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Any Weight Loss After Withdrawing? Any Emotional Blunting?


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#1 PebblesWondering

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Posted 09 January 2021 - 04:46 AM

I'm considering changing from Cymbalta to Wellbutrin. I put on 50kg after 3 years on paroxetine for depression and anxiety. None of my doctors told me it could be the drug. I was on it for 15 years. Switched to Cymbalta 3 years ago but I don't trust that Cymbalta is "weight neutral". I still struggle to lose weight despite a mostly healthy diet and good exercise. I wonder what these SSRIs have done to my metabolism.

 

Has anyone lost weight coming off Cymbalta?

 

Has anyone changed from Cymbalta to Wellbutrin and lost weight as a result? 

 

Has anyone switched to Wellbutrin and felt better due to it working on your dopamine rather than serotonin?  

 

And has anyone experienced "émotional blunting" (emotional numbness, difficulty feeling joy) after long term use of anti-depressants? 

 

Would really appreciate any shared experiences to help inform me. Can't seem to find a doctor that has real knowledge of these particular AD side effects. 


#2 invalidusername

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Posted 09 January 2021 - 07:11 AM

Hi Pebbles and welcome to the forum...

 

Has anyone lost weight coming off Cymbalta?

 

Yes. Plenty of people! This is not a new topic. Weight gain from Cymbalta is a common occurrence - the cessation of which will restore, in most cases, your normal weight assuming a sensible diet.

 

Has anyone changed from Cymbalta to Wellbutrin and lost weight as a result? 

 

A scholarly research will give you the best idea;

 

"In clinical trials lasting up to 6 months for Wellbutrin XL (extended-release oral tablets), about 3% of study participants gained more than 5 pounds while taking 300 milligrams daily. Another 2% gained more than 5 pounds on 400 milligrams per day, and 4% gained weight taking the placebo.
 
With regards to weight loss, 14% lost more than 5 pounds while taking 300 milligrams daily, while 19% lost more than 5 pounds while taking 400 milligrams per day. Of the study participants, 6% lost more than 5 pounds while taking a placebo"

 

Weight loss appears to be the more likely option, but one can never know until taking the drug. But the odds stack up in favour of Wellbutrin against Cymbalta.

 

Has anyone switched to Wellbutrin and felt better due to it working on your dopamine rather than serotonin?  

 

OK - this is very much a question with no answer as it is purely subjective. SSRI's will only work in 30% of cases of depression/anxiety. Strictly speaking some might say that having gone through 3, you will find one that works, but again, that is not always the case. But you can have a stab at what might be causing the depression from your mood. Dopamine is more concerned with motivation and reward centres of the brain, whereas serotonin you just don't give a ****. Difficult to tell, but you could even be making things worse with the wrong drug, but unfortunately the levels of science cannot get to the point of testing the level of chemicals the wrong side of the blood brain barrier... yet. So it is very much a medication roulette.

 

And has anyone experienced "émotional blunting" (emotional numbness, difficulty feeling joy) after long term use of anti-depressants? 

 

Plenty. This is very common as when you stop, subject to what other sources will tell you that the synapses become "unblocked" - they dont. They die off and new one grown in place. This can take anything unto 2 years, but progress is seen along the way. Again, subjective. Others, the lucky ones (!), will see benefit within weeks rather than months.

 

Hope that gets you started. I might suggest you read our eBook which is "pinned" in the medical section for download. It will answer a lot of your questions, but please do not hesitate to ask and keep us posted here.

 

IUN


#3 fishinghat

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Posted 09 January 2021 - 08:21 AM

Welcome to the forum PW. It looks like IUN has given you very good information and I agree with him entirely.


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#4 PebblesWondering

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Posted 12 February 2021 - 05:33 AM

Thank you so much IUN for your detailed reply. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. It's very kind of you. I actually forgot about this post as I've had a lot going on in my life recently. I was delighted to find a response here tonight. I will keep researching this. Thank you again. 


