Hey all,
Have any of you ever used a stimulant – such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) or Adderall (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine salts) – to battle multiple myeloma fatigue?
If so, how well did it work? Any side effects?
Best,
S
Forums
-
Steve - Name: Steve
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Ritalin or Adderall for fatigue?
Would a doctor ever prescribe stimulant like Ritalin or Adderall for fatigue when a patient is sick? Probably somebody would. For myself, if I am fatigued and tired because I am sick, my inclination is to get more sleep and let the body rest. It seems using stimulants would put additional stress on health and body in these situations that is not helpful to fighting disease. It seems unrealistic to expect to use pills and stimulants to maintain the old normal self with myeloma.
I do understand the challenges, though, when one has significant obligations, such as young children, being the main income provider, etc, that make it tough to back off the daily normal routine and expectations and demands to get the rest needed. That can be really difficult. Thankfully I did not have to face a lot of these pressures when I was going through my most difficult times.
I remember seeing a television special on parents, mothers in particular, who were overwhelmed with trying to maintain a career and still be the traditional wife taking the majority of responsibility for the kids and keeping the house in order. They had children who were on Ritalin and Adderall and they were using their children’s prescriptions to give them the energy to keep up these super mom expectations. Worked for a while for many of them, but the point of the special was this led to significant addiction issues and, for some, it also led to using crystal meth. After seeing that, those drugs kind of scare me a bit. I would be really cautious myself going down that path.
I do understand the challenges, though, when one has significant obligations, such as young children, being the main income provider, etc, that make it tough to back off the daily normal routine and expectations and demands to get the rest needed. That can be really difficult. Thankfully I did not have to face a lot of these pressures when I was going through my most difficult times.
I remember seeing a television special on parents, mothers in particular, who were overwhelmed with trying to maintain a career and still be the traditional wife taking the majority of responsibility for the kids and keeping the house in order. They had children who were on Ritalin and Adderall and they were using their children’s prescriptions to give them the energy to keep up these super mom expectations. Worked for a while for many of them, but the point of the special was this led to significant addiction issues and, for some, it also led to using crystal meth. After seeing that, those drugs kind of scare me a bit. I would be really cautious myself going down that path.
-
Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Ritalin or Adderall for fatigue?
The white house serves a mean pie, .....with crack in it. Atleast Obama said so...on the Telly.
Fatigue is a problem. However, If it's from low RBC's...wouldn't stimulants potentially set you up for a cardiac event...? (Ischemia ?)
Good luck.
Fatigue is a problem. However, If it's from low RBC's...wouldn't stimulants potentially set you up for a cardiac event...? (Ischemia ?)
Good luck.
-
Rneb
Re: Ritalin or Adderall for fatigue?
Here's an interesting article published last year by ASCO in the Journal of Clinical Oncology regarding central nervous system stimulants that have been trialed with cancer patients suffering from fatigue.
http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/31/19/2372.full
Cancer patients who suffer chronic pain are often medicated with opioids ... the large majority handle them without suffering addiction.
Cancer patients who suffer chronic fatigue, CF, have historically been ignored by the medical establishment, yet CF is frequently no less debilitating then chronic pain.
I say leave no stone unturned and let the clinical trials tell the tale.
http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/31/19/2372.full
Cancer patients who suffer chronic pain are often medicated with opioids ... the large majority handle them without suffering addiction.
Cancer patients who suffer chronic fatigue, CF, have historically been ignored by the medical establishment, yet CF is frequently no less debilitating then chronic pain.
I say leave no stone unturned and let the clinical trials tell the tale.
-
Steve - Name: Steve
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Ritalin or Adderall for fatigue?
I've been on Revlimid maintenance for over a year and fatigue is making it very difficult to work full time.
-
JBarnes - Name: Jerry Barnes
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Aug 17, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Ritalin or Adderall for fatigue?
Steve,
Fatigue and pain are two very different things. I believe your analogy between the two makes little sense.
Fatigue often comes from the body telling you that you need to rest and slow down, usually for a good reason. I still do a lot of cycling, swimming and hiking with myeloma. I hiked 20 miles in Mammoth last weekend at over 8000 feet. But in the last two years while on Revlimid, I have learned that when I am feeling fatigued and tired, I need to back off or else I get sick. It happens every time if I do not.
The fatigue often correlates with periods of really low WBC or RBC that I get occasionally. All my life when I have gotten sick, my doctors always said to stay home and get lots of rest till I get better. I have never had one give me stimulants and say get back to work.
Don’t count me in the large majority of cancer patients who do not get addicted to opiates, I did.
But having said all that, if the clinical trials show a positive benefit to using stimulants in cancer patients, I could not ignore that. I would look closely though at which patients benefit and under what conditions.
Fatigue and pain are two very different things. I believe your analogy between the two makes little sense.
Fatigue often comes from the body telling you that you need to rest and slow down, usually for a good reason. I still do a lot of cycling, swimming and hiking with myeloma. I hiked 20 miles in Mammoth last weekend at over 8000 feet. But in the last two years while on Revlimid, I have learned that when I am feeling fatigued and tired, I need to back off or else I get sick. It happens every time if I do not.
The fatigue often correlates with periods of really low WBC or RBC that I get occasionally. All my life when I have gotten sick, my doctors always said to stay home and get lots of rest till I get better. I have never had one give me stimulants and say get back to work.
Don’t count me in the large majority of cancer patients who do not get addicted to opiates, I did.
But having said all that, if the clinical trials show a positive benefit to using stimulants in cancer patients, I could not ignore that. I would look closely though at which patients benefit and under what conditions.
-
Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Ritalin or Adderall for fatigue?
