Wellbutrin | ADHD Information

Is anyone taking wellbutrin for ADD? I'm currently on Strattera, and it is making me tired. I have tried ritalin before, and do not like the depression and irritablitiy that comes when the does wears off. My doctor pointed out that I seem to have alot of anxiet and I wondered if wellburtin would be a good mix. I know it's not a typical ADD drug.

Any thoughts?

I used to take wellbutrin for depression and I was more focused and organized than I am now.
I still had problems but they were less severe. I find that I am much more "ADD-IN" than I was when on it.
I have to repeat that I was on it for something else so I can't know for sure how it would work if it were prescribed and the dose adjusted to combat ADD.
I hope this helps.

I also am taking Wellbutrin XL 300mg for depression, along with Paxil to help with my anxiety. I have to say that they are both working well for me for these two problems. I had to go through a bit of trial and error before I finally got to this point. However, I can't say that it has helped specifically with my ability to stay focused. Since I have almost no anxiety and I feel more content in my life, I am able to think much more clearly than before.

But when trying to actually focus and concentrate, like when I read one of my computer books, I still get distracted and have a hard time from keeping my mind from wandering.

I also started Strattera two weeks ago specifically for the ADD. Wellbutrin and Strattera as you may already know are both SNRI's (Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors). I don't know of anyone else who is taking both at the same time the way I am...in fact I didn't know that you can take both. But, I trust in my doctor and haven't found anything that say's you can't take both.

Unfortunately, the Strattera is not yet helping. In fact, it has undone some of the postivie effects I have been getting from the Wellbutrin and Paxil combination. (So, maybe you can't take both SNRI's at the same time???). For this reason, I think I may have to stop the Strattera. Besides, the side effects are disturbing. But I won't get into that.

From what I have been reading, I hear a lot of good things about the stimulants. Even after all these years, it seems they're still the best. I especially hear a lot about Adderall, Adderall XR and Concerta. I tried Adderall once before, but had poor guidance on using it with a previous Dr. I think I may ask to retry perhaps Adderall XR with my new Dr.

Well, good luck.

-JA

Chief - ROFLMAO!!!

Don't worry - we won't hold that against you!

hey guys

i've been taking wellbutrin plus adderall for months now. i was put on paxil initially b/c my general physician said i was suffering from deppression. when i got to my psychiatrist she said i had anxiety issues and combination adhd.(which i already knew) and paxil was ineffective. i tried lexepro. nothing and it made me feel like a eunach, so she put me on wellbutrin and phased me into adderall. for me its been a life saver..my husband reports that although he's seen nothing change as far as personality he sees a definite change in my performance orginazationally speaking. and yes you are right chief , we need to analyze what we expect and what the actual drugs can do for us. i can now cook a meal and not freak out b/c of all the different stages. and i've always loved cooking..so i'm cooking my best now. i started taking the meds in an effort to get back into school and complete my undergrad. i'm absolutely excited.

of course everyone responds to drugs differently

i for one feel like my experiment has been a great success.. i still forget things and i'm still absentminded..but it gives me just enough edge to finish tasks and not procrastinate until i'm dead.

but i'm still me.

sumi ( the only thing i worry about is when i get pregnant in the future am is my whole life going to crash b/c i have to get off the meds? will i have serious kick ass withdrawal? is it frying my brain? but the benefits for now outweigh those future considerations..get my degree and then fall apart..)

oh and i don't get the libido thing. my libido is ridiculously high. is it uncommon for adhd'ers to be high libido? or is this a drug thing you guys are talking about?

sumi

I have read that some folks with ADD have a very low libido. Basically because they have a very hard time focusing on sex while they are having sex. Their mind is always racing around and this, that and the other thing.

Or it can be the opposite. Because sex increases the dopamine level in your brain, some ADDers are hypersexual for the "buzz" that comes with it.

But other things can affect your libido as well, anxiety, depression, etc.

Wellbutrin and Strattera can increase your libido . . . sometimes quite a bit from what I have heard. For me, it has decreased the sexual side effects of the Lexapro, but I wouldn't say it has really increase my libido much. Just the ability to have an orgasm. I hope I'm not being too blunt for anyone here!

