Hellbutrin: Wellbutrin nightmare - advice welcome

[Hellbutrin]

6 hours ago, Hellbutrin said:

So it likely wouldn’t do anything either way then. I’m going to have it taken out today 

I'm thinking that it might have something to do with why my periods have stopped completely over the last five months. I've been in withdrawal for a year, so I don't see why my periods would abruptly stop unless it were related to another factor like the IUD. 

[Hellbutrin]

On 6/8/2018 at 6:19 PM, mirage said:

Hi . I just hit my 1 year mark free of the drugs. While I have made improvements, I still struggle every day and still have a lot of symptoms. That said, I do go through each day as I would have normally. I tell myself I will get better and one day this will all be behind me. 

 

You have to really focus on taking each day, one at a time. There are even days when I take it one hour at a time. Telling myself that the next hour will be better. 

 

Hope this helps. 

Hi Mirage,

 

I just noticed your post! I'm so sorry I didn't respond. Thanks for your encouragement. I'm so glad to see that you are feeling better one year after being med free! I hope that I can continue to heal and see improvements soon. 

 

I still struggle with my memory and brain fog. I haven't seen any fluctuation in my memory issues (I literally can't remember anything that I did before today) or depression so that's frustrating, but hopefully with more time I'll start to see improvements. Thanks again for the encouragement!

[mirage]

@HellbutrinHope you are doing better. It is a long road but one day we will reach the end and be back to feeling great. 

 

God Bless. 

[Hellbutrin]

I tried taking a short hiatus, but I'm back with more questions

I had a question about comorbid symptoms/conditions related to C/T withdrawal. Is it common for withdrawal symptoms to almost precisely mimic conditions like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia? I still haven't seen any improvement in my memory or ability to concentrate at 13.5 months out?  Is this a common symptom of withdrawal? I feel like I've totally lost myself to this illness, and I never needed antidepressant medication in the first place, I feel devastated. Any feedback is much appreciated, thanks!

 

Edited August 12, 2018 by ChessieCat
fixed font & added topic heading to post & moved to intro topic

[ChessieCat]

1 hour ago, Hellbutrin said:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

 

You can find SA's discussions on these topics by using google and searching:

 

 survivingantidepressants.org Chronic Fatigue

 

survivingantidepressants.org fibro

[LexAnger]

2 hours ago, Hellbutrin said:

I tried taking a short hiatus, but I'm back with more questions

I had a question about comorbid symptoms/conditions related to C/T withdrawal. Is it common for withdrawal symptoms to almost precisely mimic conditions like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia? I still haven't seen any improvement in my memory or ability to concentrate at 13.5 months out?  Is this a common symptom of withdrawal? I feel like I've totally lost myself to this illness, and I never needed antidepressant medication in the first place, I feel devastated. Any feedback is much appreciated, thanks!

 

I'm so sorry hellbitrium for the desparate situation!

i have both cognitive and fibromyalgia plus many others no break I'm now 10.5 months off after 4.5 yrs tapering.

so you are not alone in this most horrodous war!

 

Do you see any improvement with other sxs?

 

sending you hugs,

lex

 

[Blondiee1915]

Fatigue is my most difficult symptom.  Two years since unsuccessful cold turkey I am still struggling.  I have tried tons of supplements for it, clean diet, light exercise, but nothing lifts it. I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue by my naturopath (low cortisol).  I believe fatigue is common in WD, how long it lasts it all depends I guess.  The best we can do is take care of our bodies and mind in the meantime

[Marmot]

Sorry to hear that you're still having fatigue Hellbutrin. I'm in that camp too. Just hoping that it will go away with time. I've been trying to eat, sleep, and exercise well, but I don't have answers. I'll be watching your thread to see if you or someone learns anything that could help. You're not alone in this.

[Hellbutrin]

I’d also love some information about trying another drug to stabilize and taper. I C/T also, I’m getting close to 15 months and this continues to be hell on earth. My most recent new symptom is a total loss of smell, which makes me think I must have some sort of brain swelling. But I’m sure my total loss of smell will just be chalked up to “health anxiety”, so I probably shouldn’t mention it.

[Altostrata]

Hello, Hellbutrin. I moved your post here so as not to derail another member's topic.

