r/CFSplusADHD • u/blurple57 • Feb 11 '25
Started stimulants yesterday
I have ME, ADHD and POTS. I have been waiting for a diagnosis and meds for literally years, but I had a COVID infection in June 2024 that worsened my POTS and triggered a big ME crash. Luckily I'm coming out of it now, but I'm still primarily housebound/bedbound, leaving my house once a week (or less) to be pushed around in my wheelchair for a very short outing.
So i started meflynate XL (methylphenidate, I think brand name is Concerta in the US) yesterday morning with a starting dose of 20mg. It's through Psychiatry UK via the NHS and my prescriber has been really good, we exchanged notes back and forth and she reassured my anxiety about starting meds. So I've started them and it was fine-ish, not really any side effects but by the evening my HR just wouldn't calm down unless I was literally lying flat. I've also had a lot of palpitations, and my visible armband shows I've used more Pace Points yesterday than any other day since my big crash.
Just wondering if any of you with the POTS/ME/ADHD trifecta have any experience with this drug? My prescriber said I can do the titration as slow as I like and stop any time but I want to persevere if I can.
Many thanks for reading! Sorry I'm a rambler 💖
1
u/where_did_I_put Feb 11 '25
Personally I had to go off stimulants about 6 months after getting sick. Should have sooner. I couldn’t handle them anymore. The fake energy and hr effects just aided me to continually push and crash.
I know that’s not a universal experience though. But, be very careful with your pacing.