JackieLouBlue: Buspar combined with Xanax

[JackieLouBlue]

I have been off of lexapro for 2 years after being on it for 20 12 years.  The withdrawals were horrific!  Jello legs, migraine every day, rage, anger, insomnia, body pains.  I was still on wellbutrin but waited to taper off of it until the lexapro withdrawals were tolerable.  I have tapered completely off of the wellbutrin from a 450 mg dose and it took about 6 months.  I had to rush the tapering process because the manufacturer quit making the brand name in my milligram strength and the generic put me into immediate withdrawal.  There IS a difference between generic and name brand.  I thought I had made it through all withdrawals.  For the past month, I have been experiencing insomnia, severe anxiety, rage, anger and headaches.  My husband made me go to the doctor yesterday and the doc has prescribed prozac, 10 mg. to be increased to 40 mg. a little later on.  I do not want this at all, but my anxiety is through the roof.  I am non-functional.  My question is this:  Is it possible to experience lexapro withdrawals after being off of it for 2 years or could it be from being off of the wellbutrin for 6 months, or both?  I thought I was better, but I don't know if I'm experience a relapse in anxiety or post withdrawals.  Thoughts?  Thank you so much!

 

JackieLouBlue

Edited January 15, 2017 by scallywag
tags, edit duration taking lexapro per JLB's post #19

[Happy2Heal]

hi JackieLouBlue,

 

a mod should be around shortly to help you with your questions, I'm sorry I'm not able to answer them myself but I wanted to welcome you here, to the place no one really wants to end up but, it's good this forum is here because you'll get a lot of answers and help

 

I think you may be mistaken in how long you'd been on lexapro, unless your doc was able to get you samples or something...? 

Lexapro was not released to the market, as far as I know, til 2002  so perhaps you were on it for a few less years than you remember.

 

I have trouble remembering the details of my med history, so I can understand if you got confused on that, esp since you were put on a super high dose, as I was (40 mgs is not even recommended by the manufacturer, they say the top dose is 30mgs)

 

I hope that you'll find the help you need and get some relief from your symptoms soon!

[JackieLouBlue]

Hi Catnapt.  Thank you for your response.  You are correct about the lexapro.  Please forgive my "guess"tamations!  I've been on so many psych drugs, I simply cannot recall everything I was on before starting lexapro.  I only mentioned the ones that I struggled with withdrawals.  But yes, I was on 40 mg. of prozac before switching to what I now believe to be the wellbutrin.  My new prescription for prozac is sitting on my kitchen counter and I am terrified to start it!  Absolutely terrified because of my past, very long withdrawal history.  In 2008, I began a year long withdrawal from 200 mg seroquel.  I had no clue I was in withdrawals.  I kept having migraines, went to the doctor, had a brain MRI done, received a call from the doctor that very night who told me I had a brain tumor!  None of this is relevant because it ended up not being a brain tumor at all.  It was read wrong by the radiologist.  Anyway, they did an MRI of my neck.  They said my headaches were probably a result of my bad neck and advised me to go back on seroquel.  I told them, "no way"!!!  They told me that seroquel was one of several drugs used to treat chronic pain.  I was a zombie for 3 years on that drug.  Bedridden.  I got through the seroquel withdrawals but it took a year.  Then, in 2014, I decided to come of off 20 mgs of lexapro.  That also took one year of tapering but lingering withdrawals much longer.  I was still on 450 mgs of wellbutrin, so I began tapering off of it and was finished in one year.  Bottom line here:  Terrified to start prozac to help what I believe to be post withdrawals.  I'm so looking forward to feedback.  Thank you for this group.

[doggiemama]

Yes yes yes that sounds like WD but as cat says wait for a mod. If it was me I would not go into any meds till you heard from them. I have been in WD for 2 years plus . And I have all your symptoms I'm so sorry that you going through this

[doggiemama]

Yes yes yes that sounds like WD but as cat says wait for a mod. If it was me I would not go into any meds till you heard from them. I have been in WD for 2 years plus . And I have all your symptoms I'm so sorry that you going through this

[JackieLouBlue]

Thank you doggiemama.  I can't see your meds history.  I'm sorry you are going through this as well.  The more I try to remember my meds history, the harder it is to do so.  My other complication, and it's a big one, is that without my xanax (3 mg XR) I could not get through this at all.  I've been on xanax for a very long time but I would only take one a week maybe twice a week at most.  Now, since I've been off of the lexapro for 2 years, I have to take one every day!  My doctor is going to start weaning me off of the xanax in 3 weeks at my follow up appointment after I start this prozac!  I don't know what to do!  I feel pushed!

[scallywag]

I have been off of lexapro for 2 years after being on it for 20 years.  The withdrawals were horrific! 

...

I was still on wellbutrin but waited to taper off of it until the lexapro withdrawals were tolerable.  I have tapered completely off of the wellbutrin from a 450 mg dose and it took about 6 months.  I had to rush the tapering process because the manufacturer quit making the brand name in my milligram strength and the generic put me into immediate withdrawal.  There IS a difference between generic and name brand. 

 

I thought I had made it through all withdrawals.  For the past month, I have been experiencing insomnia, severe anxiety, rage, anger and headaches. 