I tried to give up caffeine after diagnosis, for health reasons. However, I can't manage on a day to day basis without tea, coffee or chocolate! Caffeine is a stimulant actually. But I also get more sleep now than I did before I was diagnosed, and I think that helps with fatigue also. Hope that helps!
-
Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Ritalin or Adderall for fatigue?
Eric,
The comparison I made between CHRONIC fatigue and CHRONIC pain is pretty clearly stated, and I would've thought, understood.
However, for clarification purposes, let me restate my point thusly -- both are medically identifiable and often physically debilitating conditions, YET, the medical community has HISTORICALLY "embraced" one, i.e., CP, but unfortunately to a MUCH LESSER extent, CF.
However, you are correct when you state that they are two different conditions.
Can't argue with you there.
But again, in both instances, the medical reference and comparison I've tried to communicate is in regard to these CHRONIC conditions vis a vis the medical community's respective treatments, not to your occasional sore muscles or fatigue acquired from a long hike or weekend bike ride and it's standard medical treatment protocol.
Eric, if you personally suffer from OCCASIONAL fatigue that's related to an identifiable medical condition, e.g., low RBC, then by all means take the necessary steps to treat it through medically recommended methods such as rest, iron supplements, or if necessary, a drug like ProCrit.
However, if someone has idiopathic CHRONIC FATIGUE, and they've tried all of the first steps at achieving relief such as rest, diet and moderate exercise, but to not avail, is it compassionate to deny them an attempt at relief simply because medical science cannot positively define the cause and/or cure? I think not.
And as to your (or any other patient's) addiction to pain killers, my sympathy goes out to you! Abusing pain medication must have been pure hell for you, yes? I wouldn't doubt that such an uncontrolled and totally abusive experience, as is addiction, that it must have struck a very deep chord of fear in you. I can only imagine.
However, regardless of the small percentage of patients who become truly addicted, (not just dependent) we should not and do not prohibit physicians from prescribing pain killers to those with CHRONIC PAIN simply because it may be addictive, or idiopathic? (Yes, certain draconian attempts have been made by some well-intended but sadly misguided groups at severely limiting opioid prescription, but fortunately the FDA has largely shot down it's own advisory committee's overreaching recommendations in that regard.)
Should it be any different with CHRONIC FATIGUE? Again, I think not!
Finally, as to your statement.... "I would look closely though at which patients benefit and under what conditions,".... I can only say that's pretty much a no-brainer, Eric. In fact, that's one of the points made in the article I referenced above.
Hope this clarifies things.
The comparison I made between CHRONIC fatigue and CHRONIC pain is pretty clearly stated, and I would've thought, understood.
However, for clarification purposes, let me restate my point thusly -- both are medically identifiable and often physically debilitating conditions, YET, the medical community has HISTORICALLY "embraced" one, i.e., CP, but unfortunately to a MUCH LESSER extent, CF.
However, you are correct when you state that they are two different conditions.
Can't argue with you there.But again, in both instances, the medical reference and comparison I've tried to communicate is in regard to these CHRONIC conditions vis a vis the medical community's respective treatments, not to your occasional sore muscles or fatigue acquired from a long hike or weekend bike ride and it's standard medical treatment protocol.
Eric, if you personally suffer from OCCASIONAL fatigue that's related to an identifiable medical condition, e.g., low RBC, then by all means take the necessary steps to treat it through medically recommended methods such as rest, iron supplements, or if necessary, a drug like ProCrit.
However, if someone has idiopathic CHRONIC FATIGUE, and they've tried all of the first steps at achieving relief such as rest, diet and moderate exercise, but to not avail, is it compassionate to deny them an attempt at relief simply because medical science cannot positively define the cause and/or cure? I think not.
And as to your (or any other patient's) addiction to pain killers, my sympathy goes out to you! Abusing pain medication must have been pure hell for you, yes? I wouldn't doubt that such an uncontrolled and totally abusive experience, as is addiction, that it must have struck a very deep chord of fear in you. I can only imagine.
However, regardless of the small percentage of patients who become truly addicted, (not just dependent) we should not and do not prohibit physicians from prescribing pain killers to those with CHRONIC PAIN simply because it may be addictive, or idiopathic? (Yes, certain draconian attempts have been made by some well-intended but sadly misguided groups at severely limiting opioid prescription, but fortunately the FDA has largely shot down it's own advisory committee's overreaching recommendations in that regard.)
Should it be any different with CHRONIC FATIGUE? Again, I think not!
Finally, as to your statement.... "I would look closely though at which patients benefit and under what conditions,".... I can only say that's pretty much a no-brainer, Eric. In fact, that's one of the points made in the article I referenced above.
Hope this clarifies things.
Last edited by Steve on Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:28 pm, edited 3 times in total.
-
Steve - Name: Steve
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Ritalin or Adderall for fatigue?
Nancy, I'm right there with you on chocolate!
Coffee, meh.
But chocolate!? Is there EVER enough?
Coffee, meh.
But chocolate!? Is there EVER enough?
-
Steve - Name: Steve
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Ritalin or Adderall for fatigue?
Steve, after I had the induction chemo, the SCT, and a year of consolidation therapy, I was just wrung out and exhausted too. I had to take 'cat naps' during the day, which also helped with fatigue. I try not to over do it on the caffeine, and now just usually drink coffee or tea up until noon, since caffeine can keep me awake too. Seems we have to find some sort of balance in our 'new normal' way of life.
I wish you all the best in finding a way around your fatigue, and also would like to thank you for suggesting and helping to set up the Beacon's new book club. I think that is a nice initiative and hopefully readers will enjoy it too.
I wish you all the best in finding a way around your fatigue, and also would like to thank you for suggesting and helping to set up the Beacon's new book club. I think that is a nice initiative and hopefully readers will enjoy it too.
-
Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
22 posts
• Page 1 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
Return to Treatments & Side Effects