I was on ritalin but was abusing it so I asked to take it of. I was also on cybalta but tapered it off. today is my first day off cymbalta and ritalin and on 300 mg wellbutrin (generic) and feel horrible. I feel sluggish, tired, no focus, etc. Has anyone had this?????

what do you mean abusing ritalin, you should ask your doctor for a time released form of ritalin. I require a high dosage of ritalin so I use concerta and ritalin boosters. I do not see the point in abusing them though.

abusing...meaning once they wore off or at least i thought they were, then i would take another. .this happened many times throughout the day.

thats abuse? So your saying taking a medication for what its intended to is abuse? I think you need to talk with your doctor or find a new doctor thats been around for awhile and who is not afraid to treat adhd aggressively . There are many folks who require larger doses than approved and it's pretty normal to have to re dose medications 3 sometimes four times daily. I do believe we should keep doses low if possible but if symptoms persist you must treat them . I would not titrate up on my own but would advise the doctor of how long the medication last you.

I was on ritalin but was abusing it so I asked to take it of. I was also on cybalta but tapered it off. today is my first day off cymbalta and ritalin and on 300 mg wellbutrin (generic) and feel horrible. I feel sluggish, tired, no focus, etc. Has anyone had this?????

Same exact situation going on here man. I feel ****tier than I did when I was on Zoloft. The past two days have been the longest in a long time. Have you had any caffeine or food today?

I was on ritalin but was abusing it so I asked to take it of. I was also on cybalta but tapered it off. today is my first day off cymbalta and ritalin and on 300 mg wellbutrin (generic) and feel horrible. I feel sluggish, tired, no focus, etc. Has anyone had this?????

I'm a little over a week and a half into taking Wellbutin (generic by Global). I definitely felt tired (though not as tired as I was on SSRIs) the first few days on Wellbutrin. Then my energy level fluctuated from tired to normalish. A few days ago it settled on slightly less than normal. I suspect our experience is due to getting used to the medicine. Everyone says to stck it out for at least a month, which I'm trying to do.

Good luck!

Wellbutrin isn't a stimulant. When I was on it I never felt like I had any energy either. It just made me anxious and obsessive.

I'm a little over a week and a half into taking Wellbutin (generic by Global). I definitely felt tired (though not as tired as I was on SSRIs) the first few days on Wellbutrin. Then my energy level fluctuated from tired to normalish. A few days ago it settled on slightly less than normal. I suspect our experience is due to getting used to the medicine. Everyone says to stck it out for at least a month, which I'm trying to do.

Good luck!

Thanks Kerstin! When you said slightly less than normal, did you mean slightly less tired than normal or slightly less energetic than normal?

Wellbutrin isn't a stimulant. When I was on it I never felt like I had any energy either. It just made me anxious and obsessive.

That's exactly the opposite of everything I've heard even from doctors. While it's not marketed as a stimulant like say adderall, there must be SOME element in it that everyone is talking about when they get "the boost." Were you on generic or brand name?

It's a weak reuptake inhibitor of noradrenaline and dopamine. At the time I was on it there was only brand name.

Some people just have a lower threshold I think. I need a lot more of a boost than others probably because of CFS that i have. The strength of wellbutrin as far as giving energy just wasn't high enough for me.

Scarletta,

To set the record straight: Bupropion (3-chloro-N-tert-butyl-β-keto amphetamine) is a non-controlled stimulant, however, it's full effects don't become evident until several weeks of administration have occured.

Bupropion is an amphetemine compound and a substituted phenethylamine chemically related to Cathinone, the amphetamine ingredient of the botanical stimulant known as Khat or qat.

As a substituted beta-ketoamphetamine, bupropion may trigger positive results on urine screens for illicit drug use. The chemical structure of cathinone and the chemical structure of bupropion are nearly identical.

Buproprion’s pharmacological effects include stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system (increase in heart rate and blood pressure), presumably via the modulation of catecholamines.

