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dsmith
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Default May 01, 2019 at 01:52 PM
  #1
Hello all,

I've been on Lamictal since September 2016, and got on Wellbutrin XL 300 mg in September 2017.

I noticed that I was constantly having negative thoughts - i.e., beating myself up, and thought it might be a function of the Wellbutrin.

Ideally I want to get off meds entirely; I have no idea what they're doing to my system, and I feel "neutered" while on them.

Getting off Lamictal is not an option; I know that will kickstart mania and that will destroy my life. So when my supply of Wellbutrin ran out two weeks ago, I said to myself, "why don't I try getting off of it for a little while?"

So far it's been manageable. I am getting up a little earlier than usual, and do feel irritable. It's a different kind of irritability, however: I am not beating myself as much as feeling very overwhelmed. Also, I threw up today. Have less appetite in the morning, which is odd: I thought Wellbutrin was supposed to be an appetite suppressant, so being off it should make me hungrier (?)

I know it's not the best idea, as the following articles explain:
Wellbutrin Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, Treatment
Going off antidepressants - Harvard Health
Wellbutrin (Bupropion) Withdrawal & Detox | The Recovery Village

Anyway - I'm curious to know if any of you have tried this approach (getting off Wellbutrin cold turkey), and what was your experience.

Please share, thanks!

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Default May 01, 2019 at 02:35 PM
  #2
I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms going off it cold turkey.

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Default May 01, 2019 at 03:26 PM
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I went off 200mg recently with no symptoms.
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Default May 01, 2019 at 03:43 PM
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I titrated down when i went off it. If you stopped cold turkey and are okay, hey dont look a gift horse in the mouth!
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Default May 01, 2019 at 05:49 PM
  #5
Thanks everyone. It's amazing: it was only two weeks but wow - I could see the difference. I was waking up at 5am, and feeling really overwhelmed...it literally felt like hell. I was very irritable, fatigued, nauseous.

I am going to talk to my pdoc and ask about maybe lowering from 300 to 150, just to see how things go.

As much as I hate medication, the alternative (going unmedicated) was far worse!!

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Default May 01, 2019 at 06:12 PM
  #6
I went cold turkey from 450 mg with no symptoms. I guess it’s true that individuals vary. I hope your leveling down goes successfully and you start feeling better.
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Default May 01, 2019 at 08:09 PM
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I dropped it cold turkey without any side effects
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Default May 02, 2019 at 12:57 AM
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Just remember that it take time for your brain to go back to functioning sans meds. And that can be numerous weeks for most all meds.

I quit it years ago with no problem at all.

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Default Aug 15, 2019 at 02:07 AM
  #9
I went off Wellbutrin nearly a month ago after being on it at 300 mg for more than 2 years. The withdrawal has been tough so far. I have been on various ADs for chronic anxiety and derealization. Coming off Wellbutrin has made both quite a lot worse. I wasn’t expecting this! Contributing in the past 2 weeks, however, has been a trans-Pacific trip and back with serious jet lag.
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Default Aug 15, 2019 at 02:40 AM
  #10
450mgs cold turkey couldn't tell a difference that was about 10 years ago. Guess what they put me back on 450mgs of this year Still can't tell a difference and been on it a few months now so I think it does nothing.

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