Methylphenidate Use For Fatigue In Parkinsons
Methylphenidate , better known by its brand name, Ritalin, is popular for its use in the treatment of children with ADHD. It was FDA approved in the 1950s and became increasingly prescribed in the 1990s. MP has since been used for other disorders, including narcolepsy, refractory depression and fatigue caused by medical and neurological disorders.
Fatigue in Parkinsons is a common problem encountered by one-third to one-half of people with the disease. Parkinsons fatigue is often unrelated to the disease severity and overall motoric disability. Medications used to treat the motor symptoms of Parkinsons typically do not improve fatigue, and treatment specific to fatigue is lacking.
MP is a psychostimulant which has seen an increase in off-label use to treat Parkinsons fatigue. MP works by decreasing the reuptake of neurotransmitters, like dopamine and norepinephrine, thus making them available longer in the synaptic cleft where the chemicals can act on the receiving brain cells.
Based on their clinical experience, many physicians are recommending that patients try MP for Parkinsons fatigue, especially when quality of life is greatly impacted.
MP is an old drug that may have newer uses it may have potential to help people with Parkinsons. As with all medications, discuss the risks and benefits of MP with your neurologist and other healthcare team members before deciding if it is right for you.
Pragmatic Management Of Fatigue In Pd
Treatment approaches focused on fatigue in PD are faced with 2 main limitations: lack of clear insight into its pathophysiology and mechanisms, and probably its multifactorial nature . Therefore, as stated by Kluger and Friedman, contemporary treatment of fatigue in PD is limited to an empirical approach based on plausible hypotheses .
How Can I Help Myself
The general rule is to keep as mentally and physically active as possible. The following suggestions may be helpful:
Daily activities:
- Plan your most vigorous activities around when your medication is most effective. You may find keeping a diary to track your symptoms and medication helps with timing when you are likely to be more mobile and energetic.
- Learn how to pace yourself, taking regular short rests and periods in which to relax throughout the day.
- If tasks are complicated or likely to take time, break them down into smaller stages so that you can rest between each stage. Share tasks if you live with someone and make use of labour saving devices such as a dishwasher or microwave.
- Recognise your limitations, identify the priorities of the day and get to know your energy reserves.
- Plan your major activities in advance and ensure that you have time for recovery afterwards. For instance, if you have a big social function such as a wedding, rest more in the days leading up to the event and also plan to have a few restful days afterwards.
Work:
- if you work, talk with your employer to see if you can take regular short breaks, even if its only to make a drink or talk with colleagues
Diet and exercise:
Sleep and rest:
Content last reviewed: May 2018
General wellbeing:
Also Check: Wearable Technology For Parkinson Disease
Fatigue Sleep Difficulties And Restless Legs
Although Parkinsons is classified as a movement disorder, it can affect people in various different ways. Sometimes the non-movement symptoms can be more troublesome and can have a bigger impact on the daily life of someone living with Parkinsons.
Some of the more common non-movement symptoms of Parkinsons are:
- Fatigue
- Restless legs
Fatigue: The Silent Symptom Of Parkinsons Disease
A 2013 survey by the Parkinsons disease Foundation identified fatigue as the most pressing need for the Parkinsons research community.
While tremors, muscle stiffness, and irregular gait are the symptoms most associated with Parkinsons disease, 50% of PD patients experience severe fatigue and a third say it is their single most debilitating symptom. Fatigue is the most significant reason cited for medical disability insurance claims by PD patients in the United States. Despite this overwhelming evidence, neurologists tend not to recognize fatigue as a prominent concern of PD patients.
Two studies in newly diagnosed Parkinsons patients reported fatigue to be a clinically relevant problem even when motor symptoms were minimal. These studies identified fatigue as a pre-motor symptom, appearing well before motor symptoms become obvious. Parkinsons patients describe their fatigue as different than any tiredness they had experienced before their diagnosis. Unlike fatigue in the general public, PD fatigue often improves with exercise.
Causes of PD Fatigue
Depression, sleep disturbances, and medications may also contribute to or cause fatigue. However, Dr. Joseph Friedman, Professor and Chief of the Division of Movement Disorders at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, points out that while fatigue is an early symptom and may be associated with depression, most PD patients with fatigue are not depressed.
