... to do is sleep. I cant take this anymore. I have no life. I can stay up for about 4-6 hours then I cant seem to fight the fatigue. This is worse than any pain issue I have e.g, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, 2 knee replacements and it just goes on and on. I need energy. Ive tried herbs such as b12 and other herbs, but nothing seems to help. What can i do. There has to be a med to treat this.
(CFS) - is there a legal amphetamine to treat chronic fatigue. All I want?
Question posted by iamtina on 27 Dec 2010
Last updated on 7 April 2022 by Rekostar
13 Answers
Rekostar
7 April 2022
Vyvanse is what my insurance changed me from Adderall. I think it's a stronger longer lasting medication. At first I didn't but after taking it for a while it definitely works just as good or better.
Sleepykitty
28 July 2018
Yes, Adderall 20 mg in the morning is very helpful for chronic fatigue.
agaughen
27 May 2018
I have severe chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and chronic pain. I have surrendered to the fact that I have to take medication in order to somehow function . I have tried so many medications but end up going back to adderall . It’s the only thing that will motivate me pretty fast and then yeah there is a crash every 4 hours . I am on 80 mg a day 4x20 tablets . There have been many times that I have pickup that monthly script and it does not work . I don’t care what they tell me about genetics being the same because I swear they are not . I took a break from adderall and went to focalin for 4 months .
Focalin helped with the sleepiness but not the physical push so I am back to Adderall .
Without it , I will sleep my life away . I hope they will release a drug like adderall but stronger . I hate the fact that drugs seam to dictate my life . I pray that this is a temporary nightmare and some day it would magically disappear and I will wake up fine .
kaiami
29 April 2018
I have fibromyalgia and other chronic pain issues as well as chronic fatigue. I was prescribed Adderall for years, then it seems as though the laws have changed? I have Dysautonomia as well, and other heart problems. I’ve been on Klonopin for close to half my life. I’m also on Buprenorphine for pain. My doctor says I can choose between the Klonopin and the Adderall. I think it’s really ridiculous! Why should I have to choose between two medications that I need to function halfway normally!!! If anyone knows something different (as far as the laws) please let me know! Thanks! I wish you all the best. People without chronic fatigue do not understand how much it impacts our lives, and many just think we are lazy.
It’s not narcolepsy, I have had sleep studies done, but I will fall asleep just like someone with narcolepsy!! I struggle to get through every minute of every day! I feel like I’m just sleeping my life away and when I am awake I’m so out of it that the people I’m close to get frustrated with me, and those who don’t know me act like I’m a freak or on drugs! It’s awful!
sphinxwinx
8 Feb 2022
honesty, i think i'm having the same problem and I think it's because one is an upper and one is a downer and that isn't good for the heart. Also being on 3 scheduled/ controlled substances makes us a liability. i'd gladly give up my klonopin for Adderall but all I can get is nuvigil.
sphinxwinx
8 Feb 2022
honesty, i think i'm having the same problem and I think it's because one is an upper and one is a downer and that isn't good for the heart. Also being on 3 scheduled/ controlled substances makes us a liability. i'd gladly give up my klonopin for Adderall but all I can get is nuvigil.
obbn
22 Jan 2013
I had three major back surgeries and now suffer from FBSS (failed back surgery syndrome) that has left me in massive pain that most likely will follow me for the rest of my life. To treat the pain I take morphine daily and need to take percocet for break through pain when the morphine fails. Needless to say the constant use of the pain killers has tuIrned me into a lethargic mess. I sleep a good 12 to 14 hours a day and when awake I feel ad if I could go right back to sleep. I have absolutely no energy and at times I really wonder what's the point.
Feed up with living like this I consulted with my doctor. We at first went the conservative route with medications such as Nuvigil, but the drug literally did nothing. I wasn't thrilled about considering amphetamine as I really didn't want to be on another potent medication, but there really isn't a whole lot of options when it comes to CNS drugs (central nervous system). So my doctor started me on amphetamine sulfate (same thing as Aderall, but the generic ingredient). He started me on a single 5mg dose and WOW! My life returned, I woke up at 8am, had energy and I wasn't the least bit tired. In fact, the first day I took the medication I was up for almost 48 hours straight without a hint of fatigue.
