Adderall

I know this may be somewhat of a controversial topic, but has anyone had any experience with the medication Adderall as it relates to their Lyme Disease? I was prescribed Adderall IR for many years and took it consistently without any negative side effects or issues both prior to, during, and after my official Lyme diagnoses.

I discontinued taking it a while ago, as the Lyme disease had run me down to a point where I was having a difficult time functioning normally, and spent most of my days working from home, and unable to participate in most social functions that I was invited to. I figured that taking a stimulant medication while my body was clearly exhausted would probably be counter-productive. Going off of the medication exasterbated my fatigue, concentration, and brain fog symptoms and drastically cut my day-to-day productivity, but I was so drained from the Lyme that I didn't even care.

Now, about a year out after getting re-diagnosed with Lyme at the beginning of 2017, and doing three months of ABX, plus 6-7 months of Buhner protocol, I am considering refilling my Adderall prescription and seeing how I do on it. I still have several doses left over from an old prescription, and over the past few months, have sporadically taken a dose here and there to see how it effects me, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that many of my symptoms temporarily subsided while on the medication. These results were consistent each time I took a dose of Adderall.

The fatigue and brain fog were still present to a certain extent, but drastically subsided, as I was able to almost fully-concentrate on what I was doing. In addition, my fatigue symptoms and aches and pains improved significantly - I was able to power through many chores and tasks without really even noticing the joint pain, whereas I normally would be in pain to the point where it was actually distracting from the task at hand. Another strange improvement while on the medication, was my balance. I struggle with vertigo and left-sided weakness daily, at times flaring up to the point where I need to sit down, or, if in public, need to take a minute to stop what I'm doing, focus, and re-orient myself. My mood was also improved, and I felt much less anxious and "on edge."

The next day, or several hours after each dose wore off, all of my symptoms re-presented themselves exactly as they were prior, no better or worse.

Financially, I am in a position where I cannot afford to not go back to work full-time in the near future. I can take the next few months off and continue to heal, but by mid-year, I really do not have a choice but to pull it together as best I can and resume life as normally as I can manage.

I would love to hear about anyone's prior experiences with this medication, and if they had similar abatement in any Lyme symptoms while taking it. I'm unaware of any legitimate studies published on this topic.

Side note: I am clinically diagnosed as ADHD, and have been for years. All medication was prescribed by a licensed doctor and I went through all of the proper channels to obtain this medication legally. I am not suggesting that anyone who is not prescribed to this medication try it as a "temp cure" or "experiment" for their Lyme symptoms.

Post Edited (Intuition) : 1/16/2018 7:07:26 PM (GMT-7)

I have had mixed results with amphetamines. Some have made me feel better, others have made me feel worse, at different points in my infection so it's hard to say which factors were more relevant. There were some studies wayyyy back that amphetamines helped with peripheral nerve dysfunction by increasing the firing rate of neurons and mitigating the delay of signals across broken fibers. Could be a reason why pain is reduced. I know coffee helps my nerves a lot. I don't know, however, how conducive the long term use of amphetamines is to healing. Been a long time since I've read on them but pretty sure they increase oxidative stress and accelerate atherosclerosis and other signs of aging and inflammation. But don't take that at face value. Again, haven't looked into the topic in years

Psilociraptor, what you are saying definitely makes sense in reference to the pain. While taking Adderall, the pain is significantly reduced for me, and I don't have that "numb sensation" in my muscles and joints.

LymePickle, I have never heard of Modafinil but I will look into it. In the past, I have tried both Concerta and Vyvanse as Adderall alternatives for AHDH and was not a fan of either.

LymeSick, I agree and good for you. I've had a few people over the years criticize me for taking Adderall, some even going to the extreme of blaming my Lyme symptoms on medication side-effects, which is crazy and delusional. I think everyone needs to stick with what works for them.

Just an FYI, but Adderall is a methyl group away from being Crystal Meth.

Among other things, Adderall activates protein kinases inside the neuron. I've said for a long time that I have protein kinase issues.

Remember - you can always wean off of it after you're healed.



Sometimes pharmaceuticals are necessary. We need to get some relief and not always do natural methods do the job.

