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Adderall for fibro fatigue

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Posted 10/6/2012 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
A week ago, my psych prescribed adderall because my depression/Fibro fatigue has gotten so bad I'm unable to be productive at work. The first day or two I felt MUCH better, but i've lost ~7lbs in 5 days and have been sleeping about 4hrs a night. And when the drug wears off, I'm left feeling really weepy and....odd.

My question is: is it worth it to keep taking adderall and hope the side effects level off?

I'm out of options with a lot of drugs. I've tried almost all of the flavors of SSRIs, mood stabilizers/anti-psychotics/anti-epileptics, & benzos. Since FM is linked with poor slow wave sleep (and my sleep study showed that I NEVER entered stage 4 sleep), it seems counterintuitive to treat with a stimulant that is keeping me awake. But I'm really running out of options. And a google search confirms that adderall is only for "treatment-resistant" depression. And the T-R word rhymes with "nothing left but electroshock" so...I'm getting desperate to find that "right combo of medications". I'm starting to think they haven't been invented yet.

Single white female Female, 27 years old.
FM: 5years. Depression/Anxiety: 10+ (and the associated IBS, migraines, TMD, etc. etc.)
Daily Meds: Adderall (10mg 2x), Cymbalta (120mg), Gabapentin (300mg), Topiramate (100mg)
PRN Meds: Tamazepam (30mg), Cyclobenzaprine (10mg), Promethazine (25mg)
Posted 10/7/2012 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I take adderall 20mg twice a day. I try to take it at 10am and 4pm. I recently met with a sleep doctor because I have to have a sleep study done and he said the doses of adderall and the times that I am taking it should not affect my sleep because I go to bed around 12am. How late in the day are you taking the 2nd dose of adderall and what time do you go to bed? Maybe you can just adjust the times that you are taking the 2nd dose? I take adderall for "A.D.D" which I think is probably just fibro fog but it has helped me a lot since I work full time and am going to grad school part time. I also take Lamictal 400mg to treat a mood disorder and sometimes I think the adderall makes me a little more agitated but I try and just deal with that. Also, if you happen to have a mood disorder an SSRI would probably not be very effective for you anyway because it tends to cause mania. Also, my psychiatrist told me that I am taking a chance by taking 25 mg of Amitriptyline because it can have the same effect but so far I have been okay. She definitely told me that taking cymbalta and lyrica do not interact well with mood disorders so I wonder if that has something to do with the odd feeling you have after taking the adderall? For me, the decrease in appetite isn't such a bad thing because I could stand to lose a few pounds but even though it suppreses the appetite it is important to eat something because you might be feeling jittery as the meds are wearing off which also may give you the odd feeling.
Posted 10/7/2012 11:09 AM (GMT 0)
You will level out with the weightloss. Do try to eat, even if you don't feel like it. Fresh fruits and vegies is what I do. I take 30mg time release adderall. I really like it. I don't crash when I come off of it though. I take ambien for sleep and a xanax. The xanax relaxes me. But the adderall doesn't make me nervous. Just gives me energy.

I am not saying it is the right drug for you, it may not be. But it works well for me. I would be in bed without it.

Best wishes to you...

I hope that you feel better soon...

Hugs, Karen
PS Welcome to the forum and if you get a chance, check out the first thread titled "fibro 101". It has a lot of good info...
Posted 10/7/2012 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
Lucky that you could get prescribed Adderall at all, my PCP practically laughed in my face and said he wouldn't do it as it was not apropriate for FM fatigue treatment. Really it comes down to what makes you function best. If you are able to function much better on Adderall, then maybe the side effects are worth it. Just keep a look out because its affects will decrease over time.
Posted 10/7/2012 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
Frequent Flyer,

Have you thought about trying another doctor? It does help...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 10/8/2012 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Frequent Flyer,

