Specific Theraputic Effects of Wellbutrin and other Stimulants

[Feuerfaust]

During the past school year, first semester more specifically, I began taking Wellbutrin XL at 300mgs daily. What it gave was a motivational fire that I had never had before. Suddenly I no longer had to BATTLE myself to get things DONE. I didn't have to fight for 10 mins to get myself to start my homework. I found that it was simply much easier to TRY and apply myself to things I wanted to do. Gone was my mental paralysis, and I found was able to use my brain how and when I wanted. I found myself becomming much more reponsible, much more organized/neat, and much more able to manage my time.

Then that went away. Since then I've tried Adderall, Concerta, and Strattera. The Adderall increased my focus much more, but I found that my executive functioning and abilitity to "get myself going" had not returned. Concerta provided some benefit similar to the Wellbutrin, but it lasted about 4 days then *kaput*. The Strattera provided that Wellbutrin-like motivation, but once I raised the dose above 25mg it suddenly disappeared.

What I am trying to isolate is what exactly happened during that period when I was successfully treated with Wellbutrin. I've found that there was a profound difference between being motivated and being able to concentrate. From the information I have, could anyone help me figure out where I should go from here? My psychiatrist is helping me titrate the Strattera, but I have to be honest - I'm not that optimistic about it. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks!

[katatak]

Originally Posted by Feuerfaust

During the past school year, first semester more specifically, I began taking Wellbutrin XL at 300mgs daily. What it gave was a motivational fire that I had never had before. Suddenly I no longer had to BATTLE myself to get things DONE. I didn't have to fight for 10 mins to get myself to start my homework. I found that it was simply much easier to TRY and apply myself to things I wanted to do. Gone was my mental paralysis, and I found was able to use my brain how and when I wanted. I found myself becomming much more reponsible, much more organized/neat, and much more able to manage my time.

What you are describing is your reactrion to the increased amounts of norepinepherine and dopamin which wellbrutrin causes.

The increased dopamine is one side effect of what is supposed to be an SNRI (Selective Norepinepherine Reuptake Inhibitor). The increase in Norepinepherine is the intended effect, and probably teh reason for the increase in motivation. I am taking it for the same reason but haven't experienceed that yet.

Originally Posted by Feuerfaust

Then that went away. Since then I've tried Adderall, Concerta, and Strattera. The Adderall increased my focus much more, but I found that my executive functioning and abilitity to "get myself going" had not returned. Concerta provided some benefit similar to the Wellbutrin, but it lasted about 4 days then *kaput*. The Strattera provided that Wellbutrin-like motivation, but once I raised the dose above 25mg it suddenly disappeared.

What I am trying to isolate is what exactly happened during that period when I was successfully treated with Wellbutrin. I've found that there was a profound difference between being motivated and being able to concentrate. From the information I have, could anyone help me figure out where I should go from here? My psychiatrist is helping me titrate the Strattera, but I have to be honest - I'm not that optimistic about it. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks!

Just taking a guess at this, while you are starting theese drugs all of them are increasing the amount of norepinepherine. I am surprised to hear that it stopped working for you with Wellbrutrin becuase that is supposed to be its prime effect.

Ritalin and Concerta are also dopamine and norepinepherine reuptake inhibitors but they work more on dopamine which is the reason for the better focus. So my guess (and its just a guess) is that its something about increasing amounts of norepinepherine that you are responding to.