Nuvigil

[chellesings]

I saw my PCP today as a follow-up. I have been complaining about my mask leaking, talked with the tech at the sleep lab and she suggested it was time for a new titration. I simply can't afford that right now. In any case, due to some unsatisfactory bp numbers, my pcp wants to wait on the titration for the time being, but would like me to try Nuvigil because I am still experiencing fatigue. Has anyone here ever tried Provigil or Nuvigil? If you have, did you experience any side effects, or has it worked for you?

Thanks!

[Wulfman]

I saw my PCP today as a follow-up. I have been complaining about my mask leaking, talked with the tech at the sleep lab and she suggested it was time for a new titration. I simply can't afford that right now. In any case, due to some unsatisfactory bp numbers, my pcp wants to wait on the titration for the time being, but would like me to try Nuvigil because I am still experiencing fatigue. Has anyone here ever tried Provigil or Nuvigil? If you have, did you experience any side effects, or has it worked for you?

Thanks!

If you go up to the Search line and put in each of those words, you'll find lots of posts to read.

They want to do a new titration based on a MASK LEAK???????

I would think it would be much less expensive to just purchase a data-capable machine (like the Elite series) from http://www.cpapauction.com as opposed to having further sleep studies. And, besides, a mask leak doesn't have a thing to do with your titration.......NOTHING! They're trying to fleece you.


Den

[Mary Z]

I have taken both, Provigil at 200 mg day then my sleep doc changed me to Nuvugil 250 mg day. I don't have any side effects, no stimulation. Nuvugil is supposed to be longer acting. Give it a try, it does help with daytime fatigue. Some folks need bigger doses. I'm working with my sleep doc about that now. Some people, say with Shift Worker Disorder need much larger doses. But the regular dose of nuvigil - 150 or 250 may work just fine for you. Just take it early in the day so as not to interfere with sleeping.

[Mary Z]

By the way, work on that mask leak. You may need to try some diferent masks, off the auction to keep the price down. I tlooks like you're wearing a ResMed mask, what mask is it? I'd fix the leak before I'd have another titration. That just doesn't make any sense.

[chellesings]

Mary,
I wear a ResMed UltraMirage FFM, Medium. What puzzles me about this whole thing is that I never really had trouble with it before until I stopped using the machine, then came back to using it. I would have a few problems, but could always resolve them. Now? Anytime I turn over I have to fix the darned thing. I am going to fight the titration because I would rather have a new machine. I don't think BCBS will pay for it, considering they've taken so long to pay for the mask, cushion and filters that I ordered in March! In fact when I suggested to the sleep lab tech that I wanted an APAP, she said BCBS wouldn't based on the fact they wouldn't pay for her father's. I don't know.....I will continue to try. I'm thinking of finding a new DME and at least seeing if I can try a new mask.


Thanks!

[Mary Z]

are you still using your old mask? perhaps you need a new cushion.

[chellesings]

are you still using your old mask? perhaps you need a new cushion.

Actually, I've only had this mask and cushion since March. You reckon it's gone south this quickly? I went to another DME this afternoon, and their suggestion was to try a different type of mask, which I'm leery of doing at this point, considering BCBS has yet to reimburse me. Their suggestions included the ResMed Quattro FFM or Liberty and the Fisher & Paykel Forma. Meanwhile I'm to call BCBS and a) find out their policy on replacing masks and b) replacing machines....which the young lady I talked to says that they won't do w/out a sleep study. Ick....not wanting to go down that path yet. I wish I could afford a new machine on my own, but that's not feasible at this time. And, actually, my machine works fine...still quiet. Just mask aggravation! Although it would be interesting to see what would happen w/an apap.....

[kteague]

I take Provigil, but at a low dose. If I increase it I get jittery. I had one episode of it causing uncontrollable crying and a few times I felt downright mean and had to send myself to the corner. Sometimes puts my emotions on edge. Without it I'm a zombie and sleep my life away, so I'll deal with the side effects. With you having BP issues, you might want to ask if the med, being a stimulant, can cause an increase in BP, and monitor it closely.

