Provigil

[Deb61]

After all this time, three years at least, my insurance company is no longer approving me for Provigil.  This drug is the one thing that I've taken that has made a huge impact on the quality of my life.  Without it, I'm unable to think clearly and I'm too fatigued to get up out of bed or off the couch.  I may have to retire on disability because there's no way I will be able to teach.  The drug also helps with the ADD (diagnosed after the MS as an adult, LOL).

One thing my neuro has said is that he wants to do a sleep study to see if this gives anything that he can use for a prescription medicine.  I understand this is quite expensive, even with insurance coverage.  Maybe some of my fatigue is caused from sleep apnea.  

What do you do for the fatigue?  Have any of you taken the generic?  I am thinking about paying for the generic out of pocket if I can find it cheap enough.

Thanks!
Deb

[Deb61]

Thanks, Lulu.  Yes, it's chaps my back end to think about the insurance companies looking at people only in the terms of dollars and cents.  I'm going to try to keep my thoughts in a positive place because just the stress from this situation may put me into a relapse!  LOL (I laugh, but I think I'm noticing some weirdness in my body already--I better start some meditation and sipping on mimosas).

[Lulu54]

My sleep study showed that I had mild apnea, with one episode of central apnea (stopped breathing)  that the doctor didn't think was significant.  I guess that's ok as long as your brain regains the ability to breathe   :-)

nothing was found in my sleep study that would justify a c-pap machine.  

no, I don't take provigil/nuvigil but has a coworker with MS who tried the samples, loved the difference and then our insurance said NO.  Stinks that these companies are overriding what our doctors prescribe.  

[Deb61]

Thanks for the responses.

His Shelly!  I'm glad to see you still on the forum, my friend!  My neuro has been fighting this for about a month, now.  The prior authorization form is filled out a little differently each time.  This last time, they lowered the dosage, and this didn't even work.  I also have his best nurse working on the case.  If she can't do it, I don't think anyone can!  

Kelly, I have a feeling the sleep study will be expensive.  The person I work with, with the same health insurance, said that he paid over $1500 out of pocket, too.  I am due for another MRI, so I may end up meeting my deductible with all of these expenses at once, anyway, though.  

Lulu, did the sleep study have any useful information that came out of it?  Do you take Provigil/Nuvigil?  Good to see you, too!  I hope everything is going well for you.  

[Lulu54]

I had a sleep study done two years ago and it was by a neurologist who runs a sleep clinic.  I did not have it done in a hospital setting.  I was VERY surprised when I got the bill - they only charged me my office copay of $20.

You might want to place some calls and se what you find in your area.

Insurance is getting very difficult with the provigil/nuvigl rx.  good luck

[anon07072023]

Oh yeah, I feel your pain!  I'm hit with the fatigue, too. They started me on Amantadine a few weeks ago and it really isn't working so good. Not a profound difference, that's for sure. I was hoping to get on Provigil but it wasn't offered to me, even though I requested it by name. I have heard that many people do have problems getting it approved by insurance, unless you have a sleep disorder.  

I had a sleep study done about 5 yrs ago, and I almost had to pay $1200 out of pocket for it. That's kind of tricky too with insurance.

Good luck to you,
Kelly  

[sllowe]

Hey Deb,

Nice to see you. Is the doctor's office willing to fight to get it approved? Many times they would have to submit to an interview, etc. if it's not on their list. But, there is a strong case for you to stay on it, and not try the others. i.e., vulnerability to adverse reactions and what that can do to you and MS in terms of set backs and exacerbations.

Hoping others chime in -
-Shell