Hello and Welcome!
Please don't be too scared. I've been taking wellbutrin for over a year, along with adderall "as needed". The package insert that comes with the wellbutrin mentions bulimia specifically as increasing the risk for seizures, although if you are not actively binge/purging it should not be a problem. I'm sure that the reason your doctor wants to monitor it closely is because eating disorders are like alcoholism, in that you can recover, but it's always going to be there and you have to be vigilant about slipping back into unhealthy habits/mindsets. (I am borderline eating disordered myself)
My doctor had pointed me to a website that will tell you all the interactions of your meds- I can't remember what it is though. When I put Wellbutrin the list was a mile long. It seems that almost anything you ingest will increase the risk of seizures while on it. The up side is that this is actually very, very rare. If it happened commonly then it would not be so widely prescribed.
One good reason to give the wellbutrin a chance is that stimulant meds are controlled substances- that means they are a hassle. You doc cannot call in a refill for you- you have to pick it up every month (some do will do 3 months at a time with posteed dated scripts). If you lose it you may not be able to get it replaced, or if you do it will be a hassle at the very least. This is part of the reason that I only take adderall as needed- my doc is willing to prescibe it daily, but I can't manage remember to call for the refill and then get to his office every 4 weeks to pick it up.
Now I am scared!!! I don't want to end up having a seizure (duh) Does anyone know where I can read further on this topic of eating disorders/seizures while taking Wellbutrin? Is this the same for other ADHD meds such as Adderall, Ritalin and others. I am very new to this and worry about taking meds....Angela is correct - there is something about having a prior eating disorder that can lower the seizure threshold in the brain in some people. How long ago did you suffer from the eating disorder? It could be that your doc thinks the possible benefits outweigh the risk....?
Otherwise, I think Wellbutrin is a good choice to treat ADHD with concurrent depression. It is what I am currently taking. In the future I will probably have to add a stimulant to it to help get better focus, but Wellbutrin has had some other wise great benefits. You will probably notice a difference in the way you feel within the first week.
My understanding is that you should not take Wellbutrin for any reason if you have, or have had, an eating disorder. I did some research on this because I am taking it (quite sucessfully), but was curious about this even though I have never had an eating disorder. From what I've read, the metabolic changes that take place in your body due to anorexia make you more susceptable to seizures.I was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I am 26 years old, and have been treated for depression and anxiety in the past with Prozac and Paxil. Neither of these ever really had excellent results and I really didn't like being on Paxil at all.