Narcolepsy

[swee2000]

If anyone with narcolepsy who switched from Ritalin to Adderall(because of inconsistent results) would be willing to share their comments, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm just curious as to the outcomes.

After a year + of complaining to the doctor that Ritalin has done nothing for my narcolepsy, I think he finally heard AND listened to me tonight. Now he wants to try me on Adderall 2x/day(30mg in A.M. and 20mg at noon) for 4 weeks. If I notice a positive change, then he'll keep me on it. If I don't, then who knows what his next suggestion will be. But according to him, in his experience with patients who've made the switch from one to the other because of minimal to no results, the patient has usually found better success once they've started the new med. I hope that is the case with me because I'd love to know what it's like to feel "almost normal" again(and maybe then my family wouldn't think I'm being "lazy"). Plus, the Adderall is the 3rd medication we've tried on my narcolepsy...and I was only diagnosed in 2005. Provigil did nothing and, as mentioned before, Ritalin had some results, but they were so inconsistent and random.

Thanks ahead of time for any responses.

[Narcolelectic]

Xyrem is a life saver for narcoleptics with cataplexy. Type 2 narcolepsy aka; idiopathic hypersomnia often goes with fibromyalgia is the only 2 diagnoses that you can get on this med. I use nuvigil as well but without real sleep you are only punishing yourself to keep going and this regemin will only hurt you in the long run. Call 1-866-997-3688 and ask for a list of doctors in your area that are in the program. You have to get a sleep study or have one done prior to getting in the program but it is the only thing that has ever helped me get true sleep in my life.

[DFletch50]

I am borderline narcolepsy, and sleep apnea. Was on Nuvigal and wake up in the middle of the night ready to go. I would play games, wash dishes then take a hot bath and go back to bed. Now I am on Neuroten for one night, slept great and haven't felt this rested in months. anyone alse using this drug for sleep disorders? What would be long term effects? I would only take 100mg or 200mg before bed.

[jkakers]

I don't have Narcolepsy but I have Idiopathic Hypersomnia which is similar. I recently switched from Nuvigil to Adderall. I was up to 250mg of Nuvigil (max dosage) and the effects kept dwindling. By the time I switched, the Nuvigil was good for an hour, 2 at the most. I take 30mg Adderall and it works much, much better for me. I can feel that it is starting to wear off sooner than before, but I can still usually get a full day (sometimes a day and a half) of effects from it. Even when the effects last a day and a half, I can sleep fine at night so it's not keeping me up at all when I should be and am trying to go to sleep.

[megbb]

a strong dose of adderall did nothing for me. it kept me awake for 4 hours at the most. i hated being on it. i got switched over to Nuvigil this week, so im still seeing how that goes. but my neurologist wants to put me on an additive called Xyrem. you should ask about it. i havnt started it yet, but who knows, it just might help.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

Different medications help different patients.  There are longer acting stimulants (concerta, metadate) that help some people, but others get more relief from the shorter acting medications.  

Dr. Enoch Choi, MD
Palo Alto, CA