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

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

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

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

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! 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....

Quote:


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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jon, wishing you peace as you endure this disease. Am also very sorry to hear about your friends.

Christy

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

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.