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Adderall For Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue

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Psychiatrist Pens Book That Suggests Adhd Medications

MS Fatigue

Many people pre-coronavirus pandemic were used to going at a nonstop pace, bustling to and from work and/or school, getting involved in religious and social activities as well as jumping the daily hurdles that life inevitably throws a persons way.

Some people, however, have a very difficult time dealing with everyday stress, often finding it challenging to get out of bed. Not only do they live with unrelenting fatigue not ameliorated by 10-12 hours of sleep, they feel emotionally overwhelmed and deal with brain fog. They also may have physical pain that could be linked to fibromyalgia, temporomandibular joint dysfunction and migraine.

Joel L. Young, M.D., founder and director of the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine, who has done studies in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome , has a message for these individuals:

To patients with ME/CFS, I know youre out there, and I know you need help, he said. We get how much you suffer. You deserve better than what youve gotten.

Young, who has conducted research into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for approximately 30 years, has recently published a book titled Understanding and Treating Chronic Fatigue: A Practical Guide for Patients and Practitioners. The book was published by Praeger Press and sells for $39. It is available in hardcover and in electronic book format on Amazon and from Praeger.

Link to ADHD?
Longstanding Fatigue
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Stimulants Not Helpful In Ms Fatigue

Off-label use of Ritalin for MS did not help patients.

The off-label use of methylphenidate to relieve fatigue in multiple sclerosis was called in to question in a recent study that found it less effective than placebo for relieving fatigue or improving balance and gait.

The double-blind, randomized trial was conducted to seek evidence for a treatment of fatigue that has been largely anecdote-driven, and investigate whether a reported possible benefit of methylphenidate on balance and gait in elderly populations, and in those with Parkinson’s disease could apply to persons with MS.

“Recent research also supports that methylphenidate can improve balance and walking in various populations, but no published studies have evaluated the effects of repeated doses of methylphenidate on fatigue, balance, or walking in MS,” indicated Michelle Cameron, MD, PT, and Garnett McMillan, PhD, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University and VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon.

At each two-week visit, subjects completed the Modified Fatigue Index Scale , the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, the Timed 25-Foot Walk , as well as the oral Symbol Digit Modalities Test , a screen for organic cerebral dysfunction.

“By the 30mg twice daily dose, there is at least 80% certainty that methylphenidate was less beneficial than placebo for all outcomes,” Cameron and McMillan reported.

Side Effects Of Adderall

  • Shortness of breath
  • Stomachache

People who stop taking Adderall for an extended period of time may also experience extreme fatigue and depression. Depression can also occur when patients misuse Adderall. Abruptly stopping Adderall can lead to suicidal thinking.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, .

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.

Using Adderall for long periods of time can cause many serious physical and mental health issues. Even if you are diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Adderall, you should be extremely cautious when taking it.

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Switched To Ritalin And Adderall

When it got pulled off the market in ’04, I shifted over to Ritalin. 20 mg 3x per day…6a, 1030a & 3p. The Ritalin lasts about 6-7 hours so, by the time the first dose was wearing off, the next dose was working. About 1 1/2 years ago, I tried Adderall 2x per day on the advice of my current neurologist. I take this at 630a & 11a. This lasts most of the day without issue.

Any Kind Of Exercise Could Help

Alternatives to Adderall for Fatigue

It seems to go against common sense to exert yourself if you experience fatigue. But there is strong evidence that exercise helps keep your body working at its best and can improve strength, fitness and mood.

Its possible to do too much exercise, so balance the exercise with rest. And keep cool while you exercise, especially if heat makes your fatigue worse.

You might want to plan your exercise and avoid long sessions to prevent overheating. Some people find water-based exercise helpful for maintaining a steady temperature.

Cooling vests may also help. A physiotherapist can help you devise a suitable exercise programme.

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Exercise Can Boost Energy

Certain types of easy exercise, such as gardening and yoga , have been shown to boost energy levels, reduce stress, improve joint range of motion, help manage spasticity, and increase strength. Because of its natural buoyancy, water allows many men and women with MS to perform exercises they cannot do outside of the pool. Water exercise helps increase flexibility, strengthen the upper and lower extremities and trunk, improve ambulatory skills, increase coordination and balance, and condition the overall body to raise endurance levels and lessen fatigue.

For more information on the benefits of aquatic therapy and aquatic exercise for individuals with MS, please see the Health and Wellness column from the Summer/Fall 2012 issue of The Motivator. This may be found on MSAAs website at mymsaa.org/publications/motivator/summer-fall12/health

Connection Between Adderall And Depression

Adderall and depression are linked in multiple ways. Adderall has been used as an off-label treatment for depression in patients who experience depression in combination with ADHD. Because stimulants can increase alertness, attention, and energy, they can feel like mood boosters for those experiencing depression.

But Adderall can cause depression, especially if a person is taking a high dosage of the drug and suddenly discontinues use. Adderall is also commonly misused and taken without a prescription. Non-medically deemed the “study drug,” Adderall is widely known for its ability to increase attention for long periods of time. Many high school and college students also use it recreationally.

