People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and ADHD - what medication(s) ended up working best for you
I’ll be posting in other subs to hear as many experiences as possible, hope that’s ok!
I have tried a number of stimulants (including lisdexamphetamine and methylphenidat and a shorter release one I can’t remember the name of now but it started with a d lol) but was recently told that that’s a terrible idea for my chronic fatigue by a pharmacist who summed it up by saying it’s basically ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’, which totally checks out with my experience.
Elvanse worked for me for the first few months but then the med shortage happened and I had a big gap and when I tried it again last year the negative side effects (insomnia [obvs yikes for CFS], severe anxiety/panic attacks, massively aggravating my OCD and dermatillomania, etc.) became completely untenable and there was basically no benefits to taking it anymore.
After months of begging and making formal complaints and finally getting a doctor change, they eventually allowed me to try non stimulants and I have been on atomoxetine for a few months but haven’t found any really positive difference and have been much worse energy levels wise and upon looking into it further, realised that fatigue is a common side effect (really wish my doctor had thought of this when I mention I struggle with how the CFS and ADHD interact lol)
So I’m really just looking for other peoples experiences if they’re in a similar situation so that I can perhaps take some info back to my doctor to discuss. As well as what medicines have worked for you, any other non-medicine based solutions would also be welcomed!
For full context I have been diagnosed with CFS/ME (with symptoms including stuff like MCAS and IBS), fibromyalgia, joint hypermobility syndrome, ADHD, OCD (w/ dermatillomania) and I’m under investigations for things like Lupus and Ehlers Danlos
As my CFS gets worse, my inattentive ADHD is crippling and I’m basically spending all day watching YouTube videos or accidentally falling asleep and I’m worried I’m going to lose my job at this rate!