Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
1394098 tn?1385960134

Provigil

I was recently diagnosed with cfs. The Dr put me on Cymbalta for the body aches and sleep disturbances. But I'm still very tired all the time. So now my Dr is thinking of prescribing Provigil. Has anyone tried this drug. If so does it work well for fatigue. I read that it helps with focus but I haven't read anything about it helping with tiredness. Thanks
16 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1530171 tn?1448129593
Michelle & Jayne.
Please consider starting a new thread with a "catchy" title for more visibility and hopefully elicit more responses.

Hijacking another members post is not necessarily frowned upon,
but it puts your posts at a "disadvantegeous" position!
For direct communication between members you can always use the private messaging option.

Cheers!  
Niko
Helpful - 0
16943784 tn?1452552405
Michelle,
It doesn't look like anyone answered you here. I'm so sorry to hear you are suffering. I get it. It's frustrating and science doesn't have all our answers yet. You don't mention but I hope you are looking after yourself. It's too easy to get depressed when we are stuck and unable to participate in the things that make us happy. I hope you have a good counsellor or at least someone to talk to who can help you work through the mental stuff that comes along with all the physical.
I'll be thinking about you,
Jayne
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am so tired of being tired all the time. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as Fibrmyalga . I have Chronic Pain issues.  Go to bed at 10:00 up by one or two might go back to sleep around 7:00 and sleep for a couple of more hours.  That is how my day goes up and down all day.  I have been told not to drive because I tend to nod out here and there.  It is kind of scary.  I am not sure if I should go to my Primary or my Rumatologist.  I did call my Rumatologist and she said if I come in she can give me a shot that will help but not sure about what it will be.  She also is putting me on Humeri and says that should take care of the sleeping issues and some of the pain.  I had to order it and it should be here tomorrow.  Have read some not good stuff about the side affects.  I also take Forteo and Gabipentin and so so many more.  I don't know I am just discouraged and tired of feeling this way all the time.  I want to get back to life.  Sorry thanks for letting me vent
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
IgM band 23 is specific to Borrelia Burgdorferi but CDC requires 2.  IgG Bands 66 and 99 are specific for Borrelia Burgdofreri.  I just don't have 5  of them to meet CDC guidelines to be diagnosed with Lyme.  I have been told it's a false positive. But I know there is controversy about this issue.   I will try posting on the Lyme forum.  

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.  I will check into TMG.

Enjoy your stay in Greece.

L
Helpful - 0
1530171 tn?1448129593
TMG is the least expensive option. It's a side door to methylation.
SAMe is a bit costly, so if I were you, I'd try the TMG
If on Methylocobalamin you need also Methylfolate (sold separately $$).
You don't need to combine the options I mentioned before.

Consider posting at the Lyme Disease forum. I would look into it  for you re: the  IgG bands 66 and 99, but I'm in Greece right now, running around like a chicken with it's head cut-off-lol!
I'm the "go to" person for everything-specially health and money matters-
and everyone wants a piece of me!

Best,
Niko
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Niko,

I have been diagnosed by an M.D. with Protomyxzoa Rheumatica.  He goes by the ISDA guidelines for Lyme.  I am on Doxycycline for the PR.  It has been 5 weeks and no improvement so far.

The LLMD's here are not contracted with insurance.  They charge about $50,000 for treatment.  I can't afford that.  I have a naturopath that would probably be willing to test me for co-infections if I know what to ask for.  Maybe he would research it for me.  He is at least open to the possibility that I have Lyme but he's not an expert.  A few months (June)  ago I had only an IgM band 23 and it's gone now. Now I have just the 2 IgG bands 66 and 99.

My naturopath recommended methylcobalamin.  I recently started that.  I have heard of SAMe but not TMG.  Would I need all of those with the methycobalamin? Or just the methylcobalamin?  Maybe I need to find methylfolate with methylcobalamin.

Thank you so much for your input.  I have been scouring the internet for answers and just ended up with more brain fog.  It should not be this hard to get medical help.  I am pretty discouraged after feeling so lousy for so long.

L
Helpful - 0
1530171 tn?1448129593
Try a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD) to help you rule out Lyme Disease, Pathogenic Mycoplasma and  other related co-infections.

