Lisa_P
12-30-2006, 04:11 PM
My doc has been talking about this for over a year -- getting me on Provigil, but my finances couldn't handle it, and he couldn't get any samples. BUT I finally got a 7 day sample from the nurse-practioner at the clinic yesterday. I took the first one this morning and SO FAR SO GOOD!! I was afraid it would act like speed or something, but it's good, really good. Even my vision seems a little sharper...
And I'm really sold. Beats the pants off Amantadine! We'll see how the rest of the week goes, though, yes? If it continues this way and if I ever get on medicare or medicaid, I plan to push for real prescription...
And I'm really sold. Beats the pants off Amantadine! We'll see how the rest of the week goes, though, yes? If it continues this way and if I ever get on medicare or medicaid, I plan to push for real prescription...
Sponsor
MSNik
12-30-2006, 05:27 PM
what exactly is Provigil? And why is it prescribed? Im not familiar with the drug.
Thanks and congrats! Always great when something helps...
Nikki
Thanks and congrats! Always great when something helps...
Nikki
LaLady
12-30-2006, 06:23 PM
What a coincidence! I went to my PCP last week and asked him about Provigil and he told me all of his MS patients were on it but me, so I started a week ago. I am very enthusiastic! I feel so much more awake and more clear headed also.
I can't really say I have more energy but I have quit taking 2-3 naps a day.
I believe it is a drug for narcolepsy but has been used quite successfully for MS related fatigue. I have asked my family members to warn me if they feel I am getting too jazzed up but they all are very thrilled with the alertness I am exhibiting.
I can't really say I have more energy but I have quit taking 2-3 naps a day.
I believe it is a drug for narcolepsy but has been used quite successfully for MS related fatigue. I have asked my family members to warn me if they feel I am getting too jazzed up but they all are very thrilled with the alertness I am exhibiting.
Lisa_P
01-02-2007, 06:52 PM
I TAKE IT BACK!!!!! Except for that first wonderful day, this has been a very hellish few days. My fatigue is actually worse than it has ever been -- I could barely speak at a normal rate this morning-- very slow. I perked up for about 15 minutes a couple hours after I took the pill, but now...
SO. I went to a web site that gives information on drug interactions, listed everything I'm on and the ONLY thing was if I drink a lot of grapefruit juice (which I don't even touch the stuff) and my birth control pill. It may interfere with hormonal birth control. I had heard s little about that before, but since the doctor didn't warn me and the pharmacy paperwork didn't hit on it, I figured I must have gotten my information wrong. Nope. This is a potenially bad snag because my hubby and I got "frisky" last night. I never even did any babysitting as a kid-- when I was "fully functional." How could I possibly take care of an infant?! I just pray it all works out.
Needless to say, I am NOT going to finish this 7 day free trial on the Wonder Drug! I just hope it gets out of my system and I can go back to my "normal" level of fatigue and general yuck... :(
SO. I went to a web site that gives information on drug interactions, listed everything I'm on and the ONLY thing was if I drink a lot of grapefruit juice (which I don't even touch the stuff) and my birth control pill. It may interfere with hormonal birth control. I had heard s little about that before, but since the doctor didn't warn me and the pharmacy paperwork didn't hit on it, I figured I must have gotten my information wrong. Nope. This is a potenially bad snag because my hubby and I got "frisky" last night. I never even did any babysitting as a kid-- when I was "fully functional." How could I possibly take care of an infant?! I just pray it all works out.
Needless to say, I am NOT going to finish this 7 day free trial on the Wonder Drug! I just hope it gets out of my system and I can go back to my "normal" level of fatigue and general yuck... :(
MIZMAC1996
01-03-2007, 11:57 PM
I've been using Provigil for... probably at least two years.
It has been a GOOD ride. I take one whole tablet a day, when I have a really full day of activity ahead of me. I use only half a tablet on 'take-it-easy' days. I even cut tablets in fourths to use on 'at home resting mostly' days. It has worked well for me... my fatigue level is low. If I take too many full tablets over a few days' time, I do have trouble sleeping. I can stay up all night on the computer.
When prescribed, the nurse told me to cut the pills in half or fourths to meet my daily needs. She was a cancer patient using Provigil for her chemo-fatigue. She told my husband that if he noticed I was up all night cleaning house, I needed to take a smaller portion of the pill each day. So, when I do an all-nighter on the Internet, I cut my dosage down for several days.
I just have to be my own caretaker/advocate on dosage each day.
I also take it first thing in the morning to reduce sleeping during the day and to 'work it off' before I go to bed that night.
