"I'm the one who knocks." Let's talk Amphetamines!

@sandguy
I hear you about the desperation about extreme fatigue and struggling to function each day.

My son has ADHD and takes some of the medications you mention. When a person has ADHD, they respond to stimulants differently than a person who does not have ADHD. It actually has a calming effect for those with ADHD and helps them focus.

Stimulants can cause different symptoms for people and you need to try different ones to see what works best for you. It is best to use the lowest dose possible for improvement in energy levels with the fewest side effects. I do know that my son did not do well on amphetamines and did better on methylphenidate for ADHD. Those with narcolepsy may need treatment with stimulants and I understand it can be helpful for them.

The issue with stimulants is that they can become addictive and they can cause weight loss and difficulty sleeping. Not sleeping well will cause more health issues and losing weight may not be good for some.

I found that my ADHD med (Vyvanse) helps me function for about 8-10 hours, then I crash. It is better than nothing. I have wondered why there has not been research on this. I know that now every one can take these medications due to heart issues. I just know that without it, there are days I would not be able to do anything. There are still days, even taking the Vyvanse, that I am so fatigued and feel so poisoned that I can't do much. Thanks for bringing this up.

I had severe idiopathic hypersomnia for several years, which is very similar to narcolepsy (which interestingly went away as soon as I got Covid). I was prescribed the medication modafinil as a treatment. It worked well as a non-jittery medication to keep me awake during the day. Perhaps it would be helpful to you. I think some studies have looked at it as a treatment for sleepiness caused by Long Covid.

Every time I take a supplement that gives me energy I crash later and it's not fun on the other hand I do enjoy a few hours of respite. If you can tolerate all that coffee maybe you should try something like Ritalin. I don't think it would work for me have to watch the blood pressure so amphetamines are definitely out but boy I sure enjoyed them in the old days. Let us know if you try something.

I was prescribed modafinil, aka Provigil, for the extreme fatigue but my insurance wouldn't cover it due to insurance considering this an off-label usage. That was a couple of years ago, I might see if it is covered again.

Yes, thank you for that. As a matter of fact I had a child psychiatrist for a while in the mid-sixties who was hip to the new ADHD diagnoses and tried Ritalin, aka methylphenidate, on me, but it didn't have the hoped for "paradoxical effect" on me, and instead I was put on some kind of tranquilizer that I would ingest at lunchtime.
I've been tranquil ever since...
As a matter of fact, a narcolepsy medication, modanafil, is being used as a treatment for LC, as described in this jounal article:
https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2022.170402
Like methylphenidate, it is a CNS stimulant (not an amphetamine per se, although I was using that term in a more general sense.)
It is one of the stimulants I'm considering trying.

Your cautions are sensible. I've only gained about 5% weight which frankly surprises me given my now sedentary, luxurious lifestyle, so I could stand to lose about seven pounds. Sleeping is sometimes an issue for me, so I would probably just take it in the morning, and wait for the "crash" to go to bed...

Addiction would be something of a concern. Even decades back in my "recreational drugs" heyday, I made it a maxim to never consume addictive substances. (Well, Bolivian marching powder might be an exception to that, but I never got carried away with it...).
But, yeah, I just don't like the idea of taking something that is potentially addictive.
(Except caffeine, if that counts...)

Thank you SO MUCH for your helpful input here!

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Thank you for that. Yes, any number of stimulant meds used for ADHD are what I'm considering (subject to PA's approval, of course).
I've long suspected that I am ADHD as a matter of fact. My understanding is that it's not unusual amongst welder/computer programmer/jeweler/chocolatier/video editor/sculptor/multi-instrumentalist music producers like myself.
In terms of the "crash", I'm considering whether Adderall, which is more of a time-release drug, if I'm correct, might be better for me. I know there's been some discussion of that drug on this forum.

Thank you so much for your valuable input!

Hi Sandguy,
I'm sorry to hear about your fatigue. At age 79 I often feel tired so I take an iron tablet, 27 mg. It helps a lot and is much better for you than drugs since it is natural. Sometimes I might take 2-3 per day depending on what I'm doing. Eating food high in iron helps such as a good steak, or hamburger, beans, etc. Just do a search for foods high in iron.
Prayer also helps. Just ask God for help and you will get it.
I'll say a prayer for you also.
PML

pmi,
Yes, the good old "Geritol" approach, LOL!
Actually, I do tend to run almost anaemic, and a previous PCP thought I might actually have Gilbert's syndrome (very common, under-diagnosed, not considered serious, but tiredness-causing), so that might be a complicating factor for me. Interestingly, she specified that my low-ish red blood cell count was NOT due to any iron deficiency.
But you do bring up a valid point, and others would be well advised to check for other possible factors, too, including thyroid levels!
I've had numerous comprehensive blood panels in recent years, and nothing really stands out.
As for prayer, I do appreciate the sweetness of that sentiment, but speaking as a non-religious person (like about one third of Americans, now), I think you should save that for like-minded people.
My feelings are that more people should have more respect, faith, and "belief" in science, and the lack of that in this country is arguably responsible for the problems we've gotten ourselves into with this particular illness.
Having gotten that off my chest, I want to express my sincere HOPE that you start feeling better soon, as you sound like a very lovely person, and I do thank you for your expression of kindness and help.

Sandguy, Perhaps it would be a good idea to get a second opinion about your iron levels. It seems odd that a doctor would say, that the low-ish red blood cell count was NOT due to any iron deficiency. The percentage of iron saturation test is important to keep well in the normal range as well as the ferritin levels etc. As for thyroid testing, I have no luck with the TSH test, I go by the T3 and T4 test levels.

I would be afraid to use any drug in which I may become addicted. It would double my trouble.