Looking for other’s experiences with Wellbutrin/ bupropion for ADHD teen.

[Bootsie1]

my 15 yo son just started taking bupropion for his ADHD symptoms… inattention, motivation, and all around executive functioning, mainly pertaining to academics.

He has been taking stimulants for several years and done very well with behavior and academics. This past September he made the decision to stop taking his medication as he did not like the way in which the meds changed his normally bubbly personality.

Unfortunately, things at school began to fall apart and he was open to trying medication again…. But not stimulants. So here we are, on day three of Bupropion (extended release 150mg in the morning).

Love to hear others experience with taking this med. thank you !

[Li76]

Hi-

I don’t have much to offer, but since I have started to take Wellbutrin coupled with naltrexone I have become happier… when I am happier i can do hard things that I may not want to because I am not in my head so much. It quiets the voice that tells me I suck or reminds me of all the mistakes I’ve made. I am also less obsessive and less compulsive. Lately I have often wondered if I should try this for my son. He has ADHD, ODD, and DCD ( developmental coordination disorder) processing issues.

It kind of feels like I can tackle the hard things because at least I’m happy.

Please check back in and let me know how your son is doing. Mine doesn’t do will in school, but I’m curious to learn your response.

Also give it time. It takes a little while to begin to feel good.

[Bootsie1 in reply to Li76]

thank you! I will definitely keep you posted. So far he hasn’t complained of any side effects…

[Bootsie1 in reply to Li76]

wanted to update. After two weeks on wellbutrin we decided take him off. He was getting horrible leg and hip pains, which although we can't say for sure if it was the meds, he never had them before and has not had the pain since. He actually fell down one day during school.

We see the doctor next week. He is having such a hard time getting his work done and his self-esteem is suffering.

On the positive side, he is self aware in the fact that he understands his struggles are related to add and he wants to find a good medication fit.

[anirush]

It was a good fit for my grandson through middle and high school. He used it with Guanfacine. He had lots of problems with depression and anxiety. Now that he is 18 he decided to stop taking meds. He moved in with friends and seems to be doing ok.

[Bootsie1 in reply to anirush]

thank you

[Fitnessmom]

Hello,

We started my 11 year old son on bupropion 150 mg about 4 weeks ago. As per our doctors order, we stopped Strattera 60 mg when we noticed that Strattera didn’t seem to improve his ADHD symptoms (it did improve impulsivity though). Shortly after we started bupropion we started to get phone calls from the school regarding behavior (overly goofy, distracting other students, not starting his work, getting out of his seat). Which was totally new for us because despite the fact that he can be oppositional in the home, he was never that way in school. We were super concerned and made the teachers aware of the switch to a new medication. Our psychiatrist has recommended we increase to 300 mg for 4 weeks and see how that goes and if we will decide after 4 week on the 300 mg if we continue or try something new. So far it is day 4 of 300 mg and yesterday he complained of a headache and felt nauseous (he never complained of this on 150). I’m trying to make sure he stays hydrated and eats. A bad side effect that I see is that it has affected his ability to fall asleep. On the 150 mg we would give him melatonin 3-4x week. Otherwise he would lie in bed unable to sleep for hours (teachers have commented that he is coming to school yawning and looks exhausted). It’s only been 4 days on the 300 mg so I am keeping a close eye on his behavior for the next 2 weeks. I will say he became extremely goofy and overly silly when we stopped Stattera and started the 150 mg bupropion….like obnoxiously silly. He also started texting his friends really annoying messages which they didn’t appreciate. So I think once the Strattera wore off, the impulsivity came back full force and the bupropion 150 mg wasn’t helping.

On the plus side with the 150 bupropion, my son has become more social and more talkative and the teachers have commented that he is participating more in class, talking and asking more questions which is definitely a positive.

Best of luck to you. Medication affects every child/person differently but this has been my child’s experience so far. I was nervous to increase the dosage when we have seen the 150 mg seems to be making his condition worse. But I will trust and listen to the doctor and like he said if it doesn’t work and if my son is not improving we will stop the medication. Also, I would keep the teachers informed of any changes to his medication. My sons teachers have been so supportive and always email or call with any comments or questions. He has a special Ed teacher who he meets with throughout the day and my husband and I just had a call with her on Friday informing her of the dosage increase.

[Bootsie1 in reply to Fitnessmom]

thank you so much for sharing your son’s experience. It’s a week today and we don’t see a change as of yet.

Thanks again!