 

Do you have allergies? Is your nose stuffed up or irritated? That can affect smell.

 

In the 6 pages of your Intro topic, we have discussed reinstatement of Wellbutrin extensively.

 

What is your current symptom pattern? Do you have waves and windows?

[mirage]

@Hellbutrin I experience fatigue but not severe and I describe it like my body has forgotten what it feels like to be tired. I can yawn and yawn all day but if I were to lay down and try to nap, it wont happen. Prior to this journey, I could fall asleep, if even for 10 minutes, with no problem. I do believe we will get back to a normal pattern of everything. Our entire systems are out of sync with each other. From what I am reading with success stories, we have to be patient and give it time, a lot of time. 

 

Hugs to you. 

[Hellbutrin]

3 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Hello, Hellbutrin. I moved your post here so as not to derail another member's topic.

 

Do you have allergies? Is your nose stuffed up or irritated? That can affect smell.

 

In the 6 pages of your Intro topic, we have discussed reinstatement of Wellbutrin extensively.

 

What is your current symptom pattern? Do you have waves and windows?

 

 

 

 

No, I don’t have waves and windows, and I still haven’t seen any improvement in my memory which really scares me, and the head pressure I feel has actually gotten much worse in the last month. I don’t have allergies, and I’ve lost my sense of smell completely, as well as developing even worse issues with dry eyes. I just want to know that this will eventually get better. I feel like I’m going to Ben stuck in this hell forever.

[Hellbutrin]

2 hours ago, mirage said:

@Hellbutrin I experience fatigue but not severe and I describe it like my body has forgotten what it feels like to be tired. I can yawn and yawn all day but if I were to lay down and try to nap, it wont happen. Prior to this journey, I could fall asleep, if even for 10 minutes, with no problem. I do believe we will get back to a normal pattern of everything. Our entire systems are out of sync with each other. From what I am reading with success stories, we have to be patient and give it time, a lot of time. 

 

Hugs to you. 

I just can’t imagine how I’m going to get through another year (or more) of feelings like this. It’s already been over 14 months since my C/T, and some of the reports I’ve read say that C/T typically heal within 3-4 years. I can’t imagine living through this for that long. 

[mirage]

@Hellbutrin I am 15 months from my ct off Wellbutrin. I understand. It is very hard to deal with these symptoms. I have days that  have to take it hour by hour. But, I know I am much better than I was at this time last year and I am better than I was 6 months ago. I find that I have to look back quite a long way to see that I have improved. I can't see any improvement when I look back a month or two. That is how slow it is. I have accepted that this will be a slow recovery and I have stopped worrying about it. I definitely do not like it and it is definitely  hard, as you know. 

 

I try and push through each and every day with as much normalcy as I can. I walk my dogs each morning. I exercise every day and I work 2 to 3 days a week. I have never had a window without symptoms. In fact, I have never had a window where I felt normal or good. All of my windows are just milder symptoms and most of the time I don't even notice I am in a window until I go back into a wave. 

 

When I look back a  year ago, so many symptoms I had are now gone, however, I still have a lot of symptoms and the ones left are very strong and rough. My worst symptoms are dizziness, anxiety and head/jaw tension/pain and very little sleep. 

 

 I believe there are many things we are going to have gained from this and I believe we are going to heal. Try and change your thinking to the positive and not the negative. Find blessings in each and every day. Even the simplest things are blessings. Hang on to faith. 

 

Hugs

[Altostrata]

Dry eyes, etc. -- Have you had your thyroid checked? Do you drink enough water every day?

 

Do you have a daily symptom pattern? Please keep daily notes on paper about your symptoms, when you take your drugs, and their dosages. Use a simple list format with time of day on the left and notation (symptom, drug and dosage) on the right.

 

If not -- forget it.

 

What is your current fish oil and magnesium intake?

 

The only thing that anyone can tell you about your future is: Wherever you go, there you are.

[Hellbutrin]

Why does tolerance withdrawal seem to take so much longer to heal?

 

If anyone has feedback or reading resources about this I'd appreciate learning more, thanks

 

Edited September 8, 2018 by ChessieCat
added topic title tro post and merged with intro

[Altostrata]

What do you mean by "tolerance withdrawal" and what do you mean by "so much longer"? So much longer than what?

