Hi there. I can't believe this happened, but here I am. I made the mistake of trying wellbutrin again to help with my executive function and energy. It has helped in the past when I was on it for a year. I did stop due to dehydration. But other than that, mentally it worked fairly well. My husband went on Wellbutrin once and ended up with urinary retention that has never gone away fully. I should have listened to him and not taken it again. But I was desperate to help my mental health.

A few weeks ago, I was on Wellbutrin for 7 days. Only 7 days. The first day I almost immediately felt the positive feeling. It quickly died and by day 2 I had severe stiffness in my upper back. It takes time to get over sid effects I thought, so I let the stiffness continue for a week as it moved to my shoulders and upper back, neck and then began to have weird head pressure and ear pressure. By day, I felt awful and driving home thought I might have a stroke. It felt like my muscles weren't working right. I that was the last day I took it. That day my throat felt like it was swelling in one spot too.

Ever since, I have muscle pain all over my body, tingling, tightness. Sometimes I'm dizzy. My joints hurt and my hands are hurting at the thumbs. It's been almost 2 weeks and I'm in horrible pain. Touching my upper back or shoulders hurts just to touch the area.

I don't know what happened. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease last year that causes joint and muscle pain/nerve pain. Idk if it triggered it to get worse or if this is something different. Sleeping is painful as well. My spine or central nervous system feels off sometimes or something. It's pretty scary.

Nobody seems to have such an extreme experience after 7 days. Does anybody know what might have happened? Or if it will get better?

Hi @kbott925

Welcome to the forum!

 

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18 minutes ago, kbott925 said:

Hi there. I can't believe this happened, but here I am. I made the mistake of trying wellbutrin again to help with my executive function and energy. It has helped in the past when I was on it for a year. I did stop due to dehydration. But other than that, mentally it worked fairly well. My husband went on Wellbutrin once and ended up with urinary retention that has never gone away fully. I should have listened to him and not taken it again. But I was desperate to help my mental health.

Im sorry to read this. These drugs can really mess with our systems. They can cause a side effect of emotional numbing which can be helpful (plus placebo), but this wears off over time, as the bodies builds tolerance.

20 minutes ago, kbott925 said:

A few weeks ago, I was on Wellbutrin for 7 days. Only 7 days. The first day I almost immediately felt the positive feeling. It quickly died and by day 2 I had severe stiffness in my upper back. It takes time to get over sid effects I thought, so I let the stiffness continue for a week as it moved to my shoulders and upper back, neck and then began to have weird head pressure and ear pressure. By day, I felt awful and driving home thought I might have a stroke. It felt like my muscles weren't working right. I that was the last day I took it. That day my throat felt like it was swelling in one spot too.

21 minutes ago, kbott925 said:

Ever since, I have muscle pain all over my body, tingling, tightness. Sometimes I'm dizzy. My joints hurt and my hands are hurting at the thumbs. It's been almost 2 weeks and I'm in horrible pain. Touching my upper back or shoulders hurts just to touch the area.

I understand. I too thought there was always 'start up' effects. I didn't realise how dangerous they can be either. This sounds awful, Im sorry to read.

I think it was wise to stop it as you did.

22 minutes ago, kbott925 said:

I don't know what happened. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease last year that causes joint and muscle pain/nerve pain. Idk if it triggered it to get worse or if this is something different. Sleeping is painful as well. My spine or central nervous system feels off sometimes or something. It's pretty scary.

Nobody seems to have such an extreme experience after 7 days. Does anybody know what might have happened? Or if it will get better?

It is hard to say. Our bodies functions are all interrelated, it is certainly possible that the drug made your existing condition worse somehow. Joint pains and so on, do happen in wd/injury, they are not the classic symptoms, but from what you are saying, I suspect how you are feeling now is due to Wellbutrin.

Lots of people have extreme reactions to short term use of these drugs, you are not alone.

It will get better! We can't say how long or the route your symptoms will take. Our bodies are amazing though, and are always trying to return us to the balance point, not too hot, not too cold, they never give up adjusting.

You'll need to give it lots of time, I suspect it will settle down sooner rather than later. The nervous system, tends not to heal in a linear way, it heals in an an up and down fashion called waves and windows.

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization 

Trust your body, it knows what its doing. A few tips and thoughts to help aid this process:

 

-Stay Hydrated 

 

-Eat a good clean whole food diet, avoiding processed foods and sugars.

 

-Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and antihistamines and any other psychoactive substances.

 

Supplements are to be avoided initially, as they often irritate our nervous systems. Try to get your nutrition through food.

 

Down the line, you may wish to introduce Fish Oil and Magnesium. Those who can tolerate them have found them calming to the nervous system. Be careful try one at a time and start low and see how you get on should you choose to try them.

 

A daily walk is very important as much as you can manage, if you can manage it. Gets you your fresh air and Vitamin D does wonders for your mind!

 

You are very welcome here and I hope you find the site supportive.

Chippy