Adding Prozac to Buproprion?

Hi, @lalyfa — I have taken buproprion (Wellbutrin) myself, and it was a journey to get to just the right dosage. I started taking a lower level initially, and then my doctor raised it gradually. It was actually a bumpy ride getting to a good place with the medication, as at first I felt more of the side effects (like being overly wired) much more acutely and wondered if it would work out for me. Fortunately, a pharmacist told me I should expect at least 3-4 months for my body to get used to it and kind of level off.

I later came to a place where I was very stressed and down about a government job I had a few years back that turned out to be a very ill fit for my skills and training. At that point, what I was feeling seemed to surpass the help the buproprion I was taking offered — like it was still helping partially, but certainly not completely. My doctor added fluoxetine (Prozac), and that really helped me get through the rough patch. I later tapered off of it a number of months later when I felt like I was in a better place.

Some others you might like to meet who have experience with buproprion (Wellbutrin) are @roch @merpreb @nancy3756 @lilmac44 @bekinprogress @merpreb @littleonefmohio @amberpep. Also, @giacamosgirl58 @christyrodgers9 @terra @dianrib have talked about fluoxetine (Prozac), and @gailb may also have some thoughts. Hoping they might join in and share about their experiences with these medications. If they have taken buproprion (Wellbutrin) and fluoxetine (Prozac) at the same time, it would be good to hear about whether that was helpful.

@lalyfa — what initially prompted going on the buproprion (Wellbutrin)?

@lisalucier I was on Effexor for several years but thought it was causing blurred vision so my doctor decided to try me on Wellbutrin. I wanted to see if I could get off of taking anti-depressants completely so gave that a try. After 4-5 months it was quite apparent I needed something so went with the Wellbutrin. After a couple weeks I noticed I felt refreshed when I got up in the morning, I wasn’t crying all the time, I wasn’t sweating, and my brain didn’t feel ‘fuzzy’.

But a couple weeks later I had a couple unfavorable stressful situations occur which I ended up ‘blowing up’ over and the crying came back. I went back to my doctor and she increased the Wellbutrin dose. We didn’t know why it seemed to stop helping me. I’ve been on the increased dose for about 10 days and I haven’t really noticed a difference yet even though my doctor thought I would after a week. Hopefully I just need more time bc so far I’m not experiencing any of the side effects that I had on Effexor or celexa which is nice. Since my doctor mentioned the possible addition of Prozac I wondered if anyone else had experienced the two together.

Thank you for your reply; it was helpful!

Hi. I was wondering if you had any recent updates on your experience with medications. I too am in the same situation now. Was on Cymbalta for 9 years. It worked wonders for my depression but after about 7 years i started hVing bad side effects. Over the past 6 months ive tried Pristiq, Lexapro and a new med called Trintellix. Nothing has been helping and side effects are horrible. So now im trying no medication. It's only been 1 week but not feeling great.

Most MD's just keep adding to the dose... or adding another drug. Millions of us are on these drugs. Most are Dangerous, habit forming. Like me MD gives NO warnings !! I stopped Xanax for 2 days , wound up in ER so sick, Head pain, MD scanned my brain for damage. BP
was 300 Thought I was dying. Back in the day I wonder how folks coped. . I want to stop these drugs but am now terrified of the side effects. since I am 75. US is only country that allows TV ads' pushing' these meds ! Pharma seems to own safety experts .

I hate these mood altering drugs. ALL have serious side effects. Never took them till my hubby died, daughter had a stroke and grandson got sick. Husbands pension was slashed after many years of hard work, long days . He had to leave the labor union when he became a Plant Supt. How does this happen in a country that cals itself Christian ' Its all LIP service GOP plan has always been to bust unions, Trump already Cut SS and medicare, FDA EPA meals on wheels, our kids education. WE Must end useless trillions of dollars Bush wars, who have killed & maimed our Veterans , some of whom are homeless. Family Values ? Not really

@dianrib I hear how you are feeling even though I don’t believe it has anything to do with Christianity. I am sorry things are difficult. Change is rough.

@dianrib- It sounds as if you are having a difficult time. I hear you. That is a lot of losses and illnesses to deal with. I get that you are very angry and I think that we all know, on this site at least, that doctors, in trying to help us, over prescribe certain drugs. So, to stay on point I think it's best that we deal with withdrawal symptoms and depression and anxiety that are part of it all.
To those of you who are presently withdrawing form your medicines are you getting outside at all, if you can that is? Are you socializing (I know I know you don't feel like it), seeing family who can help? I am also in my 70's and have experienced Effexor withdrawal and withdrawal from Valium, to name a few. We have to force ourselves to do the things that are the hardest to break out of our pains, distract ourselves, do whatever it takes. This is a rescue! Since we are our own responsibility waiting for someone to make it better will only make it worse. You and I are as important than any relative or friend who you would save if need be. And unfortunately some things do take time. I think that by moving and being with people help. If it did for me, it can for you too.

@dianrib Even if you can only open your door and breath some fresher air. The first move is always the most difficult.

Took Prozac Never had any problem stopping Xanax however is dangerous & very hard to stop Beware

Gov't policies shows little humanity. We worked our whole life but lost so much. I'm not religious but pray daily for my family. I miss my sweet husband and my grandson ...who now hates me due to mental illness Both parents had mental illness. I function , day to day, hour by hour .. Cared for my daughter and grandson Savings almost gone Afraid. Cared for hubby till he passed . Tried MD, meds, counselling...meditating, Miss my husbands caring & love so much. Have 3 rescue dogs that love me