amantadine

[meg321]

Has anyone used this drug for fatigue and if so, how did you like it?

thanks, meg

[sarars86]

I started amantadine 3 days ago for my fatigue from ms and it is actually making me feel tired... any suggestions?

[meg321]

It is covered by my insurance Co. so its out there...

meg

[borntolose102]

Meg, i called my neurologist and left her a message on her voice mail. I required some info etc. She will be out of town until monday but hopefully she can give me some cold hard facts about our new "give me energy or give me rest" pill...

[meg321]

It seems noone has heard anything about Nuvigil here,  But they are looking into it...guess we know more than they do at times...

meg

[meg321]

THanks for all the responses ..And Jules you got me all excited, i had checked on Nuvigil and told it had not approved or something, so I gave up on it....I would like to try it , i know if I switch my insurance co would love it...and not let me back. (They are very underhanded like that).  

Nothing really restores my energy a lot but gets me up and I can move and function more, so i take it on a daily basis.

Where did you find the weeks supply free?

hugs, meg

[JulesL5S1]

I just started/switched to Nuvigil.  I am very pleased with Nuvigil.

I've been using Provigil that I got as samples from my neuro as my insurance company would not approve Provigil.  My neuro office no longer gets samples of Provigil because of the drug company switch to Nuvigil.  That proved to be a good thing for me!  For me there is a wonderful difference between Provigil and Nuvigil.  Nuvigil starts to work faster, lasts longer, and really gives me mental energy that I haven't had in several years.

The only down side for me is that Nuvigil has basically returned my energy and mental skills to normal.  That is good.  However, my body has lost so much conditioning over the last 2 years that I will have to work to get my strength and conditioning back.  Now I have the energy to do that.  

My insurance company has approved Nuvigil.  Yeah.  The cost without insurance is about $340 for a 30 day supply ( 1 pill per day).  My insurance covers much of that.  You can get a coupon on line for a one week "free sample".  

I am optimistic for the first time in several years.  This works great for me.  As we all know though, we are different and what works for one may not work for another.  

Cheers, JulesL5S1

[MsWobbles]

Hi, Meg.  

I tried Amantadine.  At first it seemed to give me some energy, but then I had some worrisome symptoms from it - (can't remember what they were - sorry) - so I stopped it.  

Like you, I've used Provigil and that is the only thing that has ever helped me feel back to normal (almost).  The makers of Provigil have come out with a new drug called Nuvigil whicih is supposed to last longer than Provigil and be slightly different.  However, someone here pointed out that Nuvigil might just be a way the makers of Provigil have  to keep Provigil users paying for Trade name drug a little longer (since Provigil will be going generic soon).  However, you might consider just having your doctor order a few pills of Nuvigil to see if it could help you.

Also, regarding the Provigil:  Make sure its expiration date is a long time off.  I have found that can make a difference - that it gets weaker with time.  Actually, if you can get some Provigil samples from your doctor (from a pharmaceutical rep) - those are the strongest Provigil you can get (usually).  Also you might consider trying a different pharmacy provider for your Provigil - theirs might be fresher.

I also tried green tea with ginseng which was pretty good at restoring some energy.  However, people with MS are not supposed to have a certain type of Ginseng (I believe it is Oriental ginseng they should avoid) and I'm not sure what kind of ginseng was in the tea.  It made me feel pretty darn good!  However, not too long after starting the tea, I recently had to go to the ER with stroke-like symptoms.  

Yesterday, a week after the ER visit, I just saw a new neurologist and her neuro physical exam of me showed that there was a definite decline in what I used to be able to do.  For instance, no way could I walk heel-to-toe.  Also, my Romberg was strongly positive and I even wavered while standing with my feet together with my eyes open.  I wonder if that wonderful tea with its uknown ginseng type has affected me.  So be very careful with Ginseng.  I have read it is okay for people with MS to use American Ginseng.  Check with your doctor.  All I know is that the ginseng HELPED!

WAF

[Wobbly]

Hi there, I am taking it in the morning and find it helps with energy, when I first took it I did feel like "out of it"... and only took one a day instead of two.  That wore off and now I find it help without the "out of it" feeling.  

I take two a day if I'm up early in the morning and take the second one around 1:00 PM.. otherwise it keeps me up at nighttime and it's difficult enough to sleep with pains in my legs at nighttime.

so, I only wish I could find something to help with my left leg weakness and walking...it's slowly getting worst every week... I sometimes feel that one day I won't be able to walk... my right leg is hurting now as well.

take care and sorry to take so long to reply, I've been away
wobbly
undx

[meg321]

Thanks, wasn't sure if i was black listed or what..responses are slow lately.

I have been taking provigil for a long time and it is not helping as much now but i am afraid To take nything else.. my fatigue keeps me from doing much at all..

Normal would feel different for a change, but i might get spoiled.

hugs, meg

[borntolose102]

Hi Meg, I have been taking it off and on for ten years. It seems to help with fatigue to some extent. I do alot of bike riding and such and that kicks my endurance and energy up for a bit. During my last exacerbation I was so tired it was sick. I started taking the amantadine twice per day and it seems to be helping. I guess I thought I was going to get this huge just taking a infusion boost. Nothing like that but its nice. The first couple of days you may feel like you are on speed. Enjoy it! You get to feel normal for a change..:) I would give it a shot since it was originally used for what influenza and something a tad more crazy not sure I forgot...:(