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#5 invalidusername

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Posted 13 February 2021 - 10:25 AM

My pleasure, and thank you for your kind words. 

 

If there is anything else, please let us know. We are always here for support - regardless of how you feel or what you may need help with.

 

IUN


#6 PebblesWondering

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Posted 03 March 2021 - 05:39 AM

HI everyone, 

 

I've done some reading and it seems that Cymbalta can be combined safely with Wellbutrin. Does anyone have any experience with adding Wellbutrin to Cymbalta that they could share? 

 

Did you feel better and in what way? (eg more energy?) 

Did you lose weight? 

Did you feel less tired?

Did anyone add Wellbutrin to Cymbalta, then reduce the Cymbalta to try and reduce emotional blunting and/or lose weight and/or improve libido? How successful was this? 

 

Thank you in advance for any advice. 


#7 fishinghat

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Posted 03 March 2021 - 09:33 AM

There have been several members who have added Wellbutrin to Cymbalta as well as totally crossing over to Wellbutrin. Considering that most stated that their drs approved of the move I must assume that the two are compatible at least to some degree. I will look into this matter in more detail later this morning and let you know what I find. 


#8 fishinghat

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Posted 03 March 2021 - 02:35 PM

Sorry PW. Haven't got there yet but I haven't forgot about you yet either. I should get a chance in the next few hours.


#9 invalidusername

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Posted 03 March 2021 - 05:30 PM

If you are epileptic then you should be monitored and there is mention of plasma levels being affected in the Cymbalta side - so again, monitoring is advised.

 

https://www.drugs.co...?professional=1


#10 fishinghat

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Posted 03 March 2021 - 06:35 PM

OK PW

 

Here is the info I have found so far that would possibly be applicable to your situation/

 

Member comments
 
Vinpin,
Regarding seizures, that's a subject I do have personal experience with. The good news is that I'm seizure free for more than 10 years. The bad news is that I had half a dozen gran mal seizures in the 12 years prior, starting with wellbutrin. I tend to believe the seizures all came from the various meds (15-20 combinations) I went through. The only thing that seems to have stopped the seizures is the anti seizure medicine Keppra.
 
HRTbroken Posted 12 December 2018 - 11:59 AM 
she did a month long trial of Wellbutrin, which is a dopamine re-uptake inhibitor to see if it would help with the sexual side effects of being on Cymbalta, but she found it made things worse. That was a year ago though. It may have played a role in this, 
 
I also refer you back to IUN's post 
 
Iknowthiswillgetbetter on 20 September 2020 - 06:02 AM 
My doctor once again said he could cross taper me onto Wellbutrin and then I could stop taking the Cymbalta in a week. 
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Section of old thread...
 
I Need Some Help
 Posted by Usedtobejoyful on 25 June 2020 - 02:32 PM in Cymbalta Lawsuit Information & News
Oh and I rarely drink anything, not planning on having anything anytime soon I did research all the side effects of Wellbutrin, so I am aware of that. I also kind of had heard about the side effects of going off Cymbalta, but wow. Just wow.
 
#93905I Need Some Help
 Posted by Usedtobejoyful on 25 June 2020 - 02:28 PM in Cymbalta Lawsuit Information & News
Thank you, for the quick responses. I am on the XL Wellbutrin. The doctor said today it is fine for me to continue the 20mg, and do the tapering at my own pace. I am open for any of your suggestions, my doctor (psychiatrist) will work with me on this.
 
