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Stimulant meds?
Hello to all! I was diagnosed with fibro in May (also with CFS) and my doctor prescribed me adderall. I would love to hear from anyone else taking adderall to combat the awful fatigue and brain fog associated with fibro/cfs. How much, how often do you take and how much benefit do you see?
I started on 5mg 2x per day, which did not do anything. Was increased to 10mg 2x per day. Still no great improvement. At first I felt that my mind was clearer, but that only lasted a few days. I still napped all day and felt weak, tired and as if my brain were switched on "low."
I would not increase dosage with a doctor's okay, and so I am consulting with him every few weeks. I am up to 35 to 45 mg per day, and to be honest, the results are not non-existent, but not great. Maybe my epxectations were too high. I knew I wouldn't feel the way I did before this illness took over, but I think deep down I was hoping. I do not fall asleep at the drop of a hat during the day now, but I also am still extremely tired all day and could probably take all 45 mg at once and still fall asleep within a few hours. I seem to metabolize this drug very fast and a dose lasts me barely 3 hours. I think my thinking is a tiny bit clearer, but my memory is still shot, I still forget words every other sentence and do stupid, annoying things like lose things and forget things all the time, which I never used to do.
How high should I be willing to go on this stuff? If I am seeing only minimal improvements on 45 mg, how much improvement might I see at, say, 60 mg, or 75 mg? Will there really be that much of a difference that it's worth sticking with this?
I must say too that I have had absolutely NO side effects except for a slightly tinny taste in my mouth at first, and again each time I increse the dose. So does that mean I am not yet at an effective dosage, or does it just mean this drug hasn't and will not really have an affect on me?
I started on 5mg 2x per day, which did not do anything. Was increased to 10mg 2x per day. Still no great improvement. At first I felt that my mind was clearer, but that only lasted a few days. I still napped all day and felt weak, tired and as if my brain were switched on "low."
I would not increase dosage with a doctor's okay, and so I am consulting with him every few weeks. I am up to 35 to 45 mg per day, and to be honest, the results are not non-existent, but not great. Maybe my epxectations were too high. I knew I wouldn't feel the way I did before this illness took over, but I think deep down I was hoping. I do not fall asleep at the drop of a hat during the day now, but I also am still extremely tired all day and could probably take all 45 mg at once and still fall asleep within a few hours. I seem to metabolize this drug very fast and a dose lasts me barely 3 hours. I think my thinking is a tiny bit clearer, but my memory is still shot, I still forget words every other sentence and do stupid, annoying things like lose things and forget things all the time, which I never used to do.
How high should I be willing to go on this stuff? If I am seeing only minimal improvements on 45 mg, how much improvement might I see at, say, 60 mg, or 75 mg? Will there really be that much of a difference that it's worth sticking with this?
I must say too that I have had absolutely NO side effects except for a slightly tinny taste in my mouth at first, and again each time I increse the dose. So does that mean I am not yet at an effective dosage, or does it just mean this drug hasn't and will not really have an affect on me?
Has anyone ever tried Vyvanse? I was prescribed this for ADD. It helped with my fatigue and angxiety. i have had no side affects. I have been in alot of pain and am know thinking I may have FM also.
Hi. I take Provigil . . . it works great for me, more energy and more focus . . . but I have learned that I have to pace my self or I will crash too.
If you are worried about weight gain, I have found that Provigil actually decreases my appetite.
Good luck!
If you are worried about weight gain, I have found that Provigil actually decreases my appetite.
Good luck!
I am on Adderall for CFS/FM and NO it doesn't work that well. I am on 40 mg of Adderall extended release and 20 of the immediate release per day. However, I am able to read some and focus more than when not on it.
I am completely exhausted all the time. My fatigue is unrelenting. I can't work, cook, clean, do laundry, care for my children, etc. I love when people say they have extreme exhaustion (yet they work, lol). My extreme exhaustion confines me to my house, This GD disease has ruined my life and my kids lives (I am a little bitter).
I am completely exhausted all the time. My fatigue is unrelenting. I can't work, cook, clean, do laundry, care for my children, etc. I love when people say they have extreme exhaustion (yet they work, lol). My extreme exhaustion confines me to my house, This GD disease has ruined my life and my kids lives (I am a little bitter).