Sadly, my tolerance built up very quickly. This is very common with amphetamine from what I have read. I have been taking the medication for a little more than a year now and I am taking a10mg dose three times a day. I take the first pill at 3am (I have trouble staying asleep at night because of the back pain and taking it at this time allows me to wake up in the morning.). By doing this I tend to wake up about 8 or 9 am. From there I take another when I wake and one more 2 hours later.
I never experienced the wakefulness and energy that I had the first few weeks I started the medication and quite honestly I started feeling tired again even with the meds. I talked to my doctor and decided that I would take a drug holiday and stop the amphetamine for one month to try and reset my tolerance level. I just went back on it today and while I am still not felling the effect I got when I took it the first time, it does seem to be doing it's job. I can tell you that the past month without the drug had been pure Hell. I was again sleeping 14 hours a day and pretty much useless when I was awake. So it is working, just not like it was in the beginning.
My doctor has told me that dosages above 40mg trend to have no better effect so going up much higher isn't an option. I an truly scared that eventually the amphetamine will cease to work and I will be back to being lethargic and pretty much useless.
I posted this not to cast a downer to the rest of you looking for a solution, but rather to give you some advice. If you doctor agrees that putting you on amphetamine for lethargy is the way to go start of with the absolute smallest dose you can and be wary about increasing the dosage too soon. My advice is to stick out the dose as long as you possibly can, because the increased dosage will help, but it won't take long and your will become tolerant to the higher dose as well. There is a definite limit with the amount of this medication one can take and once you've hit it, there isn't anywhere else to go. It really is a heartbreak to find a medication that changes your life, only to discover that time renders it ineffective and there isn't another option out there. Good luck to all of you.
RadAngel28
5 May 2013
Thank you for sharing your experience, it was very informative!
dawna1266
25 Sep 2017
I have had the same experience with tolerance. Everything you posted is correct, based on personal experience. Doctors/Insurance will fight about prescribing/covering more than one Vyvanse pill per day. At one time, they covered that for me, and it worked perfectly. I took 40 mg/2x day.
Sojrn
15 Oct 2012
I take dextroamphetamine (generic for adderall) twice a day and it helps alot. It's legal and inexpensive. I have insurance right now, but if I didn't I could still get my script of 180 for $218 at one independent pharmacy I frequent.
RadAngel28
5 May 2013
What is the condition your doctor prescribed it for?
suzmarie
29 Oct 2016
I have severe chronic fatigue. The Adderall that I take is prescribed for ADD due to brain fog/ concentration issues in order for insurance to cover it.
sydneyjade
31 Oct 2016
May I ask what mg dosage adder all you are taking? I used to be on 30mg three times a day but when my doc moved out of state its been hell to find a doctor who will continue it.
ksy34
15 Oct 2012
my boyfriend sleeps about 18 hours out of the day, but he has alot of health problems, diabetic-6 shots a day and has had 8 back surgerys in the last year n a half,he is also depressed ..i feel he is sleeping his life away, we have 3 kids hes misssing out on alot of their lives, and even though we've been together 19 years, i feel alone. so if there is something out there he could ask his doctor for id like to know! i never thought about him taking somethime to stay awake untill i read your question.
swishersweety
11 Aug 2013
I was the same way... In pain and exausted all the time
. literally sleeping my life away... My Dr. put me on 60mg of Vyvanse a day. Made a world of difference !! Adderall just made me shakey, heart pound, and head pound ... The vyvanse gave me energy,w/o the anxiety!!! He should try it. Might make a world of difference. He could play with the kids again... Im sure they miss him being part of the family.
