Mary66

[Mary66]

Can I just stop Effexor XR 37.5 after 7 days without tapering? 
incredible fatigue, throat/neck burning!
 

1994 Paxil prescribed for depression, looking back I was simply a young, busy, active and overwhelmed mom.

I never questioned about taking it long term.

2018 started breakthrough depression

2020 September, neuroendocrine cancer surgery

2020 November, Wellbutrin added to see if it would boost the Paxil. It did not.

2021 April, psych took me off 40 Paxil 5 mgs every two weeks, terrible withdrawal.

and doubled Wellbutrin to 300.

at the same time added Primidone, a barbiturate for essential tremor.

sick sick sick

2021 July, final Paxil pill

2021 December, 50# weight loss, depression and anxiety increased. Physical WD symptoms improved.

2022 January, began tapering Wellbutrin, dropped to 150 for 2 weeks, the 75 IR twice/day for 2 weeks, then 75 am and 37.5 pm

2022 February, basically non functioning, broke down and started Effexor 37.5, terrible fatigue and throat/neck burning. Am on day 7.

Now I want to go off it!!!!

[ChessieCat]

Hello Mary66 and welcome to SA,

 

Yes, it should be okay to stop taking the Effexor 37.5mg after only 7 days without tapering it.

 

It takes about 4 days for the dose of a drug to get to full level in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain so stopping now would probably be the best thing to do.

 

You have been making very big reductions of the Wellbutrin so you might be experiencing withdrawal symptoms from that.  But  because you have made two changes in a short amount of time it is difficult to know what is causing any issues.

 

See:

 

But I only took it for a Week - immediate adverse reaction

 

immediate-adverse-reactions-to-an-antidepressant-or-within-a-few-doses-how-long-for-recovery

 

It might take some time for things to settle down and it would be best if you use non drug techniques:

 

Non-drug techniques to cope

 

It would also be best not to taper the Wellbutrin again until you are feeling stable. 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

Stability

 

WDnormal

 

And Brassmonkey talks more about it here:

 

tao-of-the-brassmonkey

 

Please let us know how you are.  You might need to consider making a small updose of the Wellbutrin.  The staff can suggest what size increase you could try.  When SA suggests increasing the dose it is generally better to start with a small increase than to risk taking too much.

 

This is your own Introduction topic which is the best place to ask questions specific to your own situation and journal your progress.  This keeps your history in one place and means you do not have to repeat your story.

 

Edited February 12, 2022 by ChessieCat

[Mary66]

Thank you for your reply and all the info. Will stop Effexor  today. What do you mean the staff will help me updose the Wellbutrin? How do they contact me?

throat is good today, and am ‘brighter’ than b4 starting Effexor so I think it did help my brain. But reading about people stories of missing a dose and counting beads to taper is overwhelming. My Paxil WD was horrendous and I never want to go through that again. But my depression and anxiety have been relentless.

no sleep, no appetite:/

will I be able to read other peoples comments?

[Go2zero]

Hello Mary66,

 

Do I understand well from your first post that you went down from 40 mg Paxil to zero in 3 months after using Paxil for 28 years? If so, that would be an extremely fast taper. Such fast tapers (certainly after long term use of a drug) may give heavy symptoms over longer periods after stopping the med. Therefor we always suggest to taper not more than 10% of the last taken dosage.

 

But lots of people who want to come off these meds do not know that. And most doctors do not know either.... So do not blame yourself for it. Lots of members here did not know before they came here. I made such mistakes several times also, before I found that slow tapering is the only safe way to go...

 

If I read your first post well, you stopped Paxil completely in July 2021. That is too long ago to reinstate the drug at a very low dosage in my opinion. Reinstating a very low dosage may help in "treating" withdrawal symptoms sometimes. But that should be done not later dan 1-2 months after a full stop of a drug. Reinstating later is not without risks, so not recommendable. 

