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KayM: Wellbutrin tapering


KayM

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Hello Everyone,

Has anyone had a successful taper from wellbutrin 300XL? I would appreciate any feedback. The doctor wants me to drop to 250 mg, but I'm kind of scared because that's more than a 10% drop. He says that wellbutrin is easy to withdraw from. (?????)

 

Thanks so much!

 

2002-2016: 20 mg paxil - tapered over a 9-month period with prozac bridge.

 

Continued with prozac, tapering 10 mg over a 3-month period until quitting in December 2016. Severe depression 3 months later. 

 

300 mg wellbutrin, 7.5 mg remeron and 100 mg zoloft at end of 2017 to present.

 

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to KayM: Wellbutrin tapering
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello, KayM, and welcome to SA.

 

You are wise to be wary of a taper of more than 10%.  At Surviving Antidepressants, it is recommended that a person taper by no more than 10% of their current dose with at least a four week hold in-between decreases.  The 10% taper recommendation is a harm reduction approach to going off psychiatric drugs.  Some people may have to taper at a more conservative rate as they are sensitive to even the smallest drops.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
None of these antidepressants, including Wellbutrin, are easy to withdraw from.  Very few doctors, including psychiatrists, know anything about tapering or withdrawal.  Please read these links before you see your doctor:
 
To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.
  • Any drugs prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
  • Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
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This is your Introduction topic, the place for you to ask questions and give updates.

 
 
 
 
 

Gridley Introduction

 

Lexapro 20 mg since 2004.  Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017.   

End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg 

End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg

End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg  

Oct. 30, 2020  Jump to zero from 0.025mg.  Current dose: 0.000mg

3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete.

 

Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements

Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium

Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium 

End 2021  year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg

End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg 

End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg

Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper.

Taper is 95% complete.

 

Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986.  Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg  

March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper

Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper

Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper.  Current dose as of April 1: 6.8mg

Taper is 91% complete.  

  

Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase


I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs.

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  • 1 month later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi. I just wanted to tell you that I seemed to taper successfully on Wellbutrin (300mg), pretty quickly too. I think it was XL from reading about the two but I can't say 100% if it was. I still don't think it's worth taking the risk of getting a worse WD, but I thought I would still share.

 

My issues came with the Escitalopram, from what I could tell at least.

2011-2015: Escitalopram (Cipralex) 20 mg, Voxra 300 mg (quit Voxra in late 2015, no issues)

2016: Started tapering Escitalopram 5 mg at a time, every fourth week

July 24th, 2016: Escitalopram 5 mg

April 2nd, 2017: Quit last dosage (WD worsened a lot)

Ca 6 last months of 2017: Taking Diazepam 15-25 mg irregularly, less than once a month

Ca Dec 2017: Out of Diazepam, i.e free from all prescribed drugs

Now: Still drug free

Supplements: Irregular intake of Omega-3, magnesium, vitamin D.

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Hi Sunnyday,

Thanks for your post about wellbutrin. It made my day!

 

Do you remember if you cut the tablets at all during your taper?

 

I wish you the best with your recovery! Please keep us posted.

 

KayM 

 

2002-2016: 20 mg paxil - tapered over a 9-month period with prozac bridge.

 

Continued with prozac, tapering 10 mg over a 3-month period until quitting in December 2016. Severe depression 3 months later. 

 

300 mg wellbutrin, 7.5 mg remeron and 100 mg zoloft at end of 2017 to present.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi KayM,  i have no ideal about Wellbutrin but you need to becareful to taper your Ad  slowly because of the very unpleasent withdrawal is really scary and suffering if you cold turkey or fast taper. Better read all those information to get prepared for yourself. Learn how to acceptance for your withdrawal and healing will come but slowly and time will telling you. Always be patient to listen to your body and feeling. Trying to take High Omega fish oil and magnesium for anxiety and depression...this will help ease a bit your Wd.I hope you can get ready to taper with the help and support here. Take good care.....:)

 

Miracle.

Mid December 16 lorezapam 1mg and lexapro 5mg

Early April17 updosed lorezapam 2mg, mid Apr17 taper 1.5mg, mid May17-1.25mg, early Jun17- 1mg, mid Jun17-0.75mg, mid July17-0.5mg, End July 17 reduce from 0.4mg, 0.3mg,0.2mg until 0.1mg.lorezapam free on 9 August 2017.