Its usefulness in smoking cessation has historically been attributed to dopamine. However, more recent research has suggested a role for bupropion in blocking or antagonizing specific subtypes of cholinergic, nicotinic receptors on neurons. Like other amphetamine compounds, bupropion’s behavioral effects include anorexia, insomnia, arousal, agitation, mania, and psychosis.

what do you mean abusing ritalin, you should ask your doctor for a time released form of ritalin. I require a high dosage of ritalin so I use concerta and ritalin boosters. I do not see the point in abusing them though.

What is a ritilan booster?

it's just a phrase. I take concerta which is time released ritalin and take ritalin ir as boosters during the days

Thanks Kerstin! When you said slightly less than normal, did you mean slightly less tired than normal or slightly less energetic than normal?

Slightly less energetic than normal. It wasn't NEARLY as blah I felt the first couple of days. I've been on it two weeks now, I overall I am happy with it. The only side effects I seem to have are dry mouth (chug water and get a humidifier for at night) and possibly a decreased in the effectiveness of my Adderall. I think I'm starting to feel some of the antidepressant effects too.

Slightly less energetic than normal. It wasn't NEARLY as blah I felt the first couple of days. I've been on it two weeks now, I overall I am happy with it. The only side effects I seem to have are dry mouth (chug water and get a humidifier for at night) and possibly a decreased in the effectiveness of my Adderall. I think I'm starting to feel some of the antidepressant effects too.
Thanks for the explanation :)

Also, I wussed out on my generic bupropion Rx and swapped it for brand name wellbutrin SR (didn't even have to call the doc, pharmacy just did it lol). I may have to approach my doc in some weeks if my add symptoms don't improve though. How is your anxiety being on both wellb and adderall? And may I ask if you take both at the same time/on empty/full stomach?

Thanks for the explanation :)

Also, I wussed out on my generic bupropion Rx and swapped it for brand name wellbutrin SR (didn't even have to call the doc, pharmacy just did it lol). I may have to approach my doc in some weeks if my add symptoms don't improve though. How is your anxiety being on both Wellb and adderall? And may I ask if you take both at the same time/on empty/full stomach?

Haha, yeah I didn't realize the debate over generic v. brand generics until I already got mine filled. I fortunately didn't get the Teva version of XL, which seems to cause most of the problems. I'm going to talk to my Dr. about getting the brand, but I feel like I'm going to get the "gererics are the same!" responce. Plus idk now my issurance is going to feel about the brand. I might just stick with the generic b/c I really haven't had any significant issues.

I fortunately haven't had any increased anxiety or anger issues that people have mentioned. Between this forum and several other place online, a lot of people seem to notice a significant increase in anger and anxiety. Some people mentioned these passed after a few weeks or months. Have you noticed either of these problems? If so, maybe you think about talking to your dr. about being put on the XL version. Its smooth and doesn't dip like the SR can between the first and second dose. I've only read this and have no experince taking SR so you Dr. or someone who has taken the SR would be a better bet.

I'm having trouble timing my meds together. At first, I tried what people suggested in a different thread about taking the Adderal first, waiting an hour or two, eat and take Wellbutrin. This didn't work at all for me. I felt like the Adderall did NOTHING.

Now I'm taking the Wellbutrin 150 XL and eat immediately when I wake up (about 7:45). I then take my first dose of 10mg Adderall IR at 10ish. Eat lunch at 12:30ish. Take second dose of 10 mg Adderall IR at 3ish. This seems like it is working better, but not great. I really do not feel like the Adderall works as well as it did before the Wellbutrin. I am going to try to go back to the first schedual this weekend, as I think I've gotten used to the Wellbutrin and maybe that's why what other people recommended didn't work before.

I think it was Hollywood (sorry if it was someone else!) noted that Adderall works better on an empty stomach (which I agree with), but meal time does not effect Wellbutrin. I always try to take my Adderall at least an hour (two is better) after/before I eat. When do you take yours? How's it working for you?

AAAHH! So long! Sorry. Hope you all remembered to take your medicine, otherwise no one will make it to the end of this.

Haha, yeah I didn't realize the debate over generic v. brand generics until I already got mine filled. I fortunately didn't get the Teva version of XL, which seems to cause most of the problems. I'm going to talk to my Dr. about getting the brand, but I feel like I'm going to get the "gererics are the same!" responce. Plus idk now my issurance is going to feel about the brand. I might just stick with the generic b/c I really haven't had any significant issues.