 

Then the Wellbutrin. This drug can be tapered quite easily by some people and others may experience extreme difficulties and heavy WD (withdrawal) symptoms which can last for months sometimes.

 

Especially when combined with an SSRI (like Paxil) WD from Wellbutrin can be difficult for some people.

 

I understand that you tapered Wellbutrin extremely fast  (within 1 month?) from 300mg to 37,5 mg. This is way too fast !!!!

 

If I were you I would up-dose the Wellbutrin to 50mg and see if you will get some relief. Give it at least 1 week on 50mg. Maybe further up-dosing to 75mg is needed if you would not get any relief. But the lower the up-dosing the better. The more extreme one goes up and down in dosage the more the nervous system may be sensitized. Therefor better first to 50mg and hope that will help.

 

The extreme fast tapers of high dosages of these 2 meds, may already have sensitized your nervous system. This will heal, but it needs time. Before you can taper further you really need to be stable first. This may take a longer period of time. Nobody can tell how long since everybody reacts differently. 

 

Here is info how to make specific dosages by using scales that can weigh up to 1 mg. https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1596-using-a-scale-to-weigh-and-measure-doses/

 

If you need more info how to make 50mg amounts of Wellbutrin let me know. Also let me know which type of Wellbutrin you are using. Brandname, dosage of pills and type (IR , SR or XR)

 

Here is more useful info about tapering

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/6632-the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable/?tab=comments#comment-525233

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/23081-are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take/?tab=comments#comment-492493

 

 

 

Signature

 

Can you please give us specific information about your drug history for all drugs you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise list (no symptoms), only drug names, specific dates (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day) and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.  Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/18343-please-summarize-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

[Mary66]

All these years I never questioned the doctors. It wasn’t until tapering Paxil last spring that I felt so awful and started researching and found out about withdrawal and that my taper had been toooooo fast  why did they keep me on Paxil for 27 years? It makes me angry looking back.

wellbutrin decrease every two weeks Dr said. Direct 300 to 150. Then  tapering every two to three weeks.

I did not notice worsening symptoms.

am now on 75 IR am and 37.5 pm. (2nd week) then she said to go to 37.5 am and pm, then 37.5 am then stop.

Mayo psych said if my depression and anxiety are not better to start Effexor XR.  
I spent all these months praying I’d get better. Then I finally accepted that I needed help and said yes to the Effexor without researching it.

After a few days my mind WAS better!

but the hot throat/neck concerned me.

both dr and psych said to stop.

my big concern is the consequences of stopping Effexor after 7 days. Am I going to crash in 4 days?

I just want off all my meds. 
but in my mind feeling like my brain might be too damaged from a lifetime in Paxil and that I will need another antidepressant. I can’t have any stimulation…can’t be with my grandchildren very long, no tv, phone calls, talking, saddest for me is my desire to create has been gone for two years after a lifetime of being an artisan. My spark is gone.

I modified my signature.

 

[Go2zero]

Hi Mary66,

 

I cannot see your signature yet. It should be visible under EACH of your posts. Just as you can see my signature under my posts. 

Here is how to do it:

 

Click on your username in the top right hand corner. Then click “account settings” in the list that popped up. Then click on “signature” in the list left on the page. This is the place where you can make your signature.  Do not forget to save your signature after each change!

 

[Go2zero]

48 minutes ago, Mary66 said:

wellbutrin decrease every two weeks Dr said. Direct 300 to 150. Then  tapering every two to three weeks.

I did not notice worsening symptoms.

am now on 75 IR am and 37.5 pm. (2nd week) then she said to go to 37.5 am and pm, then 37.5 am then stop.

 

So do I understand well that you take 112,5mg Wellbutrin in total per day? If so, I would up-dose to 150mg per day and stay there until you are stabilized. 

 

48 minutes ago, Mary66 said:

It wasn’t until tapering Paxil last spring that I felt so awful and started researching and found out about withdrawal and that my taper had been toooooo fast  why did they keep me on Paxil for 27 years? It makes me angry looking back.