Early Mar17 updosed to Lexapro 10mg , end Mar17 reduced 7.5mg, mid May17 reduced 0.5mg, End Aug17 reduced 2.5mg, early Sep17 -1.5mg, Mid Sept-1mg, End Sept - 0.5mg .lexapro free on 26 September 2017

 

Supplement- omega fish oil and magnesium citrate only.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi KayM, very sorry for a late reply. I tend to take long breaks from the forums and then come back.

I agree with Miracle123, the WD is not worth the risk. If knowledgeable people on here recommend you to cut the pills I would listen. Personally I did not cut them, but I know people have had WD issues with Wellbutrin as well, I think some of us are just lucky in that regard.

 

I would give a lot to go back in time and taper slow enough with my other medication (Escitalopram) to get away from the hell it created. Hope you're doing well and that whatever decision you made it worked out!

2011-2015: Escitalopram (Cipralex) 20 mg, Voxra 300 mg (quit Voxra in late 2015, no issues)

2016: Started tapering Escitalopram 5 mg at a time, every fourth week

July 24th, 2016: Escitalopram 5 mg

April 2nd, 2017: Quit last dosage (WD worsened a lot)

Ca 6 last months of 2017: Taking Diazepam 15-25 mg irregularly, less than once a month

Ca Dec 2017: Out of Diazepam, i.e free from all prescribed drugs

Now: Still drug free

Supplements: Irregular intake of Omega-3, magnesium, vitamin D.

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Thank you, Sunnyday and Miracle, for your advice. I will take it slow, even though my Dr. keeps telling me that wellbutrin is easy to taper. I have been burned once before, so I am fearful of tapering too fast. Wishing you both the best!

 

KayM

 

2002-2016: 20 mg paxil - tapered over a 9-month period with prozac bridge.

 

Continued with prozac, tapering 10 mg over a 3-month period until quitting in December 2016. Severe depression 3 months later. 

 

300 mg wellbutrin, 7.5 mg remeron and 100 mg zoloft at end of 2017 to present.

 

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13 hours ago, KayM said:

Thank you, Sunnyday and Miracle, for your advice. I will take it slow, even though my Dr. keeps telling me that wellbutrin is easy to taper. I have been burned once before, so I am fearful of tapering too fast. Wishing you both the best!

 

KayM

 

Hi KayM, Dont be affraid to taper off your Wellbutrin. Everybody here also facing the similiar and almost same withdrawals like us. Being patient and slowly to taper not more than 10% hold it until your feeling better and your withdrawal ease . If you get ready for the further taper then going for the next cut. I believe you can do it. Mostly Dr will advice you fast taper ended up you having to go back see them again because of terrible withdrawals you cannot cope . You will confuse and going back to AD like merry go around and never end with the repeat changing different drugs. 

Set your timeline of taper....take care.

Mid December 16 lorezapam 1mg and lexapro 5mg

Early April17 updosed lorezapam 2mg, mid Apr17 taper 1.5mg, mid May17-1.25mg, early Jun17- 1mg, mid Jun17-0.75mg, mid July17-0.5mg, End July 17 reduce from 0.4mg, 0.3mg,0.2mg until 0.1mg.lorezapam free on 9 August 2017.

Early Mar17 updosed to Lexapro 10mg , end Mar17 reduced 7.5mg, mid May17 reduced 0.5mg, End Aug17 reduced 2.5mg, early Sep17 -1.5mg, Mid Sept-1mg, End Sept - 0.5mg .lexapro free on 26 September 2017

 

Supplement- omega fish oil and magnesium citrate only.

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Hi Miracle, Thanks for your support and advice. How are you doing these days? Thinking of you.

 

KayM

 

2002-2016: 20 mg paxil - tapered over a 9-month period with prozac bridge.

 

Continued with prozac, tapering 10 mg over a 3-month period until quitting in December 2016. Severe depression 3 months later. 

 

300 mg wellbutrin, 7.5 mg remeron and 100 mg zoloft at end of 2017 to present.

 

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Hi KayM, im fine. Thanks.How about you? I hope you will getting ready for slowly taper. Everyday i will facing a withdrawal in between waves and window like a routine life for me. From there i learn how to acceptance everything even good or bad have to forced me to be strong and tough person. Its a hard task especially in the early stage of withdrawals. You will totally feel like not yourself, fear and confusing like me because your body and nervous system lie on you and telling you need the medicine back. But dont worries and affraid by time passed you can see improvement. Myself, i feel really better now compared to few months ago with slowly progress. I hope can hear from your good news. Hugs and take care.