Dr. Mate` wrote in "Scattered" that our lack of interest in sex has to do with the effects of our emotional immaturity on our relationships.

Hello T-

I'm not in the medical field, but I know that Adderall and Wellbutrin XL can be taken together. Since both can cause rapid hearbeat I guess your tolerance to both meds will be the true test.

ja_add2004

Thank you ja

Hello to all. I am new to this board, as well as to medication to treat ADHD. I am a 28 yr old male and I have been taking adderall for approx. 1 year. It has by far improved my life, overall. However, I am smoker. I have been for 11 yrs. and am ready to quit. Before adderall, I asked my doctor for a prescription to help me quit smoking. He prescribed wellbutrin, which had no effect. I continue(d) to smoke. I was told by a client, (a 35 yr smoker) that he was prescribed wellbutrin xr, and he quit within two weeks, without cravings. My question, (which I will ask my dr. at my next visit) is; can u take both, at once? I have heard that wellbutrin xr has been used to treat adhd, and wanted to know if anyone has any info.

thanks in advance

there is another med for OCD that is supposed to help with quiting smoking. I will try to remember what it is and post again. I dont smoke but I thought about my brother when I heard it would help. It is Luvox. I do not know know however if you can take them together. I would ask the doc Dixiepeep38125.4988310185

tsav413 (and Dixiepeep because I read your post before you edited it)--

There is a drug called Zyban which is marketed specifically for smoking cessation, but it is the same thing as Wellbutrin (bupropion HCl). It just has a different name for marketing purposes.

tsav413,

I'm taking Wellbutrin XR with Ritalin, Strattera, and Lexapro (like I posted above) with no ill effects. I would speculate that it would be worth giving the Wellbutrin another try, now that your ADD is being treated. Since being on both a stimulant and Wellbutrin, my smoking is down considerably. It's actually not as satisfying, and sometimes I light a cigarette and I'm like, gross, I don't need this, it's just irritating to my lungs. (Mind you I said sometimes). Prior to this combination of meds, I would have a cigarette (preferably with a cup of coffee) and my whole body would be like Thank You, tactilejones, for providing me with the essential chemicals for well being.

I'm planning to go cold turkey this summer, because I have a very physically active summer planned. Then I'll be CHEMICAL FREE!! Oh, wait, except for the Strattera, Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Ritalin, Caffeine, and Claritin for my allergies.

tactilejones38125.9412384259thanks Tactile, Some coworker from Mental Health told me that Luvox helps with the obsession part of smoking. I do not know if that is the same as Zyban or not. I used to smoke when I was young for about 8 years but back then there were no drugs to help you stop. I also did not know I was ADD. I smoked a lot. I seem to be on the compulsive side. I finally quit after praying about if for one year. I wanted to be a mother and I did not to be around kids and smoke. I know everyone is different and quiting is something individual too. My faith helped me to quit and I never looked back. I am so glad not to be addicted to cigarettes. I had to have one as soon as I woke up. I had one when I was happy, sad, mad, you name it I had one. My best wishes/ prayers for you to win your battle with smoking.

Clonidine (Catapres) for quitting smoking

Examples
clonidine (Catapres)

Clonidine is available by prescription only in pill or patch form.

Clonidine has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in helping people quit smoking. However, the Tobacco Use and Dependence Clinical Practice Guideline Panel of the U.S. Public Health Service recommends it as a second-choice medication for this use.1

The preferred medications to help you quit smoking are bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy.

How It Works

Clonidine is normally used to treat high blood pressure. In some people, it reduces the craving for cigarettes. It is not entirely understood how clonidine does this.

Although clonidine is not recommended as a first-choice medication for smoking cessation, it may be useful for people who could benefit from its sedative effect, such as people who become very anxious and agitated when quitting smoking.2

Why It Is Used

Clonidine may be used for people who want to quit smoking but cannot take the first-choice medications (bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy) or have not been able to quit smoking using those medications.1

How Well It Works

People using clonidine were twice as likely to be successful at quitting smoking as people who were not using any medication to help them quit.1

Side Effects

The most common side effects of clonidine include:

Dry mouth (occurs in 40% of users). Drowsiness (33%). Dizziness (16%). Sleepiness (10%). Constipation (10%).

The clonidine patch may cause skin irritation.