It has been a GOOD ride. I take one whole tablet a day, when I have a really full day of activity ahead of me. I use only half a tablet on 'take-it-easy' days. I even cut tablets in fourths to use on 'at home resting mostly' days. It has worked well for me... my fatigue level is low. If I take too many full tablets over a few days' time, I do have trouble sleeping. I can stay up all night on the computer.
When prescribed, the nurse told me to cut the pills in half or fourths to meet my daily needs. She was a cancer patient using Provigil for her chemo-fatigue. She told my husband that if he noticed I was up all night cleaning house, I needed to take a smaller portion of the pill each day. So, when I do an all-nighter on the Internet, I cut my dosage down for several days.
I just have to be my own caretaker/advocate on dosage each day.
I also take it first thing in the morning to reduce sleeping during the day and to 'work it off' before I go to bed that night.
dxeverything628
01-04-2007, 12:03 AM
Miz,
My Dr. started my on the Provigil 200mg. about 4 weeks ago for my CFS, fibro and everything else, fatigue was kicking my butt. I love it. It has done wonders for me. I do agree though I have to watch taking the whole tab. every day because it does wound me up alot also. But it will definetely work great for when I return back to work!
My Dr. started my on the Provigil 200mg. about 4 weeks ago for my CFS, fibro and everything else, fatigue was kicking my butt. I love it. It has done wonders for me. I do agree though I have to watch taking the whole tab. every day because it does wound me up alot also. But it will definetely work great for when I return back to work!
MIZMAC1996
01-04-2007, 12:16 AM
Dxeverything...
Good luck. Provigil made it possible for me to finish out my years as an educator in a high-energy position... for about two years. Glad my doctor suggested it for me. I do realize that no drug is a 'good thing' for everyone on the planet... especialy those of us with MS. This condition is so personal in every way.
Good luck. Provigil made it possible for me to finish out my years as an educator in a high-energy position... for about two years. Glad my doctor suggested it for me. I do realize that no drug is a 'good thing' for everyone on the planet... especialy those of us with MS. This condition is so personal in every way.
Lisa_P
01-04-2007, 09:27 AM
I really don't understand what happened with me.
The first day was truly an awsome thing -- I was raving to everyone about how great this thing was. 2nd day, nothing, third day, I was getting very "droopy" and by the fourth day, I was so fatigued, I could barely move or speak. I'd close my eyes and there would be these distracting pulses of flashing light so I found it hard to rest. I was actually so depressed, I caught myself entertaining thoughts of suicide! Seriously, this was very bad. I spent most of yesterday sleeping the thing off. I hope it's mostly out of my system so I can actually get something done today. Those last three pills may be flushed down the toilet, sorry to say!
So now I'm feeling incredibly hopeless. But NOT suicidal! Just generally confused anout the way my body reacted. Back to the Amantadine, I guess... But that was losing it's effectiveness months and months ago. Maybe I'll just go cold turkey for a few weeks. Can't get worse. I hope.
I just don't know.
The first day was truly an awsome thing -- I was raving to everyone about how great this thing was. 2nd day, nothing, third day, I was getting very "droopy" and by the fourth day, I was so fatigued, I could barely move or speak. I'd close my eyes and there would be these distracting pulses of flashing light so I found it hard to rest. I was actually so depressed, I caught myself entertaining thoughts of suicide! Seriously, this was very bad. I spent most of yesterday sleeping the thing off. I hope it's mostly out of my system so I can actually get something done today. Those last three pills may be flushed down the toilet, sorry to say!
So now I'm feeling incredibly hopeless. But NOT suicidal! Just generally confused anout the way my body reacted. Back to the Amantadine, I guess... But that was losing it's effectiveness months and months ago. Maybe I'll just go cold turkey for a few weeks. Can't get worse. I hope.
I just don't know.
Lisa_P
01-04-2007, 01:21 PM
After thinking about going cold turkey on my fatigue meds all morning because I'd had such bad luck with the free sample of Provigil (I didn't take it at all yesterday and slept most of the day away), I decided to try HALF a pill today. And now, less than an hour later, I feel great again. BUT it almost feels like I took too much, my eyes are so hot. It's just SO strange. And I just don't know what was going on earlier in the week. Any ideas?
dxeverything628
01-04-2007, 01:33 PM
Lisa,
I think maybe it was to much at once. I started off w/100 tabs the 1st week and I started with my anxiety attacks but then they went away, kind of sluggish coming down after the 1st week. But now I'm on 200 tabs and its all fine after 4 weeks. Maybe just takes the body getting used to, it truly does help alot with the fatigue, concentration, memory lack of. I hope it was just to much at once for ya. You should stay with the 1/2 for about 2-3 days and see how that feels.
