Prescription meds for Fatigue?

[anon07072023]

Hi Everyone, I was wondering if anyone has any good recommendations for a prescription med that's good (and SAFE) for fatigue?  I just read that there's actually meds out there for this (besides my usual of gulping down tons of caffeine every day).  My neuro has known since I've been going to him that I have severe fatigue, but he's never mentioned that there are any meds out there for it. Maybe they're not that safe to take?

Thanks!
Kelly  

[anon07072023]

Looks like I got the same thing as what Wobbly is taking. He prescribed Amantadine. I got it too late in the day today to take it - so I'm feeling pretty wiped out right now (like usual). They told me that I should take one first thing in the morning and then another one about noon. And try to keep it no later than mid-day or I'll be up all night cursing their name. I guess some people with Parkinson's take it for stiffness in their muscles, too. I'm already taking Baclofen, so hopefully it doesn't turn me into jelly with the both of them.

Thanks guys. :-)

[Hazeleyevol1]

Can a heart Patient take Amantsdine?  My fatigue is bad.  I just got the final stamp from the neurologist doctor that I have MS.

[LisaJF]

I would think that "fatigue" is the most common complaint of people with MS or what they perceive is the worst thing.  However, if I was debilitated in sight or physical limitations (ie to walk) then to me that would be the worst thing.

You have the right to ask for medication that "may" help with your fatigue.  As I read on this forum, some medications help, some medications don't.  Just in case you get the provigil, if it doesn't work, you can try something else (keep that in the back of your mind).

I hope they call period.  I dont know why you must wait "days" on end for a returned phone call from the doctor.  I dont get that.

I called my "old" Neurologist who I was seeing for Ataxia and memory issues in 2007, last week and he called me back that day I placed a call to him.  I havent seen him in almost 2 years.  I dont get this call you back in a week thing or days thing.  If I call my primary, she returns my call that day (most of the time in the evening after she sees all of her patients) depending on what message I leave her.  

I would especially call into the Neurologist and have him "correct" his progress notes as they were not accurate.  I realize he likes to distinguish between objective and subjective data -- but he must put into those progress notes what your chief complaint is at the time of visit(s).  If he's leaving them out then he must stop daydreaming of his achievements and hangings on the wall and start being a responsible MD.  I know I sound harsh, but you did tell me he was quite arrogant with his displays of "himself" all over the walls.  I couldn't help but "dig" at him for his irresponsible charting.

Good luck at the attorney's office.

xxoo
Lisa

[anon07072023]

Hi Paula,
Yeah, I think that I should try to demand it. Really, it is that bad.  I feel like closing my eyes, too. And a lot of times it feels like I haven't slept in a week - literally.
Thanks - I hope they call me today with some good news.
-Kelly

[figuerpa]

I take provigil for my fatigue. It helps me to be able to get through the day without feeling like I could just close my eyes and sleep.

If you feel you need it then push the issue, or talk with your family doctor about maybe getting it. If you push the issue then your neuro should see that you really need it.

I hope your neuro or the nurse calls you back soon with some good news for you.

Paula

[anon07072023]

Thanks Julie. I guess if they prescribe me one, I'll have to watch myself - especially at first until I see how it affects me.  I'm still waiting for the neuro or his nurse to call me back to see if they'll even let me have one.
I have a feeling that he'll say no - that just seems to be my luck lately.

Thanks,
Kelly

[Sarahsmom46]

I did forget to mention something important about taking these types of meds and that is you may be feeling better but if you overdo it, you get the same consequences.  I felt like I could do anything this past weekend and then the next day the fatigue came back. The medication did not stop the fatigue from creeping back in, not as severe as normal but it was definitley rearing its ugly head.

Lesson learned, at least from my own personal experience is that this med helps manage fatigue, but that I have to still manage how much I do.  My mind may be feeling great and full of focus, but my body is still in still facing the same issues even if I am not realizing at the moment.  

Hope this was helpful.

Julie

[anon07072023]

Hi Wobbly, thanks for taking the time to leave a response. I know how you feel. The fatigue just takes over sometimes.
Feel better,
Kelly

[Wobbly]

Hi Kelly.  at the moment I'm taking Amantadine, one pill in the morning.. I will take two if I need more.  I find it helps with fatigue.  But then I get tired out if I do anything, so I do get a few things done, but I really don't do much more then a few dishes, and maybe one load of laundry.  

