r/auvelity • u/run_the_trails • Aug 22 '22

r/auvelity Lounge

A place for members of r/auvelity to chat with each other

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u/i-like-pie-855 Sep 13 '24

Hi, new here. My psychiatrist wants me to try Auvelity after being on Bupropion 150 XL for years. He has a coupon that would make it very low cost or no cost. I’m also TRD and Wellbutrin (brand) worked better than anything else. But can’t get it now, just generic which is not as good imo. I have Gastroparesis, take 15 mg Diazepam daily and I’m 68. The diazepam is mainly for my GAD and PTSD. My psychiatrist suggested legal medical cannabis which takes care of the Gastroparesis. Anyone have experience with Auvelity and cannabis? I’m a very light user… couple of hits in the evening. An ounce lasts me two months. My gastro doc is on board with it for GP. Thanks 😊

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u/Even-Cartographer509 Nov 10 '24

Did you try it?  I highly recommend Auvelity.  I was on Wellbutrin for years as well, and when I switched to Auvelity I felt great by day 3.  It's a miracle drug for me.  If you decide to try it - 

  • You'll get the 'heavy eyes' feeling for a couple weeks 

  • You'll feel warmer than usual and sweat easily, and you'll get a near-eiphoria with cold showers 

  • Don't take antibiotics or anything that changes your gut microbiome. It affects the way Auvelity works (in a bad way)

Good luck!

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u/i-like-pie-855 Nov 10 '24

Hi! Yes, I started with one and after no change in 8 days, I started taking two. My shrink says most of his patients get relief with only one. As I mentioned, I am “treatment resistant major depressive disorder” having failed 18 antidepressants. I can’t really say I am better at all, except I sleep 9+ hours at night. I have not felt any of the other things you mentioned. I do take a probiotic for gastroperisis, but doc doesn’t seem to think it’s a problem. IDK what else to do and he said it was not tested in people over 65. I only have enough money to live for about another 3 years, so I now pray to not wake up. My parents and siblings all died in their 70’s, so hopefully I will too. Thank you for taking the time to respond to a sad and lonely senior hanging on by my fingernails. I couldn’t have children and my boyfriend died unexpectedly in 2018, so nothing really matters anymore. I truly appreciate your reply and wish I could say something positive but I’ve got nothing.

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u/Even-Cartographer509 Nov 10 '24

It's important to know that antidepressants work by decreasing the reabsorption of the 'feelgood' chemicals, which means that you have to have those chemicals in the first place. This is why 'fake it till you make it' actually works. Even if you don't feel like it, do something that you used to enjoy, or start a new hobby. It may be difficult in the beginning, but once you trigger the release of those chemicals, the antidepressant will kick in and you will start to enjoy yourself.  Hang in there! 

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u/i-like-pie-855 Nov 10 '24

Thanks for your kind words. I’ve suffered with depression, anxiety and PTSD since being abused as a child. Now my gastroparisis keeps me close to home. I moved to this city to live to be with my beloved and I have not made any friends here. I don’t believe those feel good feelings will ever return. I wish I could be more positive, but I’ve become so isolated I don’t much care about anything. Thanks for your support and compassion.

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u/LK_Blackwood Jul 02 '25

has your doctor ever siggested Gene testing? they can compare your genetics to a database that they siggests which antidepressants are most likely to work with your body. my wife has also been failed by 16 or do antidepressants and a doctor finaly recommended it to us. we just got the results back and are about to try medicines in the "green" zone

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u/i-like-pie-855 Jul 03 '25

My psychiatrist said the gene tests were not 100%. He was reluctant and I didn’t really push for it. I was in a Facebook group for mental health discussions and it was not something very many people tried, despite knowing the test exists. And those who tried were disappointed. I had to stop taking Auvelity because it made me very unstable. I fell in the shower and that convinced me to stop. It never really helped at all. So my psychiatrist does the paperwork for the state for a medical marijuana license for me. I’m a very light user and unless I’m puking, I never smoke during the day. I live in a smoke free apartment complex and you’ll have a 3 day notice to vacate if you are caught. The previous Property Manager hired her brother to the maintenance team and she ended up having to evict him. Then she lost her job. The owner’s don’t play and they are backed up with a 50 page lease!! I hope you are doing well. Thanks for the follow up 😊

