i1290: Getting off Wellbutrin and on with life!

March 2Mar 2

Author

8 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

This is so positive….and it is going to get even better….so happy for you.

Appreciate you, LIC!

8 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Keep us updated along with any tips….😴💤😴

I asked chat GPT and long story short it said when I wake up at 8 am or whenever, that I need to reprogram myself so I don't get up and look at any light (I wear an eyemask), and to basically bore yourself back to sleep by imagining yourself folding laundry or counting your breath in and out, that sort of thing. Then, after 20 minutes if I'm not asleep, it's OK to take a sleep aid, rather than staying up for an hour or two and then trying to go back to sleep. Worked OK today, hopefully it does tomorrow as well.

8 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

I bought a beautiful smelling pack of decaf months ago….still unopened. Mayb one day. 🤣🤣🤣

😂 I used to drink so much coffee and caffeine....I loved that stuff. Maybe one day.

3 hours ago, Fifree said:

It still has a fantastic placebo effect though in terms of feeling ready to face the day.

I could see this. Coffee in the morning with breakfast? A-mazing!

2011-2015 - tapered off 300mg of Venlafaxine after 6 years of use

2005-2021 - 450 mg Bupropion daily

2021-2023 - tapered Bupropion to zero

2

April 2Apr 2

Author

Whoa, I just realized I'm about 4 months away from celebrating 3 years off meds. Fortunately, I only have good news to report.

My career took some dings while tapering, and I could only perform C-level work. Now I have a contract with a previous employer and I'm doing A-level work. In fact, I'm preforming better than ever. I still have anxiety on certain days, but if I don't tackle that now, when will I?!? Might as well do it while I'm transitioning to a new career.

I've noticed how much improved my anxiety levels have been since I started the grounding work a couple weeks ago. They're out of my comfort zone, but I do them because I like the results.

Getting off meds has been the most difficult, but rewarding, thing I've ever done.

2011-2015 - tapered off 300mg of Venlafaxine after 6 years of use

2005-2021 - 450 mg Bupropion daily

2021-2023 - tapered Bupropion to zero

4

April 2Apr 2

42 minutes ago, j1290 said:

Whoa, I just realized I'm about 4 months away from celebrating 3 years off meds. Fortunately, I only have good news to report.

My career took some dings while tapering, and I could only perform C-level work. Now I have a contract with a previous employer and I'm doing A-level work. In fact, I'm preforming better than ever. I still have anxiety on certain days, but if I don't tackle that now, when will I?!? Might as well do it while I'm transitioning to a new career.

I've noticed how much improved my anxiety levels have been since I started the grounding work a couple weeks ago. They're out of my comfort zone, but I do them because I like the results.

Getting off meds has been the most difficult, but rewarding, thing I've ever done.

Amazing update. And congratulations on getting close to your 3 years off! So great to see life after zero and how positive it can be.

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

1

April 2Apr 2

9 hours ago, j1290 said:

grounding work

What are you specifically doing? Is it from a book or video? Or just the basics?

Glad you are doing so well...great news. ❤️🙏

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg/Sep 18-3.8mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for reflux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger as needed for nausea/500 mg of Vitamin C for cortisol

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

1

April 3Apr 3

@J1290, Your post was incredibly rewarding to read. Thank you for sharing with us. May your life continue to get better and better with each passing day.

-Rachel

I am not a health professional in any way, and I do not give medical advice. These are only my opinions. Any decisions about your medical care should be discussed with a qualified medical professional.

Quote of the century: "it's much easier to stop humpty from falling then it is to put him back together again." * as relayed to us by Chippy paraphrasing a comment by Altostrata, the founder of Surviving Antidepressants

If you would like to reach me, please post on my thread and tag @rachelsusan, or post on your thread and tag in the same way, so I will see it. 😀😀😀

Gabapentin reduction. 2026 Transitioned to partial liquid, 100mg in liquid and a 100mg capsule for a total of a 200mg dose. Dose three times a day. April 18 2026 first cut to 195mg (2.5%). May 18, 2026 to 187.5 (3.85%), June 28, 2026 to 185 (1.33%), July 28 to 180 mg (2.7%), Sept. 2, 2026 to 175mg (2.78%),

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016 - Was on 150mg Zoloft.

