I am taking Wellbutrin (in conjunction with Prozac and Focalin XR). YES, I noticed a difference the very first day. I was much calmer and clear-headed than I ever remember being!
My doc started me on Prozac first because I was depressed when I came to see him. I am also obsessive and had panic disorder many years ago and Prozac helped me a lot. After 3 weeks, my doc added Wellbutrin. He thought I could use the dopamine boost based on my descriptions of constant lethargy and sleeping too much. These have been issues for my whole life so they were not just related to depression.
Anyway, I added Wellbutrin to the mix. The first day was GREAT, but the second day I was really sleepy. Also - on day 3, I started to have side effects. It was nothing unbearable but I did seem to get WORSE for a while (more scattered and distracted). I was taking Wellbutrin XL and every time I would get a "dose" (the XL releases three doses during the course of a day - each chamber dissolves after a certain time) my head would light up and I would feel a bit "amplified" for a few minutes. Not really any other way to describe it.... I would get flashes up the back of my head (I think they are referred to as "brain shocks"). They were NOT disorienting or painful, just odd. All of my side effects were gone within a week of beginning. Have had no trouble since. After about a month or so of taking it, the benefits came back. I never did regain the clarity I had the very first day, but I have had great success with Wellbutrin otherwise. It has made a tremendous difference in my energy level. I also don't seem to need 10-12 hours of sleep at night and I have an easier time getting up in the morning.
I switched to Wellbutrin SR because there is a generic available. I couldn't tolerate the 300mg XL (which also has a generic), so I take 150mg of SR twice a day. That works well for me.
I added a stimulant (methylphenidate) about a month ago. That helped sharpen things. I am still trying to find the right dose with the ideal duration.
Good luck! I really hope it works for you!
P.S. - I seriously think my pdoc has ADHD too.....although he hasn't said that for sure....
P.P.S. - Be careful of the amount of caffeine you consume while adjusting to/taking Wellbutrin. It MAY cause anxiety or increased heart rate/blood pressure. You may be fine, but just an FYI in case you do begin to feel anxious at some point.
Thank you so much! I will enjoy today LOL!!! In case I never get thisI am also a recently diagnosed ADHD (Distracted and Hyperactive) adult and highly recommend Wellbutrin. I've been taking Wellbutrin (it's called Elontril where I live) for 4 weeks now.
From the very first day at 150 mg, it significantly improved my impulse control and I am better able to concentrate at work. I no longer have a problem with compulsive eating or alcohol so it definitely helped in the area of addictions as well.
300 mg seemed to "lame my brain". At that dose, the hyperactivity was completely gone as were all the negative aspects of ADHD, however, the positive ones like the ability to multi-task as well as my creativity seemed to be gone as well. I got really bad almost migraine headaches at 300mg so switched back to 150 mg.
good luck to you!