#93902I Need Some Help
 Posted by fishinghat on 25 June 2020 - 01:20 PM in Cymbalta Lawsuit Information & News
Here is the situation Joy.  It takes Wellbutrin 6 to 8 weeks to kick in so it may still be a little over a monthg before you feel the full effects of the 300 mg Wellbutrin. Also, Wellbutrin controls norepinephrine (similar to adrenaline) and dopamine while Cymbalta controlls norepinephrine and serotonin. The reason I mention this is that once the Wellbutrin fully kicks in you may still have some issues with serotonin balance until your body adjusts. This would include some emotional swings and maybe some GI issues. Hopefully the Wellbutrin will be able to compensate for that but you should be prepared in case.
 You can come off the Cymbalta slower than the dr recommended but you would be at risk for seizures. In addition, you should not consider the use of alcohol while on Wellbutrin. Using Wellbutrin with alcohol may increase the risk of uncommon side effects such as seizures, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, mood and behavioral changes, depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and panic attacks. On the other hand, sudden withdrawal from alcohol following regular or chronic use can also increase your risk of seizures during treatment with Wellbutrin.
There are some medications your dr can prescribe for any anxiety type symptoms but I hesitate to mention them as they may make the depression worse. 
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 Posted by Usedtobejoyful on 25 June 2020 - 09:20 AM in Cymbalta Lawsuit Information & News
I am trying to withdraw from this awful medicine. I am transitioning to Wellbutrin (at 300 mg now), from Duluxotine, I was up to 120 mg (60 twice a day). I am down to 20 mg once a day, she went from 60 twice a day to 30 once a day, then she stopped it. OMG I had almost every symptom and it was terrifying, as I am normally a easy-going person, working 3 jobs to a non functioning adult...I called and she put me back on 20 mg a day for 2 weeks then wanted me to do every other day. I am waiting for a call back, because I think I need to go much longer, and maybe even go back up to 30? Then start the whole bead removal process?  I have been on it for several years, just increasing from 90 to 120 in January. I am on it for depression (2 suicide attempts, been 9 years since hospitalization for that) I need some help transitioning. advice? I am experiencing most of the symptoms and am having trouble with working, concentrating, functioning, etc. 
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Bella407 on 04 May 2020 - 08:06 PM in Question and comments for Me
Good Evening Everyone,
I have been on 90mg Cymbalta for over four years due to depression, it was actually added in conjunction with another medication I take which is 450 mg Wellbutrin.I'm med resistant is why the high doses. I was also put on other medications Seroquel, Topamax when my son died three years ago. I was diagnosed with PTSD 6 months after his death. I meet with my psychiatrist 1x per week for therapy sessions. We discussed taking me off of the Cymbalta and he gave me information on the withdrawal symptoms. He properly tapered me down and I took my last dose on Friday. I'm already having some pretty intense symptoms such as headaches, bad dreams, body aches, anxiety, flashing lights in front of my eyes. My fear is that I may begin to have suicidal thoughts as it's been reported that this is a symptom of the withdrawal. Has anyone experienced this? I'm concerned because I am still grieving my sons death and I may need more support during this time. Any feedback is appreciated.
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Posted by a63548 on 16 June 2019 - 11:11 PM in Weaning Off Cymbalta
I've been taking 120mg Cymbalta daily, along with 300mg Wellbutrin daily, with 1mg of Ativan 1-2 times a day as needed, with Gabapentin to help with anxiety as well. For sleep I'm also prescribed 10mg Ambien, and 30mg Temazepam to alternate between.
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Posted by mforster on 13 April 2019 - 06:16 AM in Weaning Off Cymbalta
I was prescribed 20mg of cymbalta after having bad experiences with both zoloft and wellbutrin. I didn't like the emotional flattening, the fatigue, and the lack of motivation--turned my anxiety into depression!
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Posted by Brijo on 21 February 2019 - 03:39 PM in How to Find Support
 The cardiac doc changed his meds from Zoloft to Wellbutrin (summer time).  The Wellbutrin also cause side effects oso his GP switched him to Cymbaltoa 20 mg around a month ago. 
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Posted by Jgfergie on 23 October 2018 - 11:32 A
Prior to figuring out that it was the Wellbutrin that was causing the anxiety, I started to spread it out to get more coverage. 
 
