Posted by Snoozy on May 22, 2003, at 12:39:25
In addition to the extreme sleepiness and depression, I also have a low blood pressure condition - basically, if I have to stand without moving, within a few minutes my bp drops and I get very sick, woozy and faint. I haven't actually passed out, but that does happen with this condition. I've tried several medications for this, and either they didn't work or the side effects were too bad. I've also tried many non-drug treatments.
It may not sound bad, but I have to avoid situations where there's a possibility I would have to stand for more than 5 minutes. I pretty much never shop, and when I have to it's miserable. It restricts my life considerably.
This morning I was doing some research, thinking of trying one of these drugs again - I'm so desperate. And I find that stimulants (Ritalin and Dexedrine) are used as treatments. Not just end-of-the-line, everything else under the sun has been tried and failed treatments, but primary treatment.
I had asked my pdoc if I could try Ritalin, for the sleepiness, and he didn't want to prescribe it. (My 2 previous pdocs had given it to me, for fatigue, several years earlier).
The thing is that I'm committed to this huge project for the next 5-6 weeks, and I can't get out of it. I've been in tears wondering how I'm going to get through this given the way I feel.
I'm thinking of calling my pdoc and telling him about this find. I could also try my cardiologist, but that would probably take a while to get in, and I don't have much time to wait.
If I could feel awake, and be able to stand on my own two feet (literally) for more than 5 minutes, life would be so much better.
Does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks.
poster:Snoozy
thread:228336
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030520/msgs/228336.html