In regards to MTHFR mutations, a trial of TMG, SAMe or Methylfolate
with Methylocobalamin B12, is warranted.
Avoid any other forms of folate, folic acid and B12 as they "plug" cellular receptors. Beware of added vitamins in foods! They may actually be more harmful than beneficial!

Cheers!
Niko
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have also been suffering with debilitating fatigue for a long time.  Years ago I was told I had CFS.  I was not prescribed anything--just told to take care of myself, nap as needed, etc.  I at least used to get periods of relief but now it seems like a constant state.  It can really wear you down.  I understand why you may be feeling depressed.

I have had lots of labs.  I have high C-reactive protein and high complementary C4A so I apparently have inflammation going on, and hypothyroidism for which I am being treated.  I found out I have MTHFR which is a methylation issue with Folic acid and B12 from what I can understand.  I am still learning.

I tested positive for 2 bands on the Western blot and was told I do not meet the CDC guidelines for Lyme Disease.  This is a very highly controversial disease.  Regular Infectious Disease Doctors follow ISDA guidelines which require at least 5 positive bands on the Western Blot to be diagnosed with Lyme.  I think this goes along with what TheLightSeeker is telling you.  Other doctors who are very familiar with Lyme do not agree with these guidelines.  Many people are suffering with what they believe to be Lyme Disease and accompanying co-infections, and are unable to get properly diagnosed and get treatment.  I can't help but wonder if this is what is causing my CFS.  

I really hope you find the answers you need to feel better.



Helpful - 0
1394098 tn?1385960134
Hi Niko. I feel a little envious of you. I would love to be in Greece right now. I was looking back on my post and comments and I realized that I left out a lot of info. I am in Minnesota so most of our health care is dominated by the Mayo Clinic Health Systems. It's hard to find a good doctor around here that isn't tied to Mayo. We do have a clinic close by that does testing on free T3 and Reverse T3. I had some test done by them and I did have some vitamin deficiencies and hypothyroidism based on the T3 values. Mayo does not test T3. So my Mayo primary care Dr and I do disagree on the Throid thing. I am on 60 mg of Armour Thyriod per day. I will check out Dr Garth Nicolson when I get a chance. I do eat carbs. So I will try adding some Apple cider vinegar to my diet. I will think about getting tested again for gluten sensitivity. Although I really have doubts about that. I spend so much time asleep and I'm not eating during that time. Eating doesn't seem to affect my fatigue in a negative way. In fact eating makes me feel better most of the time regardless of what I eat. Today I had a gluten free lunch and a few snacks which include watermelon and almonds and I was still exhausted. So gluten doesn't seem to make a lot of difference to me.  My insurance wouldn't pay for Provigil so my Dr put me on extended release Adderall. It helps me get through the day most days but just barely. Thanks again for the help
Terry
Helpful - 0
1394098 tn?1385960134
Thank you for your suggestions. At this point I'm willing to try almost anything. I'm so tired of this. I had a sick kitten to take care of last night. He passed away at 3 am. So I didn't get to sleep until 4 am. I woke up about noon and ate. I was so tired. I took my thyroid pill, some nascent iodine, Adderral, a potent multivitamin, and drank some caffeine then I went back to sleep and I just woke up now at 6 pm. This is no way to live. I'm starting to get very depressed over this. I'm still groggy so, I will have to re read your suggestions and see what I can do. Thanks again
Helpful - 0
1530171 tn?1448129593
OK, I respect your opinion that your doctor has done a better job than most doctors.
Do you have the results for Free T3 and Reverse T3?
The FT3/RT3 ratio is considered the most important indicator of thyroid function! Please post them with lab ref values.

You did not mention anything about neurotransmitter assessment.
This is very important as most drugs for CFS have direct effects on neurotransmitters such as Cymbalta, which is a Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and Provigil, which is a dopamine transporter re-uptake inhibitor.

There has been a lot of new research in gluten sensitivity as I mentioned in my earlier post, which remains mostly ignored by most conventional doctors, as they are notoriously slow to catch up with these new developments, possibly many of their patients with incorrect medical labels

If you or your doctor have not looked into the specific tests which I mentioned, gluten sensitivity may have not been ruled out.

