strattera, wellbutrin, provigil | ADHD Information

I'm sorry to hear your son is going through this.  There are many other disorders that mimic ADHD such as sensory integration dysfunction, auditory processing disorder and dyslexia.  It's possible he has one of these conditions and that's why the medication is causing these side effects.  My son is 7 and I am withholding medication at this point as I can't get an accurate diagnosis for him.  I have him with an Occupational therapist for the sensory issues and in a special ed class at school to help with his academics.  I will also begin vitamins and natural remedies.  This may be an option for you until you find someone you can get a true diagnosis from.  The alternative medicine boards on this site are helpful.

Wellbutrin XL 150mg worked well for my energy level.  However, after awhile I noticed it was making me drowsy, and I almost got in a car wreck because of it.  That does not mean it will make your son drowsy, because when i started it, it didn't.  Provigil is supposed to be smoother and have a natural effect of waking you, but it gave me the biggest migraines i've ever had.  I played around with different dosages ranging from 100mg to 300mg a day, and they all made me feel like I took a stimulant with a sleeping pill.  It made me very agitated, and sleepy of course, it's supposed to wake you up.

I am so sorry your family is going throug this. You are seeking the best route by getting a psychiatrist. Your son may need further evaluation for coexisting conditions or conditions that mimic ADHD. A psychiatrist will also have more experience managing meds and combinations of meds. I have not seen anyone talk of lasting effects once the meds are out of the system, so I would not expect your son to have any lasting problems. Take care.Wellbutrin is being used as a 3rd line med  for ADHD. It is one of the more stimulating anti- depressants and is showing promising results. It is up for FDA approval for ADHD right now.

Hi,

I don't think I can be of much help regarding the coming off of Concerta, however, does your child have other issues other than ADHD?? Anxiety issues or another?? We have our son on Concerta but think we need to try either different dose of other med and your post concerns me.  He reacted well initally to Concerta but now we think it's not working correctly. I know that Concerta is not compatable with many other issues, ie Tourettes, depression etc,.  Good luck and I'm sorry for the horrible experience.

Okay, so my son did HORRIBLY on 4 stimulants - he was nauseous, dizzy and most of them he vomited on . We stopped the Concerta one week ago. He is still VERY emotional, VERY tearful, and is afraid of all sorts of stuff that never bothered him before. (he's 11 and a half). He has also had thoughts that 'people are trying to kill him'.

The specialist he is seeing (a pediatric behavorial specialist) prescribed strattera (which I bought), but that's before he exhibited these bizarre withdrawal signs.I am now searching for a psychiatrist. I spoke to one today who suggested wellbutrin or provigil before we try Stratera, but he is not taking any new patients. The pediatrician, specialist and psychiatrist are all a little surprised at how hard he's coming off the Concerta. 

HELP. I am so confused!!! I won't medicate any further, if at all, until I see a psychiatrist and my son recovers, but I needed to vent and if possible, maybe get a little input. This is really scary and worrisome.

Thanks for any ideas, inputs, suggestions, thoughts etc....