We've lowered our paroxetine dose down to a low level (5 mg) and resumed taking bupropion at a low dose (up to 112.5 mg). Our aim is to stop paroxetine and increase our bupropion dose to 150 mg on Monday.

So far, it's working noticeably better in terms of giving us some executive function to focus on tasks and to not feel permanently exhausted. Additionally, it's not currently giving us frequent headaches or migraines like when we last took it alongside sertraline, so fingers crossed that this remains the case 🤞

We've got a phone appointment scheduled with the senior partner at our NHS GP surgery on Monday afternoon to discuss antidepressant meds. We do intend to ask them for a prescription for bupropion, so we don't have to use our grey market supply, but it's highly unlikely that this will be possible, even on a harm reduction basis. We may be offered a low dose of another med to augment the bupropion.

If you wish to read how limited the antidepressant options on the NHS are, this page by Mind lists the ones that can be prescribed. It might seem like a decent number, but if you compare it to a full list of antidepressants, it becomes apparent just how many meds aren't available on prescription in the UK.

#MentalHealth #depression #TreatmentResistantDepression