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Two Weeks On Bupropion (zyban/u.s. Wellbutrin) Plus Pristiq

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I was on Bupropian Hydrochloride back in the mid 90s when it was released in the UK as an anti smoking drugs treatment under license as Zyban and believe me as a quit smoking medication it was fantastic and worked really quickly, I gave up smoking within the first week and stayed smoke free for six weeks, not even craving a cigarette that whole time period.

Until one day that is......

I went to the pharmacy for my weekly check up and to collect my Zyban Prescription and took my dose in front of the pharmacist as I always did. By this time I was on a reducing dose by 10 milligrams a week. I then walked the half mile back to my bedsit to meet my young wife for lunch and my arms and face started to itch, I then developed hives on both my arms and my face started to swell, my testicles swelled to the size of small melons and my throat started to close over causing me extreme pain and anxiety. Then came the bad heart palpitations and my heart rate doubled almost instantly leaving me totally breathless, luckily my young wife had realized I was going into anaphylactic shock and grabbed my Piriton tablet pack from the kitchen ** Luckily for me I suffered from bad hay fever at the time and always had a packet in the flat.

She forced me to take the whole packet whilst dialing 999 for an Ambulance to come and check me out, I was immediately rushed into the hospital where I was put on an immediate IV Anti-histamine drip, by this time my heart rate was critical and I had to be kept on a constant heart monitor for 6 hours with a nurse at my bedside the whole time.

After I recovered from what I can only describe as the worst allergic reaction I have ever experienced in my life I went straight to the Internet and researched this kind of reaction with this particular drug, whilst doing that research a new flash came on the computer.

A man had died from the exact same reaction to this drug in the exact same circumstances as I had suffered the day before. His heart rate had gone up so much the right ventricle had literally burst open in his chest.

Save to say I have never taken Bupropian again, Unfortunately I was so stressed at the thought I could have been the second UK death from this drug I started smoking again that very day and have been a smoker again now ever since.

My point in updating this thread is simply to warn people especially in the US that this drug regardless of its application is DANGEROUS and extreme caution needs to be exercised when taking it, whether it be in the form of Wellbutin or Zyban.

After I discovered that this male had died in the UK it was then disclosed in the media that there had been numerous deaths in the US as a result of taking this medication and that the US department of pharmacology were fully aware of the fatal side effects that could be experienced by the patient.
 
Thank you for telling your story Mr Laurie. Extreme caution is exercised when taking any medication and I self-monitor and take observational notes just like an old nurse, to refer back to and share with my MD. Its helps with being cautious and also helps with a crappy memory.
 
Have you noticed any difference in your wellbeing with differences in "walking/exercise" times.?
Nope - I haven't. But I'm not extremely sensitive to medication. All I can rely on (consistently) is that I can feel the afternoon dose 'hit' me, never the morning one. I think it might have to do with also taking effexor in the AM.

You're doing well with keeping track of everything - that's super important.
 
I'm so glad I found your thread. I started Bupropion XL at 150 mg last week and bumped up to 300 mg yesterday. I too have experienced that itching sensation on my face and also on my trunk. Mostly my sides. Weird. Stomach pains and nausea are there as well but bearable.

Are you still on it? I know you started this thread in 2015. Just curious how it's been going. Hope you are doing well.
 
HI @TXbandit Yes, I am still on it. I have stablised again at 150mg AM and 100mg AM of Pristiq. This appears to be the perfect dose for me. I am sensitive to meds and seem to only ever need low doses. I started with nausea early on and it has changed the motility of my lower intestine but in a good way. I am regular now and I actually feel hungry now which is a whole new experience. It also has caused me to have dreams for the first time ever. Not nightmares. They are related to serious life issues, not fantasy but they can be a learning thing, not traumatic.

If I am exposed to a stressor and feel myself going down I take an extra half of each med at night for one or two days and it restores my balance.

The itching will go and dont be surprised if you do not need a higher dose. Drink more water when you take it and try to do some moving. It helps establish it into your tissues.

I am doing well. Though not able to work. But that is a choice not to expose myself to assholes and stress. Besides I am nearly retirement age.
 
Thanks so much for replying :) I am so glad to hear that it is working for you.

It seems to be a great fit for me. Probably the best experience I have ever had with an antidepressant. You were right about the itching. It has gone away but the stomach problems are still there for me. I can't eat much these days due to becoming nauseous after eating. Even a small amount. I don't mind, I could lose a pound or two or ten. Heh.

Your comment on not exposing yourself to assholes made me giggle. I can totally agree with that. Hope you are doing well, Flossy.
 
The stomach problems are there for me too, not every day though. I think it could be that the motility of the gut in improved. I carry antacids with me or Diet Coke and once I burp my stomach settles. This did go away last time I was on it for a length of time, so it may again.
 
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