I fortunately haven't had any increased anxiety or anger issues that people have mentioned. Between this forum and several other place online, a lot of people seem to notice a significant increase in anger and anxiety. Some people mentioned these passed after a few weeks or months. Have you noticed either of these problems? If so, maybe you think about talking to your dr. about being put on the XL version. Its smooth and doesn't dip like the SR can between the first and second dose. I've only read this and have no experince taking SR so you Dr. or someone who has taken the SR would be a better bet.

I'm having trouble timing my meds together. At first, I tried what people suggested in a different thread about taking the Adderal first, waiting an hour or two, eat and take Wellbutrin. This didn't work at all for me. I felt like the Adderall did NOTHING.

Now I'm taking the Wellbutrin 150 XL and eat immediately when I wake up (about 7:45). I then take my first dose of 10mg Adderall IR at 10ish. Eat lunch at 12:30ish. Take second dose of 10 mg Adderall IR at 3ish. This seems like it is working better, but not great. I really do not feel like the Adderall works as well as it did before the Wellbutrin. I am going to try to go back to the first schedual this weekend, as I think I've gotten used to the Wellbutrin and maybe that's why what other people recommended didn't work before.

I think it was Hollywood (sorry if it was someone else!) noted that Adderall works better on an empty stomach (which I agree with), but meal time does not effect Wellbutrin. I always try to take my Adderall at least an hour (two is better) after/before I eat. When do you take yours? How's it working for you?

AAAHH! So long! Sorry. Hope you all remembered to take your medicine, otherwise no one will make it to the end of this.

I ALWAYS go generic, but this is literally the only medication ive heard such a difference between the two. i've noticed that since i switched to wellbutrin sr brand name, im not as tired as i felt on the generic, but also i'm definitely still not feeling that "boost" that some on other forums noted. probably because i have a history of taking more "intense" things, so if the boost is there i just dont notice it. and i seem to develop neckpain/headaches while on the brand name. not unbearable, but eh. oh and the ringing in my ears, but that's really only noticeable if it's dead quiet. im just upset that i spent a whole month patiently taking zoloft for my depression when I could have been taking wellbutrin during that period for my depression and possibly my add as well.

if you go brand name, of course expect a price difference. i think my generic cost about $3 for a two month supply, but now im paying upwards of $70 for brand name. still not bad i dont think. our health and peace of mind is worth it! (if you can afford it :P) no increase in anxiety for me (if anything my social anxiety has diminished quite a bit!), but no big increase in anger either. the only time i notice anything anger related is when i get upset about things that normal would have upset/frustrated me. in those cases i seem to be a bit more vocal than usual. ill probably stick with the sr for a month, and see how it goes. maybe ill want to change it at that point...

ya eating two hours after adderall i would think would kill the noticeable effects, which also added to the weight loss i experienced when on it. does it mess with you falling asleep at all? i never ate breakfast when on adderall, and i wasn't concerned with coffee waking me up because the adderall did all that for me, and a lot quicker than with food/coffee (hm, maybe cause it's amphetamines lol). but actually, it did seem to work better if i didn't take it RIGHT when i woke up, but like an hour later. yeah i just skipped breakfast all the time though so i can't truly relate to your current plan :(

usually i would dose 20mg in the morning, eat in the early afternoon, wait a bit, and then take my second dose of 20mg maybe around 3ish? if you REALLY want/need to feel it though, just sip on some diet coke or something lol. small amounts of caffeine i remember kicked it up crazy, but it also could get you to an uncomfortable level.

im not on adderall right now, only wellbutrin sr, but adderall was a miracle for me. i tried ritalin before but remember not liking it. ive really just never been in the zone like how adderall got me. i was still depressed, but at least i had some motivation! oh what a relief to untangle the thoughts in my head and put them on paper in a coherent manner (im a writer). but unfortunately, two years after adderall, my mind is back in the same tangled mess. my doc may very well put me on it again if ive not noticed any add help with the wellbutrin sr after another month.

sorry also for the length, but eye for an eye :P

In skimming this thread, I see the issue of generic vs. brand Wellbutrin has been raised. Don't have time to elaborate but will mention I had a bad experience on the generic and want to help anyone I can to convince their doctor to immediately honor their request for brand Wellbutrin. Actually I'll do what I have to and then come back and finish in order not to be vague.

