Found something that is helping so far!

[BlessedNeuroDiverse]

I was diagnosed at age 35 with ADHD by my therapist who recognized the life patterns I had. My therapist disclosed they also have ADHD and recognized the same struggles they had dealt with when they were younger. I had two kids pretty close together in 2021 and 2022 and due to covid started working from home in early 2020. Everything spiraled out of control when I didn’t have external motivators from working in an office and if I was going to get anything done it was up to my internal motivation. That is something I have never had. After being diagnosed I realized that I had coped with what felt like “I just never fit in anywhere” by being an over achiever, a yes-man, people pleaser, and chronically worked harder than everyone around me to make up for my shortcomings. ‘Can’t get to work on time, procrastination, getting bored with repetitive tasks, falling behind on repetitive work’, ect., were always haunting me and telling me “why can’t you just show up to work, do your job, and be cool with it like everyone else at the office.” I dealt with daily guilt and shame, and didn’t realize how much stuff I had internalized. Fast forward, now i’m working from home, responsible for my own schedule, and I’m taking care of a baby. Oh, and I also cut out caffeine when I found out I was pregnant in 2020. Apparently that was a huge coping mechanism for me and the only way I could sit down and focus on something was while enjoying a warm cup of coffee that I felt I deserved. So my therapist sees the patterns, multiple mismatched careers, multiple long term relationships, one failed marriage, current marriage in the process of failing, and an academic record that was a hodgepodge of all my different random interests I pursued throughout college and graduate school. But the point of this post was to share that I found something that feels like it’s working. Wellbutrin SR 150mg split into a morning and night dose of 75mg each. I haven’t had insomnia since i started taking it which I had almost nightly, and I’ve had more productive days than I can ever remember. Usually I would have maybe one productive day every two weeks and be so drained after it. Wellbutrin blocks the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, and more dopamine means more focus for us! I’ve been taking it about two weeks but felt different within a few days. To anyone out there who like me is hesitant about stimulant medication and wants to try something, let your GP, PA, PCP, NP, psychologist, psychiatrist or other prescriber know! I will update this post as time goes on if anyone is interested about if it keeps working.

[STEM_Dad]

I hope that Wellbutrin continues to meet your needs well. I also hope that your husband comes around and accepts your diagnosis.

I was diagnosed at 45 with Inattentive ADHD, started on Adderall XR (which worked only somewhat for me), and then started on non-stimulant atomoxetine at 46.

Similarly to Wellbutrin, atomoxetine (aka Strattera) is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, and also acts as a mild selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. So, it's referred to as an SNRI or as an SSNRI.

For me, atomoxetine has been twice as effective as the Adderall was.

[Edit: Wellbutrin is classed as an NDRI, a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor. So, it treats both neurotransmitters associated with ADHD, not just norepinephrine or dopamine.]

I wonder if Wellbutrin would help me as much. My Inattentiveness is treated pretty well, but I still struggle with motivation. So, maybe the dopamine reuptake inhibitor quality would help me with that.

I'm looking forward to learning more about how well your meds help you, and I truly hope that your relationship with your husband improves.

(I've been divorced almost a year and a half. While I was going through my ADHD diagnosis and initial treatment, my wife also disbelieved my diagnosis. She eventually acknowledged it, but she ended up divorcing me for other reasons.)

[Gettingittogether in reply to STEM_Dad]

Wellbutrin doesn't work for everyone. But like you, it changed my life, gave me energy and focus. Figuratively and literally.

[oldrAddr]

Wellbrutrin actually increases dopamine level and that's the thing we need. glad it's working for you.

[BTV65]

My prescriber brought it up to me today, since I'm kind of depressed about my life (second marriage has basically crumbled and I'm struggling with feelings of a bleak future). So I came here to see what it is like for others.

My son and I share a similar diagnoses and identical medication/dosage. Years ago as a child when he was first being put on medication, we tried Straterra with him and it did nothing that we could see. So I never considered it for myself, since we are so similar. I'm wondering if I should give Wellbutrin a try, knowing it might not work. I guess I will never know without trying it though. We are all different.

[BlessedNeuroDiverse in reply to BTV65]

Every brain is unique. Try it but don’t lose hope if it doesn’t work! It may be trial and error finding the medication(s) that work with your brain chemistry. You’re already part of the way there, too, because you’re open to trying to find something. That’s a big and important first step, and something to feel pride about. We are all in this journey together, and you can always find support here