The problem is that many people dont know how stimulants work, what side effects can occur, and how the drug impacts the body in the short and long term. Adderall dependence and withdrawal can be dangerous and can cause depression, suicidal thoughts, fatigue, sleep problems, and more.

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Relieving Fatigue Through Cooling

Research has shown that nerves with damaged myelin are sensitive to changes in temperature. A rise in temperature may cause nerve conduction to be less efficient, whereas a reduction in temperature may allow more signals to be transmitted across a damaged nerve.

The idea of cooling people with MS to alleviate symptoms has been researched and practiced for many years, but practical methods of cooling an individual had not been perfected until the 1990s. At this time, MSAA and NASA joined forces to develop and test a cool suit.

Cooling someone too quickly such as taking cold baths or sitting close to the air conditioner can cause shivering and vasoconstriction. This reaction does not help to alleviate MS symptoms. By slowly cooling down the body, an individual with MS may experience improvement in areas of physical performance, cognitive processing, and motor function. Cooling also significantly reduces fatigue, helping a person with MS perform his or her daily activities.

Controlled cooling is now achieved through passive cooling garments. These are portable and allow the wearer to enjoy symptom relief indoors or out. Passive cooling garments, such as a vest and wraps for the neck, wrists, or ankles, use ice or gel packs to give people with MS immediate and simple relief from heat and certain MS symptoms. Some passive garments are dampened and chilled before use.

Arms Groups And Cohorts

Multiple Sclerosis and Fatigue
  • Placebo Comparator: Placebo
  • Capsule with no active medical ingredients to be taken orally once a day for 12 weeks.
  • Active Comparator: Adderall XR 10mg
  • 10mg Adderall XR capsule to be taken orally once a day for 12 weeks.
  • Active Comparator: Adderall XR 20mg
  • 20mg Adderall XR capsule to be taken orally once a day for 12 weeks.
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    Other Causes Of Fatigue

    Some fatigue experienced by people with MS is not actually caused by the MS. For example, a person might feel fatigued due to poor sleep, infection, medications, or depression.

    Medications taken to solve other problems can contribute to fatigue. If you look at your pill bottles, some say, May cause drowsiness or Do not operate heavy machinery while taking this medication. These warnings indicate that the medicine is sedating, i.e., it can make you tired. Medications that are used to treat bladder dysfunction, spacticity, and pain can cause fatigue in MS patients. If this is the case and you are experiencing fatigue, a good place to begin is to review all of your medications with your physician.

    Alternatives To Adderall For Fatigue

    Adderall, generic name dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, is prescribed as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Adderall is a stimulant, which helps people with ADHD focus and control symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. A side effect is that Adderall increases wakefulness and can cause insomnia.

    Adderall can be used off-label to combat fatigue, but there are other prescription drugs that can treat fatigue. Fatigue can be caused by many things, including multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, depression, cancer , and infections.

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    Not Sure What I Would Do Without This Medication

    I do not know what I would do without this medication. I could not keep track of my life, take part in a 3 way conversation or put together a coherent argument on something. For more info, do a Google search on Ritalin or Adderall and MS cognitive fatigue. You find some postings from different sources as well as many that I have put up asking why this has not been studied further.

    Symptoms Signs And Abnormal Clinical And Laboratory Findings Not Elsewhere Classifiednote

    PPT
  • This chapter includes symptoms, signs, abnormal results of clinical or other investigative procedures, and ill-defined conditions regarding which no diagnosis classifiable elsewhere is recorded.
  • Signs and symptoms that point rather definitely to a given diagnosis have been assigned to a category in other chapters of the classification. In general, categories in this chapter include the less well-defined conditions and symptoms that, without the necessary study of the case to establish a final diagnosis, point perhaps equally to two or more diseases or to two or more systems of the body. Practically all categories in the chapter could be designated ‘not otherwise specified’, ‘unknown etiology’ or ‘transient’. The Alphabetical Index should be consulted to determine which symptoms and signs are to be allocated here and which to other chapters. The residual subcategories, numbered .8, are generally provided for other relevant symptoms that cannot be allocated elsewhere in the classification.
  • The conditions and signs or symptoms included in categories R00R94 consist of:
  • cases for which no more specific diagnosis can be made even after all the facts bearing on the case have been investigated
  • signs or symptoms existing at the time of initial encounter that proved to be transient and whose causes could not be determined
  • provisional diagnosis in a patient who failed to return for further investigation or care
  • exhaustion and fatigue due to excessive exertion
    • : New code
    • 2017

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    Study Funding And Conflicts Of Interest

    Some of the studies were totally or partially funded by companies selling Adderall and modafinil .

    If youre interested in natural and targeted ways of improving your foggy brain, we recommend checking out SelfDecodes Brain Fog DNA Report. It gives you genetic-based diet, lifestyle, and supplement tips that can help improve you clear the haze. The recommendations are personalized based on YOUR DNA.