 

I totally understand your frustration and anger. Lots of members experience(d) the same. The members are here to find advice and to support each other. Most doctors do not take withdrawal serious and say symptoms come from relapse.

 

Unfortunately your extreme fast taper of 40mg Paxil may still cause (part of the) symptoms you are experiencing now. They will get less over time. But until then you should keep everything (meds and dosages) as stable as possible.

 

How did you feel when you were still taking the 40 mgPaxil?

Edited February 13, 2022 by Go2zero

[Mary66]

After I submitted my signature again it said it was too many lines 😕

12 lines max?

I felt great and lived a good life on Paxil until it started pooping out.

Noticed my mental health was declining in 2018, along with cognitive and memory impairment, neuro appts, mild cognitive decline. I wasn’t able to balance my bank accts and was mixing up art orders. Sold my art gallery 2019. Lost zest, motivation, felt ill spring/summer 2020 then found neuroendocrine cancer, surgery in the fall. Mental health and shaking multiplied that’s when we added Wellbutrin fall of 2020.

so much weight loss, CNS a mess last fall, stopped reading about depression and anxiety, but no appetite and can’t sleep.
My mind has been the worst, ruminating, overthinking, over and over….started puzzles, guided meditations, bible, Walk 1-2 miles/day, knitting. Mantra….everyday in every way, I’m getting and better.

omega 3, D3, B12, Magnesium Glyinate 200, melatonin 5

i have high copper. 
will try the signature thing again, have done it twice

 

[Go2zero]

12 minutes ago, Mary66 said:

will try the signature thing again, have done it twice

 

Try to fill each line more, by combining info of the same drug per per line. Like combining the first 2 lines you show above. It needs some creativity... 😉

 

[Mary66]

But yours and everyone else’s has way more than 12 lines!

[Mary66]

Did it work? Hope this works But yours and everyone else’s has way more than 12 lines!

it’s ok to go back to 75 IR am and pm after 6 days of 75 am and 37.5 pm?

[Go2zero]

2 minutes ago, Mary66 said:

Did it work? Hope this works But yours and everyone else’s has way more than 12 lines!

 

Your signature is visible now. I do not know exactly, but I think older members could use more than 12 lines. And moderators also have extra lines, so that they can add other important info as well.

 

4 minutes ago, Mary66 said:

it’s ok to go back to 75 IR am and pm after 6 days of 75 am and 37.5 pm?

That is no problem at all. Certainly after such a fast taper. Hopefully you will start feeling some relief after a week or so.

[Mary66]

What effects might I have after stopping Effexor cold Turkey after 7 days?

[Go2zero]

22 minutes ago, Mary66 said:

What effects might I have after stopping Effexor cold Turkey after 7 days?

This is not to say. Everybody reacts differently to these kind of drugs. But I reckon that you will not have severe symptoms stopping Effexor after using it only 7 days. Most people can stop these drugs without too much problems after a short period of use.

 

But you have to be aware that your nervous system has gotten quite upset by the extreme fast taper of Paxil and Wellbutrin. I would not be surprised when most symptoms come from the Paxil withdrawal. But you will have to sit this out.... Symptoms will get less over time. And symptoms will probably also change now and then, or more often. These are signs of healing.

 

Here is info on this process:

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-stabilization/

 

[Altostrata]

Hello, @Mary66 Did you stop Effexor?

 

Before you make any more drug changes -- what drugs are you taking now, at what times o'clock and dosages? Include non-psychiatric drugs, please.

 

On 2/11/2022 at 8:17 PM, Mary66 said:

2022 February, basically non functioning

 

Please explain more about the symptoms that had increased by February, causing you to be non-functioning.

[Mary66]

Are you able to read my convos with Go2Zero?

currently taking:

 

7:30 am 75 Wellbutrin IR

9:00 am 50 Primidone 

noon, omega 3, D3, B12, zinc, probiotic 

7:30 pm HAVE been taking 37.5 Wellbutrin IR (1/2 of a 75) since tues.