 

The wording of this question suggests again to me that you want to believe you have a special, unusually severe case of withdrawal syndrome, @Hellbutrin with symptoms nobody else has. We've discussed this before, it is untrue. However, your belief that you are exceptional persists.

 

If you want to see discussions about "tolerance withdrawal," please consult Dr. Google or look here. I cannot see how it applies to you, or why you would be concerned with it now that you're off drugs more than a year.

[jonnypeters1234567]

On 9/8/2018 at 7:33 PM, Altostrata said:

What do you mean by "tolerance withdrawal" and what do you mean by "so much longer"? So much longer than what?

 

The wording of this question suggests again to me that you want to believe you have a special, unusually severe case of withdrawal syndrome, @Hellbutrin with symptoms nobody else has. We've discussed this before, it is untrue. However, your belief that you are exceptional persists.

 

If you want to see discussions about "tolerance withdrawal," please consult Dr. Google or look here. I cannot see how it applies to you, or why you would be concerned with it now that you're off drugs more than a year.

 

Because with CT you get rebounds of how you were on the drug

[Altostrata]

8 hours ago, jonnypeters1234567 said:

 

Because with CT you get rebounds of how you were on the drug

 

Horrendous withdrawal symptoms are much more likely than "relapse" or rebound after cold turkey. Don't do it.

[Hellbutrin]

On 9/8/2018 at 1:33 PM, Altostrata said:

I cannot see how it applies to you, or why you would be concerned with it now that you're off drugs more than a year.

I'm concerned because I'm still in hell. Thanks for the reassurance. 

[Altostrata]

You do not have a special form of withdrawal syndrome.

 

What is your current daily symptom pattern?

[Hellbutrin]

On 9/21/2018 at 12:39 PM, Altostrata said:

You do not have a special form of withdrawal syndrome.

 

What is your current daily symptom pattern?

Nausea, brain fog, depression, anxiety, no memory and confusion throughout the day with slight lessening in the evening (with the exception of memory loss, that hasn’t change at all). The issues with not being able to remember anything continue to terrify me 15 months out from my C/T. 

[Altostrata]

That seems about right for withdrawal syndrome.

 

Your memory is probably better than you think. You might do better with self-soothing techniques to address your anxiety and depression, see Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Look at your fish oil label for supplement facts. You should be taking enough capsules to amount to around 3,000mg EPA + DHA per day. This can be 6 capsules or more.

 

Taking small doses, such as 50mg-100mg, of magnesium citrate or glycinate throughout the day is more effective than taking it once a day. People can handle 500mg per day or more, depending on individual tolerance.

[Hellbutrin]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

That seems about right for withdrawal syndrome.

 

Your memory is probably better than you think. You might do better with self-soothing techniques to address your anxiety and depression, see Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Look at your fish oil label for supplement facts. You should be taking enough capsules to amount to around 3,000mg EPA + DHA per day. This can be 6 capsules or more.

 

Taking small doses, such as 50mg-100mg, of magnesium citrate or glycinate throughout the day is more effective than taking it once a day. People can handle 500mg per day or more, depending on individual tolerance.

I’m continuing to take magnesium and fish oil daily. I haven’t seen improvement in my memory in the windows and waves pattern.

[Wellbutrinsucks]

@Hellbutrin I know how much this sucks. I had an adverse reaction around the same time that you cold turkey’d last year, and in some ways I feel that I’m worse off than last year. What are your predominant symptoms now? This is just awful; I can’t believe these drugs are even approved as they can make people so sick coming off them. 

[Altostrata]

According to what you've got in your signature, you're not taking enough fish oil and magnesium to do much.

[Hellbutrin]

15 hours ago, Wellbutrinsucks said:

@Hellbutrin I know how much this sucks. I had an adverse reaction around the same time that you cold turkey’d last year, and in some ways I feel that I’m worse off than last year. What are your predominant symptoms now? This is just awful; I can’t believe these drugs are even approved as they can make people so sick coming off them. 

