodes (which I'm told is common) and that led my doctor to switch me off of Lexapro and onto wellbutrin. 

 

Before the Lexapro I had gone through some rapid cycling and had not been feeling well for months.  It seems to be the culprit. 

 

I mis-typed when I said health care provider, I will be seeing my physiatrist tomorrow who I see almost bi-weekly. 

[PatriciaVP]

Hi Finsterbaby!

 

Fellow Lexapro taperer here. I've also been there with the poly-drugging. I actually think the Lexapro caused my "bipolar" diagnosis. Even though I am starting to reject all psychiatric diagnosis. Apparently, they're just made up by a bunch of people looking to legitimize their profession by trying to categorize and pathologize human suffering. Not to mention lining their own pockets and those of the drug companies. (See The Book of Woe by Gary Greenberg)

 

Anywho, {stepping down off my soapbox} It's been pretty well documented that antidepressants often cause rapid cycling in people diagnosed with what they call "bipolar disorder" and even mainstream psychiatry is backing away from using them to treat anyone who has experienced a manic or hypo-manic state.

 

Lexapro actually seemed to really help me for several years. Then it started wreaking havoc. If only I had known then what I know now.

 

You're definitely on the right track tapering this drug. Just go easy.

 

Peace, love and healing.

[mammaP]

Hi Finsterbaby, did you see the psychiatrist? Drugs are usually the problem with 'bipolar', many of us here gained that label after starting on an antidepressant, and lots ended on cocktails  so we all understand what you are going through, I'm glad that you found us.