9:00 pm 50 Primidone

10:00 magnesium glycinate 200

10:30 chamomile/valerian tea and 5 mg of melatonin to fall asleep.

 

physical WD symptoms eased up by November. Mental and emotional are better, but overthinking, ruminating, cycling thoughts, memories….sadness, despair, regrets weren’t getting better. For months working on positive thoughts, guided meditations, mindfulness, walking, etc.

mid December had a shift in my thinking about what I think becomes what I am, so really worked hard on changing my thoughts and not just cycling my symptoms over and over.

I was determined never to get on another AD and hoping I’d get ME back! Flat affect all the time, can’t sleep, can’t eat, have lost 50#’s since this began.

Mayo psych visit January 10th…she  thought it was ok to wean off Wellbutrin (since going from Wellbutrin 150 to 300 last April did not help that is why I wanted to wean off it), 

And recommended Effexor down the road if my depression and anxiety did not improve.

she recommended dropping Wellbutrin xl 300 to 150 XL for two weeks, then she switched me to 150 IR (75 2x/day) to get used to the IR for two -three weeks (I did it for 2) then 75/37.5 for 2-3 weeks, then 37.5 twice/day for 2-3 weeks, then 37.5 once/day for awhile then stop.

I hadn’t noticed any difference at the two week mark of the IR, so went ahead last Tuesday to the 75 am and 37.5 pm.

January still emotional, so tired of feeling like this in my mind, I want me back….my zest, my creativity!

A week ago Friday I saw my PCP and she said Life is too short to be so miserable and I agreed to start Effexor last Saturday.

2 1/2 days of absolute empty brain and in bed, couldn’t even knit (even in my depression I could knit).

then the hot neck/throat thing started, but I will say my mind improved! 😳

Last Effexor on Friday.

also had started taking Wellbutrin, Primidone and Effexor at the same time at 9 am. That may have been the throat thing so now I’ve staggered the Wellbutrin and Primidone.

I must say that I had a glimmer of my old self after 4 days of Effexor .

I’m praying that will remain.

go2zero recommended going back on 75 2x/day……

I taught at a small college for 25 years then had my own jewelry shop for 8 years. Due to tremor and cognitive changes closed the shop in 2018. My life has been made of ‘making things and being creative’. For two years I haven’t made a thing except I knit simple hats at night. I’m sure I’m so focused on my health because I have nothing else to think about now that I’m not working. Trying to volunteer a bit. Covid has not helped at all.

and I had cancer surgery fall of 2020. But that is less concerning to me than my mental health.

Met with an Integrative Health Dr January 20, she’s checking on all my levels, pyrroles, stool diagnostics, etc as many can affect mental health.

I’m also high in copper.

I just want to be normal again!

happy, healthy, vibrant, maybe CBD

 

your thoughts.?

 

 

 

[Altostrata]

23 hours ago, Mary66 said:

physical WD symptoms eased up by November. Mental and emotional are better, but overthinking, ruminating, cycling thoughts, memories….sadness, despair, regrets weren’t getting better. For months working on positive thoughts, guided meditations, mindfulness, walking, etc.

 

Paroxetine is a very difficult drug to go off. This would be the natural course of recovery from withdrawal, which can take much longer than 6 months.

 

But I see in May 2021 you doubled Wellbutrin and started a barbiturate as well as going off Paxil.

 

Please put ALL your drugs in this Interactions Checker and post the report or a link to it in this topic.

 

Have you reviewed the adverse effects of ALL your drugs, particularly Primadone? See https://www.drugs.com/pro/primidone.html Did you discuss this with the doctors at the Mayo Clinic, or with any of your doctors?

