Provigil

[pilgrim1951]

I am in week 42 of tx and my trial doc prescribed 100 mg of Provigil to help with my fatigue (he can't/won't prescribe procrit).  My hgb was at 9.4 as of last Friday after being in the mid 10's for a while.  I am sleeping "ok" at night with Ambien CR, but have been getting close to worthless (mentally and physically) as far as work goes the past few weeks.  I'm wondering if this will really help or possibily aggravate my dizziness from stairs and mild exertion.  I know this can vary with individuals and haven't found any recent mention of this in the archives.  I am thinking of starting with a half dose of 50mg at first to see how it goes and wondered about the possible skin reactions associated with it after two bad times of rash and dry skin.  Has anyone been successful under similar circumstances?

[pilgrim1951]

Thanks for the replies so far.  

Trinity:  Vertex isn't allowing rescue drugs and my doc doesn't want to reduce yet and I really don't either.  He believes in the start, the middle and the finish and doesn't like to reduce unless absolutely necessary.  He is willing to try this to help with fatigue and work and hold off on reduction as long as possible.  I think I agree and so far  I trust his experience and judgement.  Doesn't it take a while for reduction to have any significant effect?  I know the half life is supposed to be months long.

nygirl:  Thanks for the imput.  Yes, my fear is not sleeping at night and feeling pumped and pushing myself too far...I remember how bad it was when I was getting only a few hours at night.  

[nygirl7]

9.4 is low but thank God you only have four weeks to go - then it will go back up again.....

I never took Provigil and cant help give you advice with that...I've been under 9 though and I can understand how bad that feels - I'm sorry try and hang in there and be careful it sure wont' help with the low hemo but I"m not sure I'd want to feel speedy or something like that on top of the rest of it, I think you are smart to question it and take a half dose and see what happens.

I'd suggest taking it first thing in the morning though just in case it doesn't get out of your system fast and might mess with your sleep - thank God for Ambien, I'm still on that it helps me SO much (I never slept at all so on tx fuggidabowdit!)

[Trinity4]

You are in a trial correct?  Somewhere around week 40 now?  Does your trial not permit rescue drugs like Procrit?  I know different trials have different guidelines.  Hgb is low and if Procrit is not permitted why hasn't your doctor reduced your Riba?  At this point a reduction in riba will not be as critical if it were to occur early on in treatment.  

I have two unopened boxes of Provigil sitting on my dresser since Oct 08.  After reading possible side effects I opted not to take it.  Some have said it helped greatly with the interferon fatigue but made them a bit on edge, speedy, and perspired more.  Provigil isn't going to help with your low hgb and the side effects associated with it.