Has anyone here been on ADHD meds and found them useful in helping with their fibro symptoms as well? My boyfriend keeps recommending I try looking into that as well as depression meds (although so far the depression meds have only made me fuzzy) so I thought I’d ask. I know everyone is different but I’m curious if it might be helpful to some
Hi Karli,
I take Adheral (spelling?) for Fibro Fog and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which can be accommpanied with Fibro. I have found the ADHD medication (typical use) very helpful in fighting Fibro Fog as well as giving me that extra boost I need when I have zero energy and do not know how I am going to make it through the day. I have also, at times, felt that it has helped my mood. With little energy and chronic fatigue, this can lead to feeling "depressed" or "down". I was told by my primary care doctor that feeling depressed can be a side effect of having little or no energy. Before you decide to take the medication, talk to your doctor, but I wanted to let you know that I have felt it has benefited me and my situation greatly. Before taking or starting any medication, I ALWAYS consult with my doctor and then do additional research on my own : )
Hugs,
Sara
My honest opinion is that your doctor should be the only person telling you what to take. If you aren't getting some relief (100% relief isn't attainable,) then maybe it's time to consult another doctor and especially a rheumatologist.
Many of us with fibro also suffer from depression. Pain causes depression, apparrently. There are many different anti-depressants out there so if the one you have is causing too much fuzziness, you could talk to your doctor and see if he could recommend another one. I haven't heard of anyone treating their fibro with ADHD meds. Again, I would ask the doctor about those drugs and see what he has to say.
I really hope that you go to a specialist, like a rheumatologist, if you haven't already, as they can test you for other illnesses that mimick fibro. And hopefully they could ser you up with a medicine program that is helpful for you.
P S: Your post has goaded me into seeing my rheumatologist again. I had missed the last appointment, so this is a make up appt. It's important to get those yearly appointments, so your doc can see how you are doing and if anything needs to be changed or tweaked. This is why I am suggesting that you see one.
Thank you both for your responses. I was originally diagnosed by a rheumatologist in 2010 but he has since retired and my current rheum won’t spend more than 5 minutes with me and all she’ll say is I need to excercise so I quit going to her. There are no others in my area unfortunately, so I just go to a walk in clinic when I go to the doc. This clinic is the only one where the docs have acknowledged my FMS so far so I’ve just stuck with them even though they can only do so much. There’s a nurse there that has FMS also, so it’s nice to have that understanding. I don’t know when I’ll be back but it was something I thought about asking when I do
I think that is a great idea to ask and get all the information you can : ) I have a nurse in my Primary Care Doctor's office that has FMS as well and I have found her support unwaivering and very helpful. I do see a Rheumatologist for Arthritis, but my FMS is managed mostly by my Primary Care Doctor. Even though he has limits to what he can provide, I have found him most helpful when exploring different treatment options because he listens to me, has my best interest at heart and treats me as an individual, not just another diagnosis. I also see a Psychiatrist for counseling to help cope with the emotional and coping piece of this diagnosis. It almost seems we have to form a "team" of support around this illness. I have a Chiropractor, Primary Care Doctor, Rheumatologist and Counselor. It seems like alot, but it has really helped me develop an all aspects approach to treatment, which has improved my quality of life.
I hope you find the answers you are looking for *Hugs*,
Sara
Karli said:
Thank you both for your responses. I was originally diagnosed by a rheumatologist in 2010 but he has since retired and my current rheum won't spend more than 5 minutes with me and all she'll say is I need to excercise so I quit going to her. There are no others in my area unfortunately, so I just go to a walk in clinic when I go to the doc. This clinic is the only one where the docs have acknowledged my FMS so far so I've just stuck with them even though they can only do so much. There's a nurse there that has FMS also, so it's nice to have that understanding. I don't know when I'll be back but it was something I thought about asking when I do