Stimulants

[acrosstheveil]

I have been having to work more hours and they are going to increase more soon. I am so exhausted. When I finally get my days off I sleep over 13 hours a day. I have been treating lyme for a long time and by all tests it would seem I am over it, but I am not. I still have extreme allergies and exhaustion.

I take adaptogens, adrenal glandulars, vitamin c, and a truck load of supplements on a daily basis. I even bought myself a juicer and use it daily but am still exhausted. I have to resort to tons of coffee in order to get through the day and it is just not cutting it anymore. I work 4 days a week and would like to be able to take something so I do not get fired for being "lazy".

I have heard of wellbutrin and my doc I think would be willing to prescribe this. I have avoided SSRIs at all costs due to bad experiences with them in the past. Is wellbutrin like that? Can I take it on an as needed basis?

What are my other options? Adderall? Don't think he would give me somethign like that. Is there anything else? I would even consider mmj if it was an option but now I go into anaphylactic shock when near it. I used to use it all the time and I had great energy but ever since getting some cotnamined with toxic mold, I go into anaphlactic shock. I think it triggered a bad immune reaction.

Please don't say go see another doctor for lyme. I would have done this if it was possible but can't afford it due to financial reasons. I am trying to see another lyme specialist but he is so busy they don't even respond to my phone calls or emails. Very frustrating.

 

[halcyon]

You could try modafinil. It's a lot milder than something like Adderall or Wellbutrin and it doesn't really have any withdrawal problems. It does have a slight tolerance problem, like most stimulants.

With that said, I would highly advise you to listen to your body. I know, I know, not working is not an option, but what happens when you push yourself too hard, become even more sick, and can't work at all? Stimulants make it very easy to ignore what your body is trying to tell you, believe me. I got myself into this mess by pushing through exhaustion while taking modafinil and drinking shit tons of coffee. You too could be one viral infection away from full-on bedbound ME/CFS. I'm not sure if modafinil has any impact on the immune system, but caffeine is a known th1 suppressor and is immunosuppressive in general.

Not trying to tell you what to do, just be careful.

 

[heapsreal]

I hear ya.
Things i have found helpful for working long hours is low dose hydrocortisone 5 to 10mg.

Also using pregnenolone has helped too.

When I started high doses of q10 helped ie 400mg and some use more , also acetyl carnitine which I have used 1000mg a day and possibly could use more? ?

But do better with modafinil in low dose like 50mg which help me to concentrate better and good for cognitive stamina, using low dose help avoid sleep issues. I have noticed i don't really crash after using modafinil and wonder if it's because of its neuroprotective effects.

but definitely have to try and work on recovery techniques too. Make sure you get plenty of good quality protein and good sleep and rest.

Look into your hormones if adrenals are an issue than pregnenolone can be helpful as well as dhea. Need to start with low doses and slowly increase them.

Overall this needs to be worked through with your doc. These are things that have helped me. But getting to the cause is neccessary. which for you is Lyme and possibly antibiotics? ?

 

[acrosstheveil]

You could try modafinil. It's a lot milder than something like Adderall or Wellbutrin and it doesn't really have any withdrawal problems. It does have a slight tolerance problem, like most stimulants.

With that said, I would highly advise you to listen to your body. I know, I know, not working is not an option, but what happens when you push yourself too hard, become even more sick, and can't work at all? Stimulants make it very easy to ignore what your body is trying to tell you, believe me. I got myself into this mess by pushing through exhaustion while taking modafinil and drinking shit tons of coffee. You too could be one viral infection away from full-on bedbound ME/CFS. I'm not sure if modafinil has any impact on the immune system, but caffeine is a known th1 suppressor and is immunosuppressive in general.

Not trying to tell you what to do, just be careful.

yea i understand. but it's either work and maybe get sicker or have no life at all. i rather risk getting sicker if those are the only options.

i may ask for modafinil. never heard of it. how does it work?

 

[halcyon]

Last I read the mechanism of action still isn't really well understood.

 

[heapsreal]

increases dopamine and may have some effects blocking adenosine which stop one feeling sleepy.
Google modafinil adenosine dopamine and you will get alot of hits and studies explaining its function.
Also suppose to have neuroprotective effects so try googling neuroprotection modafinil.