Switched From Pristiq To Wellbutrin Xl

I'm adding a post to hopefully help someone as reading other people's posts has been very helpful/comforting to me! I have been on 50 mg of Pristiq for 5 years and I just made the transition to Wellbutrin xl at 300 mg. My doc switched me because my libido was becoming obsolete and wellbutrin is not supposed to adversely effect this. He had me start by overlapping the two meds for Week 1...Maintaining 50 mg of pristiq and adding Wellbutrin XL at 150 mg. I felt completely fine, didn't notice anything different. Week 2-I was to go up to 300 mg of Wellbutrin XL and completely stop taking the Pristiq. That didn't work. 1.5 days in I was dizzy, minor brain zap feeling (but not as intense as when i would miss a pristiq pill in the past) feeling super emotional (weepy) so much that I had to leave work so I didn't fall apart in front of everyone! I called the doc and he told me to take half a pristiq pill for the next few days. I did that and it really helped and got me thru. The only side effect was minor dizziness at times. So then after a few days, (which was this past Saturday) it was my first day to retry no pristiq and 300 mg Wellbutrin XL.

I made a conscious decision that i would stay in saturday and see how it would effect me. I was dizzy, anxious/fidgety, I had muted brain zaps (again not as bad as simply missing a pristiq pill when that's all I was on) and again had crying spells that would come and go. The thing that got me thru was knowing "this will pass" and it's part of the process. I felt like my head was in the clouds Saturday and Sunday. My head also felt "full" almost like a drowning feeling in my head! Probably the worst part. I'm not sure if that was just my anxiety rearing up. I also woke up in pure sweat (yuck) which has alowly tapered off over the week.

Day 3 with no pristiq (Monday)- I felt like my head was steady again! I felt super relieved. Part of it was the feeling that I made it thru the worst and I could do this. However, I have had intense anxiety all week, almost an exasperated feeling at all times. At night, I would feel my body was tired but my mind couldn't let me sleep. I think the elevates energy brought on anxiety and made my breathing labored. I would definitely recommend staying off caffeine at least in the beginning (you won't need it!!!). I looked up breathing exercises, which reminded me to EXHALE so I could get a good deep breath. Apparent when you're anxiety sometimes you forget to exhale.

This past week has been manageable but tough with the restlessness, lack of sleep, anxiety. Luckily, it hasn't been to the point where anyone visibility noticed at work. If anything, I was working faster, more efficiently, being more direct (no snappy but direct--almost like that sensor that usually causes me to pause and examine what im going to say first was removed--that part has been nice. Like a remov of fear/social anxiety). It's Friday night now- day 7 complete with no pristiq and 300 mg Wellbutrin, and beginning last night, I FINALLY felt a sense of calm. That carried thru to today and I am so grateful. I will post any updates. If you're transitioning with your meds, I strongly recommend you tell loved ones bc it takes a major pressure off and you have a support team. I hope this helps!

REPLY

REPORT

Hi K,

Thank you very much for your input! I'm sure the time you took to write this out will very well help someone who is struggling with switching to Wellbutrin. In fact, I'm sure that it's also inspiring to those who are struggling with withdrawals from other medications. It's great that we can all help each other out in this way!

Does anyone have any questions about Pristiq or Wellbutrin XL? If so, please reply!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 18

Thank you for the post I don't feel like its just me going thru this I am on day 2 without prestiq and on 150 mg Wellbutrin untIl day 4 then up to 300 mg but today I feel like my head is in clouds and dizzy I don't like this feeling at all

REPLY

Was this helpful? 5

My doctor h put me on 150mg of prestiq. It is now my 8th day. I went from 100mg to 150mg. This happened because I had an intense period of increased anxiety and obsessive thinking. I am not feeling well. I feel very lethargic, anxious, and I have a tendency to cry more. Is this normal? Will I ever be well again? I am also very anxious about the day when I wll come off this med. I am scared about it. Please help!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 10

thank you so much for your information. I too have been on Pristiq for 4+ years and I would like to switch to Wellbrutrin. Also I have experience weight gain with Pristiq and almost impossible to loose

REPLY

Was this helpful? 15

Oh my goodness, I just stumbled across this post today as I have just started my transition to wellbutrin xl 300 from 50 mg of pristiq, I am terrified.. like you, I started at 150 for two weeks along with the pristiq, last week I went up to 300 mg while still taking the pristiq... Today is day one with wellbutrin on its own...