 

[Mary66]

When Mayo neuro prescribed Primidone last April, I didn’t question it, I assumed he’d seen what the psych had prescribed. (Duh)

I did check drugs.com last fall and the combo of Primidone and Wellbutrin had flags. In my virtual visit with neuro in October, I asked about it and he said not to worry.

that is why I want to be off Wellbutrin.

and hoping as my anxiety decreases 🤞 I want to get off Primidone.  
I’m hoping that my huge depression/anxiety after cancer surgery induced my huge tremors.

The neuro said he’d work with me on that. (I’ll have to research that as he’ll probably just say to drop 25 mgs every two weeks).

when I researched tapering Primidone it looked like it could be another WD 

(see attached). 😞

so far so good on day 3 of no Effexor.

it seems to have popped me out of my deep desperation and overthinking about sad things, I’m so hoping that will continue.

will maintain Wellbutrin IR 75/am and 37.5 pm for another two weeks.

then will do 3/4 of a 75 am and 37.5 pm and so on. 
does that sound like a good idea?

not sure how I can attach a photo

 

[Altostrata]

Please post the link to your drug interactions report, from your browser bar.

 

You need to pursue possible drug adverse effects with your doctors. If I were you, I'd question them closely before accepting any prescribed psychotropic, and force them to review potential drug interactions. This is why you're paying them the big bucks. They're supposed to do this, it's their job, not ours. 

 

For potential lingering paroxetine withdrawal, many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you. Please let us know how you’re doing.

[Mary66]

1 hour ago, Mary66 said:

When Mayo neuro prescribed Primidone last April, I didn’t question it, I assumed he’d seen what the psych had prescribed. (Duh)

I did check drugs.com last fall and the combo of Primidone and Wellbutrin had flags. In my virtual visit with neuro in October, I asked about it and he said not to worry.

that is why I want to be off Wellbutrin.

and hoping as my anxiety decreases 🤞 I want to get off Primidone.  
I’m hoping that my huge depression/anxiety after cancer surgery induced my huge tremors.

The neuro said he’d work with me on that. (I’ll have to research that as he’ll probably just say to drop 25 mgs every two weeks).

when I researched tapering Primidone it looked like it could be another WD 

(see attached). 😞

so far so good on day 3 of no Effexor.

it seems to have popped me out of my deep desperation and overthinking about sad things, I’m so hoping that will continue.

will maintain Wellbutrin IR 75/am and 37.5 pm for another two weeks.

then will do 3/4 of a 75 am and 37.5 pm and so on. 
does that sound like a good idea?

not sure how I can attach a photo

 

thank you for your reply.
I have been taking magnesium glycinate 200 and Nordic naturals Omega 3 daily for the past few weeks.

for sure I will never take another prescription without showing any Dr the contraindications with other drugs on drugs.com!

here is the link to what I found on Primidone withdrawal.  They don’t however, say the taper schedule 😕

not able to attach URL

www.californiahighlandsvistas.com/withdrawal/mysoline/

[Altostrata]

You need to talk to your prescribers about adjusting the Primidone. Your situation is complex and we its not our place to interfere with your treatment for tremor. 

 

We can address tapering Wellbutrin or Effexor, but you need to get the Primidone settled first.

[Mary66]

I can’t figure out how to post a question as my Med history doesn’t show up….

peoples thoughts about functional Med? GI mapping? Pyrolles? Walsh protocol?

I’ve been a traditional Med person my entire life. Now 8 months off a too fast taper of Paxil (25 years which were great years until poop out)

and my mind is in an awful place.

Broke down and triedEffexor for 1 week but stopped due to side effects.

went to an integrative dr and am recommended to take about a zillion supplements! I just can’t wrap my head around taking a dozen pills/day.

pcp has recommended remeron or cymbalta, help!

[ChessieCat]

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

 

The following link goes straight to your drug signature.  Remember to click Save.

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

[Mary66]

I think my signature history is on it?

[ChessieCat]

4 hours ago, Mary66 said:

I think my signature history is on it?

