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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by clubfitter on November 30, 2007, at 17:29:00
I have been on Bupropion XL 300 mgs for about 6 1/2 weeks now and have had no positive reaction. In fact, I may even feel a little worse. It was supposed to be stimulating and was not...the biggest dissapointment. I really dont want to be on so many meds, and if in 6 1/2 weeks have felt absolutely nothing, aren't you supposed to move on?? Thanks in advance
Posted by Justherself54 on November 30, 2007, at 19:33:27
In reply to Should I discontinue Wellbutrin? Cold Turkey?, posted by clubfitter on November 30, 2007, at 17:29:00
I wouldn't recommend going off any med cold turkey..you may end up feeling way worse than you are now..I know it's a pain to titrate down..but you may save yourself some withdrawal symptoms by doing it slowly..
Posted by DStupid on November 30, 2007, at 22:04:13
In reply to Should I discontinue Wellbutrin? Cold Turkey?, posted by clubfitter on November 30, 2007, at 17:29:00
Maybe it was because you were taking the XL, rather than the SR. I tried all three types of Welbutrin, the immediate release, the SR (sustained release), and the XL (extra long). I noticed that the SR was working better than the XL, and that the immediate release gave me quite a kick. Why not switch to the SR to see how it's working for you before leaving Welbutrin altogether? I couldn't tolerate any type of Welbturin because of its bad effects on my heart.
In any event, Welbutrin can't be stopped abruptly. The damn thing lowers the seizures threshold. You were taking it around the clock (I assume that you took 150 mg. 2x a day from your 300 mg dosage) for 1-1/2 months, and stopping it abruptly is plain dangerous. I don't know how slow you should go. I was only on it for about 2 weeks and at low dosages.
Posted by Phillipa on November 30, 2007, at 22:08:16
In reply to Re: Should I discontinue Wellbutrin? Cold Turkey? » clubfitter, posted by DStupid on November 30, 2007, at 22:04:13
Me too one week at l50 so just stopped it. But I'm on benzos too so seizure threshold covered. Phillipa
Posted by Racer on November 30, 2007, at 23:53:31
In reply to Re: Should I discontinue Wellbutrin? Cold Turkey? » clubfitter, posted by DStupid on November 30, 2007, at 22:04:13
>
>
> In any event, Welbutrin can't be stopped abruptly. You were taking it around the clock (I assume that you took 150 mg. 2x a day from your 300 mg dosage)Actually, that would be one 300mg tablet, and can't be split. After six weeks, you shouldn't have a problem stopping it -- but it's always wise to discuss any drug changes with your doctor, since your doctor has more information about your health history, other risk factors, etc.
So, my advice is to ask your doctor about how to stop. Wellbutrin XL is the longest acting form of a very short acting medication, and it should be safe to stop. I've heard of doctors recommending taking one dose every other day, but that really won't be doing much for you -- the half life is too short, so you'd be getting a roller-coaster ride of the drug, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
Good luck.
Posted by sonic_gb on December 3, 2007, at 9:15:13
In reply to Should I discontinue Wellbutrin? Cold Turkey?, posted by clubfitter on November 30, 2007, at 17:29:00
BIG DISCLAIMER: What I did isn't smart, and you should ask your Doctor before discontinuing anything.
Here's what I did:
1.) Tapered over three days from 450mg SR/day to 0mg/day.
2.) I did this because Wellbutrin lowers the seizure threshold while you are on it, not when you discontinue it.
3.) Since my Doctor has imposed what I believe to be an unreasonable benzo tapering schedule, I was worried about the risk of seizures from benzo withdrawal combined with a high dose of Wellbutrin, an AD that can cause seizures all on its own.
4.) Wellbutrin was worsening my anxiety and insomnia, and not helping my depression in the least, even after 8 weeks. Removing benzos from the equation would make Wellbutrin caused anxiety and insomnia worse.
5.)I no longer trust my pdocs advice on anything psychiatric. If we wants to rip me off the benzos, I'll stop his inneffective AD too until I'm seen by a psychiatrist. How much worse could things get at this point?I have notice no ill effects from discontinuing Wellbutrin whatsoever. In fact, my daytime anxiety might have improved a little even factoring in the benzo taper.
Just my 2 cents, but ask your doctor about discontinuing before you do anything. I'm sure your's is more thoughtful and reasonable than mine.
Sonic
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