Clonidine lowers blood pressure, so your blood pressure needs to be monitored while you are taking this medication. Low blood pressure may occur if you sit or stand up quickly (postural or orthostatic hypotension).

What To Think About

The usefulness of clonidine for helping people quit smoking is limited because of its side effects. It produces side effects more often than bupropion or nicotine replacement therapy.3

You begin using clonidine 3 to 4 days before your quit date to build up the level of medication in your body.

The clonidine patch should be changed weekly. Treatment with the patch can last up to 10 weeks.

Stopping the use of clonidine without slowly decreasing use over 2 to 4 days can cause nervousness, agitation, headache, confusion, and tremor along with a sudden rise in blood pressure (rebound hypertension).

See a list of questions to ask your doctor about medications.

References

Hi ja_add2004,

I am also taking Wellbutrin along with Strattera. In addition, I am taking Lexapro (an SSRI) and Ritalin.

Here's how this developed. When I switched to this psych, I was on two very high doses of antidepressants. One had horrible withdrawal symptoms if i ever forgot to take it, and the other was useless. She weaned me off of these. (Ironically, the first was Effexor, and though the withdrawal effects were bad for me, in retrospect I think it helped my ADD somewhat.)

Next, she put me on Strattera. The only positive effect was that I seemed to wake up less groggy in the mornings (so this is what "waking up" is supposed to feel like). Unfortunately, it also caused restricted (slower) urination and some minor "leakage" of another fluid during urination. (This was slightly "disturbing" as you can imagine). It also made me feel less mentally "sharp".

Nonetheless, I stuck it out and the side effects have diminished somewhat. But no real improvement in attention. I also started taking Wellbutrin several weeks into the Strattera, which definitely energized me and made me feel more motivated and productive (possibly more organized?) Somewhat later, I was struggling with depression, so we added Lexapro. This made me feel a little more buoyant (sp?), more relaxed, and just kind of warm and cool like a sunny day, man. At any rate, on this combo I began getting markedly different responses from people. "Boy, you seem happy and relaxed lately" etc. ("Yeah, mannn, cool").

Unfortunately, none of this was doing ANYthing for my organization (well, besides the Wellbutrin a little).

About a month ago I started taking Ritalin. DRAMATIC improvement. I tried cutting down on the Strattera for 5 days, but I had really distinct anxiety/tension in my back, so I went back to the regular dose. Didn't want to mess up a good thing.

Lately I seem to be viewing with remarkable new clarity the chaos that has been my life, although it doesn't feel like the impersonal "depression", but rather like genuine sadness that needs to be "processed" (dammit!). So I'm processing. And as I contemplate some of the basic life skills that I've been lacking, (inconsistent employment, debt, no savings, still single, etc.) I await an appointment with a career counselor Monday.

But before I get "the rest of my life" planned out, I'm spending the summer in the Rockies working at a camp for kids with ADD. That should be amazing food for my nature-loving, environment-scanning, action-seeking soul, and hopefully beneficial to my understanding of this stuff.

However, at the end of it all I have to again face the world of societal expectations. Hence the career counseling. Wish me luck. Also, expect a few posts from out in the wild.

-tactile jones

Hello Tactile Jones

Thanks for the info. You know what is so amazing to me after hearing from so many different people with ADD, are the incredible similarities.

I was also put on Effexor XR 150mg with my original doctor. At first it helped me feel better. For me it helped with the anger and frustration. That was how my depression manifested. And just like you, it also helped clear my head and identify specific issues that were "real" and needed to be dealt with. But, on two occassions I procrastinated on re-filling the prescription before running out. Oh man! I know EXACTLY what you mean about the withdrawals. It was bad!!

I eventually started get a "medicated" feeling while on the Effexor. So to make a long story short, I decided I wanted off. It took about 4 months to get completely off. During that time I would feel weak, dizzy, nauseous, and extreme sadness. It was an "artificial" sadness though, so I knew it was just from the lack of the med. It was strange.