.. It sounds like you do... Good luck and God Bless. Bri, Dayton OH
r
Mitchyesq
12 June 2012
I am new to this site and your question hit home. I have a 4-level disc problem with severe arthritic changes now in facet joints etc etc requiring 160 mg of OxyContin. To enhance the impact of the narcotic my pain management specialist prescribed "topic irate" also know as Topamax. Taking 75 mg at night helped with sleep for a number of years but lately the "no sleep syndrome" revisited. So frustrated I had bio identical hormone testing done ( both blood and saliva) and diagnosed with Stage 3 adrenal gland failure which can result from prolonged stressi.e dealing with constant pain and tryin to "keep up and live a life".was prescribed 10 mg of hydrocortisone (cortisol) in morning; 5 mg in afternoon and an optional 5 mg at night. What a difference in sleep, more energy and clarity in thinking...
probably/maybe due to getting sleep? The theory being to "prime the pump" and get adrenals working on their own to manufacture cortisol, hopefully they arent fried out forever. Will b retested for need... you don't want to be on a steroid on a long term basis.. BUT IT WORKED for me. And as I researched more I learned that most doctors don't really understand/know/believe in this hormone therapy except the newer "Wellness Practices" but I am telling you it was an almost immediate effect for me.. Like water on a wilted plant. My husband saw a difference in me also and I hadn't told him I was doing anything different (so he was sort of my "control ") I also take DHEA now for adrenal health and hope to be making my own hormone. Good luck... I encourage you to look into it. I believe it will have to become a more mainstream treatment over time
obbn
22 Jan 2013
Mitcyesq, it seems we suffer similar fates. I found your post very interesting. As with most if us, I am constantly looking for answers and trying to find a solution to my medical issue. I found your description of the discovery of your adrenal gland issue quite interesting. I plan on asking my doctor about this, perhaps I might have this issue as well. Any chance you could go into a bit more detail about how your doctor came to this diagnosis, your medication regiment for this and any details you think might help? I have added you as a friend on this site, so if you would prefer to send me as private message so we don't get of topic in this thread that would be great. Hope things are going well for you.
Ms. Common Sense
14 Feb 2012
Adderall will keep you energetic, alert, and more awake than you want. I cannot sleep at night without a sleeping pill. But i have been used to insomnia before. I suffered from fatigue for many years. None of the anti-depressants helped for more than 3 weeks. Fatigue became worse and worse. I tried them ALL!
Now I am on a low dose of Adderall (20 or 30 mg) in the morning, depending on how much energy is needed to finish my duties. Even when I complain to my doctor it does not work sometimes, I do never go above his recommended dose. He thinks it is normal for all of us to have better days than others! So, when I get a good night and early sleep, avoid acidic drinks, I feel its effectiveness.
I keep an eye on my heart rate and its rhythm and keep my cardio informed. As for my BP, luckily Adderall rises it to the normal range, as mine is in the low 98/60!
Good luck.
shelard
28 Dec 2010
You might ask your Dr for provigil or nuvigil. I take nuvigil to combat my fatigue. It works something like speed without hitting the pleasure centers so not addictive, also not jittery. It takes about 5-6 hrs before working .It is
made for work-shift disorders and for that disease where you fall asleep all the time- I can't remember the name right now. I have really been helped by this. I take it about 4 am and then it helps me all through the work day.
Anniebananie12
16 July 2013
That disease is called "narcolepsy"...
pta123
12 Jan 2017
Yeah, trying get either drug without a sleep study first for $2000 then try getting shot down again. I have excellent insurance. They won't let people try that; they don't care. I have to try another amphetamine which makes me sick. Those are easy to get. CFS meds forget it.
jacquiefripp
9 March 2017
I understand your frustration my daughter has chronic fatigue and fibromyalga, I myself have ms and I was given provigil for a few years, it helped slightly but has left me with a heart condition called atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure, I was not monitored while taking this drug and I should have been tested with a ecg and bp tests regularly, I was not ever tested, so I understand but please be aware these drugs need careful monitoring, good luck guys xxx
Bayouboy
28 Dec 2010
I have the same problem and I was prescribed Vynanse. Although typically prescribed for ADHD, it works for Chronic Fatigue.
Buff91275
19 Feb 2018
I have MS I was just recently prescribed vyvanse I am constantly dozing off I did better on adderall
eyes on the sky
28 Dec 2010
Nuvigil or Provigil are 2 drugs that combat chronic fatigue. However the drugs are very expensive. My doctor & I have been "fighting" with my insurance over these drugs. Provigil was offering a free 7 day trial with a 7 pill script from your doctor.
