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What Are The Withdrawal Symptoms Of Wellbutrin?
Question: Greetings Doctor,
A.
I am off Wellbutrim for last 3 weeks.
The Lethargy has not reoccurred.
Surprisingly, I did not face any withdrawal symptoms at all.
B.
I have stopped Cipralex before three days.
My Libido become normal. I didnt know it is just a co-incidence or Cipralex was causing it.
C
Started XXXXXXX diet.
off and on.
Lost 3 kgs. First time, this weight reversal has occurred in 2 years.
Planned to keep the momentum to lose more in the coming weeks.
From 93.5, I came down to 90 in 2 weeks.
D
Work place Anxiety is not there.
As of now Life is like a Song, bit slow.
I have a portion of Steady Business which keeps my lifestyle.
I have another dimension of Business, which I spend time as I feel like.
E
Xanax is not used in the Last 2 months.
Even I used to take Xanax under extreme Duress before.
May be one time in 2 weeks or 3 weeks.
F
The chronic Leg Pain has vanished around 95 %.
I am able to walk 5 to 6 kms without pain or fatigue.
I had this problem for 4 months.
(So it must be related to WellButrim. I am taking Norvasac, Approvel and Lipitor now).
For the sake of facts, If I again take wellbutrim, pain should return.
(But I will do not do that)
**********************************************************
I need help.
**********************************************************
I have eaten my last of Rivotril today.
I used to take a steady .5 mg a day. (Break 2 Mg into 4 pieces)
Last 2 days, I need to break the .5 into 2 pieces.
Current Issues.
1. Continue Rivotril or Discontinue it. If continue, I need a prescription and will come and take it from you.
I do not want to do anything rash which will nullify the recent gains.
I have a feeling, sleep patterns have to be managed, as Rivotril makes me sleep flat without any interim awakenings.
The above statement is an assumption or perceived information, which my body can make it into a reality.
Or drop this and watch for Withdrawal Symptoms.
2. I have a abnormally high degree of sneezing without infection.
Probable causes.
1. My Cat XXXXXXX (persian). It has lots of hairs and it sheds.
2. Dust Levels
I have these for last 2 years. So it seems to include them in the culprit list.
3. I have a wheezing which is strange. The last wheezing issue I had was 23 years before. It did not occur in the last 23 years.
I was eusinophilic.
Doctor gave me Symbicort and Ventolin puffs.
Thanking you
XXXX
A.
I am off Wellbutrim for last 3 weeks.
The Lethargy has not reoccurred.
Surprisingly, I did not face any withdrawal symptoms at all.
B.
I have stopped Cipralex before three days.
My Libido become normal. I didnt know it is just a co-incidence or Cipralex was causing it.
C
Started XXXXXXX diet.
off and on.
Lost 3 kgs. First time, this weight reversal has occurred in 2 years.
Planned to keep the momentum to lose more in the coming weeks.
From 93.5, I came down to 90 in 2 weeks.
D
Work place Anxiety is not there.
As of now Life is like a Song, bit slow.
I have a portion of Steady Business which keeps my lifestyle.
I have another dimension of Business, which I spend time as I feel like.
E
Xanax is not used in the Last 2 months.
Even I used to take Xanax under extreme Duress before.
May be one time in 2 weeks or 3 weeks.
F
The chronic Leg Pain has vanished around 95 %.
I am able to walk 5 to 6 kms without pain or fatigue.
I had this problem for 4 months.
(So it must be related to WellButrim. I am taking Norvasac, Approvel and Lipitor now).
For the sake of facts, If I again take wellbutrim, pain should return.
(But I will do not do that)
**********************************************************
I need help.
**********************************************************
I have eaten my last of Rivotril today.
I used to take a steady .5 mg a day. (Break 2 Mg into 4 pieces)
Last 2 days, I need to break the .5 into 2 pieces.
Current Issues.
1. Continue Rivotril or Discontinue it. If continue, I need a prescription and will come and take it from you.
I do not want to do anything rash which will nullify the recent gains.
I have a feeling, sleep patterns have to be managed, as Rivotril makes me sleep flat without any interim awakenings.
The above statement is an assumption or perceived information, which my body can make it into a reality.
Or drop this and watch for Withdrawal Symptoms.
2. I have a abnormally high degree of sneezing without infection.
Probable causes.
1. My Cat XXXXXXX (persian). It has lots of hairs and it sheds.
2. Dust Levels
I have these for last 2 years. So it seems to include them in the culprit list.
3. I have a wheezing which is strange. The last wheezing issue I had was 23 years before. It did not occur in the last 23 years.
I was eusinophilic.
Doctor gave me Symbicort and Ventolin puffs.