 Posted by redhouse on 16 September 2018 - 06:29 AM
My doctor prescribed Wellbutrin and Buspirone for the anxiety. I have only been on Wellbutrin for 8 days but my anxiety has been even WORSE during that time. Suicidal thoughts, difficulty eating (6 lbs down this week), difficulty sleeping, and unable to engage in life activities. Since it has only been 8 days I am thinking of just stopping it. I don't want to take it today.
Note -  This member had quit Cymbalta cold turkey and was goin g through full withdrawal when they made this post.
 
Posted by popprincess on 02 September 2018 - 12:44 PM
Currently I am on 13mg of Cymbalta (and 200mg of Wellbutrin). After taking Cymbalta 60mg / Wellbutrin 200mg for two years (before that, I had been on some combination of SSRIs and Wellbutrin for the previous 15 years), I began to taper off the Cymbalta for the past year as follows:...
 
Posted by jltshop on 18 August 2018 - 05:48 PM 
I briefly tried Wellbutrin SR 100mg once a day and it caused anxiety, nervousness and palpitations. 
 
Posted by Linda0917 on 13 April 2018 - 02:42 PM
Up until March 20 I was taking a small dose of wellbutrin(1/8 or less of a 75mg tablet) to help with the panic attacks but I wasn't able to eat or sleep on wellbutrin so I needed to get off. 
 
Posted by Linda0917 on 30 March 2018 - 09:01 A
I have been off Cymbalta since January 4 and Wellbutrin for about 2 weeks.  I took the 1/8 of a pill and pinched pieces off for several days to wean off.  Just when I think it's over the panic attacks start again.  I don't remember ever having these before and now I am literally afraid of everything!  I have been on my own since I was 12 yrs old.  I raised 2 kids on my own, this is not me.  It's driving me crazy! 
 
Posted by Cjmansf on 18 March 2018 - 08:10 AM
 In the past I had been prescribed Wellbutrin as an add on to Lexapro. The doc thought it would help with the Lexapro side effects. It just ended up making me irritable and such.
 
 Posted by Linda0917 on 13 March 2018 - 06:21
The doctors convinced me to go back on antidepressants so I went on wellbutrin thinking it wouldn't be so hard to get off of forgetting about the side effects of the wellbutrin which is not being able to eat or sleep!!! I'm down to 95 lbs.  I actually count calories to gain weight.  I'm finally able to control my panic attacks but I'm still not able to deal with the problems causing the anxiety because of the panic attacks.  I want to get off the wellbutrin so bad so I can sleep and eat again.  I've cut that down very slowly.  I tried to stop after dropping down to 1/4 of a tablet and ended up back to the 24/7 panic attacks.   I've now cut the tablet into 8 pieces (a feat which is difficult in itself) and have been for about 2 days now.  Anybody have any suggestions as to how long I should continue and could I just try to stop or should i attempt to cut it even smaller?  I'm just now able to somewhat eat again but only a little at a time.  I still can't sleep without over the counter sleep meds and a lorazepam because the doctor won't let me have them much longer and I'm trying so hard not to take but I have to sleep.
 
Posted by Thomthepainter on 26 February 2018 - 11:15 AM in ARE YOU NEW HERE? Words from the wise about Cymbalta
This is my first post here. Just found it this morning while desperate to find out more about the terrible affects I'm experiencing since abruptly stopping Cymbalta per my Doctors' orders and began taking Wellbutrin in an attempt to lessen or completely getting rid of the sexual side effects ie: erectile dysfunction caused by Cymbalta. I was not told by my doctor about ANY withdrawal effects from doing this.
 