 

My husband made me go to the doctor yesterday and the doc has prescribed prozac, 10 mg. to be increased to 40 mg. a little later on.  I do not want this at all, but my anxiety is through the roof.  I am non-functional. 

 

My question is this:  Is it possible to experience lexapro withdrawals after being off of it for 2 years or could it be from being off of the wellbutrin for 6 months, or both?  I thought I was better, but I don't know if I'm experience a relapse in anxiety or post withdrawals.  Thoughts?  Thank you so much!

JackieLouBlue -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)

 

It's awful that the idea of tapering to an available dose didn't occur to either your doctor or pharmacist. You say that you tapered off 450 mg Wellbutrin over the course of 6 months. On what date (approximate is fine, e.g. late July 2016) was your last dose of Wellbutrin? Please add that to your signature.

 

Withdrawal symptoms come and go; we call that the pattern of windows and waves. It sounds as if the last month has brought you a monster wave that may still be increasing in strength. Waves do pass, though it's very difficult to predict how long they'll last. You can read more about that here.

The Windows and Waves pattern of stabilization

 

Your CNS (central nervous system) made changes to neurotransmitter processes when you started taking the medications. When you stop taking the medications, the CNS "un-makes" those changes. Here are some links that present helpful explanations and descriptions:

One theory of anti-depressant withdrawal syndrome

How your brain responds to psychiatric drugs - aka "Brain remodeling"

Youtube video, 4 minutes: Healing from antidepressants

 

Because of that healing/recovery/transformation process, we suggest that people decrease dose by no more than 10% per month.

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?   ..

Once we get the approximate date of your last dose, we may have some suggestions for you to consider.

 

I hope you'll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation. I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but am glad that you found us.

[JackieLouBlue]

Scallywag, thank you!!  I have edited my signature page with the info needed to the best of my recollection.  I am now in the process of reading your links and watching the video.  I understand that you cannot tell me what to do regarding starting the prozac (10 mg initially), but what are your thoughts and others' thoughts are much appreciated as well.  If a wave can last a very long time, and I am taking xanax as prescribed daily to take the edge off of the waves of withdrawals, could this mean I could get addicted to the xanax as well?  Ugh!  The thought of it is terrifying!  Should I start the prozac in hopes that it will relieve this wave?  I thank you all for feedback and your personal experiences.

[JackieLouBlue]

I'm new here and seem to be bouncing around the forums. Im going through a very tough wave of Wellbutrin and/or lexapro withdrawals. Of course my doctor thinks I have relapsed into anxiety and possibly depression. Knowing I won't go back on those meds, he suggested either buspar in addition to my Xanax or Prozac. Thoughts? Should I ride out this wave?

[scallywag]

Thanks for updating your signature.

Relapse or withdrawal:
It's difficult make an accurate diagnosis, i.e. anxiety and depression disorders, when your CNS (central nervous system) is destabilized from one heckuva cold turkey off Wellbutrin after 20 years of taking it.
Withdrawal or relapse?

It's good that you're asking questions about additional medications. The information we get for "informed consent", when we get it at all, is often insufficient. Adding a medication may settle things down for you AND it may make things worse.

 

If after carefully considering the risks you choose to take another med, start with a low dose -- ½ or even ¼ tablet -- for a 1-2 weeks to test your reaction. If you have a negative reaction, the lower dose may moderate the severity of the symptoms/"side" effects.

[JackieLouBlue]

Scallywag, thank you for the "withdrawal or relapse" link.  The prozac is still sitting on the kitchen counter.    It is daring me to take it.  I just keep walking past, like I'm playing games with it.  It's a 10 mg capsule.  Can I open the capsule and take only half of it?  "Beads" you call it, right?

[scallywag]

Prozac capsules contain powder; Cymbalta & Effexor XR capsules have beads. If you want to get a precise, accurate dose with the powder you need to either use a scale or make a liquid.

Using a digital scale to measure doses

Making a liquid from a tablet or capsules

Using an oral syringe and other tapering techniques]

[nz11]

Welcome JLB

 

You might like to put all the drugs including the drugs you are thinking of taking before you take them through the drugs interaction checker it could be revealing

https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

ok i had a sneak peek ...couldnt help myself.. i just cant understand how your doctor could put you on so many drugs with so many 'major' interactions..and at such high doses.

 

I am so sorry the medical profession have done this to you.

 

I had to rush the tapering process because the manufacturer quit making the brand name in my milligram strength and the generic put me into immediate withdrawal.  There IS a difference between generic and name brand.

 

i think a CT off 300mg wellbutrin in july last yr is some tapering process.(not).

 

I dont know much about this brand name/generic name stuff but are you referring to the fact GSK no longer makes wellbutrin XL ?

http://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/2009/glaxosmithkline-to-divest-us-rights-for-wellbutrin-xl-to-biovail-for-510-million/

 

I dont know how obtaining drugs goes in america but i know you guys are very resourceful is it possible to get the brand name wellbutrin from Canada and try a ri of that? Could that be an option rather than heading into a potential 40mg of prozac?

