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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by metamorphosis on February 22, 2009, at 11:09:28
My doctor said he would consider putting me on Adderall along with the Wellbutrin 150mg.Due to my extreme fatigue which is effecting my work and love of cycling.I just don't have the energy to get on the bike and work is a struggle as it's very physically demanding.Ihad a physical so everything is alright in that respect.I also take Lamictal at 200mg and wonder it that could be a possible culprit.Though I don't think fatigue is considered a common side effect.Klonopin at 2-3mg is not the problem as I've taken that when I was very active.
Is it possible that the addition of Adderall(which I've heard is very effective) may increase my energy levels even though I take Wellbutrin or do the cancel each other out?I know Wellbutrin is a DA/NE. reuptake inhibitor where Adderall potentiates the release of DA/NA;if I'm correct.Would the combonation prove to be effective or ineffective?Would it just be a waste of time and money.If so would any other stimulating drugs be more effective?I have heard of Vyvanse,Vivactil but I know theres many others.My doctor is wary of putting me on any seretonergic drugs because of i had some hypomania whwn I took it for a week.
I need my desperatley need my energy back not only for my quality of life but also for my daily persuits.I have always been a quiet active person.
Any insight/suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks!
Posted by garnet71 on February 22, 2009, at 11:35:55
In reply to Extreme fatigue-Wellbutrin/Adderall effective???, posted by metamorphosis on February 22, 2009, at 11:09:28
Hi,
You might want to take a look at this recommendation for chronic fatigue syndrome (or similar symptoms):
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chronic-fatigue/AN01764
I don't know about med combos, but Wellbutrin helped me with energy when it worked in the past. Never tried Adderall, but I take Ritalin now. It helps with motivation and has a calming effect, yet at the same time, I think it makes your heart beat faster. I don't know about heavy aerobic exercise while taking stimulants. I planned to ask my PDoc about that next time I see him.
You do mean you would try one at a time, right? Or was your doc going to start you on both simultaneously?
Posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2009, at 12:50:57
In reply to Re: Extreme fatigue-Wellbutrin/Adderall effective??? » metamorphosis, posted by garnet71 on February 22, 2009, at 11:35:55
I just don't understand and have tried to so often how stimulants and anxiety meds go together. I'd think if maybe gave up anxiety meds if need a stimulant you or anyone would be okay. I'm dense when it comes to thest things. Love Phillipa
Posted by garnet71 on February 22, 2009, at 13:33:05
In reply to Re: Extreme fatigue-Wellbutrin/Adderall effective??? » garnet71, posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2009, at 12:50:57
You know Phillipa, I never understood that either. in simply knowing Ritalin was a CNS stimulant, I was scared to death to take it because of my panic attacks/anxiety. It does not, in any way, give me anxiety. I stayed away from reading up on Ritalin before I took it, at the advice of my PDoc who said it would ruin the plan. I'm glad I took his advice.
I don't know the brain chemistry involved like others here, but now that I was safe with Ritalin-I briefly checked up on it. It works on the receptors that are involved with concentration and overactivity of the brain somehow.
When I first tried it, it felt like taking a Xanax. Except I think it does make your heart beat faster, unlike Xanax. My anxiety awarness first starts in the area right in middle of my chest before it manifests everywhere else. even though I wasn't experiencing much anxiety symptoms at the time I started taking it, I always am somehow aware of that feeling. Ritalin somehow calms that area too. I was really blown away. It seems to actually help with anxiety, not the other way around as you would expect. However, I did recently read many comments on askapatient.com, where people said ADD meds caused severe anxiety. I think its just like any psych medication that will successfully correct neurotransmitter imbalances for those with problem areas affected by the meds.
I was so surprised how its affected me. I don't think its 'great'; this is not something I would ever take on a long-term basis, but it does help. When I finish school I can find a job where I can use my ADD 'skills' - such as the ability to relate everything to the 'big picture', detect unnoticed patterns, critical thinking about all angles of a subject or concept, thinking out of the box - and where I can utilize my creativity. Then I won't need the ADD meds anymore. Someone in the field once told me that with my mindset/cognitive type, I would make a great intelligence analyst. That's not a job I want to do, but there are jobs where people with ADD could be an asset to the organization. That's one example.
Posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2009, at 21:15:50
In reply to Re: Extreme fatigue-Wellbutrin/Adderall effective??? » Phillipa, posted by garnet71 on February 22, 2009, at 13:33:05
Interesting in RN school had to read each chapter twice and study hard to get it but was magna cum laude. I wonder that all. Love Phillipa
Posted by garnet71 on February 23, 2009, at 1:18:45
In reply to Re: Extreme fatigue-Wellbutrin/Adderall effective??? » garnet71, posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2009, at 21:15:50
> Interesting in RN school had to read each chapter twice and study hard to get it but was magna cum laude. I wonder that all. Love Phillipa
----------------------
Phillipa, congrats (belated) on your accomplishments!! What a great achievement you had there!
Posted by raisinb on February 23, 2009, at 14:13:09
In reply to Extreme fatigue-Wellbutrin/Adderall effective???, posted by metamorphosis on February 22, 2009, at 11:09:28
Wellbutrin will definitely jack you up--energy won't be a problem. However, since you have a history of hypomania, you probably need to monitor yourself closely. Hypomania is a common side effect of WB. I've never been remotely manic myself, and the first week of Wellbutrin was like cocaine.
Posted by JadeKelly on February 23, 2009, at 19:53:30
In reply to Extreme fatigue-Wellbutrin/Adderall effective???, posted by metamorphosis on February 22, 2009, at 11:09:28
Hello!
Didn't have time to read all posts. Just going to give you my experience.
For years I took Ritalin 5mg 3xday + Klonopin 1mg 3xday. I took ritalin for add, klonopin for neck injury. I ran a stressful business and raised twins. Ritalin saved me! I then became severely,deeply, depressed (repeated stressors) and started Parnate. I now take 80mg Parnate and 30mg Ritalin. I am in remission and feel normal to great (depending on whether my teens are home, haha) Wellbutrin gave me great energy for 1-2 weeks then cr*pp*d out. Adderall was too strong for me. I HATED provigil, mind racing, no physical energy.
Good luck,
~Jade
Posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2009, at 19:58:58
In reply to Re: Extreme fatigue-Wellbutrin/Adderall effective? » metamorphosis, posted by raisinb on February 23, 2009, at 14:13:09
Raisinb same thing happened to me but the pdoc hospitalized me as did think I was manic. Now I know differently. Also thought wellbutrin was the ad for bipolar could be mistaken? Love Phillipa
Posted by JadeKelly on February 23, 2009, at 21:10:48
In reply to Re: Extreme fatigue-Wellbutrin/Adderall effective??? » metamorphosis, posted by JadeKelly on February 23, 2009, at 19:53:30
Correction from Jade: I currently take 60mg Ritalin. I take 30mg in morn, and 30mg in afternoon. Oops!
Hope your thread gives you some helpful info. Feel free to contact me anytime. Extreme fatigue has been my nemesis for over 2 years. If I can help ANYONE not go through what I did.....
~Jade ;-)
This is the end of the thread.
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