 

Your drug signature/history shows below every post you make.  This is what I can see:

 

-1994 Paxil 20 mg -2010 Paxil 40 mg

-Fall 2020 Wellbutrin xl 150

-Spring 2021 begin Paxil taper. Drop 5 mg every two weeks per psych

-Spring 2021 Wellbutrin xl 300

-Spring 2021 start Primidone, increase @ 2 wks to 50 am/pm for ET -July 2021 final Paxil, Terrible WD

-October 2021 30# lost, terrible depression/anxiety, almost to ER

-January 2022, wanting off meds, per Mayo psyc, drop Wellbutrin xl 300 to 150 for 2 wks. Then 75 IR 2x/day for 2 wks, then 75 IR am/ 37.5 pm for 2 wks  And continue to decrease.

-February 2022, broke down and accepted Effexor XR 37.5 awful side effects, slept 3 days, empty brain, hot throat and neck. Dr. Said to stop…took it for 7 days.  -February 11, 2022 stopped Effexor 

[Mary66]

Good, thanks

[Altostrata]

@Mary66 what are the current symptoms for which you are seeking treatment? What is your current daily drug schedule?

 

Most likely, you are still suffering withdrawal symptoms from going off Paxil. We might be able to make suggestions about that, but we cannot give you general medicine advice.

[Mary66]

Depression and anxiety thru the roof.

ruminating 24/7. Mostly about what to do next….researching way too much and fb groups about functional Med folks and tons of supplements.  With my nervous system so bad I can’t imagine taking so many pills.

she also recommended Niacinamide 500 for ruminating and there is so much info I can’t figure it out, and compared to niacin.

maybe I could try that one thing?

im on Primidone barbiturate for essential tremor and tapering off Wellbutrin 300. Down to 18.5 (1/4 of 75) am and pm.

list 50#’s since taper of Paxil (8 months off), can’t sleep, maybe 4-5 hrs interrupted….can’t stop my mind.

no appetite. It’s bad for me.

everyone says to get back on a damn antidepressant, after 25 years in Paxil I think it has damaged my brain permanently and I need an AD 😕

Anxiety really started 1 1/2 years ago after cancer surgery.

feel like I should take a bite of Xanax but afraid of that too.

help me

[Altostrata]

Have you looked at adverse effects of Primidone barbiturate? Do you have any of them?

 

Please keep daily notes of times o’clock you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms throughout the day. We need to know how you feel before and after taking each drug, and your symptoms in between. Post 24 hours of notes at a time in this topic, in a simple list format with time o’clock on the left and notation (symptom or drug and dosage) on the right. This can show if your symptoms are adverse effects from one of your drugs.

[Mary66]

Tapering off Wellbutrin….down to 1/4 tab of 75 IR in the morning.

Obsessive thinking getting worse, cycling about mental symptoms and WD history. Thinking I was better when I was at 37.5 and and pm.

Have been decreasing by 1/4 tab of 75 IR every two weeks.

so now I’m at 18 am, 2nd week.

I can’t get out of my head 😕 doing all the good things, eating healthy (but have lost 55#s since bad pax taper 8 months ago, can’t sleep, nervous system on hyper alert. walking, guided meditations, etc.
started Wellbutrin 300 ER drop January 10 to 150 ER for 2 weeks, then 75 IR 2x/ day for two weeks , etc. per psych.

I’m not good.

 

[Mary66]

On 12/9/2013 at 9:47 PM, Altostrata said:

Here's the topic about reinstatement, Ellen.

 

We need to think of the nervous system as dynamic. As time goes on, it adapts as well as it can to the lack of the drug on which it became dependent, and may become intolerant of that kind of interference.

After 8 months of a too rapid Paxil taper I’m in a very bad mental state.

you stated that my body may become intolerant to the same drug…does that mean that if I added a different SSRI to help alleviate my symptoms for a short while that it wouldn’t work?

[Mary66]

On 3/28/2021 at 9:28 PM, ChessieCat said:

@JustBella

 

Post #1 of this topic explains what to do if you start to feel worse after reinstating.