Strattera? Man, tell me about it. I leaked on myself twice...while at work! One time I had to actually hide out in the stall, just so I can let the front of my jeans dry off. I'm also married. Without getting into too much detail, the first time I was "with" my wife while on this stuff was an experience. At the end of the act, when it's supposed to feel good. It hurt. I mean, hurt. It felt like something broke, and the thing was spasming. Oh, and don't try to urinate after sex. It's impossible. You're standing there. You know you got to go. But nothing. If you're lucky, you might be able to squeeze out a droplet. I later did some research, and sure enough, I wasn't the only guy who had these side effects. After two more times with my wife (not the same day, I am in my 30's you see), I decided that I couldn't continue on it. Besides, there are so few people out there that have said it has been effective. Since I was only on it for 2 weeks, I haven't had any withdrawals from stopping.

Well after reading about your experience, I am DEFINATELY going to give stimulants a try again. I'm just going to have to keep trying them until I find the right fit.

Hey, well thanks again for you info. I appreciate it.

-JA

I too am on wellbutrin for ADD only. I must admit to being a bit disappointed by the 50% sucess rate for ADDers. Nor was I told that I had to get up to 300mgs of the XL at any point. I have been on the SL 100mgs for 15 days, then 200mgs for 5 days and now I am on the XL 150s. for 21 days with PCP visit in two weeks. This is my first day on the XL. No noticeable difference in focus while reading. DAMN!!!

I suppose I could be a bit more patient...

I suppose that I can use any med that would not interfere with my HTX meds. I was really counting on this one though. As is continue in this message board, I am finding out that I need to be prepared for some failures with respect to the efficacy of medication to treating this impairment. I am moving more toward nutrition and therapy as a way to get through this and if meds can help, so be it.

ChiefB38138.7313078704

Hey Chief - are there any other options for you if the Wellbutrin doesn't work? And don't forget - different doctors have different experiences. In my doctors practice her patients have had a 85% success rate with Strattera. From what I understand on these boards that it really only has a 30 - 50% success rate.

And believe me . . . I totally understand the lack of patience!!! I was diagnosed in March and still haven't had any real relief to speak of yet as far as meds go. But from what I hear, it's all trial and error. I have to wait it out until June 21 for my next psych visit.

Kimo/CheifB,

Are you guys taking Wellbutrin strictly for ADD? I'm just curious. I posted a reply to Kimo awhile ago mentioning that I had great results with Wellbutrin.

I just wanted to clarify that I meant I had great results with Wellbutrin as an antidepresant. As far as the ADD is concerned, I have noticed that I able to think a bit more clearly in general, however when really trying to focus (like reading one of my tech books or a novel), I still have some problems.

It's been over a month since my last appointment with my doc. He doesn't yet know I quit the Strattera. I plan to talk with him about getting on one of the stimulants.

Anyway...just wanted to clarify.

-JA

Hey JA - yes, I'm on the Wellbutrin for ADD treatment. Doc said it has a 50% chance of helping my ADD symptoms. I'm on Lexapro for depression and anxiety. She really doesn't want to put me on stims for fear that my anxiety will go through the roof. However, she will put me on Adderal if the Wellbutrin does not work. But she said she will increase my dosage of Lexapro (I'm on 10 mg now) if I do go on the Adderal and have bad anxiety.

I'm on day 5 of 150 mg of Wellbutrin XL. So far, I don't really feel too much different. No insomnia thankfully. The only side effect I seem to have right now is frequent urniation (quite the opposite of what I had with the Strattera!). That's really about it. We'll see how I feel as the day goes on. I just took dose 5 a few minutes ago.

Well, I'm all done with my wellbutrin 100mgs. Tomorrow I start on the XL 150s. So far all I've noticed is some pretty intense insomnia. It is actually quite helpful in that respect because I have a lot of homework to do. I don't think that the drug helped me focus on my research paper the other day. I still am having trouble getting through reading assignments. I just hope to God the XL does it for me.

Thanks everyone for sharing their expirences with Welbutrin! I'm going in to talk to my MD about getting a script for it myself. I wonder though, will it help with that AM fuzz before the meds kick in? How does everyone remember to take it on a daily basis? How long before you noticed any effects? I'm hoping to help cure this mild underlying depression that hasn't lifted (although it has drastically improved since I've been on Adderall!) yet is still persistant for the last 6 months.