PLease take time to search under Dr. Garth Nicolson , who is the leading expert in Pathogenic Mycoplasma infections and co-infections, often underlying FMS and CFS. According to Dr. Nicolson  these infections are present in up to 80% of CFS and FMS sufferers !
I would not put a lot of value in the assessment of infectious disease specialists, who are governed by the IDSA, which does not recognize
the chronic aspect of most of these infectious conditions. ???????

If you consume many carbs, you may have excessive tartaric acid,
a tissue toxin which is a malic acid antagonist. Malic acid is vital in the kreb's cycle (metabolic processes). Low malic acid and high tartaric acid
promote fatigue.
Apple cider vinegar (organic, unfiltered) is the best malic acid source.

There are many more things we can discuss, however, I hope my suggestions help make some difference.

Best wishes from Greece (i'm in Greece till September)
Niko

Helpful - 0
1394098 tn?1385960134
It's been a while since I was here so I hope you get this answer. My Doctor did not make this diagnosis without ruling out everything else that he could think of. I was tested for many things first. He said that many Doctors take this diagnosis lightly and it should not be made until every other possibility is ruled out. He did do tests A, B, F and G of the ones you mentioned. I had test C done by someone else and gave him the results. Test E was done by a specialist. And I have been tested for Gluten sensitivity before all of this. So I would say that my Doctor is better than most when making this kind of diagnosis.
Helpful - 0
1530171 tn?1448129593
Hi tjrusert.

I don't think I like the methodology in health care delivery in cases like yours.
It's like shooting darts blind-folded.

Has any recently diagnosed CFS patient had a physician who did the following:

A.Order a complete hormonal panel including Adrenal function & cortisol stress profile.
B  Cellular Thyroid Function investigation (not the flawed TSH, T3 &T4 standard serum tests).
C. Nutritional vitamin and mineral (serum and tissue) panel for deficiencies
D  Neurotransmitter assessment..(proper tests are reserved for Pharmaceutical R&D for antidepressants and psych meds.)
E. Check or better refer to a "knowledgeable" specialist to investigate
any underlying pathogenic infectious conditions like pathogenic mycoplasma and its co-infections. Search for Dr Garth Nicolson here at medhelp, an expert in this field, who claims the majority of CFS and FMS sufferers, have such infections!
F. Rule out Candidiasis.
G. Rule out gluten'wheat sensitivities.
Look into Cyrex Labs for details in Gliadin testing.
They test 12 forms-not just the alpha ordered by most doctors- of gliadins regarding gluten intolerance (not necessarily digestive).
Now they can also test which part of the body is affected!!!
Also from Cyrex Labs,  Cyrex Labs,Cyrex Array 3, tests for Wheat/Gluten Proteome Reactivity & Autoimmunity.
Cyrex Array 4, tests for Gluten-Associated Cross-Reactive Foods and Foods Sensitivity.
H. Heavy metals & minerals testing (tissue analysis for minerals)

This list is not  complete by any means to cover all possibilities.

Yes, I understand this is a lot of work, but again, how does anyone expect a pill to correct any of these above suspected imbalances?
Some symptom relief at best, is the only thing that could be expected from these drugs, if they can be tolerated.

I hope this helps give a better perspective, however, my comments and suggestions are not intended to replace medical advice.

Best wishes.
Niko

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Depends on how severe your fatigue is
I was put on Ritalin for awhile (just made me wide awake and tired)
The doctor wants to try me with Provgil also which I fear will have same effect
I tried cocaine as a last resort and it did nothing ---- I mean nothing so I don't use it
Each individual is effected differently try it ----- If it doesn't work     stop
I keep trying vitamins and other things ----- If they don't work I stop
I was told that I ultimately need to learn to accept and live my life the best I can because I am not going to get better
Helpful - 0
1394098 tn?1385960134
Thank you for your answer. The Dr prescribed it today but the pharmacy is out of it until Tue. I guess I will spend my weekend sleeping. Thanks again for the answer
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,  provigil (modafinil) is indicated to improve wakefulness in adult patients with excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. This medication may help with fatigue also. Regards.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Community

Top General Health Answerers
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.