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June 2016, reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016. From July 2016 to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM ANOTHER SITE - WHICH WAS VERY HELPFUL

Dec. 10, 2016 – Switched to liquid Zoloft (sertraline) at 12.5 mg. Held until Jan. 2017, then resumed a slow taper. I tapered continuously from that point onward; however, my detailed taper records begin with Jan. 4, 2020. - Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mg. Feb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%). Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg. May 9, 2020 1.375 mg. June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%). July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%). August 15, 2020 1.0 mg. Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg. Nov. 28, 2020 .75mg. Jan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%). Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg. May 1, 2021 .375mg. May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg. October 2, 2021 .043mg. October 10, 2021 .038mg. October 23, 2021 .035mg. October 30, 2021 .032mg. Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg. Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg. Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

My thread at SA - https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/12649-☼-rachelsusan-zoloft-on-off-and-reinstated/page/28/

1

April 3Apr 3

Author

12 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Or just the basics?

Just the basics, really. Turns out, when you don't have super turbo chemical anxiety, they can really work! 😂 With the help of chat GPT, I've been easing into doing them and reprogramming my anxiety response. I want to declare victory and quit doing them in the *worst* way, but I know I have to keep practicing the breathing and grounding techniques to keep getting the results.

2 hours ago, RachelSusan said:

May your life continue to get better and better with each passing day.

Thank you, @RachelSusan! 🙏🙌

2011-2015 - tapered off 300mg of Venlafaxine after 6 years of use

2005-2021 - 450 mg Bupropion daily

2021-2023 - tapered Bupropion to zero

2

April 4Apr 4

On 4/2/2026 at 8:17 AM, j1290 said:

Whoa, I just realized I'm about 4 months away from celebrating 3 years off meds. Fortunately, I only have good news to report.

My career took some dings while tapering, and I could only perform C-level work. Now I have a contract with a previous employer and I'm doing A-level work. In fact, I'm preforming better than ever. I still have anxiety on certain days, but if I don't tackle that now, when will I?!? Might as well do it while I'm transitioning to a new career.

I've noticed how much improved my anxiety levels have been since I started the grounding work a couple weeks ago. They're out of my comfort zone, but I do them because I like the results.

Getting off meds has been the most difficult, but rewarding, thing I've ever done.

What a wonderful update @j1290 thank you for giving us all something to hold on to, we all need that hope.

May you continue on a successful, enjoyable and rewarding path!

Edited April 4Apr 4 by Fullhealing

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

1

April 21Apr 21

On 4/2/2026 at 3:17 PM, j1290 said:
I only have good news to report

So great to read J. We all love to hear these updates from the "other side"

1995-2005: AD merry-go-round through sertraline, a MAOI, citalopram (long term) and venlafaxine. 2006: lexapro 10mg. 2018: 20mg. 2022: 30mg, Dec 20mg. 2023: Jan 15mg, Feb 12mg, Mar 10mg, Mar 8.5, Apr 7.25, May 7mg, June 6mg, July 5.4, Aug 5mg and hold. 2024: Dec 4.5. 2025: Feb 4.3, Apr 4mg, May 3.71, Jun 3.42, Jul 3.14, Sept 3mg, Oct 2.81, 2.71, Nov 2.57. 2026: 29 Dec 2.42, 19 Jan 2.286, 16 Feb 2.14, 16 Mar 2 mg

I am not a medical professional and do not offer medical advice. Anything I say here is based on my personal experience

2

May 1May 1

Author

As I inch closer to my 3 year anniversary of getting off AD's in September, I just realized I'm posting monthly updates. Compared to my daily updates on SA, I've come a long way 😆. I have a lot of gratitude for anyone who replied to my thread back then. This would have been a much, much rougher ride if it hadn't been for the amazing people who were so generous and encouraging along the way.