TactileJones, I hope that the quitting smoking goes well! I quit 3 years ago. I heard that smoking is really hard for ADDers because it's a way to self-medicate. Tobaco is a mild stimulant and I totally related about the way your body reacted to cigarettes! Everything felt a felt a tiny more manageable and sane after a cigarette! I still get cravings but they are VERY decreased with Adderall! IF you need advice on help quitting, let me know!

Kimo- my anxiety attacks went away the day I started taking Adderall. Sometimes the anxiety comes from feeling easily overwhelmed and out of control. I hope thing turn out well for you with either med!

I was just presribed Wellbutrin for my ADD last night. I tried Strattera for 5 weeks but had terrible side effects including extreme depression and anger.

I am taking the XL kind. 150 mg once a day for 1 week and then up it to 300 mg once a day in the morning.

First dose was today. Don't really feel anything at all from it. But I know it's supposed to take a couple weeks.

Don't they realize how impatient we are??

Hey Kimo,

I honestly don't know how in the hell Strattera was ever approved by the FDA for ADD treatment. I have heard almost nothing but negative results from this med. The few people who I have heard had positive effects have also said that what little they benefitted was short lived.

The side effects were awful weren't they?

Congratulations on the Wellbutrin. It has been so incredibly helpful for me. It took probably less than two weeks for me to notice a difference. I was on 150 mg for 7 days, before I moved to 300 mg. It has been 99.95% side effect free for me!

Give the med some time and try not to think about it. Never skip a dose and go on with your life as you normally would. I hope to hear that you have had a good experience with it.

Keep us posted!!

-JA

Thanks Ja! This is very encouraging to hear!

Yes - the side effects were awful! I've never taken a worse drug in my life! And I thought the effects of Inderal were bad . . . sheesh!

Last night I worked on a research paper with complete clarity. I must have been in the library for four hours and didn't even take a bathroom break. Normally I use that as an excuse to divert from the task at hand. Was I hyperfocusing or was I becoming "normal"? I had areading assignment that was maybe 10 pages long. I still am not satisfied with my inability to control my brain while reading but I think that I was reading with more clarity. I read until 2 AM and was just too tired to go on. The main thing was that I was able to stay on task for an extended period of time. I hope that this is just the begining. I'm not even on the full dosages yet.

Day 12 on Wellbutrin 100mg @1x/day,

I took my midterm about an hour ago. Before that, I had an hour with my therapist. Midterms went well. I botched the multiple choice but I was all over the essays. It just came together for me. Before the test, I tried going over my notes in a very quiet section of the library. These girls were holding a conversation and I had difficulty focusing on my notes. I do not think the meds are helping in this area. I do feel great emotionally though. I have four hours to read around 100 pages before my next class. I'll let you guys know how I come out.

I was still unable to focus. In fact, I had a difficult time keeping myself from nodding off. Only got through around 25 pages. Damn!

ChiefB38132.6169444444With 7 more days on wellbutrin SL 100mg my PCP told me to increase to 2x/day then switch to the XL @ 150mg 1x/day. He also told me to get tested. I start on the new dosage this weekend and let you guys know how I fare.

Just an update on my Wellbutrin XL. I am officially on 300mgs as of today. I have notice no increased ability to focus after a month long build up from 100mgs to 150mgs to 200mgs to 300 mgs. Also there seem to be no side effects. I have noticed a slightly increased libido but nothing to write home about. I suppose something is better than nothing as far as libido goes.

It sounds to me as if most of you all who are on Adderall are making the most progress. I may ask my MD about switching me after my testing next week.

Hey Chief - I meant to ask you . . . what is HTX?

I agree with you in regards to seeing people on Adderall having the most success. My doc says that's what's next for me if this Wellbutrin doesn't work. Don't give up though. I've heard this is all a lot of trial and error.

And, of course, the docs want you to try the non-stimulant therapy first just in case it does work for you then they don't have to prescribe the stims.

BTW, I think I'm getting a weird side effect. When I take in a deep breath, my bronchial tubes really hurt! It feels like they feel when I have a really bad case of bronicitis or like when I had pneumonia and would take a deep breath. Anyone ever have that?