Treatment Approaches
Also Check: What Does Parkinson’s Disease Do
Fatigue In Parkinson’s Disease Is Associated With Lower Diastolic Blood Pressure
- Date:
- IOS Press
- Summary:
- Fatigue is a common debilitating symptom in Parkinson’s disease . A novel research study has found that fatigue symptoms in PD are associated with small but persistent reductions in diastolic blood pressure throughout the day.
Fatigue is a common debilitating symptom in Parkinson’s disease . A novel research study has found that fatigue symptoms in PD are associated with small but persistent reductions in diastolic blood pressure throughout the day, report scientists in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease.
PD is a slowly progressive disorder that affects movement, muscle control and balance. It is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder affecting about 3% of the population by the age of 65 and up to 5% of individuals over 85 years of age. Fatigue is a disabling non-motor symptom that affects about half of all individuals with PD. A 2015 systematic review on this topic confirmed the absence of high quality evidence supporting any particular PD fatigue treatment.
Investigators conducted a cross-sectional study research assessment of 35 people with PD recruited from the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Health System, all of whom wore a 24-hour blood pressure monitor to track their blood pressure hourly while they were at home. Researchers asked participants about the presence of fatigue symptoms and grouped them into two categories: those with fatigue and those without.
Story Source:
Parkinsons Disease Education Consortium 2018 Research Program Overview
This work was undertaken as part of the Michael J Fox Foundations Parkinsons Disease Education Consortium 2018 research program. The PDEC objective relevant to the present analysis was to understand how individuals with PD experience fatigue.
The PDEC 2018 research program undertook a mixed-methods approach that involved three phases , each of which built on prior phases. Initial phases were aimed at in-depth analysis in a small sample, before expanding to a larger cohort of people with PD. Phase 1 was an online journaling activity, in which an online moderator interacted with individuals with PD via a series of structured activities. Phase 2 involved semi-structured telephone interviews with a different set of participants. Phase 3 involved deployment of a survey to the Fox Insight study cohort. Each of these phases is detailed further below. Participants provided informed consent to each phase separately.
Fig.1
Flow chart of study recruitment phases.
Read Also: Which Part Of The Brain Is Affected By Parkinson’s Disease
Bob And Brads Most Famous Parkinsons Exercises On The Internet
Now, mainly due to my Parkinsons symptoms of extreme fatigue and apathy, I cant adhere to the exercise guidelines as described by this partnership. If I couldnt go on autopilot to get my butt out the door to exercise , I would find it impossible to exercise.
My quality of life is deteriorating, especially since I cant exercise with intensity anymore. Plus, in addition to feeling terrible, I am exhausted after I work out.
Exercise becomes even more daunting when a person with Parkinsons has never previously exercised regularly.
Second Type Of Leg Pain Is Caused By Dystonia
When related to levodopa, it usually occurs as a wearing off but can also occur at peak dose. In most cases this leg pain is unilateral and has direct correlation to medication intake. When pain is due to dystonia, it is more common in early morning. This type of leg pain is usually accompanied by toes curling and foot abnormally posturing.
Recommended Reading: Cluster Headaches Parkinson’s Disease
Potentials Ways To Reduce Fatigue
- Exercise. It may seem counterintuitive get moving if youre feeling fatigued however, the right kind and the right amount of exercise can significantly reduce fatigue. Experiment. Sometimes just getting out the door for a walk in the fresh air can reduce fatigue.
- Talk to your doctor if you think you may be depressed. Its possible that an anti-depressant could reduce fatigue.
- Plan your time. Identify when you tend to have the most energy throughout the day and plan to get your most important jobs done then.
- Be realistic, but still do something. If youre feeling extra exhausted on a certain day, dont put pressure on yourself to accomplish everything you planned. Do somethingbecause accomplishing something will give you an energy boost but be realistic about what youre capable of doing.
- Delegate. Its not easy. You may have concerns about being a burden to others. Most people will be thrilled to help. Let them.
