I've been taking 300mg buproprion XR and 56mg methylphenidate XR for years, at least 2 but more likely closer to 5.
Had my gallbladder removed on 3/19. About a week later I got really sick with something I might have picked up in the hospital (ear ache, sore throat, sore neck only on right side, vomiting/diarrhea that passed on the first day, then later in the week the ear/throat/neck pain moved to the left side). A week later I thought I was having a heart attack so I went to the ER and was diagnosed with pericarditis.
In that time, I've been experiencing high heart rate (thought it was the pericarditis) occasionally along with high blood pressure, and periodic episodes of cold spots, specifically starting on right shin, then spreading to most of the right side of my body (definitely leg and arm), and just my hand on the left side. This generally starts after lunch (I take my daily meds in the morning with breakfast).
Last week, I started feeling worse and my hr was high for over 90 minutes. I went to the ER and was held for 24 hours for observation. A nurse noticed the right side of my face appeared to be drooping. A PCP that I had seen the day before also noticed, but I thought it was the way that I talk since I have a bit of an over bite. She did a quick assessment and determined it was fine. But this time 2 of my closest friends were there so I had the nurse refer to them. They agreed that this was unusual. I was very quickly evaluated for a stroke, and eventually all my images came back normal.
The next two days I took the Wellbutrin but not the Concerta and experienced the facial drooping (one friend described it more of a pull), but no coldness. The 3rd day I took neither (no Wellbutrin in my pill organizer for some reason, I don't usually skip doses), and I experienced NEITHER problem.
I saw a neurologist on Tuesday and I brought up the possible correlation between the symptoms and taking these meds, but he brushed it off. He said the face thing was a new tic, and referred me to an ambulatory specialist. He didn't know what the cold right side was.
I saw my psych nurse practitioner yesterday and told her everything. She couldn't find anything about gallbladder patients, but there was something about gastric bypass patients. So, I asked her to treat me like one of those. We dialed the Concerta back to 36, and changed the Wellbutrin to 150mg 2x daily instead of the 300mg XR once. Today I'm feeling similar effects, but not as intense. Cold right side but not quite as uncomfortably, but new tingling in fingers that went away quickly. My heart rate seems to be ok so far.
When the face thing happens, I kind of notice it. There's a pressure behind my ear/jaw, and warmth that kinda crawls across my cheek and eye, and the right side of my mouth is dry. And when my face is just at rest, there's a sensation of it drooping. Today it's just warmth.
I know I can't quit Wellbutrin cold turkey, and I need the Concerta for work.
Has anyone ever seen symptoms appearing like this after years of stable use? Could it be the gallbladder removal or is that just a coincidence?
I posted a much more detailed post in the AskDocs sub, but it hasn't had any replies. I can link to it if anyone is interested.
Thank you so much!