I'm wondering since Wellbutrin is a norepenephrine reuptake inhibitor which puts more adrenelin in your system which then is supposed to open up your airways so you can take in more oxygen when you need to run during the "flight or fight" response. Gee, I hope that made some sense. But it's the only explanation I can think of. Let me explain that better. The "flight or fight" response causes adrenalin to flow into the body which then makes your heart race as well as open up your airways to get more oxygen in your system. So maybe that's whats causing the pain?

That may be the problem Kimo,

My MD didn't mention that as a side effect but the way you explain it, it would certainly stand to reason. I had an unusual coughing spell last Thursday. I wasn't ill or anything of the sort. It did feel a bit like a bronchial irritation of some type. It lasted for an hour during an evening class at school. Then it was gone. No problems since then.

HTX is an abbreviation for hypertension.

Have you had palpatations or angina since you started on wellbutrin? Every morning at around 1 or 2 AM mine starts up. Its a bit scary and I really should see my MD about it. I'll give him a call today.

I've had some palpitations. But I never know if it's from the meds or just a "usual" mitral valve prolapse episode. I had a short episode last night laying on the couch watching a movie. I've heard Wellbutrin can cause them. I had worse ones when I was on Strattera. On Strattera I was waking up with them first thing in the morning. Not a fun way to start the day! I have mitral valve prolapse too Kimo and Strattera does aggrivate it. I take Concerta and it does not bother it. Strange huh? I had an embarrassing problem last night. I took the concerta 18 mg in the a.m. before 7:00 am and had an okay day (able to focus and work at my job). I am supposed to take Ritalin 10 mg at 1:00 to continue to focus but I just decided that I would skip it. What a mistake. I became angry and emotional and cried over nothing. It was like PMS from hell. I had a hysterectomy and I took my hormone yesterday. I hate the mood swings. My doc said that I could skip the afternoon dose but he does not have to live with me!!! Is that what is called the rebound effect?

hello,

i was first diagnosed with adhd about eight years ago .(i'm a fresh just turned 29lol) at the time my therapist didn't heed it very much...since i had an abusive childhood. she made me take about every test you could think of iq, inkblot, mmpi, blah blah. i was in school at the time and completely distressed about the fact that although i was scoring a 170 iq and obviously interested in school i just couldn't hack it. i preffered waiting tables to sitting in a class and consistently dropped classes skipped classes. it was deppressing. eight years later. im still dealing with the consequences. originally i thought that my adhd wasn't 'bad' enough to take a drug for it. but i'm going back to school this fall. i have a toddler now and a full time job and a household to keep up. i figured i ought to try another method. my previous one of just going didn't work out for me obviously. i'm now on wellbutrin xl 300 mg. and adderall 20mg.

my personality hasn't changed (and uhh yes you can take both, i'm on both and have been for half a year)

but my husband noted that i could actually cook a meal without freaking out b/c i couldn't time all of the elements..i have produced perfect dinner after perfect dinner..i love to cook but i had such a love hate relationship with it just like school. couldnt get it together to do it very well.

i'm glad i finally started taking this stuff..however..i think that i'm taking too much wellbutrin.

i think it makes me dizzy and nauseaus..so i might alter the cocktail. i feel slightly jaded having to take so many drugs ( i take some for severe allergies too)

i took paxil and it did nothing but give me the gift of fat. i took lexepro and it made me a sexless blob. i mean after the weight gain of paxil and a decrease in sex drive and THEN lexepro that totally f**ked my marriage..(my husband was bewildered by my complete lack of interest i'm usually pretty ready to go on lexepro i couldn't even contemplate masturbation much less sex with someone else)

so thank god for adderall and wellbutrin. i'm so damned organized that i've actually mapped out a plan to reorganize every section of my house. the only thing i haven't tackled is my car. out of sight out of mind. the last bastion of hideous adhd. one more thing: despite that i can organize better. and focus a bit better..don't have to interrupt ppl quite as much.

i locked myself out of my car- while it was running- three times this year.

so.

still..it happens sometimes!

thanks for reading my long post..

sumiah

Hey guys,

Anyone on wellbutrin know how it is affected by alcohol? I haven't had a drink in nearly three months. I think I'm overdue for a Bud Light. Or two. Or, okay, okay. I'd like to go out and tie one on this weekend. There, I said it. Are ya HAPPY!!!???

I am thinking the same thing to go out drinking... I would think if you have not taken your med - to then skip a does so that it does not have an adverse affect though.

