Ritalin, Adderall and other ADHD meds are given by some drs for fibro.

I really have to be careful of having any bump from a substance or for any other reason, actually. If I bump myself into more energy with coffee, say, as soon as it wear off, I'm in colossal pain. I would suggest you beware taking anything to give you more pep.

I agree with marsharbel, using energy supplements/medication can create a serious backlash effect. I use Coravlen which was originally developed for congestive heart failure patients. You can Google it. It works pretty well but I only use it when I absolutely have to get something done. It makes me ten times worse in the fatigue department once it wears off. Things are not necessarily greener on the other side of the fence. Take care.

When you have ADHD, you react to stimulant meds differently than if you don't. Also if you're not use to taking the meds everyday for ADHD, you are much more inclined to overdo and push yourself whcih makes the pain and fatigue worse.

Vanessa, why did you stop taking the Ritalin ?

I started experiencing heart palpitations and panic attacks (which I hadn't had for many years). It wasn't necessarily tied to the ritalin - but they got so bad that I went to a cardiologist and started on metroprolol (which I'm not on anymore) and so as part of that, I tried to cut back on stimulants - so I stopped the ritalin and caffeine at the time. I eventually went back to the caffeine but just never started up the ritalin again. I've since cut back on caffeine again so no coffee for me.

If your ADHD is manageable without medications, you may not be able to find a dr tht will prescribe it. It depends on what other meds you're on, like opiates for pain. I've learned that a lot depends on what the politices are in an area. Usually areas that have high rates of drug abuse are more difficult to get an Schedule II med prescribed. For ADHD, some drs require you to be tested. In some areas you can't find a dr that will prescribe stimulants to someone with fibro. While in other areas drs don't have a problems and pain management drs frequently prescribe stimulants to reduce the side effects of opiates. It really makes little sense.

Thanks for the heads up ItsJust. I've actually faced the opposite problem in the past! My previous psychiatrist literally only wanted to write prescriptions and never wanted to talk about what might make sense. She would always just say "what do you want?" and I would say "I don't know! I want to tell you my symptoms and hear your advice!" - Luckily, my boss is now paying for me to see an amazing psychiatrist who also provides counseling. She said she can start me back on the Ritalin if I end up finding it helpful.

I was on Adderall for my CFS the goal was to help me at work with overwhelming fatigue. I only lasted a month. For me it made me jittery and I tended to multi task like crazy. It made my fog worse because I couldn't finish anything. Then of course I couldn't remember what that pile was for etc. I had to constantly put post list on everything to tell me what I was doing.

I do much better without it. My fatigue is high still but at least I can get one thing done at a time. Multi-tasking a brain fog do not mix! I am doing much better at work without it. My fatigue was considerably better when I got my pain levels under control.

Vanessa, to properly manage ADHD, you need more than meds. I'm glad that you found someone that offers counseling.

gkneez, ADHD meds act differently on those with ADHD/ADD than the do on people that don't have it. But, dosage is important with both, Some drs that prescribe it for fibro aren't familiar enough with the stimulants to know how to prescribe them for things other than ADHD/ADD. Adderall is stronger than Ritalin. Stronger isn't always best.

Honestly speaking, I think my ADHD is more likely due to other issues and may be a misdiagnosis. I have been diagnosed w PTSD (CPTSD) and Disassociative Disorder and so the massive issues with concentration are probably more likley connected to that - but the ADHD was diagnosed way before I started seeing proper counselors.

Sorry to hear you had that issue with the meds gkneez. Ritalin used to help me a lot before the Fibro - but now I actually think it's making things worse but for the opposite reason. I get so hyper focused in on what I'm doing that I literally forget everything else... I look up and 6 hours have passed while I've been hunched over my computer and I've forgotten to do the 50 other things on my to do list and I feel confused.

I've decided against using it for now.