I agree. Any doctor that laughed in my face would not be getting another visit from me! Personally, I don't think PCPs are trained very well in regard to mental health treatment because it is not their area of speciality. You may have better luck if you go to a psychiatrist. I keep my adderall next to my bed and when I have mornings when I just want to stay in bed all day, I take one and after about 15 minutes I have "enough" energy to at least get up and get out the door. There are other stimulants that do the same thing that your dr. may be more comfortable with.. I took concerta for years and it did wonders but eventually it stopped working for me. You could also try provigil which is actually a med used to treat narcolepsy so maybe you could talk your dr into that?
Posted 10/8/2012 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
I felt a reduction in my pain after starting paxil.
Posted 10/8/2012 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with the posts above, Frequent Flyer - PCPs SUCK with complicated psych issues! When I moved to a new state, I had to get a new Doc. He gladly wrote all new prescriptions AND signed the paperwork for a disabled plate, but sent me to a psych for cymbalta (that I'd been stable on for years) *eyeroll*. My guess is your PCP doesn't want to deal with prescribing a class ii, since you have to get a paper prescription in person from the office every month (no refills!)

As for me, I didn't take any Adderall yesterday and only one today around 1pm. (My doc said this is fine - just use as I need) I ate some tuna and have tried to drink more water. Didn't have as much energy but I don't feel shaky either. And I didn't crash so that's good.

I guess I'm just uneasy to be on an amphetamine. In no way am I ADD. Quite the opposite, actually. So I was shocked when my doctor said to give it a try. if it works he said I could use them as long as I want...which also makes me nervous.
Posted 10/8/2012 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
A funny anecdote: I live alone with my 75lb black lab, Ziggy. Normally she's the light of my life and top priority, etc. However, the past week I've stayed late at work every night and have been super irritable when I come home, so she's been feeling neglected :( (and I've been feeling guilty!) I noticed that the half an adderall, which I set on my nightstand, was missing this afternoon...and I didn't take it. It seems my poor, neglected dog has turned to drugs!!!

(OF COURSE, I'm horrified and keeping all of my pills and potions safely out of nose reach from now on!! She has normally won't go near anything that smells or looks like medicine b/c I've had to trick her plenty of times to get her to take her doggy pills so it wasnt something i was worried about. And Ziggy is totally fine - other than a little dry mouth ;)
Posted 10/8/2012 6:38 AM (GMT 0)
Im sorry you find yourself at this point. I stand there alot. I want so desperatley for there to be a medicine to fix this and after taking a prescribed med I begin to doubt, wondering which is best. Listen to your body. If you need to stop, try calling your doctor and discussing it. Maybe it is a situation where after the * week, your body will have adjusted to the meds. You will better see what it is doing for you and against you. I was prescribed low dose xanax for tension from pain-cant take painkillers--I feel even slower and foggier, of course---but I dont snap in pain and lash out at loved ones. well, I didnt reallly LASH... devil is what dh would say.
Posted 10/8/2012 6:46 AM (GMT 0)
I had always heard adderal should be taken daily at same time. Trying to maintain an equal level in the system. I didnt make it past my first dose. It was very uncomfortable.
Posted 10/8/2012 9:14 AM (GMT 0)
I did try to get Provigil FYI, but my insurance won't cover it. Seeing a psychiatrist on the 15th and hoping to get things ironed out!
Posted 10/8/2012 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
Provigil doesn't work nearly as well in my opinion. But that is just me. Concerta didn't work consistantly for me. But the adderall worked well.