If you have more than 2, prepare for one wopper of a headache!

I personally like wine. If I drink 2 glasses, I'm okay. Anymore than that and wow! What a headache!

Now today I didn't take any wellbutrin cuz by the time I remembered it, it was too late. Usually take mine around 9 or 10 am. Didn't remember today till 1 pm so I skipped todays dose. So since it's Friday I decided to splurge and have some wine. Think I had 3 glasses. Fell asleep on the couch around 10 (yeah, I know, I'm a lightweight!) and I just woke up and no headache.

But I hear that Wellbutrin can be hard on your liver and obviously so is alcohol. So I wouldn't make it a habit!

Thanks Kimo,

I'm not a heavy drinker anyway. My usual is around 2 servings 2 days per week. Even then its not every week. I would like a bottle of wine with meals on occation though and its nice to know how to enjoy it without adverse reaction to my drug therapy.

For me, it was strange. Welbutrin INCREASED my libido - to the point of having the best climaxes of my life. Straterra (and I've only been on it for 2 days now) decreased it, to the point where climaxes were unfulfilling and I become impotent.

Strange, since both meds are similar in many ways.

Thanks everyone for the imput on Wellbutrin,

I am now on my 7th day at 300mg and have had my first emotional reactions. I'll be brief. Yesterday, I became irritated with a patient who was being understandably hysterical given her husband's pain. He had kidney stones. I have encountered this situation before, but after it was all over, I had difficulty calming myself. I was really having to make an effort to deal amicably with other patients. I was quite suprised by the new me. I was so suprised, that I had to laugh at how silly I was being. I could not seem to get it together.

How angry was I? I guess you'd have to know what a calm and collected person I normally am. I am a very nice person, a real customer service personality. I am EXACTLY the kind of person who can be counted upon to sooth in a crisis. Yesterday, I was so angry that my voice was shaking. I tried to write out my feelings but they came out as foul gibberish. I became very sarcastic and it seemed as if every question asked of me was a stupid one. I reacted accordingly.

Finally a coworker came out and engaged me in a political debate (which I absolutely love to do). The conversation distracted me enough that I soon forgot about the incident and focused on my winning argument. I was brilliant, of course.

I have written to others, in private messages, about my heightened emotional sensitivity since starting on wellbutrin. I have read other accounts of people having to be hospitaized with a type of temporary psychosis brought on by using this drug. I'm going to play this out, but I am begining to become concerned by having my mood altered to irrationality. But even more so by the fact that there seems to be no benefit to having given up so much of my personality to this drug. It has been over a month and I have seen no improvement whatsoever with respect to focus and impulsivity. I think I need to head back to my MD.

ChiefB38151.5640277778

Hey Chief -

My $.02 is this: Wellbutrin is a Norepenephrine Reuptake inhibitor. Just like Strattera. Only Wellbutrin also hits the Dopamine. Anyways, when I was on Strattera . . . the longer I was on it the angrier I got. The more depressed I got. The more easily aggitated I got. Over stupid stuff too!

FWIW, I've heard many other people go through this with Wellbutrin as well. I've noticed myself getting a bit more aggitated than usual too. But not nearly as bad as on the Strattera. Of course, time will tell.

With the Strattera, I was afraid I was going to do something I would regret so I got off of it after 4 days of those side effects.

And yes - I would definitely head back to the doc. BTW, are you a doctor as well?

Kimo,

No, I am not an MD. I am kind of a weekend ER receptionist/security officer.

I am going to read through the posts to see what people are saying about Adderall. There's no sense using a med that would tend to produce the same result in terms of emotional instability with no improvement in attention deficit.

As I read through some of the posts, I have found an interesting trend that I think we should consider. Each of us must consider our own needs and decide for ourselves what it is that we expect to gain from drug therapy. But what can any of us realistically expect from medication? Can it make us more friendly or less shy? Will it cause us to be invited to more parties or teach us how to make "small talk" which, BTW, we all hate. I actually, had hoped my meds would increase my libido when, in fact, I may need to spend time coming to terms with the realities of my relationship with my wife. Maybe there's nothing wrong with my libido. Maybe I'm just older now and need something more than my wife can provide in order to get my juices flowing. With respect to small talk and a host of other ineptitudes that we all contend with, isn't it possible that we all need something more stimulating than that which is "small"? And is there anything wrong with that?

