[asylumgardens]

I've been taking Wellbutrin, and I love it. I really feel like it's helping me, even though it's only been 1 month. My doctor is out of state, so I have to call him and he calls in my prescription here. I'm down to two pills, though, and he hasn't done it yet!! I have called 3 times and he never calls back, or never even calls the pharmacy. It's bad to stop taking antidepressants right? I've only been on ANY ADs for about 4 months, and in this time I have already stopped taking them cold turkey 3 times, and only once was really my own fault. This will be the 4th time.. this can't be good, can it? I'm also worried because Wellbutrin really has helped me, so what if I slip back into deep depression when I stop? I only have 2 pills left.. and I've been calling him since I had 14 pills left because I thought he might want to discuss them with me since I haven't even really talked to him about Wellbutrin! I don't know what I'm asking really as there's nothing any of you can do, but now I'm just like scared of what's going to happen when I stop, worried that my doctor hates me, etc. It's bringing on the most anxiety I've had all month! lol Plus I need sleeping pills from him too and I"ve needed those for weeks and he won't call me back to even TALK to me about anything, even if he doesn't want to prescribe me them! Ugh

[DePressMe]

It is completely up to you and this is just my opinion...but, heck, I'd get a new doc. Running out of meds is not acceptable when all the doc has to do is pick up the phone and call the pharmacy.

[CamW]

asylumgardens - Are there any walk-in clinics where you live. You could go to one of these and explain the situation to the doctor. I'm sure that the doctor would be willing to give you a prescription for a month supply of the Wellbutrin™ (bupropion) until you can get the situation with your doctor straightened out.

Many doctors do not like to prescribe medications without seeing the patient on a regular basis. This may be why you doctor is reluctant to continue to prescribe the Wellbutrin™ for you. It might be wise to find a doctor in your current town. It will save the hassle of waiting for an out-of-state call.

The upside of this is that missing a day or two of Wellbutrin™ is not as critical as missing a dose of the SSRI-type antidepressants. Wellbutrin has no significant effect on the serotonin-reuptake receptor, so it does not cause the serotonin withdrawl effects seen with the SSRIs such as Prozac™ (fluoxetine), Paxil™ (paroxetine), Zoloft™ (sertraline), Effexor XR™ (venlafaxine), and others.

Still, there is a risk of a relapse of the depression, but this normally occurs weeks or months after stopping the medication (if at all).

I hope that this is of some help. - Cam

[sunrise]

asylumgarden, I think it's really bad your out-of-state doc has strung you along like this. When you call him after hours, do you get an answering service? They should be able to notify the doctor on call for him that there is an emergency situation and the on call doctor will call you back. Also, for the future, I would encourage you to go to a doctor in your own town to get your prescription renewed. Are you taking 2 Wellbutrin a day? If so, perhaps go to only one a day for the weekend so you can last until Monday and see a local doctor (if you can't get some action on your prescription this weekend). Hang in there.

[asylumgardens]

Thanks.. I guess I was in a rush and didn't explain rather well. I'm in college out of state of where I stay for the summer, so I'll be back in August, so I had a therapist here, but everyone agreed that it was best to have my primary psychologist continue with my medicines - even him, since I will be back in August. I don't like him in general, but as I am poor and have no insurance, he is the only person at school who can do meds for me, and I can't afford to go off campus for them. Tough spot. Thanks for your advice, though. I might try a walk-in place and just explain the situation at least for now.