- Organize and declutter. Opening up spacephysically, emotionally, mentally and logisticallycan help you reduce stress and as a result reduce feelings of fatigue.
- Connect with others. We know that when you feel wiped out that the last thing you want to do is attend a support group meeting or event, but connecting with others in a positive way has the potential to not only make you feel supported and encouraged and loved, but it may very well give you the exact bump in energy that you need.
Study Sample And Assessments
Phase 1 and Phase 2 Sample Recruitment: Fox Trial Finder was used to identify individuals for this phase of the study. As previously described , FTF is a database of research volunteers. Individuals enrolled in FTF were sent an email invitation to participate in a study of fatigue in PD. The screening questionnaire included a question on dopamine agonist use, the Parkinson Fatigue Scale , Epworth Sleepiness Scale , and the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 item . In an effort to study primary fatigue participants self-reporting use of a dopamine agonist or with ESS> 10 or GDS> 5 were excluded.
Phase 1 Activities: Online journaling occurred for 1 hour per day over 3 days with a pilot sample of 12 participants . The online journaling phase consisted of interactive activities including responding to pictures and graphics and completing free-text responses to prompts provided by the research moderator . Prompts are included in the Appendix. The data collected from phase 1 were informally analyzed by the study team to define dimensions of fatigue important to patients and to inform data collection in other phases.
Assessments in Phase 3, including those administered as part of Fox Insight study as well as additional questionnaires/surveys collected as part of the PDEC 2018 sub-study, that were considered in this analysis are as follows:
Recommended Reading: Does Susan Collins Have Parkinson Disease
Ritalin For Extreme Fatigue
Does anyone of my friends out there have any information or actually tried a low dose of Ritalin for extreme fatigue with our PD? If any one has experience with this , can you tell us how it helped or didnt help? Thanks, Karen
I tried it but wasnt a lot of help. I was switched to Concerta which did help. I had to go off because of heart issues not associated with the Concerta. I now take Ingrezza for the fatigue. Im surprised my insurance covers it because it is expensive. It is $5970 for 30 capsules, a one month supply.
Thank you for your response. K
I used methylphenidate for several years, along with c/l and amantadine. Generic Ritalin was helpful. As my pd advanced and my episodes of postprandial hypotension worsened, I have stopped the methylphenidate. All three drugs are induce vasodilation. Amantadine and methylphenidate are norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors – which for some of us may be helpful. See postings about locus coeruleus.
My friends child was on Ritalin for adhd which didnt help him much then he went on a trial run by Canterbury university on micronutrients. He takes Hardys daily essential nutrients and is now a completely different child.
Thank you so much . I will look at that. I am a vitamin taker but if this has more that I need , great! Is your husband on PD meds as well? Karen
What Causes Fatigue In People Living With Parkinson’s Disease
There exists many causes that interact with one another and are responsible for fatigue. Some of these causes can be treated and others cannot:
- The decrease in neurotransmitters associated with Parkinsons disease. The levels of dopamine and serotonin, which usually regulate movement and mood, decrease as neurons disappear.
- Medications to treat conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, muscle pain and spasms, as well as allergies.
- Medications taken to control the motor symptoms of the disease.
- Low blood pressure or orthostatic hypotension which are characteristics of Parkinsons disease and which are aggravated by antiparkinsonian drugs.
- Involuntary muscle contractions , slow movements , muscle stiffness and tremors.
- Depression
- Lack of exercise which can fuel the vicious cycle of low energy.
Mental fatigue can also be exacerbated by difficulty concentrating, memorizing, or performing cognitive tasks.
People living with Parkinsons disease often use these phrases to describe their fatigue:
- I have no energy
- I am unable to do anything
- I am not able to motivate myself
- I feel overwhelmed
Out of the many medical conditions, lack of sleep and aging can be the cause of fatigue. In general, the fatigue associated with Parkinsons disease improves with antiparkinsonian treatments, but does not go away completely.
Your neurologist can help you determine the cause of your fatigue and eventually find the best treatment.