I have taken in the past both Adderal and the patch form, the name of which escapes me. I found the patch helpful, as much, or more then the addrall. I stopped because I became deathly ill with an adrenal/pituitary issue and wanted to let my body rest and felt it wouldn't do that if I continued taking stimulants. I have recently considered going back on. The advantage of the patch (you should be able to find out the name if you google add and patch) is that it starts working about a half hour after you apply it and stops within an hour of removal so you can sleep and have more control over the dose. I liked that. I found it more reliable then the pills. The highest dose of the pill form I've taken was 25mg, any more then that and I think I would be crawling the walls. Good luck. I know how horrible it can be when you're trying to get doses right. And trying new medications.
All i take is provigil and muralax I don't ever plan to take other meds. Just learn to live with it we have no other choice. Provigil helps and if I can keep on going with that so be it.
i also tried provigil which i had 5 days i was the energizer bunny then i dropped hard- the worst flare up and that was 4 mths ago and things have been bad since. just tired of taking all these med and then one day they say there is problem with one of them another worry!
Don't give up hope. You may have to see your Dr. dozens of times for med changes before you hit on a combo that works. I am a Nurse with fibro and am now on Effexor and I also take Adderall 10 mg am and again at noon if needed. Provigil kept me awake but has worked well for many other people. Each of us react differently. You may also benefit from a sleep aide at night such as Ambien or Lunesta. After many trials and errors I have something that has helped my severe fatigue and depression. The pain isn't the biggest issue for me. It was the fatigue, and Adderall was my answer. However if you are having to increase that much with no results I would be concerned about side effects and would consider going either to another MD. or Rheumatologist. Good luck!!!
I take 400mg of Lyrica and 200mg of Provigil. Doesn't really keep me from feeling tired, but does keep me from sleeping during the day. Blue Cross will pay for both.
I have tried Ritalin (which I think is similar to Adderall), Provigil, and Strattera for the "fogginess" associated with my chronic low-level dizziness, which may be due to inner ear and/or brain problems. I may also have some fibromyalgia, but I have not been diagnosed with ANYTHING (except hearing loss)--the cause of all my symptoms is unknown.
It was a neurologist (whom I saw for the dizziness and possible MS symptoms) that had me try Provigil and later Ritalin for "attention and concentration deficits related to chronic dizziness," as he wrote in his report. Both drugs worked very well, but after a year or two they each stopped working so well (this is a known thing that sometimes happens with Provigil--it stops being so effective).
I switched to Strattera (an attention-deficit disorder drug, even though I don't have ADD, or at least not a diagnosed case) and it has been FANTASTIC. I got my head back! I can think and concentrate perfectly normally again. With no ups and downs associated with the "meth" (Ritalin) and no side effects at all. I have been taking Strattera for three years and am extremely happy with it. It didn't help the dizziness itself, but it took away the fog. Hallelujah!!
Some drugs just work better than others for specific individuals. If Adderall isn't helping you, see if you can try Provigil or Strattera, or even Ritalin. Provigil and Strattera are incredibly expensive, though, and not all insurances will pay for Provigil.
Good luck--the brain fog stinks, doesn't it!
Nancy T.
It was a neurologist (whom I saw for the dizziness and possible MS symptoms) that had me try Provigil and later Ritalin for "attention and concentration deficits related to chronic dizziness," as he wrote in his report. Both drugs worked very well, but after a year or two they each stopped working so well (this is a known thing that sometimes happens with Provigil--it stops being so effective).
I switched to Strattera (an attention-deficit disorder drug, even though I don't have ADD, or at least not a diagnosed case) and it has been FANTASTIC. I got my head back! I can think and concentrate perfectly normally again. With no ups and downs associated with the "meth" (Ritalin) and no side effects at all. I have been taking Strattera for three years and am extremely happy with it. It didn't help the dizziness itself, but it took away the fog. Hallelujah!!
Some drugs just work better than others for specific individuals. If Adderall isn't helping you, see if you can try Provigil or Strattera, or even Ritalin. Provigil and Strattera are incredibly expensive, though, and not all insurances will pay for Provigil.
Good luck--the brain fog stinks, doesn't it!
Nancy T.
I take 20 mg a day for ADD, 45mg is A LOT, at 60 to 75mg I would think the side effects would be intense, at least for me.