Hi Wellbutrinsucks,

 

I feel for you. These drugs have completely ruined my life. My main symptoms now are memory loss, emotional blunting, dp/dr, depression and anxiety. Seems these are the usual culprits. I have to make sure not to say anything that will make it seem like I think I'm "special" or an unusual case, or I'll get called out for it. What are the symptoms that you struggle with?

[Wellbutrinsucks]

My main symptom is muscle twitches. Like everything I had before has pretty much dissipated, but the muscle twitches are driving me crazy, and then people wonder why I may have anxiety or depression. I mean duh 

[Hellbutrin]

1 minute ago, Wellbutrinsucks said:

My main symptom is muscle twitches. Like everything I had before has pretty much dissipated, but the muscle twitches are driving me crazy, and then people wonder why I may have anxiety or depression. I mean duh 

I wish I could say that. None of my symptoms have gone away. I would be fine if I could get the mental symptoms to go away. Those are the ones that I primarily struggle with. I've had them for so long that it's starting to feel "normal" to be in hell all the time. And even though I get reassurance it's still hard not to think it's permanent when you don't see any improvement in symptoms after so long. It's good to hear that most of your symptoms have dissipated. Did you have mental symptoms as well as physical? 

[Wellbutrinsucks]

Well I noticed when I was switched from the Wellbutrin SR 300 to the 150, I became really paranoid but didn’t attribute it to the Wellbutrin until later. I was being treated for depression and ADD (it was thought that I had it given my symptoms). Any mental symptom I have now is a direct result of this muscle twitching persisting.

[ChessieCat]

There are many existing topic on this site.  Please use the site search function or a search engine and add survivingantidepressants.org to the search term before creating a new topic.

 

Your CBD post has been moved to this topic:  cannabis-marijuana-thc-and-cbd-or-hemp-oil

 

[ChessieCat]

55 minutes ago, Hellbutrin said:

I'm desperate to find something to help alleviate my anxiety and depression from withdrawal. Has anyone had success with CBD oil? I'm concerned about the memory effects that marijuana has. I can't take anymore blows to my memory. I already have zero short term memory, and at this point I'm starting to wonder if it's ever going to start to improve. I'd be interested to hear people's experiences. 

 

On 9/25/2018 at 6:09 AM, Altostrata said:

According to what you've got in your signature, you're not taking enough fish oil and magnesium to do much.

 

Please see these topics:  Magnesium and Omega-3 Fish Oil

 

I have found that magnesium takes the edge off my anxiety.  There have been several times when I have stopped taking it and then restarted it and noticed the difference.

[Hellbutrin]

Last night I got this really strange numb feeling in my forehead and then my hands and feet started tingling. This is the first time in 16 months since my C/T that I've felt this weird sensation in my head. Has anyone else experienced this and did it go away? I looked it up and the results came up with peripheral neuropathy, which is pretty scary because its one of the main results of nerve damage in the brain that circulates to other parts of the body. I woke up this morning and I have this really heavy feeling all over my body. I feel like it's hard to move, and it's really freaking me out. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Altostrata]

We have to cope with occasional odd symptoms, Hellbutrin. How are you doing with managing your health anxiety?

[Waiting12]

Yep, seems par the course for a healing nervous system. Have you read this thread?

 

 http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=66397.0

 

I got a bunch of new symptoms at 19 months off. I never had health anxiety til then and it went clean off the charts. We just have to remember symptoms wax and wane, come and go, come back again, change intensities, new ones pop in and out, and then go away, etc...

 

I’m still trying to normalize the new symptoms I’ve been experiencing. That’s the key I think, to normalize. Sit with the sensations with non-reactivity & try to be neutral. Write down when things come and go, so next time you can say “ok, I had this last week, it lasted X amount of time and went away. It will go away this time too.” While making mental note of the time. After a few cycles of the same symptom you’ll realize it’s just another symptom that has joined the party & no cause for alarm. Harder said than done, I know & I am still very much working on this. It does feel very odd to get hit with new stuff later on even though that also seems normal for recovery. I’m trying to see it as a new area healing.

 

 

[Hellbutrin]

I just want to stop living in hell

 

Almost 17 months and I don’t know how much more I can take. 

 

Edited November 6, 2018 by ChessieCat
added topic title to post and moved to intro