Provigil prescribed for fatuige.

[orleans]

Saw my hepatologist this morn. At first he didn't want to consider a shortened treatment.I bought up the European change of protocol, of whcich he was aware, and he became more willing to talk. I am a  RVR (und 2 weeks) and had a low baseline VL, 283,000. His concern was my stage 3 BX (my concern also!) After describing my very difficult Sx he became even more willing to consider it. I listed my sx stating the one that was the most serious was the fauige. For all practical purposes I have been bed ridden for the past 2 months. That is when he suggested Provigil. I have not heard of this on the forum. Anybody know anything as it relates to Hepc tx? Of course I have googled it. He made me another appointment in 4 weeks(a miracle in itself!) to see how it was working and talk more of 24 week treatment.Any comments welcome. jerry

[konyha]

Modafinil (d, l-2-[(diphenylmethyl) sulfinyl] acetamide) [Provigil] is a novel wake- and vigilance- promoting agent that is chemically and pharmacologically dissimilar to CNS stimulants such as the amphetamines, methylphenidate, and pemoline. It is well tolerated and has low abuse liability compared to CNS stimulants.

Modafinal promotes wakefulness. During income tax season it enabled me to work business hours in the U.S. and accommodate international clients as well. It neither enhanced nor inhibited my workouts, appetite, sleep, cognitive performance or relationships with others. Other than headaches, I did not feel any of the side effects others have mentioned.

I tried it a few weeks ago to combat HCV-related fatigue and it did not help. I was wide-awake sure; but, I simply did not have the physical drive to fold a load of clothes. In my case, there is a definite difference between fatigue, sleepiness and being over tired.

There are a lot of elegant and impressive studies related to fatigue and quality of life improvement with conditions such as MS, CFS, Post-Polio, Interferon-induced depression and various cancer treatments to name a few.

There is a post here on Med-Help that shows its effect on various liver enzymes.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/365922

The only suggestion I would make for those considering trying it is to ask for samples first. It can be very pricey even with the best prescription drug coverage.

[orleans]

Thanks all. I'm going to give it a try. I put my morning riba at my bedside and take it around 5 or 6. I then dose for awhile as it does it's little "nasty". This way by the time I'm ready to get up I'm past that little thing. Think I'll add this to my morning thing and hope to be clear of it by bedtime. thanks again gys, jerry

[Liz50]

Walrus has Provigil, which mostly sits on his nightstand..it works just a little too well. It is prescribed for pilots who ahve to be alert for up to 36-48 hours...and it does just that. Brent really dislikes taking it but it's preferable to lying in bed all day. He takes a half and that about sends him thru the roof....but, it does get him up. You can always try it..take a quarter (50mgs) and see how that goes. Better than lying in bed..I agree with that comment!
BTW, Brent is on week 71 of an 84 week TX. Somedays he just needs the boost. (Not a coffee drinker, so an espresso is out!)

[miked]

On the Vertex Prove 3 trial my doctor prescribed 200mg of Provigil for my 24 weeks of tx.  At first it was great because of the extra energy and focus.  However after a couple of months I began to feel really jumpy, speedy and kind of paranoid.  I also had a lot of sleep issues, as in the lack of.

If I ever had to tx again (which I don't because I'm SVR), I wouldn't rule out Provigil but like all drugs there are side effects.

You may want to ask for a trial period of 100mg and judge for yourself.

miked

[HCA]

I have been prescribed this for Hep C fatigue.
It does have a stimulant effect-I took it whilst not on treatment.
I didn't get on at all well with Provigil,as it induced the most prolific persperation-like being in a steam room.
This is a commonly reported side effect.
Having said that eveyone responds differently so give it a try.
If you are virtually bedridden anyway what's to lose?
You can always stop if you don't like it.

[Trinity4]

I've had 2 sample boxes of it sitting on my dresser since my last visit to hep doc in Atlanta.  He said I am experiencing extreme interferon fatigue and those he has prescribed Provigil to experienced less fatigue and overall good results.  It's generally prescribed for those with narcolepsy.  
Honestly, I've been chicken to try it.  After reading the insert I didn't think it was for me because it can make some people feel "jacked up" and I hate that feeling.  I'm not much of a pill popper so decided to see if the fatigued lessened with time.  I still have my days, but at week 34 fatigue is getting a little better.  Bad days still happen, but not as severe.  If you decide to try it, keep me posted.  I'd like to know how it effected you.
Trin