Hi all,
I'm 61 yo woman living with Secondary Progressive MS. I've had MS since the beginning of time, and it started before they had DMD's, so I'm a mess.
My fatigue has graduated to that level known as "crippling fatigue." I don't need to describe it, I'm sure. I am still walking, with braces on both legs, as my feet no longer evert. I use a walker, walls, husband's jeans waistband, what ever it takes to walk. The neuro has said that people like me, who are still walking in spite of a large disease load, are the patients who have off-the-charts fatigue. So, hurrah for still walking.
Recently my neuro suggested Aderall, which I had tried and hated many years ago. But, since my fatigue is so much worse now, we thought it may be worth a try. So, I took my 10 mg tablet at 9 on the first day. And, it did give me more focus (I sewed for three hours!). It did not make me feel energetic, it just made me feel like I could do things in spite of the fatigue. And, so I did. And, I paid for that with a great increase in what is already "crippling" pain. And, I could not sleep well that night, with a racing feeling lingering from the Aderall. The dosage did give me side effects of racing heart, anxiety, dry mouth, the usual.
Not one to give up, I got up on day #2 and took my little pill at 8 a.m. And, I had the same results, I sewed for 4 hours! along with some other things. And, I ended up in great pain. And, again I did not sleep well at all.
This morning I got up and I felt like I HAD to take that pill. Now there's a feeling I do not want. So, I took 1/2 (5 mgs) and it provided little benefit. So, here I am, fogged out and trashed at 1 p.m., as usual. Soon I will do my usual lay down on the couch which pretty much marks the end of my productivity for the day aside from knitting in the evening.
I am conflicted because I know that Aderall is Meth and Meth is not a drug to sneeze at. Addiction is rampant with this med, (and I am a 25 year recovered alcoholic) as are long-term side effects and changes in one's brain. Weaning off of it can be a beast. However, I sewed for 4 hours! And that was such a good feeling, to be in my sewing room, doing what I do. However, I do not want to have that feeling at the expense of the health of my brain and personality. If I do stay on it and it continues to interrupt my sleep (in spite of a bomb of pills I take to sleep) then it is game over anyhow.
I am seriously considering stopping this drug all together before I get in too deep. It's so tough, though, as without this pill, I've got nothing to work with. I do all I can in a day, and just drag on. My morning activities of living like showering, dressing, making the bed, having breakfast, leave me drained to start off the day. And it just goes downhill from there. You'd think with this level of fatigue I'd be willing to take snake oil if it would help.
And, so I turn to all of you to hear from those who have experience with Aderall. BTW, I have tried all of the different supplements and other natural remedies recommended by people here, and all those were was a terrible waste of money. So, I'm not looking for a different solution. I'm looking for advice on this topic, Aderall. (I have in the past also tried Concerta and Ritalin, so those are crossed off the list).
Thank you!!!!!
I'm 61 yo woman living with Secondary Progressive MS. I've had MS since the beginning of time, and it started before they had DMD's, so I'm a mess.
My fatigue has graduated to that level known as "crippling fatigue." I don't need to describe it, I'm sure. I am still walking, with braces on both legs, as my feet no longer evert. I use a walker, walls, husband's jeans waistband, what ever it takes to walk. The neuro has said that people like me, who are still walking in spite of a large disease load, are the patients who have off-the-charts fatigue. So, hurrah for still walking.
Recently my neuro suggested Aderall, which I had tried and hated many years ago. But, since my fatigue is so much worse now, we thought it may be worth a try. So, I took my 10 mg tablet at 9 on the first day. And, it did give me more focus (I sewed for three hours!). It did not make me feel energetic, it just made me feel like I could do things in spite of the fatigue. And, so I did. And, I paid for that with a great increase in what is already "crippling" pain. And, I could not sleep well that night, with a racing feeling lingering from the Aderall. The dosage did give me side effects of racing heart, anxiety, dry mouth, the usual.
Not one to give up, I got up on day #2 and took my little pill at 8 a.m. And, I had the same results, I sewed for 4 hours! along with some other things. And, I ended up in great pain. And, again I did not sleep well at all.
This morning I got up and I felt like I HAD to take that pill. Now there's a feeling I do not want. So, I took 1/2 (5 mgs) and it provided little benefit. So, here I am, fogged out and trashed at 1 p.m., as usual. Soon I will do my usual lay down on the couch which pretty much marks the end of my productivity for the day aside from knitting in the evening.
I am conflicted because I know that Aderall is Meth and Meth is not a drug to sneeze at. Addiction is rampant with this med, (and I am a 25 year recovered alcoholic) as are long-term side effects and changes in one's brain. Weaning off of it can be a beast. However, I sewed for 4 hours! And that was such a good feeling, to be in my sewing room, doing what I do. However, I do not want to have that feeling at the expense of the health of my brain and personality. If I do stay on it and it continues to interrupt my sleep (in spite of a bomb of pills I take to sleep) then it is game over anyhow.
I am seriously considering stopping this drug all together before I get in too deep. It's so tough, though, as without this pill, I've got nothing to work with. I do all I can in a day, and just drag on. My morning activities of living like showering, dressing, making the bed, having breakfast, leave me drained to start off the day. And it just goes downhill from there. You'd think with this level of fatigue I'd be willing to take snake oil if it would help.
And, so I turn to all of you to hear from those who have experience with Aderall. BTW, I have tried all of the different supplements and other natural remedies recommended by people here, and all those were was a terrible waste of money. So, I'm not looking for a different solution. I'm looking for advice on this topic, Aderall. (I have in the past also tried Concerta and Ritalin, so those are crossed off the list).
Thank you!!!!!
Comment