I don't go out by myself anymore, I don't trust my legs.  I will get tired out if I go out for shopping or anything.  Sorry, this is depressing to me right now.  I'm having a difficult time with movement.

bye for now
wobbly

[anon07072023]

Thanks Sarah - that's good to know.

[SarahL2491]

I take provigil but insurance won't pay for it and yes, its expensive but often they can give you samples and it works for me

[anon07072023]

I read somewhere that a lot of these aren't approved for helping with MS fatigue. Maybe that's why neuro's don't offer them that often? Maybe they know that insurance won't approve it. But, if I can help me keep my job and working full-time (and it's not tooooo expensive), then I can try to shell out the extra money for it. I'm saying this, but have no idea how much it costs. If it costs as much as my Copaxone, then I'd like to take back what I just said.  There's no way I could afford it then.

I get a lot of leg fatigue, too. But, I'm sure my neuro won't believe that one either.
Here's hoping that I can at least find something to get rid of the general fatigue. Sometimes I wake up and I'm wiped out already. Other days it doesn't start until about mid-day.

Thanks,
Kelly

[Sarahsmom46]

I was started on 100mg one time a day.  He said that if this dose works the great, but if not, then he could raise it to 200mg.  I am hopeful that we can keep it at as low a dose as possible as I don't want to be overstimulated jus want to feel normal again.  

Ess, I am taking ampyra and it really didn't help my general fatigue but did help my leg fatigue.  I keep thinking if I want to quit ampyra and see what happens, but since I am doing very well right now that we've added the provigil that I don't want to upset this welcome relief.  

I hope Kellly that you can convince the neuro to at least give you a trial on the provigil to see if it or something else like it will help you.  I can tell you that if things didn't start getting better soon that there would be an issue with my being able to keep working.

Hoping for the best.

Julie

[essdipity]

I tried Provigil last summer with high hopes, after wrangling my insurer over it--it's expensive.

Alas, it didn't do diddley for me. Maybe Ampyra will help me. I'm exhausted all the time.

ess

[anon07072023]

Julie, do you mind if I ask what is the dosage that they started you on for Provigil?

[anon07072023]

I know - I can't wait if it really works!

The nurse returned my call and said that she may not talk to my neuro until sometime on Friday.  I'm not holding my breath that he'll give me anything. Although, it does say in my notes from when I first started seeing him in July that I continue to endorse severe fatigue.

Yeah, but you know...who cares, right?  fatigue-schmatigue.

It would be soooooo nice if I could get out of zombie-land.
    

[LisaJF]

I asked my primary for provigil and she said "NO! We give that to patients who have narcolepsy!" LOL...I'm thinking, "and yeah?"  

She said I'd have to wait for my appointment with the MS Specialist.  

@ Julie that is wonderful news!!!!  This gives me hope!!!  Ahhh to rid of the fatigue!!!!!!!!!


Lisa

[Sarahsmom46]

I just started Provigil a week ago and it has made a HUGE difference in my daily severe fatigue.  I feel like I have my life back again.  It is a low dose and so far I am tolerating it quite well - no side effects.  And the best part is that I'm down to one cup of coffee a day and my tummy is very happy about that.

My neuro never mentioned prescribing a drug for fatigue to me wither.  I was the one to mention it to him a couple weeks ago and this is after 2 years with this guy. So, you have to ask and it looks like you have already done that.

I hope you will get a good response so you can see if it helps you as well.

Julie

[anon07072023]

Thanks. I'm waiting for the clinical nurse to call me back to see if they'll let me try one of them. If I can get rid of the fatigue, then maybe I can start to function better - especially cognitively (crossing my fingers).

[candy158]

Hi, sorry you are having problems with the fatigue, but I was told it goes part and parcel with having MS.   I was told to take Alatec from My neuro from the MS research hospital in Vancouver BC.  

I managed NOT to have to fill it yet, so I can't really say if it worked for me, but that is what she gave me for the fatigue.

Hope this helps,
take care,
Candy

[HVAC]

There is adderall, provigil, and nuvigil. If you also have real gait problems you can be on Ampyra (which is not FDA approved for anything but gait) but helps some with fatigue.

Alex