Ritalin

Public Archive
1

I’ve just been looking on the american site to discover a good discussion about the use of ritalin, for those of us who are experiencing exhaustion. It seems to be working quite well, - for those that have posted anyway. Anyone know whether the onc’s in this country prescribe this?

2

Hi Celeste, don’t know anything about it, how does it work for the fatigue? I am always looking for something that helps me feel a little better day to day!

Nikki

3

Yes would like to know more. I have horrible exhaustion more of the time than I sometimes think I can bear.

Jane

4

Just found this too good to be true link.

I think though oncs would be very reluctant to prescribe without more evidence. Maybe I can work on my GP!

health.yahoo.com/cancer-medications/ritalin-alleviates-fatigue-in-cancer-patients/mdanderson–165DD531-C8C3-422C-BDCBDE72034D9F8C.html

Jane

5

It’s that simple?? Give me some!

Will ask my onc team if they know of this and if it can be prescribed yet. Thanks for sharing Jane and Celeste for prompting!

Nikki

6

The odd thing is I thought this drug was used to calm down children with ADHD or other hyperactivity based diagnosis. Can’t logically see how it has the reverse effect on middle aged ish women with breast cancer. Bizzarro

7

just been out with a friend who is a chemist - she tells me ritalin is a stimulant

8

Not a subject I know a great deal about but I have worked with children on Ritalin for ADHD. It isn’t absolutely clear why it works and it is indeed a stimulant (which is why it might help those of us on chemo I suppose). It’s believed to increase the activity (and production?? - sorry can’t remember!) of dopamine and noradrenaline which play a part in controlling attention and behaviour.

Hope that helps it make a little more sense, Celeste!

Kay

9

Having read this thread I spoke to a friend of mine who has a little girl with ADHD. My friend stopped her little girl from being medicated with Ritalin because of a lot of stories about GPs giving it out willy-nilly.

My friend explained that although it is a stimulant the reason why Ritalin helps children with ADHD is because it stimulates a particular part of the brain that helps children to be able to concentrate.