Okay, I'm back ;). I rarely gets headaches and when I do, one aspirin works. My 3 days on generic Wellbutrin, I had bonafide migraines that lasted an hour each time after I took it. The headaches were not helped by anything. I have clear skin, very few pimples even as a teenager. On generic Wellbutrin, I broke out on one upper arm and one foot with dark red/purplish welts the size of a quarter with whiteheads on each that oozed puss the 3rd day.

Here's the worst of it. When I took my regular two mile walk the morning of the 3rd day (slow as a turtle, the headache zapped my energy) my heart raced out of control and I had double vision for nearly two hours after, to the point I had difficulty breathing. I was terrified it was a heart attack. I'm not a fearful person, and any anxiety I'd had prior to this was always helped by 5 minutes deep breathing while holding a yoga posture. Day 3 after the walk, I honestly considered calling 911. I feared my son would come home from school and find me dead.

When I'd called my doctor Day 2 to describe the headache and rash, he didn't ignore my complaints but matter-of-factly stated many patients on generic had "manageable" side effects the first two weeks and they diminished. I took the generic Day 3 telling myself the side effects were manageable -- until the heart episode occurred. After that I spilled the pills down the garbage disposal. I decided I'd rather be depressed than die in my attempt to treat the depression. Oh, I should add I was only taking 200 mg. SR daily, 100 in the am and 100 mid afternoon.

What appalls me most is considering the danger of this generic to a person with a pre-existing medical condition. Crazy rapid heartbeat, intense migraines, extreme rashes may not be so serious for a well person BUT the impact to a person w/ a pre-existing heart defect or neurological disorder might be life-threatening. I'm aware both are contraindications for Wellbutrin. Yet many high functioning people have underlying cardiac and neurological problems that are not dxed. until a heart attack or a seizure occurs. Young adults, in particular, are not given routine diagnostic tests unless an acute episode occurs.

I'd like to help anyone with side effects on generic Wellbutrin convince their doctor to immediately honor their requests for the Brand. I know generics are not all the same but the world should know at least one generic formula being marketed as Wellbutrin is dangerous. A week after going off the generic, I had my regular appointment and handed my doctor the following article.


Studies Reveal that Generic Wellbutrin (bupropion) Does Not Act the Same Way as the Original Wellbutrin
by: jobythebay

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/413125/studies_reveal_that_generic (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/413125/studies_reveal_that_generic)


He apologized for being abrupt the previous week and wrote me a prescription for brand. I stayed on it 5 months, working up to 300 XL. It was immensely helpful. I was able to half my ritalin dosage for the period I was on Wellbutrin, as it helped improve my focus in addition to lifting the depression.

I strongly recommend BRAND Wellbutrin to anyone with Add/Adhd who does not suffer anxiety and does not have a prior hx. of seizures.

In skimming this thread, I see the issue of generic vs. brand Wellbutrin has been raised...
Aqua, everything you said sounds terrible :( I'm glad you're "in a better place" now though.

I only lasted I think 3-5 days on generic also, but not so much because of noticeable side effects (although there were some, but relatively minor), rather because of everything i had heard about the brand name actually being heads above the generic.

when i take the dosage my doctor prescribed (300 mg in the morning), I get a sharp headache that pretty much lasts all day. ive never had migraines before, but i guess that's what it was. so now i take 150 when i wake up and another 150 in the early afternoon and that helps tremendously.

Have you stopped wellbutrin/ritalin?

bomborwhack,

I think I noticed a slight "boost" the first couple of days, but no where near what some people described. I definitely have neck pain/headaches, but they are not so bad that I would consider not taking the medicine.

I kind of on the fence about being put on the brand. I haven't noticed any problems with the generic, but, due to insurance issues. I have GREAT insurance now under my parents' plan, but I get kicked off of it when I turn 25, which is less than a year and a half from now. Being a student, I could budget for the generic without insurance, but there is no way I could for the brand. I just worry that if I take the brand and it is in fact much better, I would never want to go back to the generic. I don't know how long I am going to have to take it, so I'd almost rather stick with the generic (that seems to be ok to me) than discover how awesome the brand is, only to get bumped down to the generic when I turn 25. I'll still going to talk my doctor about getting on the brand or sticking with the generic.

