Getting off Prozac and Wellbutrin

Hi @Healthyagain! Welcome to Taper Community. We will do our best to help and support you. ❤️ What you're describing is consistent with withdrawal and nervous system sensitization. The pattern you described—doing relatively okay during gradual reductions, then developing significant symptoms after alternate-day dosing and dose changes—is very typical. Alternating doses (especially with medications like Prozac and Wellbutrin XL) can create fluctuating blood levels, which the nervous system often reacts to. The worsening after multiple dose adjustments can absolutely reflect sensitization (sometimes called kindling). This doesn’t mean damage—it means your nervous system has become more reactive and needs more consistency and time to settle. The intrusive looping thoughts you're experiencing are a well-known withdrawal symptom and is consistent with a sensitized nervous system misfiring, not a reflection of your true thoughts or desires. You already have the document that I gave you in your PM. These symptoms do typically improve with holding. Many people find that intrusive thoughts gradually lessen as the nervous system stabilizes at a steady dose. The fact that you’re already seeing improvement is a very good sign. 👍 For most people, this type of symptom does not require complete resolution before tapering, but it does require a solid baseline of stability. This would mean that it's something that you're able to manage and it stays pretty much status quo. When dealing with multiple drugs, my understanding that it’s usually safest to taper one medication at a time. Even though one medication may feel “activating” and the other “calming,” your brain has adapted to both. Changing two variables at once makes it much harder to tell what’s causing symptoms and increases risk of destabilization. Usually it's best to taper one medication first and to go very slowly, especially since you're sensitized. Regarding which drug to taper first .... some things to keep in mind are that Prozac (fluoxetine) has a long half-life, which can make it feel easier—but it still affects serotonin strongly, and withdrawal can absolutely happen (as you’ve experienced). Wellbutrin (bupropion) is more stimulating and can contribute to anxiety, panic, and looping thoughts in some people. In cases like yours, some people choose to taper the more activating medication first (often Wellbutrin), especially if symptoms include anxiety, panic, or intrusive thoughts. The most important factor is having some idea of which medication you feel is contributing more to your current symptoms. Regarding whether to microtaper or cut-and-hold .... both can work, but after sensitization cut-and-hold is often more predictable. Microtapering can work, but you have to go extremely slowly, and yes—it can catch up with you if the cumulative reductions become too much. If microtapering is used, it should be done with very small reductions. You'd want to pay close attention to your body and hold when necessary if symptoms increase. Based on what you described, a suggested cautious approach could be to continue holding until things feel consistently manageable and then start with very small reductions (much smaller than before). What you’re experiencing—especially the intrusive looping thoughts—is something many people recover from as the nervous system settles. It's good that you recognize the thoughts as not “you,” you don’t want to act on them, and you’re already seeing gradual improvement. Those are all very positive signs! You’re doing the right thing by slowing down and asking these great questions. I'm sure other members will chime in when they can. @Based Psychiatrist, what are your thoughts regarding anything mentioned in my reply? Again, we're glad you're here! ❤️ Disclaimer: These are merely suggestions based on personal experience from being in the withdrawal community. It's not medical advice.

I forgot to include these links for you! Books: https://taper.community/thread/aca89330-0fd1-4bfc-9252-9ad718f6d309 Social Media Sites (FB, IG, YouTube): https://taper.community/thread/a9001aa7-d262-4cdb-b462-28c5c04c45ce

Hi Healthyagain! Thanks for joining us and sharing your questions. You mentioned youre working with a taper coach, do you have a licensed clinician youre working with? Finding one in your area could be a big help. The pattern youre in is unfortunately common and can still be resolved with the proper attention and care.

Hi, thank you so much for your response — I really appreciate it. And thank you, Catina, as always for being a beacon of light and such a great support. I do have a clinician, but he’s fairly old-fashioned and has had difficulty even with things like prescribing compounded medications. I do like him and would prefer not to change, but I’m open to doing what’s best for my wellbeing. At one point he suggested adding another medication (Rexulti), which I declined. These intrusive thoughts began during tapering and destabilization, not before. I never experienced anything like this prior to medication changes, which makes it difficult for me to see it as a return of baseline depression. Just for additional context — I was first put on Prozac around 2003–2004 after moving across continents by myself for college due to homesickness and some isolation. About a year later, I underwent radioactive iodine treatment, which eliminated my thyroid function and required lifelong hormone replacement. Years later, around 2013–2014, Wellbutrin XL was added for low energy and loss of sex drive. Since then, my thyroid medications have been adjusted over time, with TSH remaining suppressed likely due to dosing. Given all of this, I’m trying to understand how a clinician can best support me when my goal is to taper off medications rather than add more. If you have any insight on that, I would really appreciate it. Also, since I’m in Nassau County, New York, do you happen to know of any taper-friendly psychiatrists in this area? I’m open to exploring additional support if needed. Thank you again for your help — it really means a lot.