So get this my phyc. doctor gave me a script for Ritalin for my severe fatigue during the day. Truth be told I am a bit leary about taking this med. anyone been RXed this type of med. for fatigue?

If you do a search you will find several posts where Ritalin is discussed. Just type Ritalin in the search box in the upper left of the page and hit GO.

Its an unusual medication (my opinion) for fatigue. Have the doctors checked your thyroid?

Hi sunderwood

Theoretically ritalin would work as it is a stimulant.

However, my question is what, in your opinion, caused the fatigue and if you think it is caused by the cancer and/or treatment such as thyroid issues from radiation or drug side effect, maybe the first person you should be asking is your oncologist?.

A psychiatrist is specialised in managing mental health issues and would be great for working through depression and post traumatic stress post cancer treatment.

Unless your psychiatrist has credentials or special interest in managing patients dealing with the fallout from cancer AND is familiar with the precautions and interactions associated with whatever treatment you will need for your recurrence, I would be seeking advice from another healthcare professional.

My immediate thought is the possible double whammy you might need to be careful of with ritalin and Erbitux as both have the capacity to interfere with cardiac function.

I was prescribed Adderall for fatigue post RT by a psychiatrist who worked with cancer patients at the hospital where I was treated. Like Ritalin, Adderall is also used to treat ADHD and is a stimulant. I used it for about 6 months and then stopped because I didn't think it really helped me with the fatigue.

One of my other doctors, who had been monitoring my thyroid, put me on synthroid around the same time I stopped the Adderall. However, I still suffer from fatigue and still take synthroid.

Sunderwood,

I would concur with Karen in avoiding any stimulants while on Erbitux or any drug that can affect the heart. It has already been stressed from the cancer diagnosis, the treatments and other stressors. Things like cholesterol, diet, activity can do a lot towards that but other things like Vit D can do many things to cause fatigue and overall mental or physical malaise.

I am assuming you were given the Ritalin by your psychiatric oncologist. They should be aware of all drugs taken, treatment protocols and interactions. There is a great site for putting in all your meds and it gives all possible interactions and warnings. You can do a search and many pop up. Many people are unaware of problems with grapefruit or grapefruit based products that interfere with many things like Valium. If you use one pharmacy for everything they will usually alert you. In the case of any supplements you have to be diligent. Someone here even pointed out to me that simple things like pure whey protein can contain MSG. I had no idea.

Be well but be diligent.

Usually your thyroid poops out 6 mos or later (I was told) after treatment. My suggestion? listen to your body. You have had a traumatic treatment it looks like you finished radiation a few months ago, with the disruption in diet, chemo and rads its no wonder you're tired. Sleep try to eat healthfully, mediate give your body time to heal. I'd be leery putting anything drug related into my body at this point unless its pain meds, and/or a necessary prescription. If you are fatigued all the time your body is telling you something... Listen.
Try to pump up your protein intake (preferably not all animal based - legumes, beans, peas, chia, hemp, rice etc...) sleep when you need to walk a little every day to help your circulation, breath deeply to ncrease O2 intake and give yourself time to heal. All through treatment I would ask myself, okay I'm feeling this... What would help make that feel better for me? Knowing my body, I managed to come up with ways to sooth myself and make treatment and post treatment tolerable. Hugs... And remember patience.

Thank all of you for your responses, I didn't mean to make you guys think that I was that racked with fatigue. I guess a have no Idea what sever fatigue means. I am not in that bad a shape as you all may think. Treatment for me was not all that bad , I have not taken Erbitux for three months now. And the worst part of Erbitux is the heavy acne like rash that I got from it. And radiation was extremely uncomfortable but I think my HIV+ statues made them pull back on the RAD. I don't know how much radiation I received. but all that it did was leave a couple of darkish marks on my neck that make it look like I need to wash my neck. I have been working for the last three months now but tommorw is my last day. I have surgery planned for sept. 11th. I took one of the Ritalin 5mg tablets on a day that I was very fatuiged and a guess it gave me a little more energy and made me a bit sharper. I could understand why college kids would take it for studying. But I am not going to take anymore of it. cause it didn't help all that much and feel like it was somehow inappropriate.(just a feeling I got). My Phyc. DR. Is not in the loop with my medical team.

Oh and Im sorry but I forgot that I had a feeding tube that I used for about one month of the 3 months I had it. I could have gone without it but the team wanted it in before treatment started. My taste is totally back and my saliva is about half there. Thank you for reading and helping me folks.