Zigexdy, I am glad that your dog is okay. Please don't leave meds out for him to get. That is scarey. Mine would do the same thing. Adderalls are sweet and they think it is candy. Please be careful...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 10/8/2012 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Provigil didn't work for me either but since it's a med for narcolepsy I was thinking it might be easier to get your PCP to prescribe it. I think I had issues with my insurance too now that you mention it. I usually adjust when I take my adderall according to my schedule. If you take the short acting kind it doesn't usually last more than 5 hours. I was taking the extended release version but I hated it because all it seemed to do was make me shaky all day. You are taking a relatively low dose of adderall maybe you could just switch to 10mg and take it during a point in the day where you need to be productive but not so late that it would affect your sleep? Have you had blood work done to check your vitamin levels and maybe your thyroid too? I recently started taking B12 and I feel a little boost of energy, could be placebo effect though who knows? Also, have you tried tricyclic antidepressants? They usually have a better effect on fibro pain. I also took Gabapentin and it made me so tired I couldn't even move. Just some suggestions. I hope you feel better soon!
Posted 10/9/2012 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Adderall XR for nearly 7 years. I started taking it for Adult ADD back before I was ever diagnosed with Fibro, and the symptoms that I was experiencing at that time may have actually been more due to Fibro than ADD. Zigexdy, I had many of the side effects that you are experiencing when I first started taking it, and they do slowly taper off. Your dose may need to be increased as your body adjusts to your taking it. I started out taking 10 mg daily, and I now take 40 mg. As several of the others have mentioned, it is important to eat, even though you may not have an appetite when taking this this med. I ate light foods in the beginning such as fruits, salads, and cottage cheese. You also need to drink plenty of water or this med will not work properly.

Adderall really helps me with the fatigue from Fibro. There are days that I would not have the energy to accomplish anything without it. I would just sit and think about what I need to do, but never summon up the energy to actually do it. If I forget to take it, I am very fatigued, and sometimes sleep all day. It also helps me with the fibro fog. It seems to be the most effective for me if I take it first thing of a morning before I have anything to eat, although I don't always remember to take it until later. I have found that after taking it for so many years, I can take it up until the middle of the afternoon without it interfering with my sleep.

I don't believe that any of our dogs have ever taken our medication before, but one of our labs did accidentally consume an entire packet of mouse poison once. Fortunately, we found out right away, and gave him peroxide to induce vomiting. He had to be on vitamin K pills for awhile, but has suffered no ill-effects. One of our beagles also recently ate one of my daughter's disposable contact lenses that she dropped on the floor.

Post Edited (steppingstone) : 10/9/2012 10:07:58 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/21/2013 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
After 2 years with fibro and being so tired I could literally do nothing I decided to do some research on line to get well. Read that adding 10mg of Adderall has helped others so suggested it to my doc. Started taking it yesterday----Adderall er at 8am. Cleaned my whole house. No side effects at all. Never so happy in my whole life. Can't believe doctors don't suggest this. Also got a good nights sleep. Started to feel very sore about 4pm but got dinner, did dishes without a major problem. Took an aleeve at 4pm to help with muscle soreness. I also take one 5-325mg of hydrocodone in the morning. Woke up this morning feeling fine and looking forward to another productive day.Beg your doc for this if you have to. I can't believe I have suffered for so long with no help. I used to take Cymbalta but had to stop because the head sweating was unbearable.
Posted 8/21/2013 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
Worn-out,

I am happy for you. I take adderall er 30mg. It really helps.

Welcome to the fibromyalgia forum. Feel free to start a thread to introduce yourself. We would like to get to know you better.

Also there is a thread called "fibro 101". It is the first thread on the forum. There is a ton of great information there, I hope that you read some.

Take care and have an awesome day. Good luck with the adderall.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/27/2013 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
o.k., I will. able now to focus on one task a day and complete it. after 2 years of not being able to do anything I am thrilled to start accomplishing things. Hope my doc will work with me with this med. it wears off about 4pm and I can't stay awake past 9pm. Does anyone have any suggestions. I was thinking maybe 1 ir at 8am and then my er at noon. Too bad that I have to do all the research for this but I know I am now on the right track.
Posted 10/10/2013 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have just been given adderall for my fatigue,depression,etc. I feel like i've been searching for an answer to whatever it is that makes me so tired,loss of joy. I have been treated with every antidepressant out there and several combinations. I am an RN and work 40 hrs a week in a clinic. When I come home from work, all I want to do is get in bed. Bed is my refuge, I love being in my bed. The problem is I have children, 19,16,5. They deserve so much more from their mother. My oldest are in and out and the 5 yr old spends alot of time at my mom's. This last weekend I came home from a last night (1am Sat) and slept over 36 hours. I did get up to go to the bathroom and I walked to the living room/kitchen several times but other than that, I was asleep. I can not keep doing this. My life is turning into nothing but work and sleep. I hurt all over (but have never really be diagnosed with FB or CF. I just know that there is something out there that can get me out of this darkness. I will start the adderall as I get it from the pharmacy but I see my doctor on a telecommunication visit so he is mailing the rx. I have been searching for answers to my pain, fatigue and depression for over 15 yrs. I thought maybe just venting would help, also, so I joined this group.
Posted 10/11/2013 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Yikes !

