Has any one been given a mild stimulant? I just started and it helps so far. I'd like to know how you reacted to them. Thanks.

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Dale

An update so far so good. I have the energy to get some work done. I have been reading a lot about this idea of ridalin and fms and or cfs. This is the little extra I needed.

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Dale

DALE, CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT KIND OF STIMULANT YOU ARE TAKING? I NEED ONE I NEED SOME ENERGY AND I DONT KNOW WHAT TO ASK MY DOCTOR FOR! I AM NEW TO THIS SITE CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME IN ANY WAY. AND I WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS STIMULANT YOU TAKE IS A MED OR HERBAL? THANK YOU PATTI

Patti I am taking ridalan. Low dose. I have been reading about the use of these drugs in fms and cfs. For me it is helping.

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Dale

Stimulants can also be very addictive so please be very careful with who is prescribing them to you, especially in combination with pain meds. I think Dale's doctor is a very up to date FMS doc but many others may not be as knowledgeable. I've found that light exercise has helped with some of the fatigue but there are still days where I just have to take a nap. The BEST energy booster for me has been good sleep but that can be sooooooooo elusive!! I drink a light but steady stream of coffee through the day to try to stay peppy but too much makes me jittery and eventually makes me extremely sleepy. I also tried Ginseng but again felt jittery without feeling more alert. If mild stimulants work for some people, that is super and I wouldn't say they shouldn't take it but I'm trying to cut DOWN the meds, not add more and I would carefully weigh the dangers of the stimulants before taking them (which I'm sure Dale did).

Dale, I'm curious, did your doc say anything about the stimulants affecting your sleep? I know that narcotics can affect stage 4 sleep, I'm wondering what Ritalin does. I know that for ADHD, Ritalin CALMS the patient down rather than gearing up but it sounds like it works as a stimulant for FMS(?) and not as a calming agent? I'm really curious, I'm not trying to be argumentative. :)

I wish there were just a magic pill for that great solid sleep, I feel so much better when I get there!

Dale: I take a small dose of Dexedrine, which was originally given to help my anti-Depressant med. I'm not aware of any side effects. I've been taking Gingkbo Biloba, but it doesn't seem to work. If I drink coffee(which I dearly miss!), I have reflux troubles, so once in a while I'll have a cup of tea, which has half the caffeine. I do miss energy, can barely remember what it felt like :) Al

Al, The energy is a real problem. I told the doctor it's my number one problem. I have found the ridalin 5mgs helpful. I also can concintrate better during the day. No problems falling asleep. I just hated people always asking why I was so tired and had so much pain. Over and over again. It's as thought they didn't hear you the first time. People need to be kinder. I guess that would spoil their fun. So far I haven't yawned in front of anyone for a week. That is progress. I have been able to do more. I feel more alive.

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Dale

Expand, if I'm in the sleep deprivation for too long, my whole body starts to buzz when I sit down (and yes, this was happening before I started on all the meds) and I just sort of pass out. It's a pleasant feeling but I do feel a bit like I've lost control over the sleep, not quite narcolepsy but getting awfully close. The problem is that I'm NEVER getting any restorative sleep so it's really just a stopgap, a 3 hr nap will only really hold me up for a few more hours and then I'm crashing again.

I would say that anyone that is interested in asking there doctors about trying a mild stimulant should research first. I can't locate the site addresses. I just keep trying different queries. Till I find what I am looking for. No problems with it so far and so far doing well. :)

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Dale

That's great! And it is probably a more stable method than the stimulant I use........caffeine! I tend to either get the jitters or crash if you're using caffeine to perk up.

I use to drink four 20 oz. cups of coffee a day. Now I don't need it. I tried herbals but they were too stronge for me. The Ritalan dose I take is half of a six year olds dose. I will probably get use to it soon and be moved up to 5 mgs two times a day. Still better energy.

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Dale

Update. I was told to increase my dose to 2 5mgs tablets per day. So far, so good. I did over do at first and I am in a bit of pain now. I want hydrotheropy now.

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Dale

I am feeling better. The new dose has given me new hope. I can do things again. I still have pain. The pain medications have helped with the pain, it is about a 3 now.

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Dale

I take 600mg of Provigil--it has helped a great deal--still need about 9-10 hrs of sleep a night though.
Provigil has helped with my dizziness and imbalance difficulties too.

I took Ritalin for about 2 years. My doctor told me
not to take it after 5pm so as not to interrupt my sleep. I really don't remember how it effected me.
But I know myself well enough to say that if it wasn't
helping, I would have told my doctor and gotten off it.

Dale,

I posted at least six months ago with a similar helpful tip for fibro sufferers. My wife was near desperation from the pain she suffered. She had tried every possible treatment and still was using treatments for depression and better sleep, but wasn't getting adequate help. We had been to the Mayo Clinic, seen holistic doctors, touch therapists, used numerous meditations including morphines, you name it. Nothing worked that well. We finally found reference to ritalin being used for fibro pain and my wife tried some. She got 90% relief on her first dose. She has been taking a better product called Concerta which is time release ritalin. Works much better and one dose in the morning lasts most of the day and relieves so much pain and stress that she still can sleep much better because of the relief.

With ritalin products most people will probably reach some form of tolerance level after awhile and need to take a "vacation" from the drug for 2-4 weeks and then start up again. People with LEGITIMATE chronic pain usually DO NOT become addicted to pain killing drugs. They become TOLERANT to them and need to make adjustments, but properly used they pose a far lesser risk than uncontrollable pain. Ask your doctor about Concerta and let them know if you are taking any anti-depressants as ritalin can affect these in some cases and monitoring is important. Hope this helps.

Soar1

My Do says that anything that gives you energy, a stimulant, will also cause more pain. It increases the activity in the muscle.

I'm having a terrible time, so would like to find something that works. I hate drugs though....anybody got an herbal alternative idea ?


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Blessed <><