I have taken dexedrine & it helps some. It is in the same class of drugs as the Adderal.
jk13
28 Dec 2010
I suffer from the same basic thing, and Nuvigil is the ONLY thing that I have found that kinda works... it sucks big time!!!
cupcake7667
23 Jan 2013
I was started on Nuvigil. It did absolutely nothing for me. Now I'm on 30 mg Adderall BID and it works wonders. I was literally nodding off at work and once on the highway. That was enough to say, ok, I'm going to kill myself, get fired or hurt someone else. Started on 10 mg Adderall and as with most meds, developed a tolerance quickly but am stable at 30 mg twice daily, and no problems with insurance. However, on the weekends, I like to sleep in. I will sleep the weekends away, and it's awful. I literally feel Adderall withdrawal that quickly. I've designated Saturday as my rest day, but must stick to my Adderall on Sunday just to get out of bed and do chores around the house. I literally feel the withdrawal that quickly, or it could be I'm so exhausted from the week that my body needs rest but its messing my routine up. So I need to designate just Saturdays to no Adderall and rest :)
It's possible I didn't give Nuvigil enough time but I didn't like the way it made me feel and did not have instant results like Adderall. Hope you find what works for you and share! Best of luck!!!
jk13
23 Jan 2013
You know, a while back I lost my health insurance due to a layoff. Having chronic pain + ptsd + anxiety + bla bla bla... no insurance company would take me on without costing an arm & a leg! Nuvigil turns out to cost something like 400 to 500 dollars for a 30 day supply!!! Due to not having a job I had my doctor (paying out of pocket for each visit) switch me to generic Ritalin. It worked WAY better than did the Nuvigil.
I LOVED the Ritalin... and yah, my past caught up to me. About fifteen years ago I had a bad coke habit, spent thousands, almost ended up in the ER, almost got caught by an officer, but somehow got clean. Probably when I ran out of money or something. Anyways, Ritalin is almost identical to Cocaine, and my system told me so. Being at an age now where I have two young boys, I had no desire to have a total loss of control over something so stupid as Ritalin (not really stupid, but you know what I mean).
After about three / four months of running out mid-month, and verging on going on the streets to find a replacement, I caught myself and told my doc everything. I'm back on Nuvigil now and run my own business, can afford health insurance now, but it really isn't anywhere as good as the Ritalin. If my body hadn't been broken in a way, able to take the med like a normal person, it's one that I'd have to recommend. My issues are completely due to my past, and being given a drug that is almost identical (except it lasts longer, thus has medical relevance) totally was not something for me.
If I didn't have the chronic pain (methadone) and anxiety (klonopin) and other issues (other sedating medications), I know that my fatigue wouldn't be such an issue. Seeing that I can't handle stimulant meds very well and I've finally got a grip on the anxiety as of late, I'm trying (successfully so far) to cut back on these narcoleptic medications (at the moment just the Klonopin - was at 4 mg, now down to 2.5 mg, and oddly, when I was on the 4 mg, I needed that qty. so badly that the 2.5 mg now is much more sedating than was the 4 mg when I needed it. PTSD isn't very fun... ).
Well regardless, I'm glad to hear that you found something that really works for you! I'm a bit jealous, but have to do the therapy to fix the issues so that the meds aren't needed anymore (not counting the chronic pain - I have NO IDEA as how to get that one under control!!)
Jeff K
tiredalways
3 Dec 2018
I’ve been prescribed Nuvigil, expecting to feel so much more awake. It doesn’t help me much. Why is there such a problem with doctors prescribing Ritalin or Concerta or adderall? I’m at my wits end. I don’t have pain like with chronic fatigue. I’m plain old lethargic, use cpap machine nightly??
Sh1thappns
27 Dec 2010
I know that Adderall is prescribed to treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I also read that ritalin is prescribed but for some reason is less effective and has more side effects. I took adderall with pain killers. The adderall caused me to have major headaches and the pain killers helped that and then the fatigue that the pain killers caused was cured by the stimulant in the adderall.
Related topics
fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome (cfs), amphetamine, fatigue, chronic
Further information
- Amphetamine uses and safety info
- Amphetamine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Amphetamine (detailed)
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