Posted by Kerro on 24 January 2018 - 02:17 AM in How to Find Support
I'm new here and I'm about 10 days into the hell of withdrawal. I've been on 120mg of Cymbalta for a number of years and gained a huge amount of weight. My new pdoc has been moving me to a new antidepressant (buproprion aka wellbutrin aka zyban) because of the weight issues. He's had me gradually reducing Cymbalta in 30mg chunks while gradually increasing the bupropion since last November and mostly things were going fine until about 10 days ago when I stopped the last of the Cymbalta.
Enter constant headaches, brain zaps, dizziness, nausea, sweating, a high fever, incredible rage at the tiniest thing, and endless tears. Thank you Eli-Lilly. I can't work feeling like this, let alone do much else. I'm trying to keep in touch with work stuff but finding it hard to sit up for more than about 30 mins before the headache and dizziness send me back to bed. 
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Drugs.com
Applies to: Wellbutrin (bupropion), Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Talk to your doctor before using buPROPion together with DULoxetine. Combining these medications may increase the risk of seizures, which may occur rarely with either medication. In addition, buPROPion can increase the blood levels of DULoxetine, which may increase other side effects. You may be more likely to experience seizures with these medications if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, have a history of seizures, or have a condition affecting the central nervous system such as a brain tumor or head trauma. 
 
 
Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2014 Sep;124:238-44. doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2014.06.005. Epub 2014 Jun 14. 
Augmentation of antidepressant effects of duloxetine and bupropion by caffeine in mice.
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the augmentation of antidepressant effects of duloxetine and/or bupropion with caffeine. Comparison between vehicle treated group and other groups showed significant decrease in immobility in all drug treated groups in both antidepressant models. Caffeine plus duloxetine treated group was better among the combination treated groups in terms of decrease in immobility and increase in norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin levels in hippocampi, cerebral cortices, and whole brain when compared to their respective monotherapy treated groups. These combination approaches may help in reducing the dose of duloxetine/bupropion, and consequently lower the associated side/adverse effects.
Translation - Caffiene in combination with Cymbalta helps decrease fatique and sluggishness (side effects of Cymbalta). It also increased concentrations of norepinephrine, dopamine and seratonin in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex and the whole brain.

#11 fishinghat

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Posted 03 March 2021 - 06:37 PM

More tomorrow...


#12 fishinghat

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Posted 04 March 2021 - 10:07 AM

OK, Back on the project. More info to come later today.


#13 fishinghat

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Posted 04 March 2021 - 11:36 AM

Posted by Jgfergie on 25 October 2017 - 08:41 AM 
I have been on 120 mg of Cymbalta , in addition to 3 doses of .5 mg of clonapin a day for 8 months.  About 6 weeks ago I started weaning the cymbalta first and recently the clonapin too.  Went from 120 to 100 to 80 and now 60 with about 2-2.5 weeks in between each drop.  I also went on 100mg and then 150mg of Wellbutrin concurrently and didn't have any real issues, just some increased anxiety and depression for a day or so usually about a week after a drop. I attributed that mostly to the cymbalta drop.  Overall I have felt much better.   Last week my Dr. upped my Wellbutrin to 300 (from 150) while dropping my Cymbalta to 60.  I have also started to cut the clonapin very slowly from a .5mg dose 3x a day to a .25mg dose in the am, a .5 mg. dose in the afternoon and .25mg dose in the pm each day.  For this last adjustment, I started to feel really jittery and slightly manic so called my doctor yesterday and we adjusted my dose of wellbutrin back down to 150 today, as I felt really good there.  But my anxiety and depression is really acute today and I am thinking it is the follow-on from the Cymbalta drop.  Does that sound right?  Should I push through for another day or two and see how I feel after the WellButrin stabilizes back at 150?  Its been a week since I cut the Cymbalta from 80-60.  Our plan is for me to stabilize here at 60 with teh 150 of Wellbutrin and get off the clonapin before attacking the rest of the cymbalta. 
 
Posted by memiller77 on 03 August 2017 - 01:15 AM
I have a new doctor and told him I want off of Cymbalta because it's not working. He lowered my dose to 60mg and added 159mg of Wellbutrin for two weeks. The day down to 30 mg of Cymbalta with the Wellbutrin. My problem is I feel so hopeless that I'll never feel better. My depression has reached suicidal thoughts. Only the thought of what that would do to my family keeps me from it. I'm lucky that I'm retired so I can at least hide at home in my misery. My poor husband does literally everything.
 
