ME/CFS with fatigue and fibromyalgia, much better on modafinil and Adderall
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Moderate (mostly housebound)
- Ill before improving or writing
- Not stated
- Last post
- Jul 2025
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
My doctor prescribed modafinil for wakefulness/chronic fatigue
In context ↗ - At worst: Moderate
I’m certainly not as functional as a healthy person, but Im not sleeping during the day, I don’t need naps
In context ↗ - Now: Much better
I’m certainly not as functional as a healthy person ... it’s been almost a year and I’m doing really well.
Summary
A Reddit user with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia reported that modafinil for wakefulness and chronic fatigue helped: they were not sleeping during the day, did not need naps, and barely needed rest other than breaks between tasks and downtime. Almost a year on modafinil plus Adderall they were doing really well. They remained less functional than a healthy person, and had not found a way to resolve shoulder blade pain other than a shoulder/back brace and steroids.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- modafinil · Helped
My doctor prescribed modafinil for wakefulness/chronic fatigue and it definitely helps me.
In context ↗ - adderall · Helped
I also have adhd and take adderall along with it, it’s been almost a year and I’m doing really well.
In context ↗ - shoulder and back brace · Not said
I haven’t found a way to resolve it yet other than wearing a shoulder and back brace and steroids.
In context ↗
Approaches: Stimulants
Their path
What they say at each step doesn’t fit the worst point or outcome above on the severity scale, so the steps are listed as they describe them. Dates are when they posted.
| When | What happened | After |
|---|---|---|
| — | ME/CFS with daytime sleepiness and daily naps, before any medicationMy doctor prescribed modafinil for wakefulness/chronic fatigueIn context ↗ | |
| 2025-05-05 | modafinil stopped daytime sleeping and naps; still less functional than a healthy personMy doctor prescribed modafinil for wakefulness/chronic fatigue and it definitely helps me.In context ↗ | Modafinil / armodafinil |
| 2025-05-05 | almost a year on modafinil plus Adderall, doing really wellI also have adhd and take adderall along with it, it’s been almost a year and I’m doing really well.In context ↗ | Amphetamine salts (Adderall) |
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Pain & fibromyalgia
I also have fibro and suspected connective tissue disorder.
In context ↗ - Sleep problems
Im not sleeping during the day, I don’t need naps
In context ↗
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