Aa
Heather
I remember that you have fibro as well as ms, and probably other things. What is your take on asking my dr about Provigil for the extreme fatigue of my fibro? I ended up taking a 3 1/2hr "nap" today. And will have no trouble sleeping tonight.A lot of the posts here mention taking it to help with their fatigue, just wondering if it would help fibro fatigue. Hope you are having a great Memorial Day weekend!
Maggie
Maggie
Provigil is being used off-label for many things now. Whether your PCP would prescribe it is up to his confidence level. You could certainly show him this thread and request a trial of it.
It is approved for the fatigue of narcolepsy, of "shift-work" fatigue, and of obstructive sleep apnea. It is being used commonly off-label for the fatigue of CFS, MS, Fibromyalgia, and for the mental focusing needed in Adult ADD and probably for many other things.
It was the first thing Dr. M wrote for me, before he officially told me of the diagnosis of MS. It is a miracle for me, even at half-dose which I sometimes take.
It has little potential for addiction and is a lot safer than many other things used for fatigue. It has some potential for raising the blood pressure. I have to take it very early in the morning or it keeps me awake.
I recommend that anyone starting it take half the regular dose for the first several days. A few people have felt a little zazzed on it at full strength for the first doses, but this was solved by the gradual increase.
Why don't you ask your PCP for an initial 2 week trial of it and see if Dr. M would given his approval. So you would know by then if it helped.
Quix, MD
It is approved for the fatigue of narcolepsy, of "shift-work" fatigue, and of obstructive sleep apnea. It is being used commonly off-label for the fatigue of CFS, MS, Fibromyalgia, and for the mental focusing needed in Adult ADD and probably for many other things.
It was the first thing Dr. M wrote for me, before he officially told me of the diagnosis of MS. It is a miracle for me, even at half-dose which I sometimes take.
It has little potential for addiction and is a lot safer than many other things used for fatigue. It has some potential for raising the blood pressure. I have to take it very early in the morning or it keeps me awake.
I recommend that anyone starting it take half the regular dose for the first several days. A few people have felt a little zazzed on it at full strength for the first doses, but this was solved by the gradual increase.
Why don't you ask your PCP for an initial 2 week trial of it and see if Dr. M would given his approval. So you would know by then if it helped.
Quix, MD
bumping up for other members to hopefully comment on. Maggie needs our combined advice...Thanks!
Thank you so much Julia for your information. And you too Heather. I also take Baclofen, Tramadol, and Celexa at night. If I just can't get to sleep, I have AmbienCR that I cut in half and take one. I am planning 2 vacations this summer, one to Florida in June to visit my daughter, which won't be too busy, but one in July to Cheyenne Frontier days, which will involve a LOT of walking and events for 5 days. I'm afraid without some type of energy assistance, I won't get to enjoy this. Right now I drink at leat 2 of the carb free RockStar energy drinks, each containing 120mgs of caffien. This at least helps me get thru the day. Anybody with more info on Provigil Please share. Thank you so much.
Maggie
Maggie
These are exactly the responses Maggie needs. People that actually use Provigil. I do not use it YET, as I didn't want to add yet another medication to my arsenal that already sits in the medicine cabinet.
I do suffer from some tremendous fatigue, but somehow I manage to get through a day. Sometimes struggling, only wanting to lay down. I do not sleep well at night, even though my doctor has me on 2 mgs. of Klonopin for Restless Leg Syndrome and 40 mgs. of Baclofen to help with leg spasms. Neither one of these drugs make me want to fall asleep. What I would give for just one night of rest. Elavil and my heart do not get along well together, so I can't take that.
Please members, if you are taking Provigil, please help Maggie to understand more about how the drug works in your lives. I was unable to really give her the proper answer, since I do not take it.
Thanks all,
Heather
I do suffer from some tremendous fatigue, but somehow I manage to get through a day. Sometimes struggling, only wanting to lay down. I do not sleep well at night, even though my doctor has me on 2 mgs. of Klonopin for Restless Leg Syndrome and 40 mgs. of Baclofen to help with leg spasms. Neither one of these drugs make me want to fall asleep. What I would give for just one night of rest. Elavil and my heart do not get along well together, so I can't take that.
Please members, if you are taking Provigil, please help Maggie to understand more about how the drug works in your lives. I was unable to really give her the proper answer, since I do not take it.
Thanks all,
Heather
Hi Maggie! I know you specifically wrote this question to Heather - but I also have Fibromyalgia and take Provigil.
It helps tremendously w/ my fatigue!!
My Neuro #1 first prescribed it for me - then dr.s at Mayo Clinic agreed I would benefit from it - and my local primary dr. now writes the script.
I have SO much more energy now - and most of the time I don't need a daytime naps.
A great combination for me has been 200 mg Provigil every morning - and 20 mg. Amitryptiline every night to help REM sleep.
Provigil is really "smooth" - I don't feel jittery - or like I have even taken anything for the energy - it's more like I'm my "old" self back 15 years ago before I started having the fatigue issues.
It doesn't help any of the other symptoms - some days I keep pluggin away despite the numbness and pain . . .
Hope this helps!
Julia
It helps tremendously w/ my fatigue!!
My Neuro #1 first prescribed it for me - then dr.s at Mayo Clinic agreed I would benefit from it - and my local primary dr. now writes the script.
I have SO much more energy now - and most of the time I don't need a daytime naps.
A great combination for me has been 200 mg Provigil every morning - and 20 mg. Amitryptiline every night to help REM sleep.
Provigil is really "smooth" - I don't feel jittery - or like I have even taken anything for the energy - it's more like I'm my "old" self back 15 years ago before I started having the fatigue issues.
It doesn't help any of the other symptoms - some days I keep pluggin away despite the numbness and pain . . .
Hope this helps!
Julia
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