 

I have no doubt that wdl symptoms off 40mg of lexapro can last 2 yrs. Imo they could last for many more than 2. A one year taper regardless of the method is far too fast  from a massive amount 40mg of that potent drug.   

 

For the past month, I have been experiencing insomnia, severe anxiety, rage, anger and headaches.  My husband made me go to the doctor yesterday and the doc has prescribed prozac, 10 mg. to be increased to 40 mg. a little later on.  I do not want this at all, but my anxiety is through the roof.

Unfortunately uninformed dare i say clueless yet well meaning family members can actually be very dangerous.

Tell me about it!

If you do not want this you do not have to take this! period.

Its not anxiety its wdl symptoms.

 

I have been off of lexapro for 2 years after being on it for 20 years.  The withdrawals were horrific!  Jello legs, migraine every day, rage, anger, insomnia, body pains.  I was still on wellbutrin but waited to taper off of it until the lexapro withdrawals were tolerable.

 

Withdrawal symptoms can be delayed 2-4 months is very common.

Sounds like the wellbutrin (and other stuff) might have been masking some of the lexapro wdl and now the wellbutrin is out of the system you are getting this wdl as well.

 

I note you held off the next taper until  as you say 'the lex wdl became tolerable'.

My humble opinion is you waited out the lex wdl ...right..?can you do the same with the wellbutrin.

Get DH to read stuff on this site so he can attempt to be able to realize what position you are in here. Then he can suggest safe(er) options rather than go to the doctor and and get something for this. No disrespect.

 

If you can fight to hold this on just the trazodone and xanax then that in and of itself is one 'major' step.

I think you have done amazing to get off the stuff you have and hold it now for 6 months.

 

Good luck with your decisions its good to consider the options.

nz11

[nz11]

oops oversight on my part you were actually on 40 mg prozac not 40mg lexapro then you switched to wellbutrin 450mg.

So you never took prozac and wellbutrin together then ?

You might like to just correct the drug sig.

[JackieLouBlue]

NZ11. Thank you for your your response. Once I tapered from 450 mg of Wellbutrin XL to 300 mg XL, I stayed on that dose for quite a while. Then, I began my taper from 300 mg XL to 150 mg XL.

 

GSK stopped making 150mg XL in the brand name. It was only available in generic. I cannot take the generic. There was no generic available when I started The Wellbutrin 20 years ago. The generic put me into immediate withdrawals.

 

When I ran out of the 150 XL name brand Wellbutrin, doctor prescribed 75 mg brand name Wellbutrin Sustained Release to be taken twice a day. He told me I could take my time weaning off by splitting or shaving the pills. I began that process and when it came time to refill my 75 mg immediate release, I was informed that GSK no longer made that strength in brand name, only generic. I still had about 40 pills left, so I had to rush my tapering process.

 

Now, I am not thinking clearly, I am in a serious "wave" right now and I cannot give specific details regarding exactly how long I was on a shaved pill, etc. But I hope this gives you a better understanding of my story.

 

As far as my husband "making" me go to the doctor, he saw that I am in dire straits. He supports my not wanting to be on antidepressants. He and I both knew I needed immediate relief. He went with me for support and back up. He is a fan of this amazing support group and reads almost as much as I do.

 

Although Xanax is a serial serious med, his thoughts were that I should go up on my dose to get me through this wave. Instead, the doctor said I was already on a relatively high dose, 3 mg XR, and suggested either Prozac or buspar. I at that time agreed to the Prozac but I could not bring myself to take it.

 

So yesterday I called doc back and asked for the buspar. I filled it. It's for 7.5 mg twice a day. I took one yesterday and within the hour, I DID get immediate, substantial relief. So, for now, Xanax, buspar and trazodone will be my course of action. As always, I want to thank everyone here an feedback is always appreciated.

Edited January 14, 2017 by scallywag
paragraph breaks, highlight current medications, and typo correction as noted in following post

[JackieLouBlue]

Oh, no, I never took the Prozac and Wellbutrin together. I'm out of town and am using my cellphone to post. I will update my signature when I get back home to my desktop. And yes, I've been using the drug interactions site for many years.

[JackieLouBlue]

Lol! Typing on my cellphone is not easy. Too much spellcheck. Above, I referred to Xanax as a serial med. I meant to say it is a serious med. I need my desktop.

[scallywag]

JLB - thanks for posting the details of your decreases on Wellbutrin. I'm sorry that GSK marketing scoundrels forced you into this position. I'm shaking my head and my fist at them on your behalf.

 

Aside: I recently had to post using my phone. Like you, I much prefer using a full keyboard to access the full desktop version of the site. Kudos to those who post all the time using a phone, though.

[JackieLouBlue]

Scallywag! You edited my post! Thank you so much! I wish I could edit my introduction because it says I was on lexapro for 20 years when it was actually closer to 12 years. And yes, GSK stopped making those name brand Wellbutrin and I imagine they will eventually stop all name brand. I think it's a supply and demand thing. Generic is cheaper therefore the demand is higher. But as I stated before, they didn't make generic 20 years ago and my brain could not tolerate the switchover to generic. I was spending a fortune on name brand Wellbutrin, lexapro, and Xanax.