{disclaimer; I'm sorry to be so anti-prescription drugs over here all the time. If they help you, and you totally trust your Dr. with your health / life, well okay.... but PLEASE be really careful !}

Recently, I came across a weightlifting / body building forum, where somebody had asked about Adderall, to help them get really pumped up, and extra-energetic for their workouts !

Sure ! Why not ? At 49 yo, I could use a boost for my workouts sometimes myself.

So I started looking into Adderall.... price, availability, side effects, etc.

And what I found, was that Adderall is an > amphetamine ! Yes, as in METH-amphetamine ! But wait..... It is actually more refined, with "maybe" less immediate, hard core side effects, than the Meth one might buy on the street corner....

So I had to ask some of the young people I work with (they always know all about every street drug available) and this is what one knowledgeable (and wise... in some respects, anyway :) young friend told me about Adderall.....

> "Yea', it's available..... but that #### is pretty messed up. I knew one guy who took it every day for a month or two, and it was all good.... until he ran out... couldn't find anymore... attempted suicide, and ended up in rehab....."

No amphetamines for me !

Again, please just be careful,

Peace,

Fish

Posted 10/11/2013 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
It isn't meth amphetamine, it is dextroamphetamine. They don't use the same chemicals as they do for the street corner stuff. Adderall is amphetamine salts. The stuff that they make on the streeets is trying to copy the same chemical with different things. Things that are bad for you. That eat you inside out... I have been on Adderall for over ten years, no problems here...
Posted 11/10/2016 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a 41 year-old woman with 2 kids (ages6 and 7) and a career and I suffer daily from Fibro, depression/anxiety and A.D.D., and adderall has been a total life saver - especially with my Fibro symptoms like fatigue and Fibro fog. It even helps with the pain in the sense that it gives you enough energy to "move thru" the pain - especially in the morning when you can't get out of bed otherwise!

It's important to keep in mind that, when you first start adderall, you really feel it's effects - I remember cleaning and organizing every closet in the house the first time I took it - LOL- because it can be intense at first. However, once your body gets used to it, you no longer get the jitters, your appetite comes back and you can sleep again (kind of like drinking coffee - many of us probably remember the buzz we got from our first cup:) believe me, after years of taking adderall, my closets are a mess again and I kinda wish I had those jitters again sometimes ;) I would hang in there and maybe try taking just one pill a day instead of 2.

Also, you might want to ask your doctor about trying a similar drug called Vyvanse - I've been told that women generally like Vyvanse more than adderall because it's not as intense and doesn't have the highs and lows - it seems to work more steadily throughout the day. I've also felt weepy, emotional and kinda crazy coming down from adderall but it's when I was taking too much of it. It's no fun to feel that way, so If you keep feeling a crash, i would definitely go back to your doc and see what else you can try. There's also the "vigils" - Provigil, Nuvigil - that people seem to really like as well. Best of luck to you!
Posted 11/11/2016 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
I will think about the adderall if i ever need to..

I had read what one member said..and since i do not like coffee..one weak cup a day...

I got a caffiene pill..i take 1/2 a day and get a boost..i also use corvalen m which gives you energy at the cellular level.

If these ever do not work i would think about it
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