Hannahe: Leean's daughter - tapered Wellbutrin now on Buspar

[Hannahe]

Has anyone gotten dystonia and has it gone away? I would like to hear your stories. 

[Altostrata]

Hi, Hannahe. What do you mean by dystonia? Do you have this?

[Hannahe]

I have heavy pressure on the left side of my body. My head, jaw, neck, my whole left side and my foot. It feels very tight quite often. I’m assuming it’s dystonia. It’s frightening. 

[Hannahe]

I am almost off the morning buspar. I have to start tapering the night time buspar as well because my doctor doesn’t want to refill the prescription. I don’t really want to be on it either. 

[Hannahe]

I will try to post my symptoms and timing of the symptoms when I am off and that way I can see what the Zoloft is doing. 

[manymoretodays]

Hi Hannahe,

 

How are you doing overall now?

 

It's okay to post symptoms(along with your drugs and dosages) while you continue to taper off the am Buspar as well Hannahe.  It also might not be a bad idea to just HOLD on that pm dose that you are taking.

On 3/18/2019 at 1:35 PM, Altostrata said:

I'd continue the 5mg Buspar at night, though. 

Or taper it slowly.  Unfortunately, getting off the Buspar may not relieve the WD symptoms that came mainly from getting off the Wellbutrin.  When you finish your morning Buspar taper you'll be on 2.5 mg at night, is this correct?

 

 

Tips for tapering off buspirone(Buspar)

Can you ask another doctor to refill your prescription?  So that you don't have to hurry on off the remaining pm Buspar.

 

We want to try a give your CNS a chance to settle a bit and rebuild.  That takes time.  It may be more harmfree to keep you steady now, with medications/drugs.  Give a chance for your system to settle before any further changes.  You are just about off the AM dose of Buspar.  Let's see how you settle on that for a bit.

 

Do the whole drug and symptom log though, like the example ChessieCat gave you here:  drug and symptom log notes example

Note the time on the left, then drug(s) by name and dosages on the right.  Symptoms on the right as well throughout the day.....just brief descriptions.  Include your sleep patterns and any supplements taken as well.

 

That will really help us to further help and advise.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

manymoretodays

p.s.  I'm feeling pretty confident that you will have a full healing one day too!!

 

 

Edited March 31, 2019 by manymoretodays
fixed up some wording, clarity

[Hannahe]

How will I know when to stop the buspar completely? I’ve been a little dizzy and have pressure on the left side of my body. But things seem to be getting better. Once I stop the am buspar I will be left at 2.5 at night, yes. 

 

I will try and get another prescription. 

 

I am almost 6 weeks off of the Wellbutrin now. 

[Hannahe]

I am also pretty fatigued and low mood 

[Altostrata]

Dystonia is quite serious and persistent. Please do not worry that you have dystonia. You probably have side effects or transient withdrawal symptoms.

 

A lot of these body symptoms are related to bad posture. Do you spend a lot of time sitting at a computer? Do you hold the left side of your body in an awkward position? Do you get regular exercise and stretching?

[Altostrata]

20 hours ago, Hannahe said:

I am almost off the morning buspar. I have to start tapering the night time buspar as well because my doctor doesn’t want to refill the prescription. I don’t really want to be on it either. 

 

Did you have any distinct symptoms from going off the morning Buspar?

 

Remember, you can reduce the Buspar by cutting the tablet into quarters. This will extend the number of doses you have left.

[Hannahe]

I’ve been trying to go for walks. It’s been hard to get out the past few months. I guess maybe it’s just muscle stiffness or something weird. I should probably start stretching though. Just really pressurized. I was vomiting and dizzy at first a few weeks ago, but I didn’t feel anything my last drop a week ago. 

[Altostrata]

That's pretty good, Hannah. Get out, take a nice walk, take photos with your phone of interesting or funny things along the way. Pet all the dogs and cats you can.

 

Do this every day. It will help many of your symptoms.

[Hannahe]

Thank you. I hope things continue to get better and not worse again. I guess no one can tell me if it will, everyone is so different. I just hope not to have ptsd from this to never touch the Zoloft. I so badly want to be off all meds. 

