Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 101371

Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Provigil: Heart Palpitations, Other Heart Problems

Posted by IsoM on April 1, 2002, at 21:04:32

I started to do a search for past posters, but then got lazy & figured I'd just post this as a new thread. I felt anyone having heart-related problems on Provigil would notice the subject line & take an interest. There's a few who've experienced chest pains & palpitations on Provigil & realised I'd read about this before at RxList.com

Here's from Warnings & Precautions:

"In clinical studies of PROVIGIL, signs and symptoms including chest pain, palpitations, dyspnea and transient ischemic T-wave changes on ECG were observed in three subjects in association with mitral valve prolapse or left ventricular hypertrophy. It is recommended that PROVIGIL tablets not be used in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with CNS stimulant use. Modafinil has not been evaluated or used to any appreciable extent in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina, and such patients should be treated with caution.

Modafinil has not been systematically evaluated in patients with hypertension. Periodic monitoring of hypertensive patients may be appropriate."

It might be a good idea to bring this to your doctor's attention & have it checked out.

 

Re: Provigil: Heart Palpitations, Other Heart Problems » IsoM

Posted by Krazy Kat on April 2, 2002, at 13:34:57

In reply to Provigil: Heart Palpitations, Other Heart Problems, posted by IsoM on April 1, 2002, at 21:04:32

Did you notice this, IsoM? I have, even at a low dose of 100 mg. But I have wondered if my smoking was adding to it, so I'm stopping that for a few days to see. Otherwise, it does seem to keep me awake, though not particularly energetic.

- kk

 

Re: Provigil: Heart Palpitations, Other Heart Problems

Posted by IsoM on April 2, 2002, at 13:51:07

In reply to Re: Provigil: Heart Palpitations, Other Heart Problems » IsoM, posted by Krazy Kat on April 2, 2002, at 13:34:57

KK, I posted this piece as I remembered reading about others who've had this problem with Provigil so I thought they might want to read it & ask their doctor for a check-up.

I take adrafinil, but seeing one of its main metabolites is modafinil (Provigil), I might as well say I take Provigil.

I've noticed no problems on it at ALL. It's really wonderful for me. I don't find that it makes me energetic but my energy levels are pretty high IF I can maintain wakefulness (my main problem is narcolepsy besides ADHD - otherwise I go in bursts then completely stop). It also serves to help me with some of my problems with ADD but unfortunately nothing so far seems to work for my small 'working RAM' memory. I think it may just be hard-wired into my brain & nothing will fix it.

Have you ever had a full EKG done on you, not just resting but while exercising too? You'll have to let me know if stopping smoking helps you.

 

Re: Provigil: Heart Palpitations, Other Heart Prob

Posted by wendy b. on April 3, 2002, at 10:56:54

In reply to Re: Provigil: Heart Palpitations, Other Heart Problems, posted by IsoM on April 2, 2002, at 13:51:07

KK and IsoM and anyone else,

I am in an a-motivational state right now, can't seem to get my butt out anywhere, exercise, etc. I think I have gained back some of the 27 lbs. I lost last year, have a lot of apathy, etc., wonder about memory-loss, etc. I am wondering about the "symptom-set" you presented to your doc in order to get put on the Provigil. I think it would help me, plus I want to lose the weight again... Please tell me what you told the doc in order to get the drug...

Thanks so much,
Wendy

 

Info Presented To Doctor » wendy b.

Posted by IsoM on April 3, 2002, at 12:27:59

In reply to Re: Provigil: Heart Palpitations, Other Heart Prob, posted by wendy b. on April 3, 2002, at 10:56:54

Sorry Wendy, but I haven't talked to my doctor yet. This is one of the rare times that I'm planning to be manipulative (which I can be SO good at all). I'll explain.

My doctor is a family physician & while very good, doesn't have the understanding of psychotropic meds that a psychiatrist would. But the few psychiatrists in my area are old-style (& in my opinion & others I've talked to & trust), crazier than most of their patients. The wait to see psychiatrists from further out is too long & I have no idea whether I'd get a good one or not & have to go through the whole thing again, hence...

I order Olmifon (adrafinil) from overseas. Adrafinil's main metabolite is modafinil which is what Provigil is. I'm going to make an appointment later with my family physician & explain that I've been taking adrafinil & the benefits I feel. I'm also going to print out clinical info on Provigil (not just the medication's profile but research done with it) & present it to him.

I will then ask if he's willing to prescribe Provigil for me, telling him if he doesn't wish to, I'll continue using the adrafinil from overseas. I won't put too much pressure on him but will give him the choice, letting him know that Provigil's supposedly easier on the liver than adrafinil.

Either way, I'll have what I need. Maybe KK or others may be able to tell you more.