Mid December 16 lorezapam 1mg and lexapro 5mg

Early April17 updosed lorezapam 2mg, mid Apr17 taper 1.5mg, mid May17-1.25mg, early Jun17- 1mg, mid Jun17-0.75mg, mid July17-0.5mg, End July 17 reduce from 0.4mg, 0.3mg,0.2mg until 0.1mg.lorezapam free on 9 August 2017.

Early Mar17 updosed to Lexapro 10mg , end Mar17 reduced 7.5mg, mid May17 reduced 0.5mg, End Aug17 reduced 2.5mg, early Sep17 -1.5mg, Mid Sept-1mg, End Sept - 0.5mg .lexapro free on 26 September 2017

 

Supplement- omega fish oil and magnesium citrate only.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I think it's good to remember that not everyone experiences withdrawal symptoms, or they just experience very little of it (even if they have been unlucky in that regard with other medications). Expecting to get them might not be healthy is my spontaneous thought (?). Just thought it's good to have it in mind. Either way being prepared is obviously a very good thing.

 

Hopefully she hasn't gotten any yet, but if you have KayM I wish you the best and hope you're doing okay so far. 

2011-2015: Escitalopram (Cipralex) 20 mg, Voxra 300 mg (quit Voxra in late 2015, no issues)

2016: Started tapering Escitalopram 5 mg at a time, every fourth week

July 24th, 2016: Escitalopram 5 mg

April 2nd, 2017: Quit last dosage (WD worsened a lot)

Ca 6 last months of 2017: Taking Diazepam 15-25 mg irregularly, less than once a month

Ca Dec 2017: Out of Diazepam, i.e free from all prescribed drugs

Now: Still drug free

Supplements: Irregular intake of Omega-3, magnesium, vitamin D.

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  • 1 month later...

Hi KayM, How are you doing recently? How about your taper progress...its smoothed progess? Hope i can hear any good news from you. Wishing you all the best and take care.

Mid December 16 lorezapam 1mg and lexapro 5mg

Early April17 updosed lorezapam 2mg, mid Apr17 taper 1.5mg, mid May17-1.25mg, early Jun17- 1mg, mid Jun17-0.75mg, mid July17-0.5mg, End July 17 reduce from 0.4mg, 0.3mg,0.2mg until 0.1mg.lorezapam free on 9 August 2017.

Early Mar17 updosed to Lexapro 10mg , end Mar17 reduced 7.5mg, mid May17 reduced 0.5mg, End Aug17 reduced 2.5mg, early Sep17 -1.5mg, Mid Sept-1mg, End Sept - 0.5mg .lexapro free on 26 September 2017

 

Supplement- omega fish oil and magnesium citrate only.

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Miracle123, Thanks for asking. I am doing okay---tapering oh so slowly.

 

How are you?

2002-2016: 20 mg paxil - tapered over a 9-month period with prozac bridge.

 

Continued with prozac, tapering 10 mg over a 3-month period until quitting in December 2016. Severe depression 3 months later. 

 

300 mg wellbutrin, 7.5 mg remeron and 100 mg zoloft at end of 2017 to present.

 

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On 6/11/2018 at 4:37 AM, KayM said:

Miracle123, Thanks for asking. I am doing okay---tapering oh so slowly.

 

How are you?

Hi KayM, Im happy your are alright while in the tapering process. Wishing your withdrawals will be getting milder , less and better. For me....im still dealing with my waves but still manageble. Take care.

Mid December 16 lorezapam 1mg and lexapro 5mg

Early April17 updosed lorezapam 2mg, mid Apr17 taper 1.5mg, mid May17-1.25mg, early Jun17- 1mg, mid Jun17-0.75mg, mid July17-0.5mg, End July 17 reduce from 0.4mg, 0.3mg,0.2mg until 0.1mg.lorezapam free on 9 August 2017.

Early Mar17 updosed to Lexapro 10mg , end Mar17 reduced 7.5mg, mid May17 reduced 0.5mg, End Aug17 reduced 2.5mg, early Sep17 -1.5mg, Mid Sept-1mg, End Sept - 0.5mg .lexapro free on 26 September 2017

 

Supplement- omega fish oil and magnesium citrate only.

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Hi KayM.  I took Wellbutrin 300xl for 8 years. I was told that Wellbutrin is easy to stop and was never told to taper. I quit cold turkey in May of 2017.  I have had a rough year. My symptoms are improving, very, very slowly. Listen to the advice of the moderators and they will help you through this.

 

This is a journey and I do know I will be better than ever once my system gets back to homeostasis. 