I've been taking Adderall for about seven years now, I think. I don't think I've ever had trouble sleeping on it. Maybe when I first started, but that was a while ago and I don't really remember. Have you noticed the Wellbutrin is helping you ADHD?


Aquablue,

I'm sorry to hear about your horrible experience! Thanks for sharing, and I'm gald to see the brand is really working for you. I haven't noticed any of the terrible side effects that you described, but I will still check with my doctor and see what she says.

Seven years? :eek:

I never made it through more than 6 months at a time on that stuff. I just felt spent and exhausted in all ways by that time. I'm hoping to have a better experience next time 'round.

Yeah, I don't get it. On wellb I feel more tired than anything! Even if I take 300 mg at a time (one of two ways my doctor prescribed), the only thing I'll get is the monster headache. But the ringing in my ears now is constant. I hope you don't get that SE. :P Like you, it's not something that will deter me from continuing. I still have hope :) And as to you going generic vs brand, "if it aint broke, don't fix it" comes to mind. I just wussed out though and switched to brand lol.

But no, unfortunately I haven't noticed any improvement of my add from taking wellb :( A relative said that I looked more "relaxed" now, but really that's just because I"m so tired. Even loading caffeine into my body (super espresso coffee/diet coke ;)) does nothing. It only makes me physically a little shakey, but only in my hands. This is why I may ask my doctor about going back on adderall, because my motivation has still not picked up! Oh well, I'm ready to go the 3-6 months with no noticeable improvement, since everyone says to just wait it out I'll be so much better once it's on.
bomborwhack,

I think I noticed a slight "boost" the first couple of days, but no where near what some people described. I definitely have neck pain/headaches, but they are not so bad that I would consider not taking the medicine.

I kind of on the fence about being put on the brand. I haven't noticed any problems with the generic, but, due to insurance issues. I have GREAT insurance now under my parents' plan, but I get kicked off of it when I turn 25, which is less than a year and a half from now. Being a student, I could budget for the generic without insurance, but there is no way I could for the brand. I just worry that if I take the brand and it is in fact much better, I would never want to go back to the generic. I don't know how long I am going to have to take it, so I'd almost rather stick with the generic (that seems to be ok to me) than discover how awesome the brand is, only to get bumped down to the generic when I turn 25. I'll still going to talk my doctor about getting on the brand or sticking with the generic.

I've been taking Adderall for about seven years now, I think. I don't think I've ever had trouble sleeping on it. Maybe when I first started, but that was a while ago and I don't really remember. Have you noticed the Wellbutrin is helping you ADHD?

Seven years? :eek:

I never made it through more than 6 months at a time on that stuff. I just felt spent and exhausted in all ways by that time. I'm hoping to have a better experience next time 'round.

Yeah, I don't get it. On wellb I feel more tired than anything! Even if I take 300 mg at a time (one of two ways my doctor prescribed), the only thing I'll get is the monster headache. But the ringing in my ears now is constant. I hope you don't get that SE. :P Like you, it's not something that will deter me from continuing. I still have hope :) And as to you going generic vs brand, "if it aint broke, don't fix it" comes to mind. I just wussed out though and switched to brand lol.

But no, unfortunately I haven't noticed any improvement of my add from taking wellb :( A relative said that I looked more "relaxed" now, but really that's just because I"m so tired. Even loading caffeine into my body (super espresso coffee/diet coke ;)) does nothing. It only makes me physically a little shakey, but only in my hands. This is why I may ask my doctor about going back on adderall, because my motivation has still not picked up! Oh well, I'm ready to go the 3-6 months with no noticeable improvement, since everyone says to just wait it out I'll be so much better once it's on.

Soooo I've decided to stop taking the Wellbutrin. We'll see what my doctor says about this at our appointment this week. I'm not going to tell her i just stopped. I'll say I want to stop. Stopping meds without telling her is a cardnal sin in her book.

