AngelM
Senior Member
- Messages
- 150
- Location
- Oklahoma City
Regarding Adderalll, I was fascinated by the strong opinions on both sides of the issue of taking Adderall for ME/CFS. No one seems to be neutral on the subject. I’ve been taking Adderall XR for some time, and am well aware of its cons, as well as its pros. The drug was originally prescribed more than thirty years years ago for Adult ADD. However, at the time I did not feel comfortable taking a stimulant. It wasn't until years later, when I decided to give the drug a try, that I realized that it was very effective in treating my ME/CFS. I’ve now taken the same dose of Adderall XR for nearly a decade.
Because of strong feelings on both sides of the Adderall debate, there are a couple of points I’d like to clarify. First, though Adderall is “habit forming,” it does not fall under the category of “addictive.” In other words, you can discontinue Adderall, even after years of use, without experiencing the dangerous physical withdrawal symptoms associated with opioids, alcohol, nicotine, or the “Zepam” drugs (Xanax, Klonopin, etc.). However, the fact that Adderall is not addictive, does not mean going “cold turkey” is not without its problems. If you’ve ever stopped sugar or caffeine intake for an extended period of time, you know how problematic even a “habit-forming” substance can be. It could take weeks before your body and brain fully return to normal.
Secondly, I want to make clear that I am not recommending any drug or treatment, including Adderall, to forum members. As has been expressed numerous times here, what we do to manage or cope with our ME/CFS, is our personal decision—and that decision should be respected. Though. as ME/CFS victims, we share many of the same symptoms, we are also as different as we are the same. Adderall is NOT a “magic bullet.” NEVER start any CFS treatment, drug, or supplement until you have fully educated yourself on its efficacy, and understand all its possible side-effects.
That said, when the CDC states that long-term use of stimulants in ME/CFS might worsen or accelerate the “push-crash” cycle, they could very well be right. I don’t know. And there is no long term research to back up what is essentially the CDC’s opinion. But right or wrong, the suggestions of the CDC and other private and government health organizations are worthy of consideration before you make a treatment decision impact your long-term health.
Now for my Mea Culpa. After a decade, and after considerable thought, I’ve decided I want to discontinue Adderall XR. I have no reason to believe, and certainly recent tests do not inficate, that the Adderall has caused any carfiovascular damage. However, the one thing that I knew was a side-effect of taking a stimulant long term—elevated blood pressure—HAS happened. My blood pressure is now elevated to borderline high. And that is worrisome. As far as the CDC’s prediction, though my CFS symptoms have been more severe of late, I can’t say that the “crashes” are worse than severe “crashes” i’ve experienced in the past.
The reason I’ve made the discussion to stop the Adderall is that I have a severe anxiety disorder that has risen to a new level in the past six to nine months, and every aspect of my life has been negatively affected. I don’t blame Adderall for the sudden worsening of something I have battled with since childhood, but it happens yo be the one element, among many, I can easily control. So it makes perfect sense to begin dealing with my anxiety by first eliminating the Adderall as a contributing factor.
At least over the short haul, my doctor recommends that I replace the Adderall with another drug or protocol that will help with the fatigue. One of the PF forum members mentioned that Vyvanse is a safe drug alternative to Adderall. However, when I researched Vyvanse online, I was left with the impression that, although Vyvanse acts on the central nervous system differently tha Addersll, it is still an amphetamine that can negatively affect your cardiovascular system. Maybe someone here can explain if Vyvanse is or is not a viable substitute for Adderall XR.
I am also looking for suggestions about Provigil and Nuvigil. I participated in the first national blind study of Provigil back in the late Nineties, and I found during the study (I did get the drug, not the placebo) that Provigil was only marginally effective in relieving my fatigue. Since then, Nuvigil has come on the market. And that may be an improvement. However, I noticed that both are listed, along with Vyvanse, as stimulant drugs with cardiovascular side- effects. Perhaps someone on the forum with more knowledge than I about using stimulants in the treatment of CFS could share. It would be greatly appreciated.
Because of strong feelings on both sides of the Adderall debate, there are a couple of points I’d like to clarify. First, though Adderall is “habit forming,” it does not fall under the category of “addictive.” In other words, you can discontinue Adderall, even after years of use, without experiencing the dangerous physical withdrawal symptoms associated with opioids, alcohol, nicotine, or the “Zepam” drugs (Xanax, Klonopin, etc.). However, the fact that Adderall is not addictive, does not mean going “cold turkey” is not without its problems. If you’ve ever stopped sugar or caffeine intake for an extended period of time, you know how problematic even a “habit-forming” substance can be. It could take weeks before your body and brain fully return to normal.
Secondly, I want to make clear that I am not recommending any drug or treatment, including Adderall, to forum members. As has been expressed numerous times here, what we do to manage or cope with our ME/CFS, is our personal decision—and that decision should be respected. Though. as ME/CFS victims, we share many of the same symptoms, we are also as different as we are the same. Adderall is NOT a “magic bullet.” NEVER start any CFS treatment, drug, or supplement until you have fully educated yourself on its efficacy, and understand all its possible side-effects.
That said, when the CDC states that long-term use of stimulants in ME/CFS might worsen or accelerate the “push-crash” cycle, they could very well be right. I don’t know. And there is no long term research to back up what is essentially the CDC’s opinion. But right or wrong, the suggestions of the CDC and other private and government health organizations are worthy of consideration before you make a treatment decision impact your long-term health.
Now for my Mea Culpa. After a decade, and after considerable thought, I’ve decided I want to discontinue Adderall XR. I have no reason to believe, and certainly recent tests do not inficate, that the Adderall has caused any carfiovascular damage. However, the one thing that I knew was a side-effect of taking a stimulant long term—elevated blood pressure—HAS happened. My blood pressure is now elevated to borderline high. And that is worrisome. As far as the CDC’s prediction, though my CFS symptoms have been more severe of late, I can’t say that the “crashes” are worse than severe “crashes” i’ve experienced in the past.
The reason I’ve made the discussion to stop the Adderall is that I have a severe anxiety disorder that has risen to a new level in the past six to nine months, and every aspect of my life has been negatively affected. I don’t blame Adderall for the sudden worsening of something I have battled with since childhood, but it happens yo be the one element, among many, I can easily control. So it makes perfect sense to begin dealing with my anxiety by first eliminating the Adderall as a contributing factor.
At least over the short haul, my doctor recommends that I replace the Adderall with another drug or protocol that will help with the fatigue. One of the PF forum members mentioned that Vyvanse is a safe drug alternative to Adderall. However, when I researched Vyvanse online, I was left with the impression that, although Vyvanse acts on the central nervous system differently tha Addersll, it is still an amphetamine that can negatively affect your cardiovascular system. Maybe someone here can explain if Vyvanse is or is not a viable substitute for Adderall XR.
I am also looking for suggestions about Provigil and Nuvigil. I participated in the first national blind study of Provigil back in the late Nineties, and I found during the study (I did get the drug, not the placebo) that Provigil was only marginally effective in relieving my fatigue. Since then, Nuvigil has come on the market. And that may be an improvement. However, I noticed that both are listed, along with Vyvanse, as stimulant drugs with cardiovascular side- effects. Perhaps someone on the forum with more knowledge than I about using stimulants in the treatment of CFS could share. It would be greatly appreciated.
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