LymeSick 🌟 said...
No offence Georgia Hunter, but it's comments like that, that make it really hard for people to get their prescription.
In Chemistry, one methyl group makes a huge difference. Meth is also usually sold as free base, in contrast to Adderall.
Adderall is one of the most researched medications in the world, and there hasn't been a single study that confirmed chronic adverse effects in humans.
And FYI, "Crystal Meth" (Methamphetamine) is an approved drug by the FDA, under the name Desoxyn. It helps people with narcolepsy, ADHD and obesity. Who I'm sure people who are prescribed that are looked upon even worse than we are.
There's a big difference between recreational use and supervised usage with severely limited dosages.
For the same reason MDMA was considered an awful drug due to comments like that, until they confirmed last year that in tiny dosages, it helps people with depression and PTSD.
/www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-designates-mdma-as-breakthrough-therapy-for-ptsd/

I don't take offense, I was just stating a fact. I deal with Adderall prescriptions every day and see them no differently than any other medication. They have their advantages and their disadvantages. To say there are no confirmed chronic adverse effects in humans is incorrect. I could post multiple references but that is not the intent of this post.

I've filled many more than a million prescriptions in my 25 years and never seen a Desoxyn prescription. There is a reason for that. I would describe the use of MDMA for PTSD as irresponsible. There are many different ways to treat PTSD that have fewer adverse effects. I once read research that showed PTSD was a GI disorder. I should have saved it but it wasn't my focus at the time.

I guess I'll have to agree to disagree with some of the posts here.

Good luck Intuition, do what's best for you.

Each of us have personal experiences that helps mold the way we think about different things. If we were in the others shoes, we may feel differently than we do now. I've been doing this a long time and have a lot of stories. Always weigh the benefit of a medication verses the risk.

I've tried Vyvanse (similar to Aderall), and it helped with alertness but it is expensive and difficult to get. (Pharmacies would run out all the time, wow every kid in town trying to get some..)

Another option for those looking to help with attention and focus is Mucuna. it's an inexpensive herb and provides L-Dopa (as in dopamine). if you have a dopamine based depression or deficiency you will feel much better. It is not addictive at all. I combine it with L-theanine.

It gives a very nice sense of wellbeing. (if you are low on dopamine).

I like the one made by "Barlowe's herbal elixirs"

Last year (after treatment completed) I complained about being so dysfunctional, unfocused. My Lyme, confection treatment improved many symps but struggled to accomplish anything short of few house hold tasks. My Dr suggested I try Adderral, she said some of her chronic patients found it helpful. I would take 10mg or 20mg(if able to get up early am).

I was stunned at the difference. I was not that familiar with Adderal other than it was a stimulant. My experience: I never felt stimulated, energetic (I guess I was expecting a surge of energy). Instead I find it helps with brain fog, allows me to stay focused on tasks and plan tasks (without it I just feel I'm not able to think normally, I'm a to do list kind of person(I was before anyway) able to write basic to do list but unable to stay on task.). My fatigue is reduced which I think is why I can do more tasks, joints, muscles hurt less. Overall less pain, discomfort. I get motivated to do as much as possible before medicine wears off. It allows me to deal with paper, bills better. Paper piles up normally. Helps me be able to drive longer distances when required, otherwise just local driving(5 miles radius), allows me to talk more(maybe too much), a bit more social, temporary restoration of my personality.

Side effects: initially chest pressure, heart rate increase, not as obvious now days. Persistent hunger pains but without need or desire to satisfy them by eating, the pangs persist until med wears off, annoying but acceptable since I'm able to function and feel less poorly for 6-7 hours (I was taking XR version) this past week she refilled just the non XR generic and I notice only lasts about 4 hours but much less expensive.

I'm not sure this is typical response to this med but I'm being told it is exactly the response. If it were not beneficial I get the impression I would feel stimulated obtain, body?). All I know is I'm grateful for this med. Allows me to be functional for a period of time so I can catch up on basic chores.

Hope this helps someone considering. I personally don't like to take rx and will try supplements first but they were not helpful. I consider myself a Christian in case anyone is struggling with the decision to try Adderral. If it helps then I've come to accept it is ok. I only take it on days I have to be funtional( got too far behind on chores, need to drive longer distances).

Fyi, I wrote my Adderal experience before reading any posts in this thread. Looks like fellow pygmies have similar benefit for period of time taking Adderal. I would concur with first poster if you are at height of Lyme symps or having cortisol, adrenal issues may want to wait till feel a bit better. As always, consult with your LLMD

Lymies not pygmies....autoincorrect...good greif...lol