Modafinil or Ritalin for ongoing fatigue?

cfdr

I am 18 months post-chemo, on letrozole, and continue to have devastating fatigue. The oncologists and my PCP have only one answer: antidepressants, which I have come to think of as the STFU drug for women who complain of fatigue. I tapered off the lexapro I'd been on since before chemo (which didn't help at all); my PCP suggested switching to wellbutrin because it is an antidepressant that is more energizing.

But my wacky notion is that the only thing that is depressing me is the fact that my fatigue is so deep that I can't work full time, I'm broke and in debt and my marriage is suffering because my husband has to do all the house/yardwork, all the income generation, and has to have half his social life without me because I'm too damn tired to move.

I'm seeing my PCP next week, and going to tell her that I want to try either modafinil or ritalin (or adderal or concerta, something in that family) before I try another antidepressant. I'm leaning towards modafinil because it seems to have fewer side effects, and doesn't appear to be as habit-forming as ritalin. Has anyone tried both? How do they compare?

Natalie3

I take a small dose of Adderall - 5mg.    It really helps with fatigue and in turn depression/  My understanding is Concerta has more side effects, but your Dr. would know best.

Adderall also makes a time release version

Natalie3

I take a small dose of Adderall - 5mg.    It really helps with fatigue and in turn depression/  My understanding is Concerta has more side effects, but your Dr. would know best.

Adderall also makes a time release version