About a new machine, are you saying you can't afford market prices, or can't afford a used one? When I couldn't get one thru my doctor and insurance, I bought a used one for $250 and it was probably one the best purchases I've every made for myself. It happened to be an apap with software, but I see used machines of all sorts for $125-$175 all the time. I've bought a vpap for $250, another for $150 just for friends. Getting data really helped me. While I enjoyed playing with the apap, I now use a cpap, and really think if one had a reasonably good titration, a data capable cpap is usually quite sufficient. Since your issues are with the mask, unless you have a high pressure, the machine probably won't make much of a difference.

[chellesings]

K,
My pressure is not really that high. I kinda played around with the pressure, and I don't think that raising the pressure is helping with the mask problem. I'm perfectly happy with my machine, although getting some data would be nice; it's 4 years old and it does what it's supposed to do. I'm going to change out the cushion on the mask tomorrow and see what happens. Then call BCBS and get some answers....I've met my deductible, so perhaps a different mask isn't too far out of reach. I may take a look at cpapauction and see what prices I get.

Thanks for your help!

[Rustyolddude]

My PCP Rx'd Wellbutrin XL for EDS and to counter the weight gain of another Rx.. When I inquired about Provigil, she said that she preferred the Wellbutrin over Provigil. All told, I can't say that I've had any side effect complaints with the Wellbutrin. It had one real positive effect, I was an occasional smokeless tobacco user and Wellbutrin killed all my tobacco cravings and pretty much substituted for the nicotine kick that I sometimes needed to get through the day. Traded one drug for another, don't know that I gained anything but a least I got rid of a nasty habit.

[jdm2857]

It had one real positive effect, I was an occasional smokeless tobacco user and Wellbutrin killed all my tobacco cravings and pretty much substituted for the nicotine kick that I sometimes needed to get through the day. Traded one drug for another, don't know that I gained anything but a least I got rid of a nasty habit.

FYI Welbutrin (buproprion) is marketed under the name Zyban for smoking cessation. Same exact drug. I guess it works.

[sunnyway]

I've been taking 75mg Nuvigil daily since June 15th when I had my last sleep doc visit. It has made a world of difference.

I've been complaining that while I have been using the CPAP religiously since March and getting around 7+ hours of sleep, I have not been waking refreshed. I have still been fatigued all the time. (I haven't been sleepy, just dog-tired). We concluded that it's not the OSA causing this, because the CPAP is helping other issues, like night time headaches. My chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are the probable source.

I pressed him for advice since my primary care physician and rheumatologist have no further suggestions for me with regard to FMS and CFS. He somewhat hesitantly suggested Nuvigil and gave me a bunch of samples. (FDA has not approved Nuvigil for chronic fatigue syndrome yet.) After talking to my primary, I decided to start with 1/2 of a 150mg tab a day. Since the first day, there has been a big improvement in my energy and alertness levels. I've even gone mall shopping after work. Mind you, I have not been to a mall in almost ten years!

Nuvigil is a stimulant, but I don't feel hyped up. I feel NORMAL. Wow!

Mornings are still a bitch. I hurt and move slowly and drowse on the train, but by the time I get to work, I feel great. It doesn't wear off either. I feel good right up to the time I decide to go to bed. I still have mild fibromyalgia symptoms, but the chronic fatigue syndrome seems to be held at bay while I'm taking Nuvigil. Savella has been a miracle for helping my fibromyalgia and now I've found a second miracle with Nuvigil.

[jdm2857]

Better living through chemistry.

Sometimes it's true.

[chellesings]

Sunny,
I'm glad that Nuvigil has worked for you! Unfortunately, my $#^&*$@@^&**( insurance company wouldn't allow the prescription my doc wrote to be filled without "prior authorization". What is a prescription anyway, may I ask?? It is like an act of Congress to get a human being at my doctor's office, so I haven't been able to get them to even get the doc to call BCBS with a p.a. Good grief! I feel like I will never get a solution for my leaking mask, my continuing fatigue and frustration! I appreciate my doctor for listening to me, but sometimes it seems that all my insurance company exists for is to frustrate.

[Mary Z]

Yeah, I needed prior authorization for Nuvigil. See if you can make another appointment with the doc- get to him that way. Is his nurse available to you? In the meantime see if Provigil is on your formulary. It's just not as long lasting, but it worked for me. Good luck.
Mary Z