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addarall and lyme?

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Posted 12/17/2014 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor wants me to start taking addrall along with my vitamins and abx. She wanted me to start last month but I wanted to see how I was on just the change in abx first. She acknowledges my concern about not wanting to "fake sense of feeling better" with the neuro symptoms, but she just wants to see if it will take the edge off.

Anyone tried this approach?

Posted 12/17/2014 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Your doc wants you to use adderall to take the edge off of what exactly? That's a drug used in ADHD and narcolepsy. If you are having issues with your adrenals, it could bring them dangerously low.
Posted 12/17/2014 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Traveler - thanks for chiming in!

And good question about the adrenals, because she took blood to check adrenals and liver enzymers (and some other inflammatiory markers) during my appt yesterday. Perhaps I wait and see what the results show.

And by take the edge off she means help me with concentration and focus. Both are major issues for me, along with dull headaches, general fogginess, and disorientation. And some light vertigo

God I hate lyme.

Post Edited (cappuccinocurls) : 12/17/2014 1:32:31 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/17/2014 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Is your concentration and focus that bad?
I tried Provigil one time, but I didn't stay on it long because even though it felt like I had more energy, I could tell that it was draining me faster. It's a catch 22. I'm glad I didn't stay on it, especially since later on I developed full blown Addison's.
Posted 12/17/2014 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
It's pretty bad. It's mostly the fogginess and forgetfulness more than anything else. But I will wait until my adrenal info comes back, and if it looks abnormal I'll call the nurse and ask before starting it.

I see a lyme saavy, ILADS loving, PCP right now. She's great, but I am planning to see a formal LLMD in January once my new insurance kicks in. I'll stick with her as well b/c she really is awesome, and even getting a IGENEX account for the practice. So I feel like I can double tap treatment and get more covered under her
Posted 12/17/2014 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Be sure to let us know what you decide to do and how things go!! I hope it works out for you.
Posted 12/19/2014 1:37 AM (GMT 0)

Traveler said...
Is your concentration and focus that bad?
I tried Provigil one time, but I didn't stay on it long because even though it felt like I had more energy, I could tell that it was draining me faster. It's a catch 22. I'm glad I didn't stay on it, especially since later on I developed full blown Addison's.

This was also my experience on Adderall.

I was originally put in the Synergy trial for CFS/ME patients before I found out that I had lyme. Basically, this research trial combined low dose Adderall with high dose vitamins. The logic was to boost mitochondrial function.

Taking Adderall had the same effect as ingesting caffeine, it would sharpen concentration and provide energy for a few hours, but I would crash terribly later on. As traveler mentioned, it would also leave me really tired during subsequent days. I also, experienced drastic mood swings while I was on it.

IMO you are rolling the dice when you take any kind of psychostimulant, SSRI, SNRI etc. while having an active infection that has spread to your brain. These types of drugs don't seem to have the same (positive) effect when there is inflammation present. Of course this is just my experience.
Posted 12/19/2014 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Great feedback! Thanks
Posted 12/19/2014 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi bmoberg!
Welcome to our community! Can we assume that you too have or had Lyme disease?
Posted 12/20/2014 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
I thought Adderall was supposed to be a sedative?

I might be wrong, but I think it's what docs gave me to help me get through chemo.

Here I go again, but even though I don't take it, I would recommend Ritalin.

Trav., does Ritalin affect the adrenals, bc I was thinking of asking my LLMD for a prescription. I'm tired of my Lyme-ADHD.

M
Posted 12/20/2014 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Teragram, adderall is a stimulant (it's an amphetamine actually, like "meth"), not a sedative. I used to take adderall I would highly recommend against it, but I'm not a doctor. If I was foggy one day, and I took it, I would be super foggy and stimulated, but couldn't actually get anything done or think about anything, really not a fun place to be. Plus I would agree that you have to pay the piper and it will take something out of you when it wears off and the next day. I wouldn't be surprised if it lowered your immune system either, but I would need to find a source on that. If you are going to take it make sure you are getting good sleep and eating properly and drinking water. Good luck with whatever you choose!
Posted 12/20/2014 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
The other thing to think about is that both adderall and ritalin are CNS stimulants. When we herx, many times we can take a Benedryl - a CNS depressant - to help with calming certain herx symptoms. So that could increase your CNS symptoms, like brain fog and other things, like Bryguy was explaining.

It's thought that since ADHD children have higher levels of potassium and sodium and lower levels of calcium and magnesium and that's why a stimulant like ritalin works on hyperactive children.

And it has to say this about the reaction of ritalin on the adrenals:

"...its stimulating effect is on the adrenal glands and the retention of sodium in the tissues relative to potassium. It is critical for normal cellular functioning that sodium and potassium (Na and K) be in balance for the optimal operation of the Na/K pump at the cellular level. It is also critical for efficient neurotransmissions that there be a proper balance between sodium and potassium (Na and K) for neuronal conductance. "

From 1/2 way down page 2 on this paper:
www.malterinstitute.org/The_Ritalin_Paradox%5B1%5D.pdf

So I would say if you are desperate, then with doc's approval and careful watching, you could try it, but I wouldn't encourage anyone to use it.
Posted 1/13/2015 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
I actually have used Concerta and Ritalin for years and still do prior to my diagnosis... my doctors have all said that is one reason I have been able to stay functioning as well as I have because I was always exhausted... Now I do have ADD but they kept me "going" so to speak because there were times that I missed a dose and would start to "fall asleep" because of the fatigue... It's not something I would recommend for everyone because it can in some people make their anxiety worse.... but for me it did wonders.
Posted 1/13/2015 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
i have been taking Adderall for 2 months now. It has really helped my mental clarity. I started with 20mg, which was way to strong for me. I am currently taking 10mg daily. I feel like it has given me that extra boost so I can work and be almost normal :)
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