Adderall v Ritalin

[Sandy247]

I have Fibro and CFS and have recently come across some medical articles stating that when Ritalin or Adderall is given to patients with Fibro/CFS their memory and concentration levels rise.

Here is an extract....

'.....Dr. Teitelbaum believes Ritalin is underused in ME/CFS. Dr. Bateman uses both Ritalin and Adderall but in general prefers Adderall. Ritalin can exacerbate sleep problems in some patients.....'.

Has anyone been prescribed either Adderall or Ritalin for their CFS/Fibro and if so, how did it affect you?

Thank you

Sx

[Ian123]

I watched a video from the Bateman Horne Centre and took from that Ritalin was only used on none responders for Adderall as side effect risks were higher, especially mood changes so drinking at the last chance saloon was not advised if any other choice remained.

[BonnieSue]

I have fibro, GAD, PsA and a host of other maladies. I was prescribed dexedrine for the afternoons when I needed a lift due to exhaustion/fatigue and it worked well for me. It was only for maybe half a year or so but it allowed me to keep functioning at a time that I was struggling with extra fatigue and I needed to be functional. It was a success for me and was discontinued when I no longer needed it. It didn't interfere with my GAD medicine, which was surprising.

I currently keep caffeine pills with me and very occasionally take one if I'm struggling with exhaustion while out driving on errands or appointments and must be alert.

I realize this is not one of the drugs you asked about, but it's so similar, I believe my experience may still be useful to you.

[TheAuthor]

Hi, I have read this myself from the 'Health Rising Website' and they say:

*Studies

A small trial of Ritalin found increased thinking ability and reduced daytime sleepiness but only in 17% of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) patients. A pilot trial combining low-dose Ritalin and mitochondrial and immune enhancing supplements, however, found that over 70% of patients received ‘clinically significant’ benefits from the drug. Some participants in the trial were able to return to work. A double-blinded, placebo controlled trial called the Synergy trial is under way.

*Taken From Health Rising Website.

It may be worth discussing this with your GP but as Ian says the side effects can be severe with these medication. I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[annmarie2807 in reply to TheAuthor]

That would be amazing, I had to quit work last january due to my anxiety and total lack of concentration.

Sadly I would not be able to get anything for my lack of concentration or anything else as I have 2 challenging doctors at my clinic who are so hard to deal with

.... eg. I go in as my depression is really severe and I am struggling to keep going.... but apparently that is not interesting enough so he suggests that I come off my ibs tablets and my sensitive bladder tablets as they are toxins, he says, And theoretically in the future i could need high blood pressure tablets or heart tablets and they could interact with the bladder and bowel tabs! Now I dont know about you but I like having a bit of bowel and bladder control. It makes me happy. It also makes my body less toxic due to the being able to have bowel movements on my own.

Sure gives you a little more to be anxious about though!

Also whenever I try to get refills of allergy meds or my lansoprazole for excess stomach acid and hiatus hernia and they think I am a little early they refuse to fill them, even if I am ordering for the christmas holiday period, I guess early is early! Meanwhile if I order antidepressants or pain meds it goes through without comment.

Mind you if they ever come out with a pill to help stop me using sarcasm I am first in line! But I will have to be careful not to ask for early refills!

[TheAuthor in reply to annmarie2807]

My doctors are exactly the same over early prescriptions, yet I do not order them myself as my pharmacist takes care of it all an they won't send them to him either!

[Sandy247]

Thank you for your comments.

Susz, your caffeine suggestion is a good one but I don't have any caffeine in my diet as it gives me headaches.

Once I've had a word with my GP, I'll let you all know his reply.

Thanks again. Sx