Anyone using Provigil or Nuvigil?

[Lisa Lou]

I was just prescribed Nuvigil. I am wondering if there is ANY way of getting my prescrption co. to help pay for this? Luckily I was given a free 14 day trial and $50 off my next refill. However, a 14 day supply is $225.90.!!!! I need this medication but however can not afford that much. Any one else having this same problem? Thanks

[cpaptex]

Initially, before the Sleep Apnea DX. My PCP recommended Provigil as a "pick me up" for the fatigue/sleepiness issues. I refused saying that it was just a band-aid that didn't address my issues.

It might be useful for those days that the CPAP doesn't work effectively to control my Apneas.

[LSAT]

If you are paying out of pocket...DON'T go to CVS or Walgreens, you will over pay. Go to Costco or Sams Club...You do not need to be a member to use the pharmacy. You will be surprised how much you will save.

[Mary Z]

I have taken both without problem. They are not addictive. But, it you are reluctant to take this drug, then don't.
They have given me my life back as I still have hypersomnia and would not be able to drive, or stay awake during appointments without them. I just make sure to take Nuvigil early enough during the day to not cause insomnia. Some of us never get over EDS. Keep us posted.

[SleepingBearDoNtWake]

I tried Nuvigil, and didn't like it. It felt very fake to me, and it didn't give me energy, it just made me feel strange. I believe that it made my blood sugars go up.
At the time I was in school and the Medical Class needed some urine samples so I gave! They told me I had excess protien in my urin. I went to my doctor to have a A1C done and my protien check, after I had stopped the medication and it came back normal.
I wasn't on Cpap at the time, and I am so tired I am thinking about trying it again, as I am sleeping now.
As for affording medication, many companies have prescription programs and sometimes if you don't make a lot of money you can get free prescriptions or get them at a discounted rate. You need to go to the Nuvigil or Provigil web site and search for it. It is usually a little hard to find, but when you do, it will give you all the info you need and the paper work you need to fill out and bring to your doctor, if you qualify.

[jmcd]

I've been on Nuvigil since August 2011. What a difference it has made for me. Had been on CPAP for 9 months with very limited improvement in daytime sleepiness. It is expensive and I have VERY good insurance coverage through my employer. Do go to the manufacturer's website because they do have some discount programs.

[shipdog]

I have been on Nuvigil for 6 months and it is wonderful. I do not take everyday, just when I feel whipped for no reason than bad sleep. The only side effect I have had is an occasional headache. It gives me more energy that I have had for 15 years.

[Donelle]

My experience with Provigil is that it keeps me running during the day pretty well after I get going. I am very groggy and slow then progress better after the provigil. I'm noticing my balance is worse and I am experiencing tongue sores. It is excruciating and difficult to treat. They are cankor sores on my tongue and some on the cheek. When my teeth hit them, it is extremely painful. Has anyone else had this reaction to their tongue? If so, how did you treat it besides stopping the medication?
Nell

[My2wins]

The tongue sores could be from you biting or clenching, too much adrenaline

[staphkiller]

My experience with Provigil is that it keeps me running during the day pretty well after I get going. I am very groggy and slow then progress better after the provigil. I'm noticing my balance is worse and I am experiencing tongue sores. It is excruciating and difficult to treat. They are canker sores on my tongue and some on the cheek. When my teeth hit them, it is extremely painful. Has anyone else had this reaction to their tongue? If so, how did you treat it besides stopping the medication?
Nell

Yes, I get the canker sores too, on the gums, cheek, and worst of all the tongue. I was on Nuvigil, but the sores are VERY painful. And there are so many that I can't eat. I was on the 250 mg, but the dry mouth, canker sores, and teeth grinding was causing me so much pain and discomfort that I stopped taking it. The fatigue came back immediately and the depression started up. My doc then prescribed the 50 mg tablets. The canker sores came back after a week, but the dry mouth and teeth grinding were kept at bay. However, the sores were multiplying, so I stopped. Now I don't know what to do...

[Noctuary]

Provigil did nothing for me. I'm going back to the doctor to beg for something else. The gold standard helps, but not enough.

[Julie]

Unless you've been diagnosed with narcolepsy, your Cpap machine should keep you awake during the day and asleep at night, but if it doesn't, tell us what equipment you're using and at what pressure settings - we can probably help.

You're also responding to a 3 yr old post there.

[staphkiller]

I've been using the cpap for quite some time. But I had absolutely no relief from excessive daytime sleepiness. My wife loves it when I use the machine because she sleeps soundly through the night. Alas, I don't. All settings are perfectly adjusted (just had them checked in December 2015).

The Nuvigil works great, except for the ridiculous side effects. Canker sores, dry mouth, and teeth grinding: all classic opioid responses. GAH!

[Julie]

Why do you say settings are perfectly adjusted - they obviously aren't doing the job. Very many doctors don't ask DMEs to set the machines to prescription numbers that were found to be effective on sleep study. They think that because someone has an Apap, the machine will find the right levels and so prescribe only default settings of 4 and 20, which for most people are just plain inadequate, one reason most of us tweak our own setting all the time.

The thing you need is software to see what's going on overnight, and you can download it free from the forum, upload to Imgur.com and then put a link to the reports in this thread. Taking those meds forever is NOT in your best interest and won't help your OSA, just falsely make you feel less sleepy.