is it normal?

[CLB1125]

my doctor is trying new meds for my depression. I’m on 450 mgs of Wellbutrin and stopped 150 mgs of Zoloft, replaced by prozac. I’m so tired. I will fall asleep anywhere right now. This is awful. It this normal when changing medication? Also I have been without the Wellbutrin for a couple days because I am waiting for them to come in the mail. Thanks

[LoveforAll41]

Hi CLB, I think that when starting new meds almost anything is normal 😅 I know when I was on Prozac for a few years I was tired most of the time and could also sleep anywhere. The exhaustion was a much better feeling than overwhelming anxiety though. I would imagine you Dr says to give it at least a month, then go from there. I think that it all comes down to the personal pros an cons for yourself. I wish you peace, hope, and strength

[Shunneddune]

Perfectly normal...in some people Wellbutrin gives the too much of a lift and they become manic...so missing it a few days plus waiting for the prozac to work...I wouldn't be concerned unless you feel that way for extended period of time

[bethelbee]

Everyone responds differently to every medication, but fatigue is quite common as a side effect for many when first starting. It can take 4-6 weeks(generally) for your body to adjust. I was started on Prozac back when it first came out in 1987 and had no problem; was on it 10 years before it stopped working. It worked great for me.

[Rufus07 in reply to bethelbee]

I was put on Prozac in oh about 1989 and it worked great for me for almost 20 years. Then the game of trying so many different meds started.

[bethelbee in reply to Rufus07]

After my Prozac stopped working I was put on Celexa which also worked great for about 10 years then the game started for me. About 4-5 years ago the last few meds I tried either didn't work or gave me intolerable side effects . Luckily my therapist recommended TMS and that has been successful.

[Rufus07 in reply to bethelbee]

I’ve talked to my doctor about that and he said it’s worth a try, the TMS, but I haven’t pursued it. I was put on pristiq along with my lamotrigine about 3 months ago. It seemed to work great right away, then I had side effects but rode it out and now it seems like I’m right back where I started from. I was excited at first thinking , hey, this is the golden ticket, but I don’t think it is.

[bethelbee in reply to Rufus07]

I highly recommend trying TMS if you can, especially since you have had several med failures(that is actually one of the requirements for being approved for it). It's a big time commitment but well worth it if successful. Treatment is typically 5x/wk for 6-7 weeks, each treatment is about 20 minutes. Obviously results vary and for some it doesn't work, but it does have a high rate of success. I had 3 rounds, the results of the first two each lasting about 6 months and the 3rd is still working after about 2-1/2 years. If you have any questions, feel free to ask

[Rufus07 in reply to bethelbee]

Do you know how it actually works? What it does?

[bethelbee in reply to Rufus07]

The magnetic pulses induce small electric currents that change the firing pattern of neurons, altering dysfunctional brain patterns associated with depression. Treatment is noninvasive, you're awake and can go about your day after. You feel a tapping against your skull which can cause very minor irritation and occasionally a mild headache, but they quickly go away.

[Rufus07 in reply to Rufus07]

Thank you for the information. Do you know if insurance covers it. But then again, it probably depends on the insurance

[Dell12345]

Hi CLB1125, It's very likely to be something to do with the medication. I'm a bit concerned you are missing days, I know whenever I miss my medication for a day it makes me feel awful and takes a coulple of days to feel back to normal.

I think also stopping one medication cold turkey and switching to another will definitely make you feel weird. Most literature recommends cross tapering if you are changing, and even this will make you feel strange for a few days / weeks.

I hope you feel better soon x