Recommended Reading: How Do You Treat Parkinson’s Disease Naturally
Figuring Out Causes Of Fatigue
The first step in easing the fatigue associated with Parkinsons disease is to rule out other causes of tiredness, says Liana Rosenthal, M.D., assistant professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of clinical core at the Morris K. Udall Center Parkinsons Disease Research Center of Excellence. We evaluate patients to see if there are other things contributing to the fatigue besides their disease, she says.
Sometimes patients may be referred to a sleep specialist for an evaluation. That can help identify causes of tiredness, like sleep apnea. Rosenthal says: Our aim is to first treat any sleep issues, like insomnia, sleep apnea or other causes of poor sleep. Once we treat and address those issues, we can see if fatigue still persists.
Causes Of Fatigue In Parkinsons Disease
Many of the symptoms of PD, including slow movement, muscle stiffness, depression, and changes to sleep quality can cause or worsen the symptom of fatigue.
- Akinesia Fatigue may be caused by akinesia . People experiencing akinesia find it challenging to accomplish simple tasks, requiring significantly more energy to get through the daily activities.
- Muscle fatigue Many of the symptoms of PD that affect the muscles, like stiffness, cramping, tremor, and difficulty starting movement, put extra stress on the muscles, causing fatigue. In addition, some people with PD experience muscle atrophy, in which the muscles shrink and weaken due to lack of use. Muscle atrophy decreases a persons stamina and endurance, contributing to the sense of fatigue.
- Depression Depression is another common non-motor symptom of PD, occurring in approximately 40% of people with PD. Depression can cause fatigue, adding to a sense of low energy or lack of motivation.
- Sleep disturbance PD often causes changes in sleep cycles, which can add to a sense of fatigue during the day.
- Medications Some of the medications used to treat PD, including dopamine agonists, can cause fatigue as a side effect. Others may cause insomnia as a side effect, leading to daytime fatigue.1,2
Also Check: Can Essential Tremor Become Parkinson’s
Financial Disclosures For The Past 12 Months
SM receives research support from the Michael J Fox Foundation , the Parkinson Foundation and Cerevel Therapeutics, was a paid consultant to MJFF, is a study site investigator for a study sponsored by Neuraly Rho, is a study site sub-investigator for a study sponsored by Biogen, and is contracted with Deep Brain Innovations, LLC. MD was an employee of the sponsor, MJFF, at the time this work was done. CK is an employee of MJFF. CM was a paid consultant for Acorda Therapeutics, on the advisory board of Denali therapeutics, received honoraria for teaching from EMD Serono, a steering committee member for MJFF Grants Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Parkinsons Foundation , National Institutes of Health , International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society, and is contracted with Grey Matter Technologies. LC receives research support from MJFF, has received travel payment from MJFF to MJFF conferences, is a paid consultant to MJFF, receives research support from the UPMC Competitive Medical Research Fund, is study site investigator for a study sponsored by Biogen, is a site sub-investigator for a study sponsored by Voyager, received payment from Elsevier , and receives royalties from Wolters Kluwel . All other authors have no financial disclosures.
What Causes Fatigue In Parkinson’s
The precise mechanisms that cause fatigue are unclear but research suggests that any neurological disorder which involves the basal ganglia area of the brain is likely to be associated with significant fatigue. This includes Parkinsons.
In some cases Parkinsons medication may be a factor, for example dopaminergic medications may affect sleep and so add to fatigue. Dosage and timing of medication may also affect energy levels.
Fatigue may be linked to other Parkinsons symptoms, for example depression. With depression there is usually also fatigue, as well as loss of motivation, a general lack of interest and difficulty in sleeping. It is important that these symptoms are recognised as they are very treatable, and overcoming them can reduce fatigue.
If you experience tremor, rigidity or dyskinesia your muscles will have to work harder in order to carry out simple movements or tasks which can mean muscles fatigue more quickly and easily. Slowness of movement may also increase fatigue by making activities and tasks more prolonged and effortful.
You may have sleep problems and poor quality sleep tends to lead to excessive day-time sleepiness and a tendency to nap. Although sleepiness is a separate symptom to fatigue, it clearly adds to the problem and fatigue is hard to overcome if you are sleepy.
Recommended Reading: Latest Medication For Parkinson’s Disease