I guess it was just a coincedence. The story was on the number of college students that are using adhd drugs to facilitate or improve their studying. The comparison was made to steroids for athletes in the sense that it may be an unfair advantage to those who choose to use. Not really relative to us but the story did make me think about stimulants. Here's a link

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=103274576

Thank you for posting the link.

This was story was on our local news about 2 weeks ago. I was rather suprised.

I do not take the A.D.D. meds lightly. My DD has been dx'd 10 years with A.D.D. and I have seen the bad side of these meds. After being On Ritalin for a few years she suddenly became suicidal and violent.

I have been told by 3 different mental health professionals since 2004 that I also have A.D.D. but I have choosen to ignore it untl now. A.D.D. can be hereditary.

Part of me wonders if I am dealing with MS cognitive problems and not A.D.D. (denial? ), Hence the reason I am asking if anyone with MS has used these drugs for cognitive problems and has had them help.

Again, thank you.

I use Provigil (sparingly) for fatigue but it actually helps me more with my cognitive problems than it does with my fatigue.

When I take it I'm very focused on whatever I'm doing, I can concentrate even with background noise and my word recall is much better. It also zaps my appetite (just a bonus!). I can still take a nap when I take it but I usually don't as I'm more able to get involved in tasks and projects that I normally wouldn't have been able to do.

It's sooooo expensive (about $700 for a 30 day supply) so I only take them when it's absolutely necessary for me to be alert and focused.

My neuropsych said that she felt strongly that A.D.D. meds would help with my cognitive issues and I do not have A.D.D. at all. She feels that they would combat both the fatigue and the cognitive stuff. I haven't pursued it yet, but I'm still thinking about it. My neuro actually sent me to her to see what her opinion was before he would be willing to rx them off label for MS fatigue.

A friend of mine with MS took Aricept while she was in college full time to help her with cognitive problems. It helped her.

I take provigil, Snoops. I tell you I could not have gotten through full time college without it. I don't take it on weekends and by 2 PM, I am ready for a nap and have problems interacting with my Lab! It definitely helps me.

Holly and Cheryl, thank you.

I just can't take Provigil, it makes me too jittery and my heart races I was quite disappointed because Provigil helped with clearing my brain fog and I could actually focus.

At this point I am holding my opinion about the Focalin. This is now my 3rd day of using it. I have noticed I'm sleeping better at night and I am getting things accomplished that were starting to be difficult to keep up on - like balancing my check book

I am extremely med sensitive. The Focalin is 2.5mg (prescribed twice a day) and I have to cut it in half so I am actually only taking half of what I am allowed

I have had problems with Provigil, too, LeAnn. That is why we are investigating the A.D.D. type meds. I get the heart racing, too, but can still fall asleep on the stuff (100 - 200 mg). It does help me think, though. It's just weird.