Side-effects of Welbutrin discontinuation?

Posted by mrshmallow @mrshmallow, May 3, 2016

Side-effects of Welbutrin discontinuation?
Does anyone know of any side-effects of discontinuing typical antidepressant medications?
I ask because I recently discontinued Welbutrin after about 12 weeks, and suddenly I'm experiencing some swelling in my right foot and hand. It could just be a coincidence.
But I also had some possibly related symptoms at about the time that I started Welbutrin -- some blood in the urine as well as atypical urothelial cells, and also some mild prostate enlargement. (I'm a 52-yo male.)
Thank you for any insight you may be able to share.

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Profile picture for lindasmith1222 @lindasmith1222

Thank you for your response. I have the Fisher Wallace device and find it very helpful. I will talk to my pharmacist today! I believe the lowest dosage of Wellbutrin is the 150mg tablet, which I take once a day. If you have information about dosage, I would appreciate receiving it.

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lindasmith1222
Hi! I went down on Bupropion, and I now take 2 tablets of 100 mg each, 12 hours apart, one in the morning, one at night.

What is the Fisher Wallace device?

I perfectly understand what you are saying. I use now an absolute minimum of medicines, and I am so glad because I too would rather do without them.

I agree 100% with you when you say that sometimes doctors prescribe something but don't really care and so you walk out of their offices with yet another prescription.
But sometimes medicines are really necessary. A couple of years ago I had huge problems sleeping at night. I would wake up night after night after only sleeping two and a half hours. This went on for several months and I couldn't function at all. It was real torture. Besides, I am the kind of person who can give up food, but not sleep. The lack of sleep really wears me out/down. When I told my doctor, she said: "Have you seen a psychiatrist for your depression?". I don't know how many times I had to tell her that I did NOT need new antidepressants. All I needed was something to sleep. After several months of living like a zombie and really struggling, she prescribed something called Belsomra. I will forever be grateful that she prescribed that medicine. Had she not done that, I would most probably not be writing to you today.
Take care! 😊

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Profile picture for chistiania @chistiania

lindasmith1222
Hi! I went down on Bupropion, and I now take 2 tablets of 100 mg each, 12 hours apart, one in the morning, one at night.

What is the Fisher Wallace device?

I perfectly understand what you are saying. I use now an absolute minimum of medicines, and I am so glad because I too would rather do without them.

I agree 100% with you when you say that sometimes doctors prescribe something but don't really care and so you walk out of their offices with yet another prescription.
But sometimes medicines are really necessary. A couple of years ago I had huge problems sleeping at night. I would wake up night after night after only sleeping two and a half hours. This went on for several months and I couldn't function at all. It was real torture. Besides, I am the kind of person who can give up food, but not sleep. The lack of sleep really wears me out/down. When I told my doctor, she said: "Have you seen a psychiatrist for your depression?". I don't know how many times I had to tell her that I did NOT need new antidepressants. All I needed was something to sleep. After several months of living like a zombie and really struggling, she prescribed something called Belsomra. I will forever be grateful that she prescribed that medicine. Had she not done that, I would most probably not be writing to you today.
Take care! 😊

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Did the Belsomra work right away?

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Profile picture for cmd @cmd

Did the Belsomra work right away?

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@cmd Yes, thank God!

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Profile picture for cmd @cmd

Did the Belsomra work right away?

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Do you take it every night?

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Profile picture for lindasmith1222 @lindasmith1222

Greetings. I want to stop antidepressant. I have been taking bupropion/Wellbutrin for depression for about 18 months at 150mg once a day. I am no longer depressed. I have an aversion to taking chemicals into my body. Yes, I am unvaccinated but had Covid January 2020. I have natural immunity. ANYONE have experience with tapering or should I go 'cold turkey.'

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Titrate the Bupropion working with your clinician to do so.

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Profile picture for birdiemomma @birdiemomma

You may want to live life drug-free but it isn't always possible if you want to live without depression. I have tried it and it doesn't work for me.

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Depression is an illness, and while you may feel better, it is probably the medication that made you feel better! The meds help balance the chemicals in the brain, so without the medication, the chemicals can become out of balance again! If you go off the meds because you don't want them in your body, you may very well go back to where you were before.

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Profile picture for lindasmith1222 @lindasmith1222

Greetings. I want to stop antidepressant. I have been taking bupropion/Wellbutrin for depression for about 18 months at 150mg once a day. I am no longer depressed. I have an aversion to taking chemicals into my body. Yes, I am unvaccinated but had Covid January 2020. I have natural immunity. ANYONE have experience with tapering or should I go 'cold turkey.'

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Hi....I am doing what you are. I am now taking 150mg every other day. After several weeks, I plan on taking one every 3 days etc. My MD told me that getting off Wellbutrin should not be difficult. I have noticed a difference in how I feel, but not enough to continue as I was. I am willing to persevere because I want off anti-depressants just as you do.

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Profile picture for lindasmith1222 @lindasmith1222

Thank you for your response. I have the Fisher Wallace device and find it very helpful. I will talk to my pharmacist today! I believe the lowest dosage of Wellbutrin is the 150mg tablet, which I take once a day. If you have information about dosage, I would appreciate receiving it.

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Hi...Per my doctor, 150mg is the lowest so that's why I am now taking it every other day. Unfortunately, the pill is so small, it can't be cut. I am glad that you find the Fisher Wallace device helpful. Personally, at some point after I am weaned off antidepressants, I would like to try psychedelics.

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Profile picture for lindasmith1222 @lindasmith1222

Good to know! Now I can talk to my doctor. I did not know there is extended release and 'regular.'

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Let me clarify: Wellbutrin XL is extended release (24 hours). Wellbutrin SR is sustained release (12 hours). I have never been prescribed the XL version. I have only taken SR 75, SR 100 and SR 150 and have only taken them once a day.

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Profile picture for chiaska19 @chiaska19

Hi...Per my doctor, 150mg is the lowest so that's why I am now taking it every other day. Unfortunately, the pill is so small, it can't be cut. I am glad that you find the Fisher Wallace device helpful. Personally, at some point after I am weaned off antidepressants, I would like to try psychedelics.

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@chiaska19
Hi, would you tell me what the Fisher Wallace device is and how it works? Thank you so much.

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