It had by far the least SE of any antidepressant I took, but I'm 99% sure it canceled out the Adderall. I felt like I had to choose b/t being happy and ADHD or depressed and ADHD-free. I thought I would much rather pick the happy choice, but I've been really struggling with my ADHD for the first time in a while on the combo. It was really stressing me out and effecting (affacting?) my job performance. Over the last week, I started getting more depressed b/c of this and cried almost everyday due to it. Plus I'm going to law school in the fall, and I know I would fail out if I was like I am now. That would make me even more depressed. I did an experiment and didn't take my Wellbutrin but did take my Adderall. I felt like I could function more for the first time in weeks. I felt more consistant during the day and I could actually read things without my mind zoning out. Plus, I really really wonder if the Adderall could knock out some of Wellbutrin's antidepressant effect, as I think the other way around canceled.

I'm pretty bummed that I don't want to take the Wellbutrin anymore. I've been on it for a month now, and I honestly think it was starting to help with my depression and would have love to stick on it for atleast two months. I felt more depressed today, but that could simply b/c I've had an exceptionally bad few days. I doubt not taking Wellbutrin one day makes that much of a difference. I'm just doing to really start committing to my theropy and try to fix my blahs without drugs. This was the only one that played nice with my mind and body. My doctor is not going to be pleased about these developments, but I am still going to ask her if she knows about these two interacting.

I'm rambling, sorry. Its crazy how some people swear by this combo on this forum and others don't like it. I originally thougth they'd complement eachother, but I honestly never felt like that. I think starting will Wellbutrin and then adding Adderall would work out better than being on Adderall and adding Wellbutrin.

I'm glad that I had no side effects from suddenly stopping it. I definately felt weird and uncomfortable in my head (I have no idea how to despribe it), but it wasn't bad at all. I still am having the buzzing in my ears, but it think it is less.

I wish so much it work out. Best of luck to those on this combo. Just b/c it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you.

Soooo I've decided to stop taking the Wellbutrin. We'll see what my doctor says about this at our appointment this week. I'm not going to tell her i just stopped. I'll say I want to stop. Stopping meds without telling her is a cardnal sin in her book.

It had by far the least SE of any antidepressant I took, but I'm 99% sure it canceled out the Adderall. I felt like I had to choose b/t being happy and ADHD or depressed and ADHD-free. I thought I would much rather pick the happy choice, but I've been really struggling with my ADHD for the first time in a while on the combo. It was really stressing me out and effecting (affacting?) my job performance. Over the last week, I started getting more depressed b/c of this and cried almost everyday due to it. Plus I'm going to law school in the fall, and I know I would fail out if I was like I am now. That would make me even more depressed. I did an experiment and didn't take my Wellbutrin but did take my Adderall. I felt like I could function more for the first time in weeks. I felt more consistant during the day and I could actually read things without my mind zoning out. Plus, I really really wonder if the Adderall could knock out some of Wellbutrin's antidepressant effect, as I think the other way around canceled.

I'm pretty bummed that I don't want to take the Wellbutrin anymore. I've been on it for a month now, and I honestly think it was starting to help with my depression and would have love to stick on it for atleast two months. I felt more depressed today, but that could simply b/c I've had an exceptionally bad few days. I doubt not taking Wellbutrin one day makes that much of a difference. I'm just doing to really start committing to my theropy and try to fix my blahs without drugs. This was the only one that played nice with my mind and body. My doctor is not going to be pleased about these developments, but I am still going to ask her if she knows about these two interacting.

I'm rambling, sorry. Its crazy how some people swear by this combo on this forum and others don't like it. I originally thougth they'd complement eachother, but I honestly never felt like that. I think starting will Wellbutrin and then adding Adderall would work out better than being on Adderall and adding Wellbutrin.

I'm glad that I had no side effects from suddenly stopping it. I definately felt weird and uncomfortable in my head (I have no idea how to despribe it), but it wasn't bad at all. I still am having the buzzing in my ears, but it think it is less.

I wish so much it work out. Best of luck to those on this combo. Just b/c it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you.
Well that is a bummer :(

Do you think you could maybe alternate days? Adderall one day and wellb the next and so on? That would probably increase the "potency" of the adderall anyway, but I think you have more experience with it than I do. I seem to remember people saying you should take adderall holidays, perhaps mini versions would help?

