Provigil

[meredith100]

I would REALLY appreciate feedback from anyone who has used Provigil.
My doctor and I are considering trying it for excessive daytime sleepiness that may or may not be a side effect of taking an SSRI.
Please answer any or all of my questions from your experience:
--Did Provigil help you with tiredness?
--What condition did you take it for? sleep disorders?
--Does it have to be taken every day or could I just take it mornings following not getting a good night's sleep (I require more than the average 8)?
--Did it make you at all anxious/jittery?
--Side effects?
--Could you still fall asleep at night?
--Do/did you find it habit forming? I don't want to feel totally reliant on it to stay awake.
ANY other suggestions for daytime tiredness greatly appreciated THANKS!

[Sweetgirl]

Meredith,

My doc prescribed Provigil for exactly those reasons, plus SSRI's make me really foggy brained. I've been taking it for almost two weeks and have had to adjust dosages somewhat. It does help me with my daytime fogginess and I have not had trouble sleeping at night because there is a definite crash when it wears off. I'm taking a little in the morning (50mg) and a little in the early afternoon (50mg) at present. 100mg at one time (half of a pill) wires me - but I'm extremely sensitive to meds (my Lexapro is 2.5 mg). I have noticed that it ramps up my anxiety if I'm in a pressure situation (more anxiety than usual), but my doc says that that will eventually go away. In the meantime, he rx'd Ativan in case it gets really bad.

The good thing is that it is lifting my depression. I'm able to consider new ways of thinking about situations that previously were not possible. My outlook seems to be getting brighter and I'm beginning to be unwilling to spend my life slogging through depression.

This is big for me because I'm really sensitive to side effects of meds and quit most of them after a couple of days (e.g., Effexor, Lamactil, Cymbalta, Neurontin.) I've been on various SSRI's for 15 years, though, because those are not an option for me. I've been searching for a med that would ease my depression without the brain fog and lethargy.

[meredith100]

Thanks! I seem to be in the same boat as you are...I also use Ativan for anxiety sometimes...I am reluctant to use one med to counteract what another may be doing (ie provigil for tiredness and foginess of Luvox) but then again if I can find a combo that works well, it makes sense to give it a shot. Keep us posted on Provigil, Im hearing good things...

[beach4me]

I have taken AD's off and on. The depression would lift but I would still feel tired and foggy. Not depressed but not happy either.

My new pd put me on Effexor, Lamictal and Provigil. Lamictal is a mood stabilizer. Often used to treat Bipolar as well. However, I do not have one symptom of BP (other than depression),

I have been on this combo for four weeks and feel incrediable! I take 50 mg of provigil each am and it gives me the energy I need. The Lamictal (50 mg) aids the Effexor (75 mg). I can not believe the difference. He said they have found that people who have medication resistant depression...the Lamictal and provigil often make the difference. Lucky for me...I am feeling the best I have felt in 19 years.

Good luck!

[Moonmad]

Meredith - I replied in the Depression thread!

Mm