 

Reinstatement is basically a gamble whether you reinstate after a few months or many months.  We have seen it work/fail for both time spans.  It seems that the sooner you reinstate/updose (usually starting with a small amount) after experiencing withdrawal symptoms the better chance there is of it being successful.

 

Generally SA suggests reinstating the last drug that you took.  However if you have been off a drug for longer than a few months, or the drug you stopped is one that is difficult to taper (either because of the physical difficulty of getting doses OR side effects), changing to a different drug like Prozac or citalopram is an option that might work.

Does this mean that adding lexapro may help my extreme WD 8 months off Paxil?  Would my receptors work for a different SSRI?

[Altostrata]

Hello, @Mary66 This is where you post questions about your particular taper.

 

Please re-read this topic from the beginning. It seems you have made a lot of drug changes since you last posted in March. Did you ever review potential adverse effects from Primadone? Did you tell your doctors about your current symptoms?

[Mary66]

My only Med changes since Paxil taper 8 months ago have been tapering off Wellbutrin 300 xl beginning in January.  Psych had me drop to 150xl for 2 weeks, then 75 IR 2/day for 2 weeks, then cut in 1/2 for eve dose for 2 weeks, then 1/2, etc. now down to 1/4 tab in the mornings day 10. Have stayed on Primidone and do not plan to go off that until I stabilize.   Reached out to Mayo neuro about its affects with AD’s….

 

”Dr. Savica does not have any concerns between primidone and any of the antidepressants. He also says it is possible that primidone can cause some depression, but it definitely should not worsen insomnia.”

Mayo psych March 2022

 

then of course I researched CYP450’s and my metabolism for these drugs….and Primidone is an inducer of many of my genes for AD’s 😫and I don’t understand all of that.

I was in such a desperate state last fall after my too fast taper from Paxil…oh I cry just thinking about it, stopping 5 mgs every two weeks. I wish I’d known about 10% taper back then, but followed drs orders  crashed in October,  in desperation I saw my pcp, saw a local psych nurse who recommended a myriad of AD’s,  did a Genesight test, saw an integrative dr who did a GI map and says I have under methylation, high copper, pyrolles and tons of stuff in my gut that are causing my depression and anxiety and recommends a zillion supplements, which I’m very skeptical of and my nervous system could not possibly attempt this, saw  a different Mayo psych (who recommended the Wellbutrin taper and to start Effexor which In desperation I tried for a week the beginning of February but stopped).

my pages of physical symptoms are better, now hot flashes and tingly electrical scalp all the time.

but my biggest and hardest problem is my mind. I simply cannot stop my mind from obsessing and overthinking every thing….trying to decide what to do, researching meds, etc.  never had anxiety b4 last year going thru this. 
finding I’m getting worse mentally as I am tapering Wellbutrin.  

I so want to pull through this but am non functioning with no quality of life, no sleep, 55 # weight loss and nervous system out of control.
I’m doing everything I can…I walk everyday, guided meditations, healthy organic food, making myself eat, try to absorb myself in distractions….it’s my ruminating and anxiety that is killing me!
Should I re-up Wellbutrin?

should I reinstate Paxil 8 months later?

Or start a different SSRI (lexapro) for a bit to pull me through this?

if Paxil pooped out after 25 years…is it possible that a different SSRI could help for a short while?

thank you so much for your patience, I still haven’t figured out how to add this to my original post….

[Altostrata]

Did you read this yourself?

 

On 2/14/2022 at 1:50 PM, Altostrata said:

Have you reviewed the adverse effects of ALL your drugs, particularly Primadone? See https://www.drugs.com/pro/primidone.html Did you discuss this with the doctors at the Mayo Clinic, or with any of your doctors?

 

What NEW symptoms do you attribute to going off Wellbutrin?

[Mary66]

Nothing new…same symptoms getting worse and worse.

my mind

obsessing 

ruminating

overthinking

depression, sadness, despair still poor since last fall