Hi Roger,
I've read scholarly articles about chronic pain patients developing same symptoms of ADD or ADHD. I forget exactly what causes it but for myself just the pain itself is a constant distraction and definitely makes it difficult to concentrate and focus on tasks and takes all my energy away causing me to get so tired I lose my patience as well. I suggest googling these words, chronic pain and ADHD. You will find a ton of validation. There's definitely a link between the two and talk to your Dr about it. If your pain doc won't prescibe it or a different. ADHD med go to your PCP and ask for it. He/she will either prescibe it or give you a referral for an evaluation for ADHD and you will get help. If you don't have insurance or a PCP look for a family practice Dr. That has a sliding scale for payment based on your income. Knowledge is power on your behalf.
Ritalin is also prescribed for narcolepsy which is getting very sleepy and can't stay awake while driving or studying,etc.
Good luck with your ordeal. I completely understand what you're going through.
Jim
Hi, I suffer from chronic pain from herniated discs and pain from broken and fracturing apl my ribs when my car fell on me while checking under the engine the jack broke.
I also have ADHD and have been taking Ritalin, methylphenidate, to help focus. I've found that even though I have stopped taking high doses of narcotics, methadone and Dilaudid for breakthrough pain that when my dr increased my Ritalin dosage to 3/day it has helped my pain considerably.
I was curious about the results of this and googled using Ritalin for chronic pain and found many articles about it helping others with and without ADHD.
Ritalin works by increasing the dopamine in our brains. Dopamine is linked to both the part of our brain that helps us focus better and the reward center of our brain that makes us feel good, haapier, etc.
In conclusion, I definitely think that central nervous system stimulants do help relieve chronic pain, at least for me. I am no longer taking pain killers.
Good luck I know how hard it is to function with pain nagging at you dar and night.
Jim