My Appointment Over, It’s Goodbye Prozac, Hello Wellbutrin

Prozac has been my friend for over a year.

But in higher doses, it possibly was the reason I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning. Going from 20 to 40 mg last November, sent me on a journey lasting almost 6 months.

And in the end, I finally found relief from the loss of energy. Gone too, was the constant negotiating with myself about getting out of bed.

READ: Did I take my Prozac this morning?

My internal struggle just to decide to get out of bed was exhausting.

I would drag around for hours, not able to clearly focus. Slowly, the day would begin to clear up, and I could be productive. But I lost hours each day and felt terrible about it. And angry at myself for not being a better advocate for my own self-care related to the medication.

In m mind, I was shouting my pain from the hilltops.

READ: Get up, get up, get up

My doctor didn’t perceive it that way. It took me 6 months to find a new doctor that could hear what I was saying and think about alternate solutions to my not being able to get out of bed. This resulted in my beginning to take Wellbutrin XL 150 mg four weeks ago.

The change has been incredibly positive.

Somewhere between days 6 and 10, I noticed the change. I was getting out of bed without negotiating with myself. When I woke up, I got up. No big deal. But it really is a big deal, because I spent over 6 months not being able to “just get up.”

For the next 30 days, I will only take the Wellbutrin.

For the last 30, I took Wellbutrin XL 150 mg AND Prozac 20 mg. With the long ½ life of Prozac, it will still be in my system for most of the next 30 days. My next appointment is on August 6^th, at 9 AM. I do have phone numbers and permission to call if things go sideways. I am grateful for that.

Having taken the two drugs together for 30 days, I am a little scared about making any change.

But I understand that this is a process and the long-term effects of the Wellbutrin should keep away any withdrawal symptoms from ending the Prozac. I am cautiously optimistic.

So tomorrow I begin the new Wellbutrin XL only regime.

Boy I hope that things go well, and this doesn’t have me circling the drain.

My concealed depression is written under the alias “Depression is not my boss.” I have certifications in SMART Recovery and am a Global Career Development Facilitator.

Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder last year, I am sharing what I learn. If you know someone who might benefit from reading this, please share. 

I very much appreciate your comments.