I have already begun having the brain zaps and my lips are already numb, and I'm not even 24 hours in.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! You made me know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and to hang in there!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 13

why are people switching from pristiq to wellbutrin after so many years??

REPLY

Was this helpful? 27

Thank you...I am going thought the same thing...change because my insurance do not want to cover pristiq anymore....

I was on 150 mg of pristiq now 150 wellbutrin ...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

This really comforted me. I've been on 50mg pristiq for 3 weeks but after reading about all the side effects causing loss of libido, I told the doc I wanted to try wellbutrin (I'm only 21 so I really don't want a repressed libido). This is the second day of 150mg of wellbutrin. I just cut my pristiq in half and took it after reading about how you tapered off that because my side effects are AWFUL. I feel like I'm processing everything 2-3 seconds late. I'm getting the zap things. I literally cannot function. And the crying. I have cried for 3 days straight. I'm really, really nervous about all this. I think I'm just going to try to wean off the pristiq and continue with the wellbutrin but I'm not going to be able to handle this much longer. Help?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 8

I just started my transition 3 days ago and it's hard to describe how your head feels...You get super dizzy if you move your head quickly, I feel nauseous all the time (which I could stand to lose a few pounds anyways) but I am sitting in a house set at 70 degrees and sweating like I am in a sauna. I already have trouble sleeping at night because I have neuropathy in my left side of my body which causes me to hurt constant so I take prescribed meds to help me sleep but noticed I was awake every hour or two all night last night. I haven't noticed an increase in energy but I also take adderol for adult A.D.D. (I know, I am a mess!) so those help me with energy. I will say that I have noticed if I drink a caffeinated drink I feel sicker so I would recommend staying off of them. I am worried about these side effects and how I will feel at my job until my body gets acclimated to the Wellbutrin as it's seriously hard to function with your head all strange feeling and nausea and sweating so badly. Unfortunately my doctor wont be back into the office until Monday for me to call him so I just have to make the best of the days ahead of me until then. In the first post, I noticed you said you felt like your head was a bit "off" when you missed your pristiq, I have experienced that too and it was bad enough. I had thought about quitting my meds cold turkey once and was so sick I couldn't function... I never knew the addiction/dependency our bodies would have on these meds. I just hope this passes and soon... The only reason I was switched was because he was concerned about my weight as it's slowly creeped up in the 5 years I was on pristiq. Has anyone noticed a weight change for them going from pristiq to wellbutrin? Did you lose or gain or just stay steady because this change is not worth it if people are seeing an increase in their weight! Keeping everyone going through this in my thoughts and prayers.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 10

I have to because my new insurance (new job in new state) refuses to pay for Pristiq, which I'e been on for about 5 yrs., after trying many antidepressants that did NOT work. I don't remember their names or the Docs (moved a lot) so I can't prove I tried the others or even remember the duds. I've now switched to Wellbutrin (started) and the horror's begun. GREED is the reason most of us are being put through this hell. My Dr. is angry about it too. NOT RIGHT! If you're rich, you can pay for it yourself but I'm not so lucky...I don't think most of us are. Something is WRONG here!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 6

Just wanted to share I have been on pristiq for 5 years and before I was on wellbutrin. Now I'm switching back because I haven't been feeling the happiest. I also gained about 30 to 40 pounds since I started pristiq 5 years back.

I've been on wellbutrin for 10 days now and taking 50mg every other day and not feeling the best. I've been very down, very lethargic, and not very hungry. I live alone and haven't been on the phone talking to people. I've been laying low and mainly home watching Netflix. I did go out yesterday for the afternoon with a friend to a coffee shop, but I didn't have coffee. I was glad I got out after a few days of being in and today I'm staying in. I tried to exercise a bit, but couldn't take more than 10 minutes before feeling dizzy and out of breath. I'm not suicidal or anything at all. I'm just tired, not sleeping the best, and just bla..

I am wondering who may have went through this and came out on the other side. I want to know if you feel better on welbutrin than with pristiq and in what ways. My appetite is somewhat suppressed so that's great and hope it continues.