[Hannahe]

I’m curious to know if protracted withdrawal will be likely to happen twice since Im still on medication. I need to feel better and stay better before I properly start cutting the Zoloft. But if I do it properly is it less likely? 

[Hannahe]

Also should I be okay jumping off the 1.25 mg of buspar I’m taking in the am? I know you said to get off it if it was making me dizzy. I haven’t been dizzy in about a week or two, but I don’t want it in the am. It would be hard to cut it any lower than what it is. 

[Sottana]

Hey Hannah,

 

i have the same fears as you. I’m 29 and started taking ssris at age 18. I think we all heal in time, some longer than others, but the nervous system does heal. Anyway, I totally understand your fears having to do with a developing brain. You can message me any time if you’d like to talk. 

[Sottana]

Also, this site is an amazing resource. The knowledge and help the provide is unbelievable. If there’s one major takeaway that I’ve learned, it’s that taper speed is probably the most important factor in how functional you are as a human being. 

[Sottana]

Also, listen to Laura delano on YouTube. That’s helped me keep faith and hope during dark times. 

[Hannahe]

On 4/7/2019 at 12:02 PM, Adili13 said:

Also, listen to Laura delano on YouTube. That’s helped me keep faith and hope during dark times. 

Thank you 🙏🏻

[Hannahe]

On 4/7/2019 at 11:45 AM, Adili13 said:

Hey Hannah,

 

i have the same fears as you. I’m 29 and started taking ssris at age 18. I think we all heal in time, some longer than others, but the nervous system does heal. Anyway, I totally understand your fears having to do with a developing brain. You can message me any time if you’d like to talk. 

I appreciate you. I will probably take you up on that. 

[Sottana]

Sounds good!!

[Hannahe]

On 3/30/2019 at 9:52 PM, manymoretodays said:

Hi Hannahe,

 

How are you doing overall now?

 

It's okay to post symptoms(along with your drugs and dosages) while you continue to taper off the am Buspar as well Hannahe.  It also might not be a bad idea to just HOLD on that pm dose that you are taking.

Or taper it slowly.  Unfortunately, getting off the Buspar may not relieve the WD symptoms that came mainly from getting off the Wellbutrin.  When you finish your morning Buspar taper you'll be on 2.5 mg at night, is this correct?

 

 

Tips for tapering off buspirone(Buspar)

Can you ask another doctor to refill your prescription?  So that you don't have to hurry on off the remaining pm Buspar.

 

We want to try a give your CNS a chance to settle a bit and rebuild.  That takes time.  It may be more harmfree to keep you steady now, with medications/drugs.  Give a chance for your system to settle before any further changes.  You are just about off the AM dose of Buspar.  Let's see how you settle on that for a bit.

 

Do the whole drug and symptom log though, like the example ChessieCat gave you here:  drug and symptom log notes example

Note the time on the left, then drug(s) by name and dosages on the right.  Symptoms on the right as well throughout the day.....just brief descriptions.  Include your sleep patterns and any supplements taken as well.

 

That will really help us to further help and advise.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

manymoretodays

p.s.  I'm feeling pretty confident that you will have a full healing one day too!!

 

 

I’ve been on the buspar a total of 7 weeks. I started tapering at 2 1/2 weeks on. I started at ten then went down to 5 then 2.5 and still at 2.5 at night but now at 1.25 in the am. I can barely cut down the pill anymore in order to get off the am dose. Is it safe to just jump off at 1.25 when I am already withdrawing from the Wellbutrin? I was able to get one more script of 30 pills. I should be able to pick that up soon. 

[manymoretodays]

Hi Hannahe,

Listen to your body.  Keep notes. 

You might do just fine getting off the morning dose of Buspar, after only 7 weeks of usage.

Do stay put with your evening dosage for a bit longer.  Unless you feel like you are getting adverse effects from it. 

Are you noticing any symptoms since you cut your am dose down, that you feel are directly attributable to the Buspar reduction?

Are you managing okay with some non drug coping for the Wellbutrin WD?

 

Keep us updated Hannahe.  As long as you aren't experiencing a significant uptick in WD symptoms.......you may do okay going faster right now with the Buspar.