Posted by cymbaltaboy on 17 July 2017 - 06:15 PM in How to Find Support
I've been on a combination of Cymbalta and Wellbutrin for almost a year and half to treat dysthymia. My psychiatrist added Wellbutrin after a previous stint on Cymbalta (20mg then 30mg) left me extremely fatigued. I already have chronic fatigue so this wasn't too much of a shock... it felt like the medication was just worsening the issue. However, after trying about 5 or 6 antidepressants, I found Cymbalta was the only one that helped my depression. 
After combining 30mg of Cymbalta with 100mg of Wellbutrin, I started to feel a lot better. So much so that I increased to 40mg of Cymbalta and 200mg of Wellbutrin. I felt great! I wanted more of these good feelings so we tried increasing to 60mg of Cymbalta, which brought back the fatigue symptoms. Tried going up to 300mg of Wellbutrin to balance it out but it stopped me from sleeping, so ultimately I got back down to 40mg of Cymbalta and 200mg of Wellbutrin. 
 
In my first few months on the medication I was more social, happier, and felt like I was finally out from under a dark looming cloud. After about 10 months I started to feel like I was regressing. I wasn't experiencing depression the same as before, but I definitely was not feeling as good as I had. Simultaneously I was feeling very fatigued again. 
My psychiatrist had me decrease to 30mg of Cymbalta, then to 20mg which I am on now. Although I am still taking 200mg of Wellbutrin, I feel exhausted constantly. Ultimately, I plan to get off of the Cymbalta within the next few weeks, but I am left with a lot of confusion over the past year and a half.
 
Posted by tfaff on 16 February 2017 - 02:19 AM in Cymbalta in the News
I should add that I have also been taking Wellbutrin XL along with the Cymbalta for over nine years.
 
Posted by mbabi7096 on 30 November 2016 - 07:51 PM 
I have been on 90mg of Cymbalta for about 8 years now. I also take Wellbutrin XL to balance everything out because cymbalta didn't work for me by itself. I was diagnosed with Chronic Daily Migraines in 2008 and the depression and anxiety just came along for the ride. My migraines are still daily, but I wanted to try to get off some of my medications. I am in my late 40s. I went from 90mg of Cymbalta down to 60mg for about six weeks. I don't really think I felt any different, but now I realize after reading all of this information, that some of my symptoms may have been due to this decrease. I have now dropped to 30mg and been on that for about a week. Now I am seeing real chang Crying all the time. Extreme sadness, loss of interest, no energy, no drive. I look at things I need to do and just walk away because they are so overwhelming.  I'm just not sure if this is just due to the Cymbalta? I havent touched my doasage of Wellbutrin. My dr recommended one drug at a time. I have gained so much weight on these drugs due to how they make me feel and combined with my debilitating migraines, I am now at 50-60 pounds overweight. 
 
 Posted by TryinginFL on 14 November 2016 - 08:22 AM 
After 1 1/2 yrs off the nasty C I was still not keeping it together very well.  My Dr. prescribed Bupropion (generic Wellbutrin) and I have been taking it ever since (300mg/day)
 
Posted by fishinghat on 15 October 2016 - 07:06 AM in Nutritional Support
Actually you are both right. Wellbutrin primarily controls dopamine levels BUT your body converts some of the dopamine to norepinephrine thereby exerting control over it as well. Its primary action is on dopamine although.
 
Posted by GillMan on 27 September 2016 - 08:40 AM
I was recently weaned off of Cymbalta and onto Wellbutrin (Bupropion) by my doctor, over a two week period. I'm now about a week and a half on solely Wellbutrin Two nights ago I started feeling extremely paranoid, deeply depressed, and had suicidal thoughts. That night, I experienced at least three (that I can remember) episodes of night terrors. In addition to all this, I'm getting the lovely "brain zaps" and nausea/diarrhea. I'm always tired, though that is likely because I have difficulty sleeping, even when taking an over-the-counter sleep aid.
 
