Has anyone used ritalin to help combat the fatigue associated with tbi / pcs?

Its been over 1.5 years since my accident and even with extensive assistance with my occupational therapist with reducing my workload, ensuring good sleep and resting habits, good pacing strategies, etc, the fatigue is still overwhelming and interfering with moving forward.

My physiatrist has prescribed ritalin for me to try to see if it will help with the fatigue. He has warned me that while it may give me a boost of energy, its not really adding to my overall available energy reserves and its still a matter of "robbing Peter to pay Paul" and that I'll still have to make it up in resting time, but that my awake time may be more effective.

Just wondering if anyone has tried it and what experiences you've had.

I'm a bit nervous about it, but I'm so tired of being tired.

I've also been extremely drug sensitive since my injury and we've tried many different drugs to help my 1.5 year long excruciating headache and I've still not had a single moment without pain, so at this point, ANY relief of any symptoms would just be so very welcome.

Starr

Pain and pain meds can be exhausting. Did you see the thread a few weeks ago about a surgery that helps with some PCS head aches ?

Ritalin has been used by many doctors for their PCS patients. Your physiatrist did give you good information about robbing Peter to pay Paul.

I used caffeine to combat the fatigue a decade ago. It helped but my doctor read me the riot act when I told him.

My best to you.

I use amantadine (100 mg) a day in the morning. It helped a lot! When I stop it, that deep deep deep fatigue that I can only describe as a core of lead through the centre of my body....comes back. My doctor prescribed ritalin as well...if I felt I needed more help with fatigue.
The downside to both (apart from Peter and Paul!) is that they may affect your sleep.

canadian doctors seem less aware of using amantadine (a 1960s anti-flu med which has been well tested) for mtbi.

I hope you feel better soon. This is not easy, is it!!!!

Hi Starr,

I tried ritalin for a few months and in my case it did not help me at all, quite the contrary... of course i did have more energy during the day but when it would wear off I would be like a "vegetable" not being able to do anything at all . On top of that i would have problem sleeping.

It might be a temporary solution until you find the real cause of that fatigue but beware that it may worsen your condition in the long run by making you overpass your physical and cognitive limits .

I am experiencing similar problems and after more than three years of overwelming debilitating fatigue , I am still trying to find a solution...

Here is a few suggestion:

You might want to consult an endocrinologist to have a complete and thourough blood panel even though your doctor tells "you everything is fine". You may have a deficiency in growth hormone or a subclinical thyroid problem.

Here is a thread that might help you understand:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...neuroendocrine

http://braininjuryselfrehabilitation...mptoms-part-1/

As for your chronic headaches, you are in Ontario and there is a lot of excellent chiropractors .Take your time, go by referral and experience.

I wish you the best of luck to find a solution.

Pepa-from-canada

hi there. my psychiatrist has me on a very very low dose of Abilify to go along with my anti depressant. it comes in 2mg to 30 mg dosages.

so I am on 2mg 1/2 tab each am along with my ssri anti depressant. I am finally able to get out of bed daily now.

for me I think it is working but I am not totally sold on it yet too soon to really know. it has been about a month but at least I am out of bed and doing stuff again.