Fyi I have bipolar II and ADHD. I'm on 200mg of lamictal and 70mg of vyvanse (I switched from adderal a few months ago). And coming off 50mg of pristiq and now 300 mg of welbutrin.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 5

In my case, my new insurance carrier, which is Blue Cross Blue Shield, refuses to pay for the Pristiq. They want me to switch to a less expensive medication. I am scared to death to switch.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I have been on Pristiq for only 2 months, switching off of Serzone (nefazadone) which I was on for 15 yrs. The first two days made my head foggy, I was indecisive and just feeling really crappy, my Dr. assured me it would pass if I could ride it out, and by day 3 all was good.
However, after the first 4 weeks, I felt toooo laid back, but the idea was to give my brain a chance to learn how not to 'freak' and it was working really well for that. I wasn't so overwhelming to others and that was noticeable. By week 7, I realized I had become too apathetic, I really didn't mind the laundry on the dining table, and looked the other way at work instead of fixing problems. So, I really liked not feeling affected by others, and generally feeling ok with the world around me. What I found to be a problem was I was ok with ANYTHING in the world around me, and easily ignored things thay would have driven me to action before. I've never cared for apathy in others and didn't like realizing I was behaving that way now.

So, I decided to start cutting the Pristiq in half the week before my next Dr appt. The first two days I had a low grade headache, but my head felt clearer and more 'ready to go'. I saw my Dr today, and apparently there are no studies on halving the Pristiq, so it isn't clear what combination of med levels are in the half and if there is any effectiveness to it therapeutically, so the advise was just get off it instead of seeing how it turns out. I had thought I would stay on the 1\2. After a week of it though, my obsessive re hashing of my day began to creep in a bit.

My Dr explained that Pristiq has more serotonin than nefazadone, and the higher serotonin is probably the reason for the apathy. Tomorrow morning I start 100mg of Welbutrin and will continue the half Pristiq for a few more days while I transition. Welbutrin has less serotonin. We also did a med DNA profile that showed my metabolism processed serotonin better at lower doses. Everyone should ask for this profile.

I also take 90 mg Vyvanse daily, and this past week it felt more effective with the lesser Pristiq. It is expected that if the Welbutrin does well, the Vyvanse may be effective enuf to decrease too. I hope so, just for the copay saving. My insurance makes me fill 2 separate scripts for 60 and 30 - ie: 2 copays.

Everyone has a different experiance, and after reading all the threads, I felt I needed to share my story so others don't fear so much. It isn't always so difficult, knowledge is power, but I think as long as you know the symptoms will pass, it has GOT to be better than you were feeling before trying the meds.

This is my third drug, if I don't feel 'normal', there are so many other choices. (Don't miss the irony of an ADHD, PTSD patient knowing 'normal'). It's all relative.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

I am glad I stumbled across this! My dr is switching me back to Wellbutrin after being on pristiq for many years. Weight gain, no libido and effectiveness seeming to be less are the reasons. Due to the stress of life I was taking my regular pristiq dose (100 mg) and just added 150mg dose of Wellbutrin to it. I've been on this since Nov.
life calmed down and this past week I stopped the pristiq. I can't say I feel different. Maybe more tired and less motivated. My dr told me I can double the Wellbutrin if I don't notice anything. I plan to do that after giving this a week.
I also have sleep apnea, which I take 250mg Of Nuvigil for and ADD which I take 50mg of Vyvance for. And can you believe I still nap during the day???
The messages here give me hope that removing pristiq will help my other Meds work better and make me feel better.
Thank you!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

I switched from pristiq to wellbutrin in March. I was changing primary healthcare physicians and thought that between weight gain and lack of libido it would be a good move. At first i also noticed i felt like crying all the time but my physician doubled my dosage which seemed to help. however i am having a very difficult time with anxiety now. I have trouble with my breathing and having pressure in my chest and cannot catch my breath. I have gone from walking 7 miles 3 times a week to barely being able to walk 3 miles a couple times a week. this has caused me to be more depressed. I talked the doctor into giving me Xanax for 2 weeks to help me when i was going to have a big event and found that it improved my breathing. however since it is so addictive i cannot get it refilled so she is putting me on buspar which takes a couple weeks to get into your system and after one day without xanax my breathing problems are back i have had many tests done to rule out other issues that could cause the breathing problems. so now i wait hoping the buspar works. but i have started to wonder if this all came about because of the decision to change from the pristiq?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I am with Blue Cross Blue Shield and I afraid to change. Pristiq cause me to be normal again and able to cope with life ups and downs. Yes! If I get off my family and friends will notice the difference. Xana, Buspar, Well whatever, never was able to help me cope like Pristq. I thought I was having a heart attack. My breathing was labored and I was having panic attack one after another. Pristq save my life and I'm afraid to get off. I have gain weight but I'm a much nicer person to be arou nd.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I've been on Wellbutrin in the past with no problems but the past 5 years have been on Pristiq. I have the exact problem with the weight gain and a terrible time losing it. I want to go off of Pristiq and back on Wellbutrin mainly for the energy and expense. My therapist said that many times she prescribes BOTH together. I'm not going to do that.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I'm switching because with the Wellbutrin, I had more energy, less side effects, costs a lot less and the weight gain makes me super depressed!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I'm happy that i found this post. Due to a new job and new insurance, the cost of pristiq was over $200 a month and just not affordable. I was on 50mg Pristiq for around 6 years or so? I'm 31. My doctor has advised to switch to wellbutrin 150mg. She did not want any weaning though, and said to stop pristiq, and take the wellbutrin. Today is day 1, i took it last night. It's almost 3pm and i'm starting to feel the same withdrawal symptoms of when i would miss a dose of pristiq. I have an uncontrollable want to cry, and starting to feel slightly dizzy with a dull headache. What do you think the timeframe will be before i feel like a "normal" person with this cold turkey pristiq approach? Any thoughts or suggestions? If i could see myself through to the end, i know it will be worth it. I'm in a good place, great job, want to re-focus on my health at the gym which is so supportive of me, but am afraid that something like this which i feel is not in my control, will hinder me. Appreciate any feedback please

