Just looking for anyone's experiences with these drugs for symptom relief from fatigue. I am currently on 30 mg of adderall, splitting the dosage morning and afternoon. Without this I would not be able to work PT or have even some social life. Feel weird on it, but better than the alternative. I know provigil and nuvigil have been used, but getting a script can be tough, and of course expensive. Just curious if those would be an alternative to Adderall at some point. My ordeal started after taking a course of antibiotics 7 months ago. Have never felt the same upstairs, or energy wise. Frustrates me to no end (like others here) when a doctor says it is the anxiety causThat druging the weakness/fatigue. Right.
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First off what was the reason for the antibiotics?
Early on I just didn't feel well and was so fatigued I had to quit my job. I didn't have the strength to drive 90 miles a day round trip let alone work and I was falling asleep at work and driving. I had anxiety. The then docs told me I was fatigued and anxious because I was depressed. My response was always the same - of course I am depressed but it is because I feel like total hell. I was pretty much forced to see a psyche for almost a year. And I was at one time dx with MS. I have always been so dizzy and light headed. I had months of double vision - probable two or three strokes that affected the small blood vessels in my eyes. I have lesions on the brain also probably causing the dizziness. I formerly had horrible debilitating migraines for many years. I still battle superior oblique myokymia. Some days I say I can't use my eyes.
Adderal is over prescribed and is basically a type of meth. One doc Rx for me and I took one pill only when I was having trouble staying awake for a few months. It made me extremely hyper and uncomfortable. I threw it away. Never again. I have been through episodes of sleeping for months, then not sleeping for months. We do not simply have fatigue from not getting enough sleep. It doesn't matter. Our type of fatigue results from - any exertion and can be referred to a crash, hitting the wall, and it can be there for no reason. I wake up in the morning after a nights sleep barely able to use the bathroom or brush my teeth. Does not matter if I slept well or not. It at one time or another affects every system of our body. Every sense. I usually have a short window of opportunity in the morning for any activity such as bathing, maybe washing dishes. I cannot shower. When I prep dinner I start early - it has to be staged. I can actually ride in the car to rest and relax and have enough energy to look out the window, go to the lab for blood work, or visit a restroom. Better days I can shop and I use a cart to hang on to and will also use the scooters in the store. I revive somewhat when spring and summer arrive with warmer weather. I can sit outside, walk around the yard with the dog, etc. Even drive my car. The cold is my enemy and I feel it is because my muscles are overworked trying to gain warmth. I also have pain that comes and goes.
I have a few physical issues including formerly hyperactive thyroid requiring ablative treatment. Now it is underactive but a lot easier to treat. I have heart rhythm issues, also. Sometimes I feel my CFS affects my heart.
If I were you I would see another doctor. You need to find out so that you do not receive improper medications or unnecessary treatment. There are so many doctors in several fields who know nothing about this disorder, they have zero training in med school, and many do not believe it exists. I would try to find a CFS, FM or MS patient in your area. Ask them who they see.