 
Posted by Ava81 on 19 September 2016 - 11:38 PM 
I've been on Cymbalta for about 6 years. I take/took 60mg for Depression and Fibro. I went to my Dr. about a month ago cause the Cymbalta is no longer helping my Depression. Dr. has me stopping Cymbalta and starting Wellbutrin. I asked about the withdrawal, he seemed to think Wellbutrin would prevent withdrawal. 
 He was wrong. I have been off Cymbalta for just over a week now. I feel manic, irritable, paranoid and very ANGRY. I am constantly nauseous and can't keep much food down. I thought initially that the Wellbutrin was the cause of my issues. Now it seems more likely withdrawal.
 
Posted by Pittbullmomma on 13 September 2016 - 07:51 PM
Wellbutrin made me feel as tho I was "out of body". Very scary feeling
 
 
Posted by Vinpin on 11 September 2016 - 08:07 PM 
I decided not to start my weaning off of Cymbalta today. Earlier in the week, after three days resumption of 30mg of Duloxetine while staying on 75mg of Wellbutrin, I started experiencing some dizziness, lightheadness, chills and a constant headache. These symptoms persisted up till Friday.  I called my doctor, and he advised me to discontinue the Wellbutrin. I'm disappointed that I'm not able to make the Wellbutrin work, but I need to be rid myself of the head and chill issues.
Yesterday (Saturday), I felt mostly better, but today I again experienced the aforementioned head and chill symptoms. I think my brain "chemistry" just needs a chance to stabilize - this is another reason I've decided to heed my doctor's advice, and pull off the Wellbutrin for now. Taking the 30mg Duloxetine daily with no Wellbutrin now puts me back where I was medicine-wise before this mess started.....
 
Posted by ANFSCD on 27 August 2016 - 06:14 PM 
This is a big step for me towards healing. Writing this is a positive event for me.  This is day 43 free from Cymbalta and Wellbutrin, I was removed from both medications by an overzealous psychiatrist cold turkey on July 15th. I spent 16th, 17th and 18th of July vomiting uncontrollably, complete with brain Zap's. Three days later, I ended up in the ER, for fluids, after losing 10 LBS in 72 hours.  I have been unable to work since. I am a licensed mental health professional and have been on some sort of antidepressant for 10 years due to depression secondary to brain injury many years ago.  My symptoms of withdrawal have included, poor emotional regulation, crying for no reason, laughing for no reason (both inappropriately), clumsiness, brain fog (Frequently losing items) and a complete loss of ability to enjoy or play music.
 
Posted by gail on 30 July 2016 - 10:17 AM
About wellbutrin, that side effect of anxiety is not general.
I suffer from anxiety big time and took wellbutrin for a short while and it never made the anxiety worse.
We all react differently.
 
Posted by Lorelei67 on 14 July 2016 - 06:44 PM
I was on Cymbalta for about 8 years. I started taking it on top of the Wellbutrin I had already been taking, because I was going through a difficult period in life. Fast forward to now, where life has evened out some, and I decided I no longer needed the extra med. I went from 60 mg to 30 mg about 3 months ago, without any issues. So, I called my doctor about 3 weeks ago, and told him I wanted to go off, or down another dosage. He told me to take the 30 mg every other day for a week, and then I could quit. Holy moly! Life has been hell ever since. After about 6 days of misery, I started researching withdrawing from Cymbalta, and realized I went off of it too quickly.
 
 
Posted by nhlady2006 on 27 April 2016 - 08:54 AM
 She is the one that put me on Cymbalta and also the one that took me off of it, cold turkey. She tried to give me Wellbutrin last week and it didn't work as it kept me perpetually awake. 
 
Posted by Raven72 on 12 April 2016 - 01:08 PM 
Ughh, couldn't take Wellbutrin because all I tasted was smoke and I never even smoked a day in my life. 
 
 Posted by gail on 12 April 2016
Wellbutrin is known for its honeymoon phase. I am still at 150 XL, and want to wait and see if this dosage is enough. The less the better when that is possible.
 
