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ritalin...non ch use...anyone? (Read 4564 times)
catlind
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #25 - Mar 3rd, 2010 at 7:06pm
 
It's taken me awhile to post this, for various different reasons.  Dr. Finkel has me on low dose adderall (dextro-amphetamine) - less than one would take for ADD/ADHD, and it has had a huge impact for the better on my situation - both mood wise, and head wise.  It is but one drug in a treatment regimen that we are using to address my situation.

Under a doctor's supervision, especially a competent doc, it can be a very valuable resource.  I can give the entire explanation on how it works with the brain chemicals etc. if anyone is interested, and it's also posted in my original post back in Nov. after I first saw Dr. Finkel.

If you are comfortable with it Jon, do what works for you.

Cat
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #26 - Mar 3rd, 2010 at 8:45pm
 
Thank you all for the replies and opinions....I don't think it is possible to ask THIS family for help and not get it!

To update and expand a little:

The oncologist has been telling me for 6 months that there is nothing he could do for the fatigue. I'm thinking it's because, as he says, this is not a typical symptom for this particular form of lymphoma. Surprising to me from my research (and EXPERIENCE)...but he's the doc.

I believe that my calm and CONSISTENT description of the symptoms, with no requests other than for HELP convinced him. He is the one who suggested low dose Ritalin...PROVIDED my neurologist agreed. She did.... PROVIDED I report any negative effects re ch.

He's now sending me to my PCP for dispensing... PROVIDED she agrees it fits in with my other conditions (going Friday).

SO....the professionals are being extremely cautious...and THAT is not lost on me (tho I am anxious and impatient to try) ....I recognize this is not something to be undertaken "casually"...my eyes are wide open....I just want SOME semblance of normal.

Updates to follow....

Best,

Jon


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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #27 - Mar 3rd, 2010 at 9:27pm
 
Jon,

With all you have been through, you are still one of the most reasonable and rational people I know of.

Do what is best for you.  And know we are here for you and love you.

Pegg
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #28 - Mar 3rd, 2010 at 10:34pm
 
And know you'll be in our family's prayers throughout! Smiley

Joe
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #29 - Mar 4th, 2010 at 1:38am
 
Seems a very cautious, conservative, and rational approach to me, Jon.  Hope that it brings about the improvement in the quality of your life that we're all hoping for.

All the best, my friend.

George
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #30 - Mar 4th, 2010 at 8:16pm
 
Ummmm...this nightmare just keeps getting worse...I keep telling myself.."you got cancer, so what... you'll  get through this...you got friends, family, colleagues, professionals all pulling for you, praying for you...SUPPORTING YOU! I can handle this"....what is so way harder is seeing it happen to friends and family....

Today, I learned from my friend Tim that his Mom, and also my friend, Ilene...a Mom to everyone.... lost her battle with liver cancer last night. In passing the sad news to another friend, I learned that yet another friend, one I considered a cancer survivor, is now under hospice care.....

This damnable disease is relentlessly and mercilessly taking the people I love like dominoes...one after another after another...and I am friggin devastated.

Writing this in tears with raw emotions...probably should have waited...sorry to dump this wail on you...but know that the best thing you can do for a friend sometimes is to just listen...so THANK you..............

jon
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #31 - Mar 4th, 2010 at 8:29pm
 
Jonboy,
(arms wrapped around you, shoulder available)
NO! This is exactly when you SHOULD post!
It is soo hard to know more who sufffer, or have lost the war with Cancer, BUT, you have to remember, each life has it's time. I can only imagine the fear mounting when you hear of yet another loss to this horrendous disease, but......ahh, you've got this big group of friends here who are doing all they can to keep you safe!!
Vent, rail, swear, whatever it takes to keep you sane through this....and please remember, miracles DO happen....we've seen them here time and time again!

YOU WILL NEVER BE ALONE IN THIS FIGHT, JON!
Please, for once in your life, live selfishly. Keep your focus on YOUR health and well-being, please.

Never far away......

Cathi Roll Eyes

ETA: I have been through some pretty rough times of late, nothing I can't handle, but, more to the point, I have one dear friend I share all my angst with, and as we get together, and I tell her where I am and what I am feeling, she gets quiet, and at just the right moment, she will ask "do I have to pull my pants down?".....it's her way of trying to cheer me up..soo, recently, as I was 'cryin' in my beer', in a restaurant, she simply stood up, turned around and began to moon me! Shocked Needless to say, by the time I got her to quit, we were BOTH laughing soo hard tears were streaming down our cheeks( NOT THOSE CHEEKS>THE OTHER ONES!)..... She's a special friend, Jon, she'll let me vent all I need, but she will never let me give up without a fight.

I hope you understand what I am trying to convey...I guess that is my version of The Serenity Prayer....I can't change things, all I can do is continue to keep my focus on the good stuff in life. The rest is in hands much larger than mine.....I hope He keeps you safe for a very long time.

Anywhooo, you're loved, Jonboy....

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« Last Edit: Mar 4th, 2010 at 8:40pm by Cathi_Pierce »  

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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #32 - Mar 4th, 2010 at 8:52pm
 
Boy Jon when it rains sometimes it's a damned deluge. Keeping the prayers headed your way.

Joe
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #33 - Mar 4th, 2010 at 10:25pm
 
Quote:
...probably should have waited...sorry to dump this wail on you...but know that the best thing you can do for a friend sometimes is to just listen...so THANK you..............