I'm just about at the 4 week mark for wellb, and I think I'm going to hold off on adderall? Ugh jeez I dunno. I wonder if I should just wait to see if the wellb helps at all, im seeing more people say that they REALLY started noticing in the 7th week (which would include many ups and downs, however), but leveled out in a good place after the 8th week. If I HAD to choose, I would do what you chose too. Because I think the adderall getting us off our butts could lead to a better life in terms of getting things done which would help cut the depression (in my case anyway).

Only thing I've noticed is that I am seeming to type better/faster than when I started, but was noticably more down/irritable today. I don't think my mind is any clearer, but I really hope it's working because I'm sick of feeling like this :)

Didn't notice the rambling though, as I tend to as well

Well that is a bummer :(

Do you think you could maybe alternate days? Adderall one day and wellb the next and so on? That would probably increase the "potency" of the adderall anyway, but I think you have more experience with it than I do. I seem to remember people saying you should take adderall holidays, perhaps mini versions would help?

I'm just about at the 4 week mark for wellb, and I think I'm going to hold off on adderall? Ugh jeez I dunno. I wonder if I should just wait to see if the wellb helps at all, im seeing more people say that they REALLY started noticing in the 7th week (which would include many ups and downs, however), but leveled out in a good place after the 8th week. If I HAD to choose, I would do what you chose too. Because I think the adderall getting us off our butts could lead to a better life in terms of getting things done which would help cut the depression (in my case anyway).

Only thing I've noticed is that I am seeming to type better/faster than when I started, but was noticably more down/irritable today. I don't think my mind is any clearer, but I really hope it's working because I'm sick of feeling like this :)

Didn't notice the rambling though, as I tend to as well

I used to take "drug holidays" in high school during long school breaks like winter vacation and spring break. However, the only two times I've ever been in a car crash (neither were too serious, but both very much my fault) were during these drug holidays. I do not think this was a coincidence. So... I take it everyday. Plus with college, I still do work on the weekends :(

You might want to talk to your doctor about adding Adderall, but I'd give it until the 8th week on the Wellbutrin alone to see the full effects. I definitely had those up and down days you described, and sometimes even in the same day. I think it was beginning to level out when I quit. From what I've read, the 3rd-4th weeks are sort of a transition period and it gets better after that time. So hopefully you're almost there!

I have my MD doctor and therapist appointments tomorrow. Neither are going to be pleased about these developments, but I'm hoping my doctor has some insight about the interaction of these two. Tomorrow night I'll post whatever she says about the two. She's a general practitioner, and not a specialist, so she might not have and definite answer. We'll see. My therapist has been getting on me about seeing a psychiatrist anyway to find the best antidepressant. If my normal doctor doesn't have an answer for me, maybe I'll explore this option, as I bet a psychiatrist would have a better idea. Sometime I wonder if doctor have any idea what they are doing.

it take a few months. You kinda jumped the gun by giving up

Wellbutrin definitely makes me feel tired... and it actually makes me depressed. I dumped that pretty quickly.

to each there own. It made me tired too , took 2 months of taking it to get results. Thats just me though , antidepressants take time, I hate it but you will never form a valid response in days or just a few weeks.

it take a few months. You kinda jumped the gun by giving up

I gave it a month and it was only getting worse. I might be wrong, but weren't you the one who stopped taking Wellbutrin for the reasons I described? I'm retaking the LSAT in June to try to get off a waitlist and into a law school I REALLY want to go to. There is no way I'll improve my score in the ADHD craziness I'm in now. Nor do I have another month to see if it all works out. I have to study for the test, which is close to impossible on this medicine.

I had appointments with my MD doctor and therapist today. My MD doctor was clueless about the interaction, which I expected. She's no specialist. She suggested I take two weeks off the Wellbutrin (I didn't mention I already stopped) and see if I think my Adderall regains its effects. If so, I can try another antidepressant if I want (I don't particularly).

