Provigil ?

[Clint KY]

Has anyone been prescribed Provigil? I was about 2 months ago to combat my daytime sleepiness that I experienced even after 6 months on BiPAP. I saw lots of improvements but the daytime snoozies still stayed with me. At a follow up with my Sleep doctor, he suggested, and prescribed Provigil. I was hesitant at first since I take lots of medications for other problems I have. My pharmacist looked at what I was taking and told me I should have no interactions. So I filled the scrip, started taking them, and the effects were immediate and exceptional. I went from taking a 1 to 2 hour nap EVERY day, to not even resting during the day. I started to lose some weight, though not a lot (I am 245 lbs and 65 years old). I of course googled it, and found some very interesting things. It is used for shift workers and for chronic daytime sleepiness caused by sleep apnea, among other things.

I was curious if anyone else has had any experiences with it, good or bad.

[Al N]

I've been taking it for a couple months maybe a little more. Not a whole lot of success really. The first couple days were pretty good at least for a few hours. Since then not much help. It seems to make the good days a little better. The days where I just feel catatonic which are far more than the good days don't notice much difference. Definitely not worth the hassle of the pharmacy. They act like it takes an act of congress to fill. I should say through the insurance anyway. The ins tell a different story they say it isn't them causing the problems so who knows. I plan on giving it a bit longer to see but no more help than it is I don't plan on putting up much of a fight to keep ordering it.

[Clint KY]

Thanks - I also have seen a drop off of effectiveness. Or at least it appears so. As to the insurance aspect, when the Dr. mentioned it to me were walking out of the exam room and the nurse and the lady at the desk heard him and both let out an "Oh Brother". I asked and was told that they had gone through a lot to get it by some insurers. When I spoke to my pharmacist I mentioned their reaction. I tried to pick up the meds the next day and was told they were waiting for approval. However, the day after that, I picked it up and have had no problems insurance-wise since. I will continue to take it, even if it seems to have tapered off a bit, because I am still considerably more alert and active than I was before.

[jlhog]

I tried both Provigl and Nuvigil. I had reactions to both. Dizzy as a knocked out dog the day after taking it. It did seem to help some but I almost could not drive to work in the morning. The doc gave me a choice between Rittilin or Adderall. I did a little research and chose Adderall. I will pick those up tomorrow. I really want to know why I am still tired and not just take a pill to wake me up.

[mountainmaam]

I have taken it on and off, and I have had fairly positive results. I definitely am more alert during my awake moments, although I could always lay down and sleep no matter where I am or what I take. It does make me a bit jittery if I take it daily for long periods. I would only take it every other day to avoid the shakes.

[kteague]

I took it for a while until my insurance changed and it was no longer covered. It did help me some, and I took it if I had to drive just for a little back-up. However, I was not able to take a high enough dose to have a real significant difference. I could take it and still take a 2 hour nap. But a higher dose made me jittery and my heartbeat felt irregular.

We all do what we need to do to get through tough times. I have no issues with taking whatever I need, I just prefer to do the best I can to get to the root cause and see if the meds are still needed.

[Kitatonic]

My husband took Provigil, then Nuvigil for 5 years. After his first year on Phillips System One auto, he switched to VPAP, his energy soared and he was able to titrate off the meds within a month. For him (asthmatic), he needed more exhalation relief as the Phillips pulses were waking him up and causing a very short exhalation. He discovered this from analyzing his Sleepyhead data.

Keep trying to get to the root cause.

[Dog Tired]

I have been prescribed it and only just filled the script today. I start taking it tomorrow...

Am a little worried about whether it will be as good as I have heard it to be.

[Clint KY]

I continue to take it and it still is very effective for me. I think I am just getting used to feeling this way (awake) and do not see the drastic difference that I did when I first started.

On another note: My insurance company provides me a list of all the medications I take, with what the Pharmacy charged, what they paid and what I paid (my co-pay).
The monthly numbers for Provigil - Charged - $1088.30 - Insurance paid $878.50 - I paid $5.00.
Now I see why the girl in my doctors office said some insurance companies reject the prescription without a fight.

[blomasky]

I was prescribed Nuvigil for daytime sleepyness and it seems to be a wonder drug for me. I am not wired, yet no longer crashing mid afternoon! btw, I found a coupon on their website that gave me the 1st 30 days for FREE (I can afford that) and then a 5 dollar copay after

Bruce

[fredr500]

I started on the generic version (Modafinil)yesterday. Started at 100mg, Dr said it is a low dosage ad to see how it works. Helped yesterday, we'll see.

My pharmacy had it filled and insurance taken care of in 10 minutes, $5 for a 30 day supply. It is a class I drug and required ID to receive it, but no problems otherwise. The receipt said my insurance saved me $595, but I don't put much stock in that.

[fredr500]

Just to follow up. I wasn't seeing a lot of difference at 100mg so I started doubling up and there was a big difference. I'm not nearly as tired during the day, have energy at nigh. told my MD and he prescribed 200mg for the next 30 days.

Did some research, this is the new "wonder drug" of Silicon Valley start-ups. It's touted as the drug that makes you smarter and not needing sleep. I'm not sure it is working that way with me, I still do dumb things and still go to sleep at night, but it is helping me.