 

Hang in there. 

Started Wellbutrin 300xl mid July, 2009. Stopped Wellbutrin 300xl cold turkey May 8, 2017

Started having symptoms started June 2, 2017. Started Wellbutrin 150xl July 7, 2017

Started Remeron 15mg August 15, 2017. Increased Remeron to 30mg October 4, 2017

Increased Wellbutrin to 300xl November 24, 2017. Lowered Wellbutrin 300xl back to 150xl January 8, 2018

Started weaning off of Remeron 30mg. Cut to 22.25mg January 11, 2018

Cut Remeron to 15mg January 18, 2018 Cut Remeron to 7.5mg January 25, 2018

Cut Remeron to 3.5mg January 30,2018. Stopped taking Remeron February 1, 2018

Currently taking: Fish Oil, Magnesium, Calcium, Vit D, Progesterone,

Hormone Replacement Pellets-Estrogen Testosterone 

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  • 3 weeks later...

@KayM Hi KayM. I took Wellbutrin 300 for 8 years and quit ct in May of 2017. I started having symptoms in June of 2017. It has been a year now on this journey. Lots of symptoms along the way. It took about 6 months for me to figure out why I was so sick and what was going on. In the meantime, my dr put me back on Wellbutrin and added Remeron. She also wanted to try Lexapro and Presiq. I declined the Lexapro and Prestiq and I weaned off the Remeron and weaned from Wellbutrin 300xl down to 150xl. I am holding there right now. I need to get my body back to some type of normalcy before I can finish the wean on the Wellbutrin and be off completely. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Sending hug and prayers.

Started Wellbutrin 300xl mid July, 2009. Stopped Wellbutrin 300xl cold turkey May 8, 2017

Started having symptoms started June 2, 2017. Started Wellbutrin 150xl July 7, 2017

Started Remeron 15mg August 15, 2017. Increased Remeron to 30mg October 4, 2017

Increased Wellbutrin to 300xl November 24, 2017. Lowered Wellbutrin 300xl back to 150xl January 8, 2018

Started weaning off of Remeron 30mg. Cut to 22.25mg January 11, 2018

Cut Remeron to 15mg January 18, 2018 Cut Remeron to 7.5mg January 25, 2018

Cut Remeron to 3.5mg January 30,2018. Stopped taking Remeron February 1, 2018

Currently taking: Fish Oil, Magnesium, Calcium, Vit D, Progesterone,

Hormone Replacement Pellets-Estrogen Testosterone 

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Hi KayM, How about your tapering progress? i hope you are going smooth without more trouble on the way tapering. You are not alone and feel free to come back.Hugs and thinking of you. 🤗

Mid December 16 lorezapam 1mg and lexapro 5mg

Early April17 updosed lorezapam 2mg, mid Apr17 taper 1.5mg, mid May17-1.25mg, early Jun17- 1mg, mid Jun17-0.75mg, mid July17-0.5mg, End July 17 reduce from 0.4mg, 0.3mg,0.2mg until 0.1mg.lorezapam free on 9 August 2017.

Early Mar17 updosed to Lexapro 10mg , end Mar17 reduced 7.5mg, mid May17 reduced 0.5mg, End Aug17 reduced 2.5mg, early Sep17 -1.5mg, Mid Sept-1mg, End Sept - 0.5mg .lexapro free on 26 September 2017

 

Supplement- omega fish oil and magnesium citrate only.

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  • 1 month later...

Hi KayM, How about you ? Haven't hear any news from you. I hope you doing well and good in your tapering progress. Thinking of you and hugs.

Mid December 16 lorezapam 1mg and lexapro 5mg

Early April17 updosed lorezapam 2mg, mid Apr17 taper 1.5mg, mid May17-1.25mg, early Jun17- 1mg, mid Jun17-0.75mg, mid July17-0.5mg, End July 17 reduce from 0.4mg, 0.3mg,0.2mg until 0.1mg.lorezapam free on 9 August 2017.

Early Mar17 updosed to Lexapro 10mg , end Mar17 reduced 7.5mg, mid May17 reduced 0.5mg, End Aug17 reduced 2.5mg, early Sep17 -1.5mg, Mid Sept-1mg, End Sept - 0.5mg .lexapro free on 26 September 2017

 

Supplement- omega fish oil and magnesium citrate only.

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  • 1 month later...

Hi KayM,How are you? Hope you will be fine. Take care.