My therapist really want me to see a psychiatrist who is more knowledgeable about these medicines, and she still wants me to get on an antidepressant. Its not easy for me to open up to people about my problems, and I really don't want to have to talk to another person. I think I'm going to give this a shot, but if this doesn't work I'm DONE with this mess. I'll post whatever this third doctor says whenever I meet with him/her.

I stopped wellbutrin because after a few months and it was working my moods really lifted and my level of focus was great at times but at other times I felt as though it altered my short term memory . My energy was great and I felt really good , but I felt very awkward at times and then other times I felt great. When I stopped my adhd meds worked awesome for like a month or two. I understand that this effect was the lifting of a depression. Yes, I did stop but the reason was not because it didn't work and really not because of the sluggish thoughts , really I dropped the med only because I obsessed about certain things more so than I should. Now , when I look back I realize that this is partially my fault , we all need to choose and select what to pay attention to even if it is hard to do. I agree the meds alter your brain chemistry and I may take it again for a short time and then get off, but I need to manage my method and use it more as a tool and job search while on the med and then try to get out of my situation prior to discontinuing the med, currently I fell back into this add depression, it's not major depression it's fleeting but that can be an eternity for those of us with adhd . Right now I'm on my third week of cymbalta, actually it's not bad, I don't think I've adjusted yet and I have felt sleepy but I know from experience now that we have to wait it out and depression and stress long term far outweigh my self evaluations of how I think and how my adhd is doing day in and day out. Right now my adhd is a bit worse and it seems like my stims are not as effective but I also know if this med works then I won't be self acessing and worrying all the time.... Thats a symptom of untreated depression, I never self evaluate when I'm happy and thats a fact. Good luck, and I would not dismiss all antidepressants , I know they suck, I've said the same thing as you, but give it time and try to be patient....I know our arch enemy ....patience-

I stopped wellbutrin because after a few months and it was working my moods really lifted and my level of focus was great at times but at other times I felt as though it altered my short term memory . My energy was great and I felt really good , but I felt very awkward at times and then other times I felt great. When I stopped my adhd meds worked awesome for like a month or two. I understand that this effect was the lifting of a depression. Yes, I did stop but the reason was not because it didn't work and really not because of the sluggish thoughts , really I dropped the med only because I obsessed about certain things more so than I should. Now , when I look back I realize that this is partially my fault , we all need to choose and select what to pay attention to even if it is hard to do. I agree the meds alter your brain chemistry and I may take it again for a short time and then get off, but I need to manage my method and use it more as a tool and job search while on the med and then try to get out of my situation prior to discontinuing the med, currently I fell back into this add depression, it's not major depression it's fleeting but that can be an eternity for those of us with adhd . Right now I'm on my third week of cymbalta, actually it's not bad, I don't think I've adjusted yet and I have felt sleepy but I know from experience now that we have to wait it out and depression and stress long term far outweigh my self evaluations of how I think and how my adhd is doing day in and day out. Right now my adhd is a bit worse and it seems like my stims are not as effective but I also know if this med works then I won't be self acessing and worrying all the time.... Thats a symptom of untreated depression, I never self evaluate when I'm happy and thats a fact. Good luck, and I would not dismiss all antidepressants , I know they suck, I've said the same thing as you, but give it time and try to be patient....I know our arch enemy ....patience-

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm glad the Cymbalta is working for you. My doctor mentioned that as a possibility if I wanted to try antidepressants again. My therapist think the reason I think my Adderall isn't working as well is due to my depression is making my ADHD worse too.

There's an interesting thread on the Adderall section about the Wellbutrin-Adderall combo that people might want to check out.

kerstin,

I want to correct my last response or better yet add or update it . Today , since being on cymbalta about 3 weeks at a low dose my depression has gotten better each day and acutely at times so has my focus but mainly my mood. Since I have been tired of getting sleepy I asked my doc if I could stop and change over to wellbutrin, he agreed and luckily I will bypass the sides of startup to wellbutrin since cymbalta has ne and works on dopamine acutely as well. Well , today I started wellbutrin and feel really good, not sluggish at all, it's nice to drop the cymbalta and go directly to an adhd depression med with backup history to it, I don't feel as relaxed but my focus and energy are back up. There was too much evidence of side effects and withdraw for me to continue cymbalta.