Provigil - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

Lisa_P · 12-30-2006, 01:11 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...

MSNik · 12-30-2006, 02:27 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

LaLady · 12-30-2006, 03:23 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.

Lisa_P · 01-02-2007, 03:52 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...

MIZMAC1996 · 01-03-2007, 08:57 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.