REPLY

Was this helpful? 10

I would really like to know what exactly can we as consumers do about being forced to take prescription drugs from India, and other countries when we have some of the best pharmaceutical companies in the world right here in America? Plus the fact, if I understand right, that these drugs have less percentage of the original drugs. I realize that these cost less and and therefore save us, the consumers, less to purchase them, but, to what end? I know I'm not the most educated person around, but, isn't there something we can do?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Thank you
Day 2 of no pristiq and 150mg of Wellbutrin.
I had a huge crying fit at my kids today. Not sure what to tell them.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Started lexapro a year ago for anxiety, was doubled from 5mg to 10 for a few months and fell in to a deep depression. I take xanax, half a pill of the smallest 0.25 dose to fall asleep most nights but can go months without. After the depression kicked in this spring my doctor added Wellbutrin XL to the lexapro so I could participate in my graduate program. I got by by the skin of my teeth. My doctors reasoning was that coming off the lexapro can be hard. However, I haven't noticed this in my case. The Wellbutrin wasn't working for me because I got body twitches that I couldn't control and just ended up causing more anxiety. My doc switched me to pristiq in early May but due to it just becoming generic, no pharmacy in town had it for a week. I didn't notice the withdrawal symptoms, dizzyness nausea and vertigo until 2 days in and I kept thinking they'd have the prisiq the next day so I didn't take more Wellbutrin. I stopped lexapro and Wellbutrin on the same day but I'm positive the withdrawals were from Wellbutrin.

Started pristiq, everything seemed fine, noticed the withdrawal symptoms dissipating. I missed changing my birth control patch by a day due to forgetting it on a trip and started spotting less than a week after my period ended. I had missed a day on the patch before with no consequences but figured I had just thrown my body out of whack with that. So I spot for three more weeks. In that time I forgot to take pristiq one day and lost three of the following days to vomiting vertigo and dizziness, along with the delayed perception people have mentioned. It's like my brain sees in slow motion then speeds up all of the sudden. Finally realize the spotting is due to pristiq, call doctor and she reccomends I go off of it because I'm already anemic and can't afford to lose blood as it is. She transitioned me straight from pristiq to Wellbutrin last week and since then it's been nothing but nausea vomiting dizziness and vertigo. I know it takes a while to adjust but I'm at the point of wanting to transition off everything but small doses of xanax as needed. It's exhausting trying to get my body right every few weeks. I have an appointment at the end of the month but am calling again Monday so I can make it through my day without feeling awful.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Did you take the pristiq and welbutrin together at first when you were trying to wean off? I had been on welbutrin 300xl then swistched to pristiq and been on it for about 4months and now going back to welbutrin i took the pristiq for 2 days then stopped qand have taken wellbutrin for 2 and want to continue but not sure i should of switched so soon. nurse said to take pristiq 2 days then maybe half of one for 2 days then none the next then welbutrin. I guess i should have listened better and my dr. wont be back til monday so not sure if i should try mixing half a pristiq with the other tomorrow or what? My head doesnt feel level and dont feel good physically. any suggestions? Jill