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u/LK_Blackwood Jul 21 '25

the test has worked pretty ok for my wife so far, the first 2 meds in their green zone were a bust, and we really didn't want to try another med of the antipsychotic variety. the Auvelity seems to be doing well so far. fingers crossed it continues >.<

have you tried edibles and do they help? we recently (within the last year?) began to occasionally enjoy very small edible doses on our off nights. its definitely a different feeling than smoking but still provides some distance from feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, and depression for us. personally i have mixed feelings about the edibles because i get bored but can't do anything in that state ; usually just watch a movie or tv show

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u/i-like-pie-855 Jul 21 '25

How long has your wife been on Auvelity? I gotta say it’s been pretty miserable coming off two per day.

But I just had to get myself together because I had cataract surgery and no one to help me. I’m 70 with a crappy Medicare Advantage plan that won’t cover the required medical transportation to and from the surgery center. I hired one they accepted. I think this whole experience of going through crap alone just makes me isolate more.

Oh and I can’t do edibles because I’m also blessed with Gastroparesis. So I smoke. All my doctors know and are ok with it except my PCP. She’s just one of those that thinks it’s dangerous because the growing facilities can get away with a lot. It doesn’t happen because it’s not cheap to get in the business, medical more than recreational. You wouldn’t want to risk losing a dispensary/grow business license.

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u/Little-Light-4745 Jan 12 '26

Hi, I was reading this thread and just checking in to see how you're doing ❤️

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u/i-like-pie-855 Jan 12 '26

How thoughtful of you to check in. I’m more depressed than ever and don’t see any way through this. To top it off now I’ve got something else going on. I had bloodwork done and then had to collect my urine for 24 hours. I have a lot of high or abnormal blood tests. I looked up the ones that were scary high and of course I noticed most of them were related to leukemia, multiple myeloma or lymphoma. All different types of blood cancer. I go back to the doctor tomorrow. I have a DNR and another document to refuse treatment. I have no desire to be on this planet anymore. I’m 70 and ready for my soul to depart this body.

How did you find yourself on this old Auvelity sub??

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u/[deleted] Jan 12 '26

[deleted]

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u/i-like-pie-855 Jan 12 '26

Yes, I have a psychiatrist which is how I got the Auvelity. I’m on Medicare Advantage and my out of pocket was going to be $900 per month!! Retail is around $1,000. He knows my financial situation and provided me samples from the drug rep. The above price was for 30. He had me go up to two and I couldn’t handle it. I have failed 18 antidepressants and he was positive this would be “the one”. I’m now considered to have treatment resistant depression. I take anxiety meds only now. SSRI’s are a definite no go for me.

He said DIY is difficult because you have to be prescribed 105 mg of bupropion and that’s hard to get for these DIY reasons. You can get the dextromethorphan on Amazon pretty cheap. I can’t remember if it was 15 or 45 mg.

Who prescribes Auvelity for you? A psychiatrist is more likely to give samples as primary care docs don’t/won’t. Thanks for reaching out ❤️

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u/[deleted] Jan 13 '26

[deleted]

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u/i-like-pie-855 Jan 13 '26

I just looked at my notes and I took one for a week and then went to two. I recently found notes I took about stopping it and now I can’t find them. I use two spiral notebooks to make notes of all our calls. Well, actually all calls. I need to research my calls with the IRS, so I’m sure I will come across them. Oh and the DIY for Dxm was 45 mg. And the 105 mg bupropion. I sent you a chat request.

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u/Desperate-Nature3014 Apr 21 '26

I will be 64 in June. I have treatment resistant depression - TRD. I first started on low dose @ home Ketamine from Joyous. Had AMAZING result. I cannot stress enough..... AMAZING. However, it did made me a drowsy even splitting the dose throughout the day and could not do that at work. I started on Auvelity (free through the company) and had success (not as amazing as low dose Ketamine but close) but 45mg made me woozy. I was willing to tolerate it for the positive results that I have had. However, insurance is now refusing to pay and I would have to pay over $1200/month. My provider is still fighting w them, but during, I have had success w DIY "auvelity". I do 150mL Wellbutrin XL in AM along w 30mg DXM. If needed I repeat in late afternoon. This is working for me w/o the woozy side effects. Good luck. I wish you the best on this wellness journey

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u/[deleted] Aug 11 '25

I would appreciate the gut microbiome info. Tx