Adderall / Ritalin

[CarrieJessica]

So I am about to start on Adderall after a discussion with my Dysautonomia specialist about fatigue and brain fog. My specialist is very well known and I have brought my concerns about these meds up with him and he doesn't seem concerned.

I have PAF and IST/ISB (tachy and brady) and am nervous about taking it. Anyone taking it wants to share their experience?

[ShakeyTheOwl]

Last year I had exact same reservations and concern after gp had suggested Ritalin. I put it off for months until our family went through a major loss. (ex husband passed tragically ) I needed my brain and as much energy possible to support our daughter who was so close to finishing college.

Anyhow, I asked and the gp at first had me on nuvigil. I very much liked this medicine, it helped tremendously with brain fog. However ins. Would not cover it and out of pocket it was $1,300 for thirty days.

The next route was the Ritalin, which I did because it was affordable. I didn't care for it, compared to nuvigil.

It was short acting, and I suppose looking back it did help with keeping my brain fog at bay to take care of paperwork, phone calls, etc- but I felt like my mind and body were never in synch.

(my mind was there but body still goofy and slow )

I have paf, oh and sfn.

Have seen a couple others with oh state Ritalin heĺps and actually with keeping bp up.

If we hadn't gone through what happened last year, I would not have done either.

Hope this is kind of helpful and always ask if you have questions with these meds to your Dr.

Cheers

[E Soskis]

Ritalin kept me awake and alert. I took it three times a day with the option of up to 4 times. It allowed me to work efficiently and eliminated the "brain fog" - my BP is very low anyway so, it helped kick it up a bit. Unfortunately, there is a massive drug shortage in the USA on common drugs and Ritalin is one of them. I did not know this and my pharmacy allowed me to completely run out of it before telling me there was not going to be anymore for months. I went through horrible withdrawal and finally ended up crying in my MD office begging for a different compound. My insurance would not approve Nuvigil but, did allow Vyvanse. I don't like Vyvanse as much as Ritalin but, it is pretty good. I take 30 mg in the morning and it lasts most of the day. I crash pretty good about mid-afternoon so, I can't plan on doing anything in the early evening except sit in my recliner and watch TV. I would go back on Ritalin if I could be assured of a steady supply - you wouldn't believe how many drugs are in short supply in the USA - very common ones - a sad commentary on the state of healthcare and our society.

[Kellysavedbygrace]

Outside of exercise, Adderall has by far had the most helpful treatment for me.

It only works on days when I'm not crashing but it is a strong vasoconstrictor, it stimulates circulation and helps with energy. I was worried about taking it because I often get bad palpitations. I started it at a half dose and am up to 10 mg 2-3x a day. On non crashing days (50%) I can drive on two or three lane roads for short periods of time, can handle more outside sensory stimulation, think more clearly and have greatly improved circulation.

The high dose antihistamines have also been helpful in this regard but the Adderall is stronger. The combination of both has been good. I'm still crashing but on my non crash days I'm more functional.

Nuvigil was also recommended for me but I went with the Adderall bc of both cost and Dr. Thompson's recommendation that he's seen more pts have improvement w Adderall or Ritalin than NuVigil or Provigil.

If you tryit let me know how it goes!

[ramakentesh]

Pseudoephedrine has been quite helpful for me. I'm glad adderall is helping.

[Libby]

I don't know how I would function without adderall. I was on the beta blocker before I started adderall, so I haven't had any problems with more PVCs or an even higher hr. The only downside is that I have to get a new prescription every month.

[Kellysavedbygrace]

I just posted on another thread (Rama's - vasoconstrictor meds list) about Adderall and Antihistamines. Wish I could cut and paste but might look at that for more info.