Thanking you
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Better to taper off Rivotril slowly.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Welcome back!
I am really happy to know that you are doing well. It is easy to understand that you had no discontinuation symptoms after you stopped Wellbutrin as this drug does not usually cause withdrawal, unlike Cipralex and Rivotril. Cipralex is also known to cause sexual dysfunction, which is mitigated by Wellbutrim and this is one of the reasons why you were advised to taper off Cipralex and switch to Wellbutrin.
The weight loss is really a great achievement and I expect you will lose even more weight now that Cipralex has been stopped. Improvement in leg pain will help you exercise more. But it is really a wonder to me that bupropion was responsible for your leg ache. I have never seen this before in my practice. Rather I have seen quite a few people complain of leg ache with Cipralex. It is good that the culprit is known and can be avoided in future.
Reduction in stress at workplace is a very good sign and I hope this continues. This has helped in cutting down your requirement of Xanax, which I remember was always occasional. Coming to the present issues now.
1. Since you have stopped Cipralex just three days back, I do not think it is the right time to stop/reduce any other medicine for the next few days. Especially Rivotril, which has more withdrawal symptoms than Cipralex. In my opinion, you should continue with Rivotril in the previous dose of 0.5 mg for at least two weeks more, before reducing it to 0.25 mg. That dose should again be halved after at least two more weeks. If things go well and your sleep is not affected, then only you should try stopping it completely. Actually if one were to go by guidelines, the period of two weeks is too low and one should take months to taper off a benzodiazepine like Rivotril. You are also right in saying that the recent gains should not be compromised.
If there is a problem and you wish to stop/taper Rivotril in a hurry, then I think it will be safer to take zolpidem (Ambien) at bedtime for at least a few weeks. It is a sleeping pill but does not work like Rivotril and is not as effective. However it will definitely be of some help. It can be taken on an SOS basis (as and when required) even later.
2 and 3. The sneezing, wheezing and eosinophilia all suggest that you are having a respiratory allergy. Symbicort and Ventolin inhalers are of help in controlling the allergy and also provide symptomatic relief. But it will be better if the cause of allergy can be identified and removed. Both dust and cat hair can be responsible. If you have recently been away from the house for a few days, try to remember whether your symptoms improved during that time or not. If so, then the cat is the likely culprit.
I hope the progress you have made in the last few months persists. Please let me know if I can help in any way.
Take care.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Better to taper off Rivotril slowly.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Welcome back!
I am really happy to know that you are doing well. It is easy to understand that you had no discontinuation symptoms after you stopped Wellbutrin as this drug does not usually cause withdrawal, unlike Cipralex and Rivotril. Cipralex is also known to cause sexual dysfunction, which is mitigated by Wellbutrim and this is one of the reasons why you were advised to taper off Cipralex and switch to Wellbutrin.
The weight loss is really a great achievement and I expect you will lose even more weight now that Cipralex has been stopped. Improvement in leg pain will help you exercise more. But it is really a wonder to me that bupropion was responsible for your leg ache. I have never seen this before in my practice. Rather I have seen quite a few people complain of leg ache with Cipralex. It is good that the culprit is known and can be avoided in future.
Reduction in stress at workplace is a very good sign and I hope this continues. This has helped in cutting down your requirement of Xanax, which I remember was always occasional. Coming to the present issues now.
1. Since you have stopped Cipralex just three days back, I do not think it is the right time to stop/reduce any other medicine for the next few days. Especially Rivotril, which has more withdrawal symptoms than Cipralex. In my opinion, you should continue with Rivotril in the previous dose of 0.5 mg for at least two weeks more, before reducing it to 0.25 mg. That dose should again be halved after at least two more weeks. If things go well and your sleep is not affected, then only you should try stopping it completely. Actually if one were to go by guidelines, the period of two weeks is too low and one should take months to taper off a benzodiazepine like Rivotril. You are also right in saying that the recent gains should not be compromised.
If there is a problem and you wish to stop/taper Rivotril in a hurry, then I think it will be safer to take zolpidem (Ambien) at bedtime for at least a few weeks. It is a sleeping pill but does not work like Rivotril and is not as effective. However it will definitely be of some help. It can be taken on an SOS basis (as and when required) even later.
2 and 3. The sneezing, wheezing and eosinophilia all suggest that you are having a respiratory allergy. Symbicort and Ventolin inhalers are of help in controlling the allergy and also provide symptomatic relief. But it will be better if the cause of allergy can be identified and removed. Both dust and cat hair can be responsible. If you have recently been away from the house for a few days, try to remember whether your symptoms improved during that time or not. If so, then the cat is the likely culprit.
I hope the progress you have made in the last few months persists. Please let me know if I can help in any way.
Take care.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Answered by
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