 

Ooom and have a great day.  I can't really tell you exactly what to do.  However, I do have faith in your decisions and self monitoring.

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

[Hannahe]

1 hour ago, manymoretodays said:

Hi Hannahe,

Listen to your body.  Keep notes. 

You might do just fine getting off the morning dose of Buspar, after only 7 weeks of usage.

Do stay put with your evening dosage for a bit longer.  Unless you feel like you are getting adverse effects from it. 

Are you noticing any symptoms since you cut your am dose down, that you feel are directly attributable to the Buspar reduction?

Are you managing okay with some non drug coping for the Wellbutrin WD?

 

Keep us updated Hannahe.  As long as you aren't experiencing a significant uptick in WD symptoms.......you may do okay going faster right now with the Buspar.

 

Ooom and have a great day.  I can't really tell you exactly what to do.  However, I do have faith in your decisions and self monitoring.

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

Thank you for getting back. The last drop I didn’t notice anything when I went from 2.5 to 1.25. 

 

It it might be hard to stay at the remaining dose with only 30 pills left. That would give me two months of 2.5 but I’d have to cut them down eventually. 

 

My symptoms recently ramped up since I started my monthly yesterday and it’s been hell. Hoping they calm down in about a week, but before that it was less physical which is good and more psychological. Things seemed to be shifting a little.

[manymoretodays]

8 hours ago, Hannahe said:

The last drop I didn’t notice anything when I went from 2.5 to 1.25. 

 

And okay, sorry about the hormonal shift......that can be a bugger.  If you feel okay to chuck the 1.25, dose, the morning dose, do so. 

And then just hold steady with the pm 2.5 until the menstrual stuff calms, and a bit beyond.  You can cut that in half pretty soon, I think.

 

Keep some notes on paper though.  Right now, for you, to see when improvements hit.  Definitely record menses.

 

And ((((Hannahe)))))!!!! 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

[Hannahe]

9 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

 

And okay, sorry about the hormonal shift......that can be a bugger.  If you feel okay to chuck the 1.25, dose, the morning dose, do so. 

And then just hold steady with the pm 2.5 until the menstrual stuff calms, and a bit beyond.  You can cut that in half pretty soon, I think.

 

Keep some notes on paper though.  Right now, for you, to see when improvements hit.  Definitely record menses.

 

And ((((Hannahe)))))!!!! 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

Thank you. Also I’ve noticed my body has been twitching quite a bit. It started and seems like it’s progressing. That’s just a regular withdrawal symptom, right? It doesn’t mean I’m going to get a movement disorder? 

[puthappinessfirst]

Twitching, jerking, shaking, tremors are all common in WD and trying to stabilize. I get worried about developing a movement disorder as well, especially since I've had akathisia, but I think you'll be ok just like I'll be ok. Are you taking magnesium? It seems to help me. 

[Hannahe]

26 minutes ago, puthappinessfirst said:

Twitching, jerking, shaking, tremors are all common in WD and trying to stabilize. I get worried about developing a movement disorder as well, especially since I've had akathisia, but I think you'll be ok just like I'll be ok. Are you taking magnesium? It seems to help me. 

I bathe in it and that seems to help the heart palpitations and when I can’t sleep as well. I try to have a smoothie every day that’s filled with banana, spinach, turmeric, chia seeds, berries, avacado etc. for all the nutrients I need and I take fish oil. The past two days have been tough. Feeling faint and like there’s a flickering going on in my head.. makes me feel like I’m going to seizure out or something. It’s scary 

[Sottana]

Hey Hannah. I get weird jerky movements too I was getting a massage the other day and just kicked really hard out of nowhere. It’s all part of withdrawal and all passes with time. All we can do is accept it and see it as part of our healing. 

[Hannahe]

3 hours ago, Adili13 said:

Hey Hannah. I get weird jerky movements too I was getting a massage the other day and just kicked really hard out of nowhere. It’s all part of withdrawal and all passes with time. All we can do is accept it and see it as part of our healing. 

As long as it’s not permanent then I’m okay 🙏🏻 

[Hannahe]

On 4/7/2019 at 12:02 PM, Adili13 said:

Also, listen to Laura delano on YouTube. That’s helped me keep faith and hope during dark times. 

