what can you do when fatigue meds no longer help?

[mamiJ]

Hi everyone.

I have been taking provigil for about 3-4 years. I recently hit a plateau or something on it, so my dr switched it to nuvigil, saying it was much better.

well, the nuvugil does not help either.  I always feel like I am going to just fall over. I evem started exercising, and popping vitamin B, but that doesn't help.

my latest thing was to go buy some caffeine pills to supplement the nuvigil, but that wears off quickly and I know its not healthy.

I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas.

Thanks!!

[tonyad]

   I can feel your pain on the cost of meds!!!!!

    So again, there are some of us who have this debilitating Fatigue and have all other test come back NORMAL!  Quite discouraging isn't it?  I almost wish they would find something...low iron / ferritin, thyroid, infection...But NOPE!  

    I guess for some of us Fatigue is much, much more debilitating than others even with meds!  Actually studies have shown that is the number one cause for people w/ MS to leave the work force...due to fatigue.....Not Just Fatigue, But Relentless Fatigue.

   MamiJ: As a side note per your original post.....Methylin IS the Generic for Ritalin which someone else had suggested. They are one in the same.  As I said, I have also tried that...but to No avail!

     Good Luck to all of us who have to constantly fight the renlentless Fatigue Monster!
Take Care,
~Tonya
    

[poker247]

Not to mention i already pay $268/month for insurance and $240/month in medicine co-pays alone and not interested in another pill or copay with money we don't have :(

[poker247]

from their website

NUVIGIL is a federally controlled substance (C-IV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep NUVIGIL in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away NUVIGIL may harm others, and is against the law. Tell your doctor if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines or street drugs.

Patients also may experience irractic behavior, and feelings of euphoria while taking NUVIGIL

Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they experience rash, depression, anxiety, or signs of psychosis or mania.

I already suffer from anxiety, depression and I am Type 2 BiPolar ... I really don't need anymore problems

[steph74]

My doctor practically insisted I try nuvigil.  I didn't see that there were big risks of addiction with it.  I know that it's okay to take some days and not others, and I have done that with no problem.  If I have a day when I don't have to do as much or be as sharp funcitoning, I don't take it.

That said, I *am* much more fatigued on the days I don't take it, so there is certainly the desire to keep taking it.  But I don't necessarily see this as addiction, any more than wanting to take lyrica because if I don't my TN pain is severe.

If your dr has suggested it, I'd try it, unless you have other reasons to be concerned about addiction (e.g. family hx).

Good luck.

Stephanie

[poker247]

Good post for as i am wondering the same things. Fatigue has been a huge issue with me.

Earlier this year my fatigue was debilitating and I asked my doctor to check my cbc (anemia), urinalysis/culture(infection), thyroid (hypothyroidism), and testosterone(testicular hypo function). All of which have been a problem one time or another in my past. Everything came back completely normal besides my testosterone which was very low and possibly the cause of fatigue. I restarted the Androgel (testosterone replacement) daily and within 2 weeks my fatigue was less. Unfortunately the results were short lived and in June I was fatigued beyond belief again. After more blood work the results everything came back completely normal.

In search of another cause of the fatigue my doctor order a sleep study. I had the study and it was found I have restless leg syndrome as well as sleep apnea. Between the leg and muscle twitching and stopping breathing 40 times an hour with the sleep apnea I was getting minimal REM sleep. I was sent for a second study with a CPAP machine and I woke up refreshed. Since then I have gotten my own CPAP machine and use it nightly.

AGAIN the results were short lived. After another normal blood check and the CPAP machine I am STILL fatigued and there are times I feel like i am sleep walking I am so fatigued.  I work a full-time job and a side job and during the week I am usually asleep shortly after dinner and on weekends I sleep all day Saturday and most of Sunday just to get enough energy to possibly mow the lawn or make Sunday Dinner. There has to be more to life than sleep and I feel like I am sleeping my life away as well as my wife and daughter suffering from their non-existant husband/father. :(

I was prescribed Nuvigil by my neurologist and between the dislike of taking another pill, and the side effects and addiction possibility of the Nuvigil I am VERY hesitant to take it.

I am at wits end! I have done ALL the steps and done everything but the Nuvigil and I am still fatigued.

ANY Suggestions???

Poker247
a.k.a. SLEEP 24/7 :(

[Quixotic1]

You may need to try one of the other meds used for fatigue, like amantadine or Adderall or Ritalin.

Also, it would be a good idea to investigate why the fatigue is worse.  As mentioned above, it might be a new relapse.  You should have a CBC and a urinalysis to check for signs of infection - the most common cause of a new relapse.

Or you may be getting worse sleep.  A sleep study might be beneficial.

Also have your thyroid checked.  

Quix

[tonyad]

   Hello,

    I can certainly sympathize with you on this topic!  It sounds like this is an on going problem verses a relapse...that is my issue also!

    I have even been given Methylin to try and help get me reved up.  Does not help either!  So, I do not know what else they could possibly have in their bag of tricks for folks like us...But, I hope it is something and soon   ;0

     Please let me know if you come up w/ something that helps and I shall do the same.  I am Thankful for all the "Up" time I have and the bit of energy to go with it.

Take Care,
~Tonya

[jensequitur]

I wonder if you're going into a relapse - fatigue is always a warning sign for me.