Hi!
I used to take Ritalin in my twenties and thirties for weight loss. It gave me energy and reduced my appetite! Have you noticed that you're not as hungry?

Anyway, I always had to take it early in the a.m. or yes, it would keep me up at night. I didn't have CFS at the time I was taking Ritalin, so it wasn't the CFS causing that "awakeness" side effect. I'm sure it was the Ritalin! I think I used to take 5 mgs/day.

I find that even a cup of coffee is too much for me as far as getting the jitters goes. I can't take any stimulants at all. Wish I could. I remember the feeling of "well being" I had from Ritalin, and I loved the energy it gave me.

Since the onset of CFS, I find that the same feeling that I used to love, is now interpreted by my body as anxiety and restlessness. It's amazing how many medications/foods/stimulating experiences, I can no longer enjoy because of CFS.

I hope you can take this medication. I'm sure you love feeling a bit of energy. Unfortunately, I think that most of us will tell you that our bodies just won't tolerate stimulants. This doesn't just apply to medications! It also applies to stimulating conversations, experiences....anything that gets the adrenalin goin seems to work against us.

It just ain't right!

I wish you the best with this! ox

The only stimulant I ever took was pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), would you believe? The doctor had me try Sudafed every day. It didn't help me to feel better with the brain fog, so I stopped. I am interested in this thread. I am very foggy and would love to feel better. Let us know how it plays out in the long term. I experience some anxiety, so I wonder if it might make the anxiety worse. Love you.

I took a lot of stimulants in my youth but got burned out on them by my 30s. I didn't have CFS then but still began to hate stimulants.

I know CFS makes me even worse about stimulants. If I do take them it feels like False Energy and I pay a price in a relapse after accomplishing a lot while on stimulants. I avoid any stimulating meds.

I agree with Darla that even stimulating conversations with friends can cause a relapse later.

Only caffeine or an extra 2.5 mcg of my thyroid med if I am really in trouble.
I've used sudafed (the original one) too, it makes me feel good for a day or two, then nervous (they make street drugs out of it, no wonder)

I am glad I took the time to read the comments on this thread. While I do fine with caffeine (I think because of things affecting me the opposite of the way they are suppose to) I find the comments about even stimulating conversations being a drain on energy. I didn't know this happened to other people. I am learning that I have to conserve energy wherever I can and if I don't I crash. I liken it to being very poor financially and once the money is gone there is none left to spend. Energy is the same way for me. Even things that are enjoyable are still draining and use up that valuable energy.

Watch out for that pseudoephedrine. It can be addictive, no matter what the pharma companies say about it. I had a very good friend get hooked on nasal spray and his whole life went downhill after that. Last I heard he was in prison.

I learned years ago to avoid all stimulants. They make me hyper, irritable, then exhausted.

I know doctors like to downplay this, but our brain functions are not normal. I've noticed lately that my mind clears and I can think so much better after exercising within my limits...but it doesn't last long. Then it's back into anxiety, depression, gloomy thinking, brain fog.

I agree, finding the best way to destress is so helpful in clearing the fog out. I go to the warm therapy pool , wear a headset with peaceful music and just float.... sometimes I dont want to leave....

I would be careful with stimulants. The only one I have is cocoa. In my experience all energy gained through stimulants is borrowed energy and there's a price to pay. Best thing that's helped my brain is cutting out toxins and meds, and recently giving up dairy.

There is more and more evidence that brains of people with CFS/ME/SEID are suffering from inflammation, and I believe toxin overload. I'd say my brain is 90% better now, and 5 years ago I couldn't think in sentences.

About 30% CFS find stimulants to be helpful. My neurologist has prescribed stimulants for me for 10+ yrs. I started on Provigil, tried several others, now on dextroamphetamine for the past 4 yrs. without it I would be a non-moving, non-talking lump. Started out on 50mg, worked it down to 10 mg. Then I had a very big relapse in March and had to raise it to 20 mg. I am coming out of the relapse now and am taking 15 mg. It's not just for energy and brain fog, although it helps with that. It also helps with all nervous system malfunctions: incontinence, balance, muscle coordination, vision, throat (choking), body temperature, finger coordination, etc etc. without it I would be bedridden. Interestingly, I still have all of the symptoms, and more dextro does not cure them. But the 'right' amount does help and allows me to stay out of bed during the day. I have the doctor' s permission to titrate the dose depending on how I am, so during the relapse I raised it a little and then a little more. Then, as I improved, I reduced the dose. I am NEVER am tempted to take more and more. I really don't like how I feel on too much. I am not overly sensitive to stimulants, like coffee, like others have noted here. I have coffee every morning which I really enjoy, but do not feel any 'lift' from it. By the way, I never 'tried' stimulants in my youth, it is all for CFS.

jcpmore, I just reread your post and have more to say. I have been on it so long that I don't have/notice side effects now. When my dose is too small, I get very depressed. And, ys, if I take it too late in the day, I have trouble sleeping. in fact, trouble sleeping is my best cue that I need to reduce the dose a little. It is sometimes hard to find the 'just right' dose.
Oddly, these class of drugs can, without warning, stop working. I was taking Provigil for about 5 yrs, then it stopped working. My neurologist prescribed ritalin, which worked for a year, then some others that did not work at all. Going back to Provigil did not work. Finally the dextroamphetamine, which worked and I have been relatively stable on it. It's all a big mystery.
We are all so different, and this awful disease is so poorly understood, I believe that different treatments are sometimes useful and needed.
Last thoughts (I am not very organized in this reply) I never used it to get high, or to lose weight or other goals that might signal abuse. I used it to continue living.

I guess I'm in the 30% that respond...but I suspect I've some add going on. I use a transdermal Ritalin, and the feeling is smooth and gentle. I don't use it every day, and when I do I try not to overextend. However, even when I've crashed, the Ritalin helps with mood and alertness. However, sometimes I don't want to feel the push however gentle. I rest when I can.... It's not a magic med...just helpful.

I shake, rattle, and roll when I take stimulants. Cannot handle them at all. I do use coffee when I must be alert, which isn't often, thank G-d.

Very interesting topic: I started feeling sick by age 13 ,so having a hyper personality and very ambitious--- coffee helped me a lot. By age 30 I always reduced to half a cup diluted (cafe americano").
At age 40 I was given Dexedrine : in very small doses it helped but after 2 years experimenting realized the up shot was brief with a bad crash after.
When I am not in a 2 month relapse, caffeine is essential to function. I start with 5o mg at midday and can raise to another 50 around 5 pm.
I have searched for stimulants for a long time. Too many alternative practionshers pushed their remedies with this energy thing promised.
Never worked for me-- no homeopathic, supplements, diet,physio,chiro, except for caffeine . I'm relieved to hear that many cfs'ers have bad reaction s to any stimulants (even) social and positive experiences
I find that so cruel,yet true. I have been very jealous of patients who get better energy from a substance, whether it is meds, diet, or exercise routine or alternative treatments.
When I can't have any caffeine during a relapse it is devastating because I am so dependent on it, without it I am so weak and with bad symptoms.