Provigil? Question for users

[Ruinednose]

Heard about the medicine and it being prescribed for daytime sleepiness
Have you had success with it?
What does it feel like? is it Dangerous? please only people that have used it answer.

I see that its prescrbed for sleep disorders

[digitalepiphany]

i have some on the way. I'll definitely post my results in this forum, but not sure I'll remember this post specifically. Maybe the Provigil will help me remember this. I guess we'll find out.

[prion]

I've used it. Before I realized I had apnea, I used to use it to keep from falling asleep in the daytime.
I had many instances of almost falling asleep while driving. I didn't find it any more effective than
caffeine. Actually "no-doze" probably worked better for me. I used it in varying doses for about
a month. I couldn't feel the effects. I guess it worked, but my sleepiness varied on it's own so
it was hard to tell if it was really doing anything at all. I could feel when the caffeine was working.

[andy88488]

I tried it because I felt like I had low energy and did not feel rested. I saw a new sleep doctor for this, and that is what he suggested. I was already on CPAP, and fully compliant.

I found that it worked well for me, for about a week, and then I developed a tolerance for it. In checking the web, that seems to be some people's reaction to it.

Interestingly, I found that it had a major, major impact on my ADD. That effect also waned, but it convinced me to start treating my ADD with ADD-specific medication, which has been helpful.

Overall, no bad side effects, it just stopped working.

[jencat824]

I tried it for EDS after I was first diagnosed with OSA. I used for two weeks, then said enough already. I could not sleep at all - day OR night. This was 14 years ago & I still remember how that stuff made me feel. After using this I had several more sleep studies and was found to have RLS, PLMD, alpha wave disorder, seizures (which eventually started happening during the day) and CSA. Now bear in mind Benedryl keeps me awake too, so this could just be me.

Basically I think this could be a useful tool if you have WELL TREATED OSA. By that I mean your data looks good, no leaks, good AHI etc. I would caution to begin with the lowest dose possible until you see how it works for you.

Good luck,
Jen

[SuddenlyWornOut45]

Provigil and Nuvigil are prescribed for "residual" EDS, if you have any residual EDS. Both drugs are also prescribed for non OSA related sleep disorders such as shift worker related sleep problems.

The best thing IMO is to get your CPAP therapy perfected and try to eliminate all EDS. If you still have EDS despite 100% compliance and proper pressures, using a full face mask if needed, etc. then there is nothing wrong with legally prescribed Provigil to combat residual EDS.

Eric

[kteague]

Used Provigil for a while until my insurance changed and I could no longer afford it. I had limited myself to using it only if I needed to go to an event I might fall asleep at or before driving. Didn't miss it much when I stopped using it. If I took the lower dose, it didn't make much difference. I could take the dose then fall asleep. The next dose up gave me the jitters and palpitations. For some people a boost is necessary to perform their responsibilities. But for one who still has other unresolved sleep issues - like medicine side effect, suboptimal treatment of sleep apnea, RLS/PLMD, mood disorders, thyroid disorders, etc. - no stimulant med will give satisfactory results over the long term. My personal opinion is ideally one would be best served by avoiding its use until/unless they're sure they've pinpointed and addressed all identifiable and treatable contributors to their day time sleepiness so that those things aren't masked by the med. That said, if one must work, drive and perform at a level where the meds are necessary to function, I guess you gotta do what you gotta do.