Adderall/Wellbutrin Combo? Any advice? | ADHD Information

I wad on adderall xr- 25 mg and wellbutrin 150 for about 3 months. Anxiety high and also some depression. Wellbutrin was increased to 300 mgs per day-things only got worse. I saw NONE of the wonderful effects from Wellbutrin the doc said I would get. Doc dc'd wellbutrin and adderall and I am now on concerta. I hope it works as well. Wellbutrin was not a good choice for me.

jaderock54, thanks for your input. Your insight is helpful and very realistic.  Very cool!

I went to see my psych doc today, which by the way, is one of the most insensitive, impersonal people I've ever met.  She barely spoke three words to me in the the entire 15 minutes I was in her office. She was writing, even when I wasn't talking!  Weird!  Anyway, her first reaction when I explained my anxiety symptoms and the fact that I wasn't sure that the Wellbutrin was working was, I don't think you've given it enought time.....So, I said, "O.K., but you originally said that I would feel some change within four weeks"  She said to me, "Well, I do think it's helping you, I just think that you don't want for it to and it's all in your head that it isn't working."  Wow!  That was quite a blow!  I'm still trying to figure out why I wouldn't want the med to work....Isn't that why I went to her?  To feel better?  I'm becomming very turned off from psychiatrists in general.  My GP has treated me for 12 years for different issues (depression, anxiety, etc) and has never once left me feeling like I was crazy or trying to manipulate any situations.  I think if she had listed to me the first few visits and really gotten to know me and my symptoms, she would have been able to better diagnose me. 

Anyway, I know this is way too long, but to let you know the result, she took me off the Wellbutrin and put me on lexapro.  We'll see!  Here goes the trial and error game!  I can tell you one thing for sure.  I WILL NOT be seeing her again.  I think the good old GP who's known me for 12 years has more compassion and much better listening skills than this supposed professional with a specialized degree.  Hmmmm???  I'm optimistic.  There's got to be something that will work. 

Thanks for your input.

By the way....how much wellbutrin/adderall do you take and how does it work for you?  Do you take generic or Bupropion?  Just curious! 

Take care!

I think that your body can eventaully adjust to the med.  My dh was on an anti depressant for several years , and then over the course of a couple months it stopped working and his doctor switched him to something else.  He actually went through several before finding one that worked.

As far as the adderall affecting the zoloft, I've not heard of that.  Although I have heard of adderall exacerbating anxiety symptoms, and that could make it seem like the zoloft wasn't working (?)  Don't really know though.

I see my GP for treatment for ADD and depression. I have had good luck at times with Wellbutrin and Adderall and I have had increased anxiety with it also. This happened when i had been off the WB for almost a year and started back in November and within three weeks I was a Nervous Wreck!! My GP warned me that it can sometimes make anxiety worse, and it did. I switched to Lexapro and can tell a huge different. Good for you, stick with your GP if you feel he is experienced enough to treat you.

I'm on 150 mg of wellbutrin and 20 of adderall and it's working ok.  I was thinking I needed to up the adderall, but then I've just found out that it's causing my heart rate and blood pressure to go up, so it looks like I'm switching to something else.  My doctor mentioned provigil as a possibility, it's mainly for sleep disorders like narcolepsy, but it's used off lable for adhd.  However I googled that and found out it interfers with oral contraceptives, so I'm gonna steer clear of that one.  I don't care if I have to go without meds- I'm not taking the chance of having another kid.

I've heard good things about lexapro.  Good luck and happy med hunting!

Well, day two of lexapro without wellbutrin and I feel less anxious.  We'll see how it goes.  Not totally cured yet, but I'll let you know.

Thanks for your support.  jaderock54, what about strattera?

My psych Doc prescribed Wellbutrin for depression, knowing that I take adderall for adhd.  I'm now on my 4th week of the Wellbutrin and am not less depressed, but more anxious, agitated and easily irritated.  Does anyone find it unusual for a Doc to prescribe two stimulants???  I am beginning to think that I have the wrong Doc.  I go back tomorrow so hopefully she'll change me.  I'm hoping for something more of a anti-anxiety and anti-depressant along the lines of lexapro, cymbalta, etc....  Oh, by the way, I was taken off of Zoloft after taking it for two years as it stopped working. 

landtheplane-

Wellbutrin is not a stimulant, just an antidepressant, although it is similar in structure to certain stimulants.  It is sometimes rx'ed for adhd because it effects the dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain.  I also happen to be on this combo.  

Wellbutrin does not work for anxiety, which could explain why you're not seeing the results that you need.  Incidentaly, zoloft (which works on the serotonin levels) works for anxiety.   My doctor took me off zoloft because of some serious side effects and the reason he put me on wellbutrin is because it is in no way related to zoloft.

It's quite possible you're just not on the right med, or that you need to add something for the anxiety, but talk to your doctor cause either way anxiety makes the adhd and depression symptoms worse.

Is there any reason why an anti-depressant that worked really well before stopped working?  Do you think the addition of adderall combo with zoloft caused the zoloft to stop working?