I had a lot of business and personal stressors this month, and came out of it just fine. Yay, me! 🏆 I was offered a way to take a shortcut on an assignment, and chose to do it the more complex way because I thought I was up to it, and I was.

I would've been a lot worse for wear had those things come up before or during tapering. I'm also going to do an intense, in-person college entrance examination and interview next week that is super competitive. I actually did this a few years ago when I was in full WD, so it'll be interesting to see how I do now. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I have a few more scheduled this year as well, so possibly I'll be moving and going back to school this next year.

I still have a lot of room to grow in my sleep schedule, I could be healthier in that regard concerning using electronics before bed and exercising regularly and whatnot. Anxiety comes and goes, but it's always manageable and some days are better than others. Breathing exercises, 5-4-3-2-1, and other grounding exercises provided by chat GPT have been my main go-to.

Off the meds my mind is running down a lot less rabbit holes and what-if's. I have to be quick to redirect myself back to the present moment if my mind wanders to certain areas, which is easier said than done.

I took benadryl to help get to sleep on a few nights this last month which I don't love, but that's about it. Sometimes I think about taking a benzo for anxiety or to fall asleep fast, but never been close to actually taking one. Those are the ultimate last resort thing to take, although my brain tries to trick me into thinking they aren't that bad 🤣. It's been at least 2 years or more since I used them.

Every day I'm battling the issues that put me on meds to begin with, and every day I find a way to manage and ideally put myself in challenging situations for the growth and experience. I haven't had a lot of luck finding a therapist to work with. I've tried a few lately that haven't clicked. I do work with an executive coach that is helpful but not so much outside of business.

That's about it for this last month. It's a lot of work to get proper sleep and to manage stress and anxiety without meds, but it's been achievable and worth it. I've had plenty of opportunities to get that 11/10 turbo anxiety these last few months, but the flame just isn't there. I believe getting off the meds made the difference.

2011-2015 - tapered off 300mg of Venlafaxine after 6 years of use

2005-2021 - 450 mg Bupropion daily

2021-2023 - tapered Bupropion to zero

3

May 1May 1

Hi J1290

This is such a great post. It speaks of how well you are doing, but also how life is sometimes difficult, and we can manage it.

You have come such a long, long way.

Wishing you all the best in your future endeavours.

Wombat

1998 Paroxetine 20mg, getting to 60mg and staying there for many years.

Started reducing by 10mg at a time, December 2018 to June 2019. At 30mg held for 2 and a half years.

Beginning 2023, start micro tapering from 30mg

End 2023 - 18.76. End 2024 - 13.37. End 2025 - 8.58

2026 - 31 Jan - 8.38, 15 Feb - 8.19, 07 March - 8.06, 14 March - 8.00, 08 April - holding and start liquid transition, 22 May completed liquid transition 8mg (16ml) held for 1 month

27 June - 7.9, 12 July - 7.75, 18 July - 7.6, 25 July - 7.45, 22 August - 7.30,

Deuteronomy 31.8 "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

3

May 1May 1

Congratulations @j1290 ! Every milestone is worth celebrating!🎉

🕊️💞🙏

2025 / Current:

Bupropion (Wellbutrin) (at least since Jan. 2019) 150 mg -> 131.5 mg on 4-22 -> 112.5 mg on 5-26 -> 93.75 mg on 6-21 -> 87.5 mg on 8-7 -> 77.5mg on 9-1 -> 69 mg on 10-15 -> 61 mg 11-12 -> 60 mg 11-28 -> 54 mg on 12-13-25 -> 53 mg on 4-8-26. HOLD

Escitalopram (Lexapro) 20 mg (consistently since July 2018) -

Gabapentin 100 mg once daily (since June 2014?) -> 90 mg on Oct 10, 2026

Clonazepam As of Jan. 2019 1.5 mg daily in 3 divided doses as needed. Decreased as I didn’t need as much. March 2025: 1/8 of 0.5 mg tablet (0.0625 mg), 2-3 x daily (0.125 mg - 0.1875 mg daily). -> 2 x daily (0.125 mg daily), -> 1/8 morning0.0625 mg & 1/16 tablet evening (approx. 0.094 mg daily ) March 2026.