I don’t have a movement disorder or anything, but I know a lot of people will say after so many months they develop akathesia. I’m beyond terrified, especially since my system is already down and I’m still tapering the buspar. I’m still on Zoloft and if I do get this, how will I know whether it’s withdrawal induced or from being on the Zoloft and the Wellbutrin was covering it up all these years? I know I think a lot. It’s eating at me. I’m not doing great. 

[Hannahe]

I don’t have a movement disorder or anything, but I know a lot of people will say after so many months they develop akathesia. I’m beyond terrified, especially since my system is already down and I’m still tapering the buspar. I’m still on Zoloft and if I do get this, how will I know whether it’s withdrawal induced or from being on the Zoloft and the Wellbutrin was covering it up all these years? I know I think a lot. It’s eating at me... I’m not doing great. it goes away for most people, right? 

[Hannahe]

On 4/7/2019 at 12:02 PM, Adili13 said:

 

3 minutes ago, Hannahe said:

I don’t have a movement disorder or anything, but I know a lot of people will say after so many months they develop akathesia. I’m beyond terrified, especially since my system is already down and I’m still tapering the buspar. I’m still on Zoloft and if I do get this, how will I know whether it’s withdrawal induced or from being on the Zoloft and the Wellbutrin was covering it up all these years? I know I think a lot. It’s eating at me... I’m not doing great. it goes away for most people, right? 

 

I’m sorry I ask so many questions... 

[Sottana]

Hey Hannah,

 

A couple things: 

 

1. I’d be careful not to label yourself with any “disorder”. Akathisia is a very common symptom of both being on ssris, and withdrawal from them. If you do have this, it will resolve. It is a symptom that is created by drugs and will eventually fade. 

 

2. As far as what is causing the Akathisia/if you even have it. This is something a mod will have to help you with. What I can say is I developed it after an updose of medication in an attempt to feel better. I felt nearly constant agitation and and inner strain. It’s almost impossible to describe. If you think this is what you’re experiencing, perhaps you can discuss what your next steps should be with a mod. Maybe putting the buspar taper on hold and seeing if lowering the Zoloft helps. Keep in mind, withdrawal from ssris can also cause Akathisia.

 

3. Either way, I’d come up with a decision with a mod and stick to it. Stop going back and forth about what might cause what and if something might be permanent. I know it’s hard, I do the same thing, but the obsessing doesn’t help. Just tell yourself it’ll all heal in time and that you just have to be patient, bc it’s true!

 

best,

 

Anthony 

[Hannahe]

9 minutes ago, Adili13 said:

Hey Hannah,

 

A couple things: 

 

1. I’d be careful not to label yourself with any “disorder”. Akathisia is a very common symptom of both being on ssris, and withdrawal from them. If you do have this, it will resolve. It is a symptom that is created by drugs and will eventually fade. 

 

2. As far as what is causing the Akathisia/if you even have it. This is something a mod will have to help you with. What I can say is I developed it after an updose of medication in an attempt to feel better. I felt nearly constant agitation and and inner strain. It’s almost impossible to describe. If you think this is what you’re experiencing, perhaps you can discuss what your next steps should be with a mod. Maybe putting the buspar taper on hold and seeing if lowering the Zoloft helps. Keep in mind, withdrawal from ssris can also cause Akathisia.

 

3. Either way, I’d come up with a decision with a mod and stick to it. Stop going back and forth about what might cause what and if something might be permanent. I know it’s hard, I do the same thing, but the obsessing doesn’t help. Just tell yourself it’ll all heal in time and that you just have to be patient, bc it’s true!

 

best,

 

Anthony 

Thank you Anthony. I don’t think I have it, but very terrified of getting it. I just don’t want to end up with it and not know where it came from. I know a lot of people seem to get it as a symptom. 

[Sottana]

This whole process makes all our fears run rampant. Today it’s akathisia, tomorrow it’s something else. At least that’s what it’s like for me. I think all we can do is recognize what’s in our control and what isn’t and take one step at a time. We’ll get there . For what it’s worth, you may never get akathisia and might just be adding unneeded fear. But if you do, you’ll get through it.

 

Anthony