Gina;)
I think maybe it was to much at once. I started off w/100 tabs the 1st week and I started with my anxiety attacks but then they went away, kind of sluggish coming down after the 1st week. But now I'm on 200 tabs and its all fine after 4 weeks. Maybe just takes the body getting used to, it truly does help alot with the fatigue, concentration, memory lack of. I hope it was just to much at once for ya. You should stay with the 1/2 for about 2-3 days and see how that feels.
Gina;)
LaLady
01-04-2007, 01:41 PM
Lisa, I am so sorry you are having problems with getting your dosage worked out. It has just been so miraculous for me, I wanted everyone to be as lucky.
Maybe you can work with you physician and pharmacist. I notice the 200mg pills have a break line, does it come in other strengths?
Good Luck, hope things start looking up.:)
Maybe you can work with you physician and pharmacist. I notice the 200mg pills have a break line, does it come in other strengths?
Good Luck, hope things start looking up.:)
bama girl
01-04-2007, 05:56 PM
I guess I am one of the lucky MSers. I have relatively few symptoms other than fatique and that happens on a very few occasions. My dr. prescribed
Provigil for those days and it really helps. I can clean my house in record time.
I only take one when I have a lot to do that day. I don't take them on a daily basis.
bama girl---roll tide!!!!
Provigil for those days and it really helps. I can clean my house in record time.
I only take one when I have a lot to do that day. I don't take them on a daily basis.
bama girl---roll tide!!!!
SHAWN2426
01-07-2007, 12:25 AM
Who Did You Say Your Doctor Is Bamagirl??
Lisa_P
01-07-2007, 08:03 AM
Well, I'm glad it worked for some of you. It's been two days since I took a small dose, and I'm finally back to normal. I had good luck with a half pill one day -- after a day without anything, but the next day I took a quarter and got sleepy and such AGAIN, so I figure I can only do this pill on those odd days when I KNOW I need a boost and not on a regular basis. My doc said to quit them altogether because my reactions were so abnormal...
amhale
01-23-2007, 02:05 PM
Maybe you had side effects from the Provigil? I took samples for a while and it REALLY helped my fatigue, but my insurance wouldn't cover it because I don't have Narcolepsy. I've been on Adderall since then, and it works great for me most of the time, but sometimes it doesn't. So now I'm on Amantadine, and that doesn't seem to work at all. Have you tried Adderall? It's a pain in the butt to get because it's a controlled substance, but it works for fatigue.
~Amberly :)
~Amberly :)
Lisa_P
01-23-2007, 02:55 PM
I tried another 1/3 provigil yesterday (had a couple left from the sample) and all I got was a headache that kept me up until 2 AM!
SO. I'm just going to just take my chances without drugs of any kind for a while.
I was on Amantadine for over a year and after the first 3-4 weeks, it never did much for me.
SO. I'm just going to just take my chances without drugs of any kind for a while.
I was on Amantadine for over a year and after the first 3-4 weeks, it never did much for me.
unclesam612
03-30-2007, 02:57 AM
I am supposed to take provigil 2 at am and one at noon way too much for me if I do that my breathing becomes harder and i have a problem sleeping at night so I stopped taking it for a time and only take one if i need it.My doc gives me Baclofen zanaflex and valium.I just cant take all that together the way I am told to.Drugs have never been my thing.But once I figured out what worked for me the provigil helped more than I could have hoped.But instead of 3 a day I only take 1 if I need it.Makes the 90 a month last a long time.
lilc
03-31-2007, 11:23 AM
I've had provigil for about 3 weeks now and am very happy with it. Here's what I've noticed: It definitely helps with MENTAL fatigue (I can focus, I can speak, I can THINK clearly) but if I am PHYSICALLY fatigued it doesn't help. So I still need to be careful to get enough sleep.
I read somewhere that a low dose (100mg per day) works best for MS patients - higher doses had a negative effect. But of course, we are all different.
Oh, and I have learned that it can make me pretty wound up if I skip my Effexor. (I just finished a week of travelling and working on the final push of a political campaign, so skipped the Effexor a couple of days.)
For me it has brought back "the old me" to some degree - that is priceless to me!
I read somewhere that a low dose (100mg per day) works best for MS patients - higher doses had a negative effect. But of course, we are all different.
Oh, and I have learned that it can make me pretty wound up if I skip my Effexor. (I just finished a week of travelling and working on the final push of a political campaign, so skipped the Effexor a couple of days.)
For me it has brought back "the old me" to some degree - that is priceless to me!
michael178
03-31-2007, 04:51 PM
I had a bad reaction to provigil. One of the side effects is dizziness which happened to me. Only I often get myaclonus (which is a movement disorder, or symptom), and dizziness is one of the common triggers for myaclonus. So for more than a week, I was off my feet, on my back.