I'll write back if we find it helps her, she tried one (20mg) last weekend and it took her two days to feel normal again but it may be that she doesn't tolerate it well.
I'll write back if we find it helps her, she tried one (20mg) last weekend and it took her two days to feel normal again but it may be that she doesn't tolerate it well.
I just started taking my Wellbutrin again. It dramaticaly increased my focus and energy level after a couple of weeks to a month on it the last time. Even the anxiety problems went away on it. Something about being able to focus through your anxiety so it doesn't get rolling to begin with. Only thing I don't like about it is it metabolizes about 8 different times and has a 36 hour base duration, so its never the same. One evening you find yourself still sitting up at midnight all engrossed in some movie, full of energy and focus. Next night your passed out on the floor at 6 pm.
So far I have been able to maintain my weight. I am overweight, but I also have degenerative osteoarthritis, and Type II diabetes, so weight has been a factor for some time. It's amazing that some people, some doctors included, that still don't recognize fibro as a
real
disease. It does cause all kinds of deficiencies, and problems, including sleep problems, but it is very real. The social security administratin now recognizes it as a cause for disability if severy enough, which I don't think they would do if it wasn't "real". In my experience you have to try lots of different things until you find the right one for you, that is what is so frustrating about this disease. You think you have it under control, and then it changes on youo. Good luck, and keep posting! I know we all try to help, but sometimes don't feel up to checking the website. PS: I do have headaces, but attribute them to my hernaited disc removal and fusion which I am still recovering from. A lot of muscle pain in shoulders and neck.
real
disease. It does cause all kinds of deficiencies, and problems, including sleep problems, but it is very real. The social security administratin now recognizes it as a cause for disability if severy enough, which I don't think they would do if it wasn't "real". In my experience you have to try lots of different things until you find the right one for you, that is what is so frustrating about this disease. You think you have it under control, and then it changes on youo. Good luck, and keep posting! I know we all try to help, but sometimes don't feel up to checking the website. PS: I do have headaces, but attribute them to my hernaited disc removal and fusion which I am still recovering from. A lot of muscle pain in shoulders and neck.
I came off meds from doctor as it made me feel worse. Lately I found out from my pulmonologist fibromyalgia is a label on a list of symptoms. I spent 12 years with fibromyalgia. I have now discovered that I have been short on cortisol, vitamin B12 and have sleep apnea. There is a reason for you feeling this way, Your doctor needs to help you find the cause of it, not just treat the symptoms. Good luck on your search.
Thanks for your response!!!!!! I was giving up hope!
I've read about Lyrica and done some research. Glad to hear it's helping you so much! Do you have any of the possible negative side effects like weight gain, headaches, etc?
I've read about Lyrica and done some research. Glad to hear it's helping you so much! Do you have any of the possible negative side effects like weight gain, headaches, etc?
I don't have experience with Adderall.....but, I have recently started on Lyrica. Started out 25mg 3x a day, now increased to 50mg 3x a day. I is really helping with my fatigue and fog. I have started swimming, and walking a mile a day most days. I seem to have much more energy on most days. I do still get tired, especially if I forget a dose. It has greatly helped me. It was just approved by the FDA about 2 months ago for fibro. I would recommend trying it. My doctor gave me samples until we get the right dosage. Good luck, and let me know how you are doing. PS It's the first med that has really helped with the "fog". I take neurontin and tizanadine for muscle spams. They help too.
No one can even comment on this????? I can't be the only one prescribed Adderall for CFS or Fibro.
Doesn't anyone have any experience with Adderall to share? If not, what do you use for fatigue and/or brain fog? Mine is so severe, I desperately need to know what I can do for it.
Thanks!
Thanks!
1 Comments
I have been dx with fibromyalgia and take Adderall for the "fibro fog" and depression. It has helped a great deal, but I have found that 80mg a day is the dose that is beneficial. I have been taking that when I work and not taking it all when I don't work. I have to use my brain and have energy at work. I plan to ask my doctor if it is possible to go up to that dose, but have a feeling he will not. I have been looking for articles that dosing should be based on weight, but cannot find a heck of a lot. I see you last wrote in 2007 .. that was 9 years ago, so I doubt this will be helpful at this point.
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