    Adhd Drugs For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    Some people with chronic fatigue syndrome may actually benefit from taking ADHD drugs, but with limited research, there are cons to this treatment, too.

    Doctors sometimes prescribe stimulants for chronic fatigue syndrome patients, the same drugs used to treat adults with attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder . Why?

    Using ADHD drugs for chronic fatigue treatment may help improve the cognitive problems caused by CFS patients extreme fatigue.

    Some studies have also found evidence that the off-label use of ADHD drugs, specifically Ritalin , Adderall and Dexedrine , help with cognitive symptoms and chronic pain in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, although extensive research has not yet been done.

    People with chronic fatigue syndrome often complain of cognitive problems caused by their condition. CFS symptoms include an inability to concentrate, difficulty recalling information, and trouble staying on task when trying to complete an errand or chore.

    While research into this use for ADHD drugs is limited, early results are promising:

    The Pros and Cons

    The pros of using ADHD drugs as a chronic fatigue treatment include:

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    Take Rest When You Need It

    For some people, rest helps relieve fatigue and is an important part of fatigue management. Resting can prevent you getting to a point of complete exhaustion and coming to a sudden halt, mid task.

    A few small breaks are best for some people or you might feel better after just one longer rest at a particular time.

    For example:

    • try taking a few short rests or power naps,
    • through the day try just one longer rest,
    • at the same time each day take a break between coming home from work and getting ready for an evening out

    When you rest, try to make your rest as complete as possible. Doing smaller jobs around the house, talking to the family or watching TV might be more relaxing than work or chores, but it is not really resting. It can be tricky, but the aim should be to switch off both the mind and the body.

    You might want to have a short sleep, or use relaxing music to help you clear your mind. Some people find yoga, mindfulness or meditation useful.

    If worries disturb time set aside for rest, try writing down these concerns and ‘shelving’ them while you are resting. You will have more energy to tackle them once your energy levels are up again.

    If resting helps you manage your fatigue, it is important that other people realise how valuable this quiet, undisturbed time is.

    Above all don’t feel guilty about taking rest when you need it. If this is something you find challenging our online fatigue management course can help you think it through.

    Common Conditions People Have *:

    Fatigue: Take Control Part 2 — National MS Society
  • Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis : 10 people, 62.50%
  • Pain: 10 people, 62.50%
  • Fatigue : 8 people, 50.00%
  • Neuralgia : 7 people, 43.75%
  • Indigestion: 7 people, 43.75%
  • Deep Venous Thrombosis : 7 people, 43.75%
  • Weakness: 2 people, 12.50%
  • Sleep Disorder: 1 person, 6.25%
  • Seizure Like Phenomena : 1 person, 6.25%
  • Immunodeficiency Disorders: 1 person, 6.25%
  • * Approximation only. Some reports may have incomplete information.

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    Fatigue Physical Disability And Self

    This article was originally published here

    Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Dec 15 18:13237. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182413237.

    ABSTRACT

    Multiple sclerosis is a chronic progressive demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that leads to permanent disability and many neurological symptoms, making everyday functioning difficult. The predictors of the acceptance of illness and the health-related quality of life in people with MS include the degree of disability, neurological symptoms and psychosocial factors, such as personal resources. The aim of our study is to determine the relationships among disability, fatigue, self-efficacy, acceptance of illness and quality of life. The study group consisted of 137 people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis-73 women and 64 men. EDSS, GNDS, LSES, AIS and MSIS-29 were used in the present study. The results show that all tested variables were significantly correlated with each other. Disability and fatigue were significant predictors of both the physical and psychological aspects of patients quality of life. Self-efficacy was a significant predictor of both the acceptance of illness and the psychological aspect of patients quality of life. Based on the current research study, it can be concluded that factors of a biomedical nature explain other aspects of struggling with the disease, rather than psychological resources.

    Adderall Cause Multiple Sclerosis Furadantin

    The results of this study will help provide data to design a larger study to determine if Adderall XR, and potentially other amphetamine drugs, will help treat cognitive impairment in MS patients.Keywords provided by Sarah Morrow, London Health Sciences Centre: was unable to determine if the increase noted on the SDMT, an objective measure of PS, COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. population. I was dx on 8/10/2012, surgery on August 16th for Stage IIIC colon cancer.

    I was diagnosed with that In 2015, So when I was diagnosed with MS last year I had already been taking Adderall for two years.

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    Organise Your Living And Work Spaces

    You might find there are practical changes that can be made to the places you work and live. Maybe re-organising desks or cupboards, or adjusting the temperature or lighting to suit you better.

    Sometimes, the simplest of changes can make the workplace or home more energy efficient for you.

    An occupational therapist can help you assess the spaces you use at work and at home – and may suggest adaptations or equipment that could help. For more information about the support that occupational therapists can offer, and how to find one, download or order our leaflet Occupational therapy and MS.

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