'Uppers' -- Managing Fatigue With Stimulants

TarheelMichelle

I've created this discussion because fatigue is the number one frustrating side effect of AIs, and many other breast-cancer treatments. Doctors are prescribing stimulants to help. The stimulants can also suppress the appetite. I'm hoping for some suppression. I've gained 20 pounds on Femara and crave sugar constantly, which I've never done.

So let's share information about battling fatigue with prescription stimulants.

I have some prior experience with stimulants. After the birth of my son, I started having focusing issues. I'm an avid reader and basically haven't finished a book in 18 years, since he was born. Multi-step tasks are difficult for me, etc. (Anyone else have this issue post-partum? I've read that some link it to childbirth epidurals.)

My doctor gave me Ritalin, phentermine, Vyvanse. They helped, but they were not without side effects.

Now I'm on Femara and my morning cup of coffee doesn't cut it to give me a boost. In fact, I can drink espresso for dinner and still have no trouble falling asleep.

So I asked my doctor if she would consider a stimulant for me, so I can enjoy more than 4 hours of activity a day. :-/ I didn't feel much energywhen I started them last week. I just looked at the dosage and realized she started me out very low. So I am upping my dose and asking my doctor for more.

Please share experiences, questions, and information.

songbird68

Hi, I have been taking modafinil to counteract fatigue, and find it works very well for me. It's not classed as a stimulant.

Take care xxxx