Re: Brain Medication

[Guest guest]

Bob, if you find the answer to this question please let me

know what the medication is. My husband is suffering from

fatigue and is also having anxiety. He sleeps all the time

and doesn't have the motivation to do anything. He has been

taking Prozac for two months and it hasn't helped at all.

Thanks, Marcia

[Guest guest]

I recall that very small doses of Ritalin have helped some

CLLers reduce their fatigue.

http://cancertreatments.typepad.com/cancer_treatment/2007/11/ritalin-for-can.htm\

l

or http://tinyurl.com/3ufeeb3

wayne

[Guest guest]

I sent this off-list, but then I thought others might be

interested.

Hi Bob,

I was diagnosed with depression and add prior to my

diagnosis with CLL. I take a stimulant my Dr. prescribes

called Vyvanse. Started at 20mg. and now am up to 70.

It really helps with the fatigue and motivation and yes, it

may suppress the appetite. There are several other

medications like this. Not sure a regular MD will know much

them. I see a psychiatrist.

Good luck with this. It's like a miracle to get one's life

back and have some energy.

Robin

PS, Exercise is also really important for fatigue, even

though it's the last thing one wants to do.

[Guest guest]

My husband, Tom, also takes Adderal prescribed by MD

for battling fatigue with cancer. It has kept him

working full time and he has said that without the Adderal,

he most likely would have lost a lot of work. He still needs

naps, etc., but his energy level is a good quality for

cancer patients. I have recommended this to many CLLers,

but I fear that their local Drs. do not understand the

fatigue with CLL. I would ask your CLL Specialist or as

Robin stated, see a psychiatrist. We also have a

psychiatrist who oversees these types of meds.

Lou Park

[Guest guest]

Bob,

Provigil (modafanil) or Nuvigil (armodafinil) are less

" speedy " options for combating fatigue with fewer side

effects than Ritalin and the many other methylphenidate

formulations.

They can make a huge difference in QOL (quality of life).

Modafanil is available in a generic form. Provigil and

Nuvigil, unlike methylphenidate, are also not " controlled "

substances.

[Guest guest]

Be sure to check with your GP or cardiologist if you have

any heart issues. Because of my mitral valve prolapse my

cardiologist advised against any of these meds.

Pat

On 5/11/11, Koffman <briankoffman@...> wrote:

> Bob,

>

> Provigil (modafanil) or Nuvigil (armodafinil) are less

> " speedy " options for combating fatigue with fewer side

> effects than Ritalin and the many other methylphenidate

> formulations.

>

> They can make a huge difference in QOL (quality of life).

> Modafanil is available in a generic form. Provigil and

> Nuvigil, unlike methylphenidate, are also not " controlled "

> substances.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I also remember someone mentioning Provigil which I had

taken at one time for Fibromyalgia.

[Guest guest]

I know several people who are helped by it for fatigue and

am not against anyone trying it for that reason. I was

thrilled that there might be something that would work for

me, but my cardiologist nixed it. I'm glad I had an

appointment with him when I did, as other doctors might not

have made the connection regarding my heart and issues of

irregular heartbeats.

On 5/11/11, May <cdmay50@...> wrote:

> I also remember someone mentioning Provigil which I had

> taken at one time for Fibromyalgia.