I was on Wellbutrin for 9 yrs after being on every other SSRI and only having it work when I was on Desipramine (nortrip. etc). I just never felt the WB did what I wanted it to, but after many ups and downs recently, an increased heart rate, and just not feeling well, I did some research and found ADD and that I was every symptom but 2.

I was also taking 10mg ambien and 25mg benedryl to sleep each night (have been on ambien for 4 yrs)

My GP wasnt real receptive to the idea at all, but finally agreed to try strattera after a lot of whining on my part. After 2 days on it at 40mg I felt the wellbutrin was making me feel weird so cut it out altogether (I'd already weaned down).

I am now at 4wks. I do feel better but I cant say how exactly. I can say my depression is as good or better than it was on the WB, so that makes me glad. My concentration is stronger, but I still dont have any get up and go..instead I zone out on stuff. My anxiety seems a lot better during the day, and shows back up in the pm but not as severely. My libido is back. My desire for food comes and goes (where as it was just around all the time).

I guess I dont know what I'm asking other than does this all sound normal? Will it continue to get better? I'm pretty tired all the time. I stopped the WB and the benedryl but am still on the ambien. I was hoping for some more concentration and a bit of a desire to get up and do...again it IS better, just not like Wow (my DH doesnt notice yet LOL).

I can say I havent lost my wallet or keys in a couple of weeks, and I've remembered all my appointments, maybe not the times but at elast that I had them. I've been MUCH more patient with my kids, I was losing it at them with that red anger before, and while I still get irritated I dont want to hurt anyone..road rage is MUCH better.... so I guess as I sit here listing it things are definitely better...I'm hoping to hear some stories of people that it kept getting better for.

Aslo maybe should I give the 40mg a bit longer? I bumped to 60mg today because I'm hoping for a little mroe but the fact I'm functional, maybe I should hold out a little longer?

Any thoughts? Thanks!!

I think that it's good that you are seeing improvements because of the medication. Are you currently on 40mg of just Strattera? I believe I've read somewhere that combining both Strattera and Wellbutrin is not a good idea because of the fact that they work on the same chemicals in your brain and fight for some type of control over them. I would ask your doctor about your current situation. I might be a good idea to tell him all the medications or drugs that you are using. I think that it's great you are seeing some improvement because of the Strattera and it seems to be increasing your quality of life, which is a great thing.

Mike, Thanks for the reply!!

I did stop the Wellbutrin because I too read it shouldnt be taken together. Unfortunately my dr just isnt familiar with more than the basic SSRIs, so I'm trying to find a pdoc that is.

I started on 60mg last Wed. Today I Have noticed a pretty big difference concentration wise. We'll see if it's a fluke or it keeps up. Hoping for the keep up part! I do really well for a few hours and then get pretty worn out, but at least I get those few hours.

I have one side effect that is making me slightly nervous-- pain in my upper left part of my stomach. It is more of a discomfort, just under my ribcage and I feel it in my back too. It doesnt vary spots. Has me a tad nervous and all my dr had to say was "it shoudlnt be doing that, you can stop the med." well I'd rather know if i have a reason I NEED to stop it because this is probably the best I have felt in ...well, maybe ever really.

Do I feel like i have space to get even better, of course, but so far at 5 wks out I am happy with it. I am finding myself a bit more short temper wise and hope that that gets better and not worse like I've read it has with a few others. ....please PLEASE..

I dont hyperfocus quite so bad either...or have the where with all to pull myself away I should say.... and on that note..I'm off to do laundry ;)

I've started it 8 days ago and I'm at 80mg going to 100 mgs tomorrow. The first days I was waking up often during my sleep and now less but I'M tired during the day. If I sit down and close my eyes I will fall asleep. It feels like the next day after taking a sleeping pill.

If if is common does it go away since the purpose of meds for ADHD is to get a sharp mind.

As for the original posting, it was mentionned that the libido came back after stopping the AD. I'M on 75 mgs of effexor. and wonder if it will help coming off.

Thanks

Hey there,

Yes at the end of teh 5th week the sleepiness during the day has definitely lessoned. It seems to take about a week at the new dose from what I've read.

I was only on WB so I dont know if stopping that or starting the strat. increased my libido, but my husband is happy... I CAN say Effexor killed it for me (as well as many other things).

Glad everything is working out for you. :)

Mike, Thanks for the reply!!

I did stop the Wellbutrin because I too read it shouldnt be taken together. Unfortunately my dr just isnt familiar with more than the basic SSRIs, so I'm trying to find a pdoc that is.

I started on 60mg last Wed. Today I Have noticed a pretty big difference concentration wise. We'll see if it's a fluke or it keeps up. Hoping for the keep up part! I do really well for a few hours and then get pretty worn out, but at least I get those few hours.

I have one side effect that is making me slightly nervous-- pain in my upper left part of my stomach. It is more of a discomfort, just under my ribcage and I feel it in my back too. It doesnt vary spots. Has me a tad nervous and all my dr had to say was "it shoudlnt be doing that, you can stop the med." well I'd rather know if i have a reason I NEED to stop it because this is probably the best I have felt in ...well, maybe ever really.

Do I feel like i have space to get even better, of course, but so far at 5 wks out I am happy with it. I am finding myself a bit more short temper wise and hope that that gets better and not worse like I've read it has with a few others. ....please PLEASE..

I dont hyperfocus quite so bad either...or have the where with all to pull myself away I should say.... and on that note..I'm off to do laundry ;)