I have been on this forum for quite awhile now and I have corresponded with some truly wonderful people. Just imagine all of us at a gathering. What stimulating conversations we would have. We all seem to have so much in common but, at some point, we must begin to accept and embrace ourselves for the wonderful people that we are. That is what is missing from our lives and according to people who know, this is true of ALL Adders. Somehow, I don't think meds will correct that. Even if it could, it wouldn't be the true us.

We don't meet new people because we're afraid they won't like us. We don't keep aquaintences because we're afraid they'll soon come to know the "real" us. Meds won't help with those things. The good news is that all of the above stems from the REAL problem that ADDers are born with; a deficit of attention.

If we could focus and be attentive, our relationships would improve. We could remember things from moment to moment. We could perform up to our supervisor's expectations as well as our own. We could read complicated material without having to reread and rereread each paragraph. Isn't that what we really need from drug therapy? Not that I'm on a soapbox or anything.

ChiefB38151.7698263889

From what I have read, it sounds like Adderall is the best drug out there. Sounds like that one has helped the most people and also given the most benefits. That's what doc is putting me on next.

Personally, what I want out of the meds, I just want to be able to focus, concentrate, not be distracted, be able to get out of bed in the morning and not procrastinate so much anymore. Not asking much, eh?

As for friends, I think I'm used to not have many friends. My mother always called me a loner. I love my alone time! In fact, I pretty much assumed I would never be married. But here I am, 21 years married to the same guy. Guess I *can* stick with some things!

I have friends at work, some I would call close. But we don't really do anything after hours. I've been invited many times but I'm afraid to go. Like other ADDers, I'm afraid I that when I am seen in a more social setting, that they will no longer like me. They just call me the "antisocial" one.

And personally, I don't mind not having any friends. I like having my weekends and evenings to myself with my parrots and husband. Guess it's because I'm around people at work all day long, so I just want to be left alone on my own time.

Plus, lets face it, I'm sure we have all been hurt here by someone that we really liked and wanted to be friends with but has not been recipricated. Or, as mentioned, once they got to know the "real" us, the relationship fizzled. So, if you don't get close to people, they can't hurt you!

Also, I never really had much of a libido. Needless to say, that has caused some issues with my husband and I. But we've managed to get through it. I, too, was hoping the Wellbutrin or the Strattera would help that as I've seen it help other people. Not really for me, though.

I think it would be awesome if we could all get together!! I would be really curious to see how we would all react to one another and get along. I think it would be a lot of fun!

Get Together??? After I've told you guys about my "libido" ???!!!

Fuggettabouit!!!

[QUOTE=kimo]

[/QUOTE]

I just found this forum and was so excited because this is the first time I've heard anyone else mention the 'agitation' effect of Strattera. I tried taking this for a few days, and found myself getting nastier and more bad-tempered by the day. But it seems to be a rare side effect.

Part of it might have be frustration. One of my biggest problems is mental fogginess, and while Ritalin and caffeine clear my head, Strattera seems to make it foggier. On the 3rd day of Strattera, I was trying to solve a tricky programming problem at work and got so intensely frustrated that I almost hit somebody, so decided to give it up then.

I've suspected for a while that it's the norepinephrine reuptake inhibition that does this. I once bought Meridia diet pills online (I know, bad idea, but I was desperate), which are seratonin & norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. The irritation effect would build up for a few days until I was snapping at everyone, then I'd halve the dosage for a couple of days and try again. After a few weeks it went away. Perhaps that would've happened with the Strattera too, but I felt so horrible and stupid that I couldn't stand waiting to find out.

I started Wellbutrin XL Friday the 15th, which was 5 days ago and so far the only difference I see is that I am fatiged (tired) a couple hours after I take it and drink coffee to stimilate myself.I am now concerened about not being able to concentrate and focus b/c I have a vital nursing exam to pass which is why I'm seeking meds in the first place. I've taken Strattera...not effective, Concerta alond with Zoloft...too many side effects (dizziness especially), and now this. I don't have much time for trial and error. I think I'm going to ask the doc. to give me Adderall or something.