Mid December 16 lorezapam 1mg and lexapro 5mg

Early April17 updosed lorezapam 2mg, mid Apr17 taper 1.5mg, mid May17-1.25mg, early Jun17- 1mg, mid Jun17-0.75mg, mid July17-0.5mg, End July 17 reduce from 0.4mg, 0.3mg,0.2mg until 0.1mg.lorezapam free on 9 August 2017.

Early Mar17 updosed to Lexapro 10mg , end Mar17 reduced 7.5mg, mid May17 reduced 0.5mg, End Aug17 reduced 2.5mg, early Sep17 -1.5mg, Mid Sept-1mg, End Sept - 0.5mg .lexapro free on 26 September 2017

 

Supplement- omega fish oil and magnesium citrate only.

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Miracle123, Thanks for checking on me! I'm doing well, but tapering very slowly. How are your waves? I'm interested in hearing what your waves are like. Any depression?

Hugs to you!

2002-2016: 20 mg paxil - tapered over a 9-month period with prozac bridge.

 

Continued with prozac, tapering 10 mg over a 3-month period until quitting in December 2016. Severe depression 3 months later. 

 

300 mg wellbutrin, 7.5 mg remeron and 100 mg zoloft at end of 2017 to present.

 

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20 hours ago, KayM said:

Miracle123, Thanks for checking on me! I'm doing well, but tapering very slowly. How are your waves? I'm interested in hearing what your waves are like. Any depression?

Hugs to you!

Hi KayM , So good hear from you. Thats was great you are doing well but please slowly doing your taper. Yes .....at month 4 over i got so much withdrawals like head pressure , numbness in my leg and hand, inner shaking, heart racing, anxiety, blurr vision, chills, hot flashes, sweating, tembling, akathasia, electrical shock, choking and neck tightling , flu like sydrome, pulse papitation, crying, loss interest and hope......a lots more...but over time some disappear. Right now im more in between windows and waves.....just the frequency and manitude to be different. Moody and depression is very bad with crying mostly all time. Feeling anger and loss control but right now i seldom crying anymore and much much better now.

 

You can check into my thread to know more ......i hope my thread can help you a bit.  Im trying updated my progress to know how far i can healing and improved. I hope you are doing more better and well in your healing without too much trouble. Take care and big hugs.

Mid December 16 lorezapam 1mg and lexapro 5mg

Early April17 updosed lorezapam 2mg, mid Apr17 taper 1.5mg, mid May17-1.25mg, early Jun17- 1mg, mid Jun17-0.75mg, mid July17-0.5mg, End July 17 reduce from 0.4mg, 0.3mg,0.2mg until 0.1mg.lorezapam free on 9 August 2017.

Early Mar17 updosed to Lexapro 10mg , end Mar17 reduced 7.5mg, mid May17 reduced 0.5mg, End Aug17 reduced 2.5mg, early Sep17 -1.5mg, Mid Sept-1mg, End Sept - 0.5mg .lexapro free on 26 September 2017

 

Supplement- omega fish oil and magnesium citrate only.

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  • 5 months later...

Hi KayM,

How are you? Quite some time im never heard from you.....Hope everything will going smooth and fine for you. Take care and a lots hugs....🤗

Mid December 16 lorezapam 1mg and lexapro 5mg

Early April17 updosed lorezapam 2mg, mid Apr17 taper 1.5mg, mid May17-1.25mg, early Jun17- 1mg, mid Jun17-0.75mg, mid July17-0.5mg, End July 17 reduce from 0.4mg, 0.3mg,0.2mg until 0.1mg.lorezapam free on 9 August 2017.

Early Mar17 updosed to Lexapro 10mg , end Mar17 reduced 7.5mg, mid May17 reduced 0.5mg, End Aug17 reduced 2.5mg, early Sep17 -1.5mg, Mid Sept-1mg, End Sept - 0.5mg .lexapro free on 26 September 2017

 

Supplement- omega fish oil and magnesium citrate only.

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  • 4 years later...

Is it possible to reduce Trintellix using just 20 mg tablets and cutting and weighing the 20 mg fragments?

2002-2016: 20 mg paxil - tapered over a 9-month period with prozac bridge.

 

Continued with prozac, tapering 10 mg over a 3-month period until quitting in December 2016. Severe depression 3 months later. 

 

300 mg wellbutrin, 7.5 mg remeron and 100 mg zoloft at end of 2017 to present.

 

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  • Administrator

Welcome back, @KayM

 

Please update your signature with your recent drug changes.

 

See Tips for tapering off vortioxetine (Trintellix, previously called Brintellix)

 

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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