Cross over to liquid 0.125 ODT evening dose 0.028125 mg Apr 18; morning dose 0.04375 mg Apr 25, -> 0.040625 mg Apr 26, -> 0.034375 mg May 1, -> 0.028125 mg twice daily (0.05625 mg daily) May 4, -> 0.053125 May 13, -> 0.050 mg May 14, -> 0.04375 mg May 16, -> 0.040625 mg May 19, -> 0.0356 mg 6/2, -> 0.03125 mg June 8, -> 0.0275 mg June 14. -> 0.025 June 16, -> 0.0187 mg June 21, -> 0.0125 mg July 7, -> 0.006 mg July 14.

July 21, 2026 ZERO!

Compounded Bio-Identical HRT: Cream Bi-Est 0.5, Progesterone 150 mg/ML (0.5ML)

Compounded Bio-Identical HRT: Capsule 150 mg each evening

Metoprolol ER Succinate -> 1/2 of 25 mg tablet 1 x daily on 5/31/25 -> 1/4 tablet on 1-09-2026 -> 1/2 of 25 mg tablet on 2-19. Switched to

Atenolol 4 mg March 4,2026 -> 3 mg Mar.26 -> 2 mg April 18 -> 1 mg May 1, -> zero May 11, 2026.

Supplements:Calcium,D3,K2,Magnesium,Omega3,B-Complex,Biotin,Quercetin,Zinc,C

My profile at Surviving Antidepressants is:

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/32343-golden-introduction/

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

2

May 2May 2

@j1290 great update!

Definitely stay off the drugs! You’ve come so far. Don’t rock the boat now!

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

3

May 2May 2

@j1290 What a great update ,so.pleased you are doing so well ...

2016 - 2019 Sertraline 25mg highest dose 100mg

2019 C Ted 25mg Bad withdrawals

01/2020 reinstated 25mg

06/2020 - 12/2021 tapered from 100mg to 6mg jumped off .bad withdrawals like before .

06/2022 reinstated 25mg

10/2023 started taper of 25mg not sure of starting drops

04/2025 5mg

06/2025 4.1mg

08/2025 3.5mg

10/2025 3.1 mg

12/2025 2.5mg

01/2026 to present 2.27mg

1

May 2May 2

15 hours ago, j1290 said:
realized I'm posting monthly updates. Compared to my daily updates on SA,

Call me selfish but I miss those daily updates....🤣🤣🤣

Not the struggle or suffering but definitely the humour.

I know I've said it before but those posts kept me grounded in so many ways. Thank you. ❤️

Glad you are reaching personal goals ...don't forget to stop and smell the flowers especially the roses. 😉😉😉

Let's do this...hehe

Source: YouTube https://share.google/0KnTpe6wFoQ6QMrm7

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg/Sep 18-3.8mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for reflux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger as needed for nausea/500 mg of Vitamin C for cortisol

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

3

May 3May 3

Thank you for the update, I'm glad you're doing a lot better. Hopefully you continue to improve even more.

Nothing I say is medical advice, it is simply my opinion. I am an anonymous person on an internet forum with no relevant qualifications other than being badly harmed by a drug. For all you know, I could be an idiot. You are making your own decisions and part of that is deciding how much to listen to my opinion, if at all.

Perhaps you should consider this post an artistic work of fiction written for entertainment purposes.

Story from SA: LukeUK: Remeron/Mirtazapine Severe Withdrawal - Introductions and updates - Surviving Antidepressants

15mg Remeron/Mirtazapine November starting 2022 (severe physical side effects)

Attempted to taper off January 2023, ended up having a major breakdown and going up to 30mg, took weeks to stabilise

1 month taper to 0mg

Last dose April 2023

Severe withdrawal syndrome with many physical symptoms

Summary: 5 months using Mirtazapine, including 1 month taper ending late April 2023.

1

i1290: Getting off Wellbutrin and on with life!

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