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am getting ready to change back to wellbutrin from Pristiq . I have only been on pristiq for about 3-4 months but want to go back to Welbutrin so i am just wondering how you feel now? I was told to take 50 mg of the pristiq for 2 days then half of that for 2 days then none and then take welbutrin. Seemed strange to meet. I would love to just got right back.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Help! I have been taking Prestig 100 mg for about 8 years and I Believe it stopped worrking. The doctor added Zoloft and generic Effexor 225mg, but it is costs the same as pristeq l. Can't get into see amy existing psychiatric or any for that matter for 1 month. MARCH 2017. I have wellbutrion and wondered if I could take that and how do ilI taper off prestiq?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have Major Depressive Disorder and switched from Pristiq 50 to Wellbutrin 150. Was on Pristiq for almost a year and gained weight, become way too laid back and had ZERO libido left. Started Wellbutrin and tried with Pristiq and without. Major diziness, brain zaps and terrible nausea. Battled through it and decided to no longer take Pristiq... After a week of suffering I lost the nausea, diziness is tolerable and I feel alive again! It's like I finally got out of this bubble of ignoring things and not caring about anything... My wife likes me a lot better too...lol
I know things are different for everyone, but I am glad I cut down on Pristiq fast... It was pretty nasty for a few days (I would suggest to start on a weekend, which I didn't), but it has been so worth it... I feel energy again, am way more happy and active and can slowly start to feel my libido pick up again as well... All this in 1 week!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Because Wellbutrin can be purchased as generic and Pristiq is no longer covered by most insurance plans.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have stopped prestiq and switched to Wellbutrin my dr had me over lap at first as well. Since I have horrible anxiety I am very snappy and feel hot and my heart is pounding off and on and like I am going to throw up. It is day 2 and the doctors office is closed this is very awful and I wonder if I should call the answering service I must return to work on Tuesday and if I am feeling like this I will not be able to.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thanks Iamgracie, I've been doing a lot of research trying to deside what to do. I can't afford to be sick for another week. I don't know how doctors expect you to be able to work when transitioning medications. It's brutal! I understand meds affect everyone differently, I just wish there was a more accurate way of knowing how it will affect us as individuals. Thanks for your input.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Regarding HEADACHE, STOMACH ache after Wellbutrin..... YES!! I started back in Wellbutrin after my insurance wouldn't pay for Prestiq, and About one day in, my stomach hurt, had naseau and had NO appetite. I would start crying about nothing, something I haven't had in a couple if years. I went off Wellbutrin on my own, and even though I hadn't eaten anything at all, I gained 6 lbs in a week. So, it took me a,long time to titration to 75 mg Lamotrigine, and I feel much better without Wellbutrin and/or Prestiq. I am working hard at following Joe Dispenza's theory about the brain, which includes medication. It has helped me more than any pill. Check out Jan Kabat Zinn Mindfulness Meditation Body Scan and Joe Dispenza's "Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: Meditations for Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself" there are three free videos that explain what it's about. I'm determined to get healthy on mind and body with as few meds as possible. My Dr. Wouldn't like that, but it's been decades of on and off depression/anxiety.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Due to weight gain and dwindle effect, my doctor switched my anti-depressant from Effexor XR. He told me to stop the Eff...

9 REPLIES

Hi - I am switching from Wellbutrin XL 300 mg/day (brand) to Contrave. I do not have the Rx yet but wanted to ask in adv...

3 REPLIES

I have been on pristique 50mg for 13 months now. The first 9 months I felt great but after that I feel that the pristiqu...

1 REPLY

I've been on Paxil 5mg tablet (I cut a 10mg tablet in half) for about 2 years. I recently had increased stress in my...

1 REPLY

was taking metoprolol er 25 mg for a year, asked the dr for something less expensive so she switched me to metoprolol ta...

1 REPLY

My mom was switched from Xarelto to Eliquis (2.5mg x 2 daily) 4 days ago. Since then, she has experienced itchy eyes, ru...

5 REPLIES

I have been on Adderall XR 20mg once a day and my dr wrote it for 10mg twice daily; yet the pharmacist filled regular ge...

4 REPLIES

i have suffered from panic attacks for about 4 years now. Dr gave me Ativan to take when I felt one coming on. Earlier t...

3 REPLIES

My Dr switched me from Norco 10/325 to 1/2 15 mg ir Morphine Sulfate... So basically 7.5. Am I going to go thru Norco wi...

1 REPLY

I am on my second week of viibryd after taking from 100 mg of zoloft for over two years. I decided to switch because of ...

1 REPLY