Bupropion (Wellbutrin) to Sertraline (Zoloft)

Hi! So, as some of you may or may not know, I've recently been having a bad experience with Bupropion (both 100mg SR and 300mg XL) for the past couple months or so. I had most of the side effects either persist or worsen, and so went back to family doc. Basically, she said I was getting better, should stay with it, etc. I almost had a panic attack then and there, I was almost in tears - I hate this drug, as I was spending my days in bed doing breathing exercises and googling ways to handle my triggers.

So I got a second opinion from my other doctor - her husband. (lol.) He switched me to Sertraline 25mg while weaning me off of the Bupropion simultaneously (now only 100mg a day, as opposed to 200-300.)

Last night was my first night taking the Sertraline, and I was up most of the night with nausea. I've had worse, but it was still enough to have me groaning and I finally ended up just moving to the bathroom to sleep. I had 3 of those 5 famous Pepto-cured symptoms (let's not get into which 3) and so this morning my boyfriend went and bought me both Pepto Bismol and ginger Gravol.

Has anybody got experience with this drug switch before?

Is it advisable to take Pepto and/or ginger Gravol?

Should I eat more, or less, to help with the nausea?

Any advice/experiences at all would be greatly appreciated. I really don't want to do this every night until the drug kicks in (if it does! Fingers crossed, toes crossed, eyes crossed ...)

EDIT: Sorry, I always forget to add something to my posts ... I'm currently a tad nauseous, and skipped out on my brother's soccer game for fear of motion sickness (again. I suck.) I'm not sad or anxious or anything, it's currently just physical, but last night I was struggling a bit. I don't know if this edit actually contributed to the post. Sigh.

Post Edited (kcconcarne) : 1/18/2014 12:33:35 PM (GMT-7)

I wasn't exactly walking into walls, but I think I lost around 20lbs - and I didn't want to! It gave me terrible mood swings, too.

Wish I had that compazine now, haha. Mind you, I haven't NOT felt nauseous in about 8 hours, so taking it now might not work anyway. I'm going to try the Pepto. I'd really rather not spend my day in bed ... again. =p

Thanks for your support/reply =) I'll be doing a follow-up with my doctor when he gets back from vacation in three weeks, and probably a follow-up just before that with their stand-in, since I've dealt with him before.

I'm just a bit nervous about having such a relatively violent reaction on only 25mg of the Zoloft. But I suppose the Wellbutrin gave me nausea, too, so that can't help. (When I say violent, I mean - well, I slept in the bathroom. I wasn't sobbing in agony but I couldn't get comfortable, either.)

Your system is goint through a lot, not only with the med changes, but also dealing with the increased anxiety and all of the side effects.

I am sure that it is not unexpected to be going through a bit of a rough transition, and to perhaps not feel your best a the moment.

Tension is surely adding to your aches and pains.

I wish you well through the weekend, and do check in with your doctor next week and keep consulting on what to expect during this time.

Wishing you the best possible switch! (don't forget about the coping skills in our Resources...you may find a new helpful one!)

S.C.

Another update: Zoloft had me up the first night I took it throwing up, and now my tonsils are swollen and I may have strep/tonsillitis. So that's good.

On the upside, I haven't had any anxiety/irritation in the past two days I've been taking the Zoloft. Just aches and pains and an inability to eat due to my swollen tonsils.

I got the culture done and am waiting for results. If I don't hear back by Wednesday, the test came back negative, in which case the doctor wants me to go get bloodwork done. My throat is feeling a lot better today, and I've held off getting the prescription she gave me filled. I really do hate taking so many pills. Obviously if they call and tell me it's strep I'll get it filled, or if the pain comes back, but for now I'm holding off and just drinking water, gargling salt water, etc.

I have another question: my energy level since starting the zoloft has been very low. At first I stayed in bed due to the nausea and then the pain, but today I feel fine - aside from a little bit of a sore throat and the fatigue. Should I stay at home and continue to rest, or try to do something, just go for a short walk, go out for lunch?

I feel as if I should be doing something, but I've been in bed for almost four days and I have zero energy from lying down so much.

I feel a lot better two days later. Very, very slight sore throat, but I'm getting my appetite back and I went out for a few drinks last night with friends. (and by drinks I mean water, because I can't drink on the Wellbutrin or Zoloft yet.)

I am "late" (... you know, late) and I worried a little, but I suppose I did just change dosages and add a new medication to my routine, so I'm not too worried yet. ... yet.

The zoloft seems to be doing me a lot more good than the wellbutrin ever did, thankfully. Not out of the woods yet, but I see the light. =3

I was supposed to start something, as it turns out I do/did have strep. I haven't had the 'script filled yet, because the day after I went to the clinic I felt 100x better. I no longer even have a sore throat. I'm hesitant to start another medication when I'm already feeling better. As before, though, if it gets worse I'll get it filled.

I'm starting 50mg of Zoloft starting tomorrow from 25mg, so I'm hoping all goes well.

My Mom badgered me and called my doctor until I was forced to go and get the prescription. I am taking it very against my will. I'm not at all comfortable with it.

It also causes nausea, which I'm sure I'll be lucky enough to experience as, like I said, I'm doubling my dose of Zoloft tomorrow (as directed).

I've had strep go away on its own before; I've known people who have had it only once, not treated it, and never had it again. The people I know who have it consistently (my cousin has it once a year like clockwork) medicate it every time.

I have to take the strep meds (Penicillin V 300mg) three times daily, which is also not reassuring and I'm not looking forward to the next ten days at all. But of course, that seems to be the trend, since I've had a good couple of days. Time to get back to reality, no?