This is my experience with a ER Wellbutrin (e-HL 20 +/- 5 h) high. Because of the pandemic I was unable to get a better upper so I used what I had.
5'7 115 lb 21 yo F
hx: (unipolar) major depressive dx, panic dx, hereditary spherocytosis
rx: fluoxetine (prozac, SSRI) 40mg o.d. AM cc
dosage: 300 mg on sunday 8/23 AM, 300 mg on monday 8/24 AM, 300 mg on tuesday 8/25 AM, 150 mg on wednesday 8/26 AM
why: 1) exam week of 7 week (typically 16 week) condensed (COVID-19) semester with 15 credits of pre-health courses
a) in-person/mixed A&P II- Lecture exam Monday, Lab exam Thursday, Homework worksheet due Friday
b) in-person/mixed athletic assessment course- Skills exam Friday
c) online- adv genetics- quizzes on T/R, homework due Friday, Lab report due Friday
2) TA for a prof that has no experience w online coursework (logged 18 hours for this)
a) planned for online only Lab safety session and lab tech for non-STEM students
b) answered many emails/calls from students
c) some other stuff
how it panned out:
Sleep: 3-4 hrs/night on M-W, 0 hrs R-F, 2 hr Sa (I usually sleep 9-10 hrs and often take a nap)
Productivity: Increased from baseline on M-W. Steady decrease on R/ F. Perceived productivity increased F + S, actual productivity decreased.
Social: I made several faux-pas because of decreased awareness and experienced progressive loss of touch w reality. I talked to many friends on socials, which is unusual for me for when school is in session.
Physical: Baseline M-W, progressively worsening dehydration, increasingly worse R-Sa: hypotension + tachycardia. Decreased thirst+ hunger.
Tx on R-Su:
Brain fog and hypotension/tachycardia realized by fiance on F 2 am- dosed with salt until she said I could stop, catnip+chamomile tea w/ honey. Monitored until 4 am with additional salt doses and water w encouragement PRN. F 3 pm-severe brain fog, white-out: dosed with salt until she said I could stop, carbs, fat, protein and water. Put in bed w low stimulation and monitored. Sa 3-4 am- series of anosognosic panic attacks, called father (ex ER MD) in fear I was having a manic psychotic episode and needed to self-admit. Fiance not home. Triaged by father- he told me I was having a panic attack. That helped me calm down. Dosed w salt water, 100 mg hydroxyzine pamoate and 30 mg SL melatonin. Slept 2 hours. Sa 11 pm- dosed w salt water, PB w/ added sugar, catnip+chamomile+lavender tea, 25 mg Diphenhydramine and 10 mg SL melatonin. Decreased agitation. Su 12:15 a- dosed w more tea, 1000 mg Valerian root. If I cannot knock myself out I will take 50 mg diphenhydramine and 10 mg SL melatonin. If that does not help I will take 10 mg propranolol.
Reflection/Advice:
If I could go back I would have taken 150 mg on Su, 300 mg on M and 150 mg on T.
I recommend a benzo on hand.
I recommend setting timers for food and water.
5'7 115 lb 21 yo F
hx: (unipolar) major depressive dx, panic dx, hereditary spherocytosis
rx: fluoxetine (prozac, SSRI) 40mg o.d. AM cc
dosage: 300 mg on sunday 8/23 AM, 300 mg on monday 8/24 AM, 300 mg on tuesday 8/25 AM, 150 mg on wednesday 8/26 AM
why: 1) exam week of 7 week (typically 16 week) condensed (COVID-19) semester with 15 credits of pre-health courses
a) in-person/mixed A&P II- Lecture exam Monday, Lab exam Thursday, Homework worksheet due Friday
b) in-person/mixed athletic assessment course- Skills exam Friday
c) online- adv genetics- quizzes on T/R, homework due Friday, Lab report due Friday
2) TA for a prof that has no experience w online coursework (logged 18 hours for this)
a) planned for online only Lab safety session and lab tech for non-STEM students
b) answered many emails/calls from students
c) some other stuff
how it panned out:
Sleep: 3-4 hrs/night on M-W, 0 hrs R-F, 2 hr Sa (I usually sleep 9-10 hrs and often take a nap)
Productivity: Increased from baseline on M-W. Steady decrease on R/ F. Perceived productivity increased F + S, actual productivity decreased.
Social: I made several faux-pas because of decreased awareness and experienced progressive loss of touch w reality. I talked to many friends on socials, which is unusual for me for when school is in session.
Physical: Baseline M-W, progressively worsening dehydration, increasingly worse R-Sa: hypotension + tachycardia. Decreased thirst+ hunger.
Tx on R-Su:
Brain fog and hypotension/tachycardia realized by fiance on F 2 am- dosed with salt until she said I could stop, catnip+chamomile tea w/ honey. Monitored until 4 am with additional salt doses and water w encouragement PRN. F 3 pm-severe brain fog, white-out: dosed with salt until she said I could stop, carbs, fat, protein and water. Put in bed w low stimulation and monitored. Sa 3-4 am- series of anosognosic panic attacks, called father (ex ER MD) in fear I was having a manic psychotic episode and needed to self-admit. Fiance not home. Triaged by father- he told me I was having a panic attack. That helped me calm down. Dosed w salt water, 100 mg hydroxyzine pamoate and 30 mg SL melatonin. Slept 2 hours. Sa 11 pm- dosed w salt water, PB w/ added sugar, catnip+chamomile+lavender tea, 25 mg Diphenhydramine and 10 mg SL melatonin. Decreased agitation. Su 12:15 a- dosed w more tea, 1000 mg Valerian root. If I cannot knock myself out I will take 50 mg diphenhydramine and 10 mg SL melatonin. If that does not help I will take 10 mg propranolol.
Reflection/Advice:
If I could go back I would have taken 150 mg on Su, 300 mg on M and 150 mg on T.
I recommend a benzo on hand.
I recommend setting timers for food and water.