I'm glad you did Jon.  You may not have met any one of us in person but we know you and you know us.  We are a family,  short of some genes.  Wink

Most of us have followed your story and we feel like we are a part of it and if you hurt...we hurt.  When you get upbeat about something we are all the more happy because of it.  I am so very sorry about your friends but don't stop talking about them to us.  If you can...please tell us about Ilene.  What she meant to you and why.  I'd LOVE to hear about her, and I know most here would too.

Wer love ya Jon.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #34 - Mar 5th, 2010 at 7:40pm
 
I can't tell you how sorry I am, my friend.  We are still praying for you, and expecting a miracle.  We'll add the families of your friends to our list.  News like that is always hard to take, but even harder when one is dealing with a similar issue.

Please don't hesitate to post!  You need to let off some of the load, and we need to help you carry it.  You are there for us when we need it, so don't be selfish and deny us the chance to be there for you.  Don't forget you are loved.

Jerry
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #35 - Mar 5th, 2010 at 10:34pm
 
Me thinks that i wish you well and although i can't give you a magic cure, my wishes are with you and maybe someone can help with the fatigue.
If we could hold hands like brothers i would.
My arms albeit distant are here for you whether you want to swear or just talk
Just try me Jon.
Colin.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #36 - Mar 7th, 2010 at 11:02am
 
I don't know John, but I do know he probably doesn't want to read all the bickering on this thread. If it makes quality of life better, I say go for it. I know your Dr.'s will take care of you and wouldn't have suggested something like this without thinking it out first. Oncologists are a whole different breed of Doc. as far as I'm concerned. Good luck.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #37 - Mar 7th, 2010 at 1:59pm
 
My apologies if I've offended anyone- just keep in mind that Jon's reading. Everyone gave their opinions and it's just that. Emotions are running high here, let's everyone just take a deep breath. No one else can make his decision, when you consider all the drugs that are probably being pumped into him, this is pretty small time.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #38 - Mar 7th, 2010 at 2:11pm
 
Not running. Ran. Seems you've decided to try to stir something up again.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #39 - Mar 7th, 2010 at 2:17pm
 
My apologies again. Look it seems as though all I can do on this site is piss people off. You guys saved my life, but it seems as though I'm done here. Wishing everyone PFDN.Good bye.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #40 - Mar 7th, 2010 at 2:38pm
 
Oh, stop being so thin-skinned. This was resolved over a week ago, and now you're bringing it back up. No need to resolve that which is already resolved.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #41 - Mar 7th, 2010 at 3:11pm
 
Bite me Brew- the second page of this thread didn't show up on this untill a few minutes ago.AS far as I knew- this just happened.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #42 - Mar 7th, 2010 at 5:21pm
 
NancyB wrote on Mar 7th, 2010 at 3:11pm:
Bite me Brew- the second page of this thread didn't show up on this untill a few minutes ago.AS far as I knew- this just happened.

Actually it showed up on the third of March.

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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #43 - Mar 7th, 2010 at 7:06pm
 
So now I'm either a liar or an insensitive jerk? Can't possibly be a technical problem with the site or my internet provider? Thanks,  my time is most definitely done.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #44 - Mar 7th, 2010 at 7:21pm
 
Enough! 

It's time to show consideration for another's feelings here and forget our own quest to be right and have the last word.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #45 - Mar 7th, 2010 at 11:53pm
 
Jon, wishing you peace as you endure this disease. Am also very sorry to hear about your friends.

Christy
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #46 - Mar 8th, 2010 at 2:41pm
 
jon i dunno if this helps but mom is pulling through pretty good with her chemo. her moral is up and she looks good.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #47 - Mar 14th, 2010 at 4:59pm
 
well now...said I would update so here it is....

My PCP does NOT like the idea of ritalin....surprisingly has asked me to try herbal therapy. Worth a try and I appreciate she is not taking the easy way out...tested for b12, vit d, epstein barr, thyroid, others I can't recall right now, testosterone pending...all negative so far...

Burying my friend Ilene tomorrow...the grief has tempered and now we celebrate the life of a special woman...a life well lived that touched MANY...I am so sad and grateful at the same time...if that makes any sense....

I recognize that I "share" all the bad stuff that happens to me in this life...I recognize that you all have HUGE hearts and support me all through it anyway...but it's all too easy to fall into the self pity pit and I've been blithely sliding down the sides...it aint fair to keep dumping crap on friends....it stops now.

If I need help in the future, I will ask... with no doubt the help will be there when needed. Until then...my prayers, thoughts, vibes...and love, is with you...be well paisans...

Best,

Jon
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #48 - Mar 14th, 2010 at 8:02pm
 
jon019 wrote on Mar 14th, 2010 at 4:59pm:
I recognize that I "share" all the bad stuff that happens to me in this life...I recognize that you all have HUGE hearts and support me all through it anyway...but it's all too easy to fall into the self pity pit and I've been blithely sliding down the sides...it aint fair to keep dumping crap on friends....it stops now.


man if weren't for hardships and bad times this site would be out of business. if sharing your troubles and worries with us helps you then this place is serving its purpose Wink
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #49 - Mar 20th, 2010 at 10:05am
 
One thing that may be of help for fatigue - a high dose of CoQ10. I routinely do this and find I have noticeably more energy and a higher body temperature (mine is usually a notch below 98.6) CoQ10 goes to the mitochondria where it plays a role in some basic energy reactions.  There is also a supplement of reduced NADH that works in a similar way.

Eleuthero (siberian 'ginseng') is another herb that is often used for fatigue - cheaper than regular ginseng, although a larger dose is generally needed. Ginseng itself, or Ashwaganda ("Indian ginseng") are other things to consider.



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