 
 A list of possible side effects from starting Wellbutrin will be posted in a minute.
There are 600 more posts I can review if you want but I thought I would start with these.

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#14 fishinghat

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Posted 04 March 2021 - 11:40 AM

Top ten reported side effects from starting Wellbutrin in order of most common then in decreasing order.

 

  1. Convulsion (muscles contract and relax rapidly and repeatedly, resulting in an uncontrolled shaking of the body)
  2. Agitation (state of anxiety or nervous excitement)
  3. Dizziness
  4. Rash
  5. Amnesia (deficit in memory caused by brain damage, disease, or psychological trauma)
  6. Drug ineffective
  7. Urticaria (rash of round, red welts on the skin that itch intensely)
  8. Grand mal convulsion (a type of generalized seizure that affects the entire brain)
  9. Pruritus (severe itching of the skin)
  10. Completed suicide (act of taking one's own life)

#15 fishinghat

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Posted 04 March 2021 - 11:42 AM

Let me know if there is anything else I can do.


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#16 PebblesWondering

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Posted 09 March 2021 - 05:31 AM

Wow. Fishinghat I cannot thank you enough for sending me all that information. You've put in so much effort to help me with my questions & I'm totally gobsmacked by your kindness, not to mention incredibly grateful. Thank you so much for taking time out of your own life to try and help me. I want you to know it is deeply appreciated.

 

One of the troubles I have had in recent years is finding a psychiatrist that knows enough about Cymbalta to help me get off it or at least reduce it, possibly with an augmentation drug like Wellbutrin to keep my depression and anxiety at bay whilst reducing Cymbalta's side effects (mainly fatigue, emotional blunting and difficult managing my weight). It has been so disappointing to realise the vast differences between Dr A and Dr B. It's clear from the posts that some members' doctors had no concept of the hideous withdrawal that can occur with Cymbalta and I think that's incredibly negligent.

 

Thankfully this site provides real life experiences so we can all better manage our medicines and make better, more informed choices about changing them. I recall going from Paroxetine aka Aropax to Brintellix and then Brintellix to Cymbalta and I remember the brain zaps and that horrible feeling of being off balance mentally, which was really scary. I don't want to change meds again but I know it would improve my life if my weight was better managed and my emotions were not so numb. But withdrawal sounds bloody awful so perhaps it is better to live with these issues than try and go off this medicine. I'll have to ponder this. If there's anyone on here who is a fellow Australian, I'd love any doctor recommendations you have. I think it's critical to have a good doctor if you want to change drugs. I just haven't found one that I have enough confidence in yet. 

 

After all the help I've received on here, I am keen to give back. If I can help anyone, please let me know. I have a long history with Paroxetine or Aropax (otherwise known as the worst possible antidepressant you can choose for the side effect of weight gain), a short history with Brintellix and a few years on Cymbalta now. Any questions, let me know. Major side effects for me have included massive weight gain, fatigue and emotional blunting in recent years. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) was very effective for me. I use it daily and mostly subconsciously now to shut down anxious thoughts. I also tried Acceptance & Commitment Therapy recently and that was very interesting. It focuses on mindfulness and reducing the pain of recurring thoughts, such as the poor self esteem messages that often come along with depression. A fantastic book to read is "You are not your brain: The 4 step solution for changing bad habits, ending unhealthy thinking and taking control of your life. This isn't a book written by some dickhead health guru with questionable education. It's written by scientists and psychiatrists and explains how the brain works and how you can manipulate your own thoughts with this knowledge. It's quite fascinating. I recommend it for anyone suffering low self esteem, rumination of any kind or other poor thinking behaviours. 

 

Signing off for now with much gratitude. Thank you so much once again, fishingnet. People as kind & selfless as you are few and far between these days!


#17 fishinghat

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Posted 09 March 2021 - 09:27 AM

Many helped me in my time of need and am glad to pay it forward. You are very welcome and your input on peoples posts would be greatly appreciated. Keep us posted on how you are doing.


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