Bupropion can't recover from depression.

[Vegasspider]

I used to be super driven and the boss of bouncing back. I had a heart attack Jan 2020 with open heart surgery, I have been struggling since. They tell me its because when they stop your heart during surgery (safely of course or I would not be posting this) "some people's" brain activity changes. I have been in a state of depression since. I survive but have recently telling myself how hard this and how much it sucks. I have a great support system but man its the toughest thing I have ever been through. I am not motivated at all. My since of pride is gone, I really want it back it drives me. I am an older guy with a long successful business career that I have lost to this depression. Up until this torture managed life's normal hurdles never been depressed.

Started Bupropion three months ago and thought I felt a difference but then I slipped/jumped into a super depressive state last month so they upped me to 150mg about a week ago. I would say after three months I have gone down not up. I don't know if it could be a result of hydrocodone shortage, have not been able to get a refill in two months. (My typical dose is 10-325 X 4) But I have been in this state of mind for 3 years with an intensification over the last few months. They are substituting with Tramadol 50mg X 4 which does nothing for me. I make my own hydro with it by taking two Tylenol when I take the Tramadol, short term but hoping to get my hydro back on next visit. I take Ambient to sleep and always run out ahead of time because all I want to do is sleep. I am self sabotaging and have a real hard time doing my work as I don't want to know the results of anything negative.

I would not say I have irrational thoughts just my brain screaming out how hard this is. Never any thought of hurting myself, if anything I wan't to be a provider for my family again and the thought of leaving them in this state of chaos scares the shit out of me. In fact fear is all I feel.

I do have pain management I suffer from Rheumatoid arthritis. Since January 2020 I had the 5 way bypass open heart surgery. A removal of scar tissue surgery from my chest where they opened it. I had a complete shoulder replacement March 21 and was lucky enough to fall and have a total knee replacement and reconstruction to the region. I have had 4 follow up surgeries to that. It by far is the most pain and debilitating that I have ever had. I don't drink heavy in fact my desire for a good beer or wine is no longer a thing. I don't take any rec drugs etc. Like I said I am an older guy so some of the "I don't the things I used to do" apply to me. I am terrified of even thinking about street or rec drugs with my heart condition and fentanyl.

Anyhow hoping this routine of meds kick in as some point, I really really need it to.

 

[SpiralusSancti]

Weird choice to give bupropion to someone who had heart problems.

I wish you all the best and believe you can and will figure out what’s good option for you both concerning pain and depression.

 

[l41n]

i have thoughts about the efficacy of bupropion ime and alternative antidepressants in the maoi class a bit i like better.

but im not your psychiatrist…

 

[SpiralusSancti]

i have thoughts about the efficacy of bupropion ime and alternative antidepressants in the maoi class a bit i like better.

but im not your psychiatrist…

For some bupropion seems to be a great choice, actually being stimulant but maois are probably more effective for more people. Depression and curing same aren’t really exact science so people diagnosed with depression (and it’s not like blood tests are really used) respond best to really wide range of substances from classic antidepressants, dissos, psychedelics, weed, stims or anything else and than better to some specific substance within a group. Sadly where I am, most psychiatrists will rather go trough bunch of SSRIs than to switch between groups after couple don’t work and even after a good bunch people are usually gona get triciclics, possibly a few, than maybe get some APs thrown in or mood stabilizers and than probably MAOI or some atypical as bupropion.

 

[WellTram]

Maoi's like moclobemide, atypical ad like vortioxetine and addition of responsible tianeptine add-on as an instant "mood booster" was in my case much more effective than using bupropion.

 

[Neuroprotection]

As has been said before, maybe try a different antidepressant like an MAOI. however, you might also do well with transcranial magnetic brain stimulation which is under investigation for atypical and treatment resistant forms of depression. There’s probably a combination of factors that brought on your depression, but it sounds like you might have a There’s probably a combination of factors that brought on your depression, but it sounds like you might have a considerable degree of low-grade inflammation caused by the combination of your rheumatoid arthritis and the several surgeries you have had. maybe also check your blood sugar as high glucose in its self can be inflammatory. try to include healthy fats and a little more protein in your diet and have your blood tested for inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein. sorry that post is a bit messy but that’s all the advice I have. I wish you all the best and a full recovery. Please feel free to contact me if you want me to clarify anything. I’m no doctor or specialist but I’m happy to discuss anything you want and share the little knowledge I have. even if talking about your issues makes you feel better, it’s definitely worth it.