Ritalin

[michelangelina]

Hello! I recall a few of you commenting that you take Ritalin for fatigue. I am on Ibrance 100mg and Letrozole, and have been stable for 6 years. I do get periods of fatigue, especially in the late afternoon. I work full time, and usually just push through the fatigue, but am wondering if Ritalin would help. For those of you who take it--how much do you take and how often? Have you noticed any side effects from the Ritalin? There is always Ritalin in my house because my husband takes it for ADHD but I have been reluctant to try it. I imagine I could get my own prescription pretty easily. Another option would be to ask to lower my Ibrance dosage. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Jhshl512]

Hi. I take 5mg of Ritalin and it helps tremendously. I started at 10mg, but found I was too jittery on 10. It really does help. I find I am more alert and focused. It really helps with brain fog as well. My doctor advised twice a day but don’t take your second one after 2pm as it can cause insomnia. I no longer work so I take it as needed. Going out shopping today with my best friend so I just took one!! Stay strong and I hope you get the same benefits as I did

Lori

[michelangelina in reply to Jhshl512]

Thanks so much for the information, especially about the dosage. That is very helpful! Stay well!

[HoneyBadgerLady]

I tried ritalin for fatigue and brain fog from mbc treatment. It worked well but had an unfortunate side effect. I tend to sometimes clench and grind my teeth when sleeping and that got much worse when on ritalin. I ended up cracking a molar and needing a root canal. So my oncologist took me off the ritalin.

[michelangelina in reply to HoneyBadgerLady]

Thanks so much for your reply and for sharing your experience. Cracked molar--ouch! I hope you are doing well now.

[HoneyBadgerLady in reply to michelangelina]

I'm wobbly, weary, and worried but hanging in there.

[Mimigram]

I suggest you ask your Oncologist to lower Ibrance dose to 75mg which I did.

Mimi

[michelangelina in reply to Mimigram]

Yes, I may talk to him about that. Thanks for the input! I hope you are well.

[sevoia]

I am on 75mg of Ibrance and have fatigue. I don't take anything for it, but find I have to take a nap occasionally or just muscle through it.

[michelangelina in reply to sevoia]

Yes, it is possible that I will still have fatigue even if I am taking the lower dose. Thanks for your reply! I hope you are doing well.

[sevoia in reply to michelangelina]

I am doing ok, but they found a new spot on my skull with my last PET scan. I see my oncologist on Thursday, so we will see what that is all about

[michelangelina in reply to sevoia]

I will pray for you!

[sevoia in reply to michelangelina]

Thank you so much

[Gramat in reply to sevoia]

I hope all goes well tomorrow.

[Bettybuckets]

sounds like your fatigue isn’t soul crushing so I’d say try the Ritalin first before you give up on a good thing. There have been shortages of Ritalin lately… another really good drug for that is Provigil and has been used for chemo brain too… it is actually first used for narcolepsy! And interestingly was given to our troops to push thru the desert overnight in the surprise attack in desert storm to keep everyone safely awake more than 24 hrs.. they come inv100mg and 200 Mg… I suggest the lowest dose and cutting it in half… so start with 50 mg… as I remember the half life is 12 hrs so if you take in the morning it won’t interfere with sleep that night. Just an alternate suggestion and hope that was helpful.

Beth

[michelangelina in reply to Bettybuckets]

I have never heard of Provigil, but it sounds very interesting! Thanks so much for the tip. I hope you are doing well.