I do believe in the future, we'll find more & more doctors willing to prescribe Provigil for their patients who would benefit from it. In France (the country where adrafinil is made), adrafinil is used for early onset Alzheimer's, for mood brightning, as an AD, a memory aid, & in narcolepsy. It's not even considered a prescription drug there but can be bought OTC.

 

Re: Provigil: Heart Palpitations, Other Heart Prob » wendy b.

Posted by Krazy Kat on April 3, 2002, at 14:41:29

In reply to Re: Provigil: Heart Palpitations, Other Heart Prob, posted by wendy b. on April 3, 2002, at 10:56:54

wendy:

to be honest, my pdoc has been "pushing" provigil for quite awhile. he feels it has a low side effect profile and has seen some good results counteracting sedation from other meds. also, we've found that i am very ad intolerant (i get high, high, high or irritable and mean, mean, mean), so a stimulant seemed like a better alternative.

i have been taking it the last two days at 100 mg w/o smoking and the palpitations seem better. i am not a smoker, i just go through periods where i smoke, frankly i think out of boredom. so i am fortunate that it is not difficult for me to stop.

o.k., i'm not answering your question - i complained of a lack of energy, sleeping at least 10 hours a night and sometimes napping, lack of motivation, and a general malaise. this went away almost completely on a mix of prozac and cytomel, but then i went too high, crashed, and attempted suicide (sort of). so, we know i am capable of more energy, the depakote just knocks it out of me.

my understanding is that provigil is the gentler of the stimulants and i would think your dr. would be open to it. it can also have an ad effect for some.

- kk

 

and.... wendy

Posted by Krazy Kat on April 3, 2002, at 14:45:23

In reply to Info Presented To Doctor » wendy b., posted by IsoM on April 3, 2002, at 12:27:59

not to sing a med's praises, b/c i'm not even certain that it is going to help me yet, but provigil is really gentle compared to other meds i have tried. i think starting it at a low dose is a good idea, say at 50 mg. then you can see if it causes any heart palpitations.

it reminds me of neurontin, which was not "enough" for me, but is still one of my favorite meds because i tolerated it so well.

good luck. will be interested to hear what happens.

 

Re: Info Presented To Doctor » IsoM

Posted by wendy b. on April 4, 2002, at 23:17:05

In reply to Info Presented To Doctor » wendy b., posted by IsoM on April 3, 2002, at 12:27:59

Hi IsoM,

If you would, and can spare the time (I promise to keep it short & sweet), can you e-mail me at <kolepp@ivillage.com> ?

I have some questions that might better be asked off-line... KK, do you want to be cc'd?

Thank you for writing to me with all this info, very helpful...

yours,
Wendy

> Sorry Wendy, but I haven't talked to my doctor yet. This is one of the rare times that I'm planning to be manipulative (which I can be SO good at all). I'll explain.
>
> My doctor is a family physician & while very good, doesn't have the understanding of psychotropic meds that a psychiatrist would. But the few psychiatrists in my area are old-style (& in my opinion & others I've talked to & trust), crazier than most of their patients. The wait to see psychiatrists from further out is too long & I have no idea whether I'd get a good one or not & have to go through the whole thing again, hence...
>
> I order Olmifon (adrafinil) from overseas. Adrafinil's main metabolite is modafinil which is what Provigil is. I'm going to make an appointment later with my family physician & explain that I've been taking adrafinil & the benefits I feel. I'm also going to print out clinical info on Provigil (not just the medication's profile but research done with it) & present it to him.
>
> I will then ask if he's willing to prescribe Provigil for me, telling him if he doesn't wish to, I'll continue using the adrafinil from overseas. I won't put too much pressure on him but will give him the choice, letting him know that Provigil's supposedly easier on the liver than adrafinil.
>
> Either way, I'll have what I need. Maybe KK or others may be able to tell you more.
>
> I do believe in the future, we'll find more & more doctors willing to prescribe Provigil for their patients who would benefit from it. In France (the country where adrafinil is made), adrafinil is used for early onset Alzheimer's, for mood brightning, as an AD, a memory aid, & in narcolepsy. It's not even considered a prescription drug there but can be bought OTC.

 

am i getting left out of somethin' here? ;)

Posted by Krazy Kat on April 5, 2002, at 15:12:53

In reply to Re: Info Presented To Doctor » IsoM, posted by wendy b. on April 4, 2002, at 23:17:05

just kidding. please feel free to cc me if i can help.

 

Re: Info Presented To Doctor » wendy b.

Posted by IsoM on April 5, 2002, at 15:58:27

In reply to Re: Info Presented To Doctor » IsoM, posted by wendy b. on April 4, 2002, at 23:17:05

Wendy, I do hope you're aware I can't tell you where to order meds from online? I'm not trying to be unkind but it's Dr. Bob's policy (& involves legalities) not to use his forum for sharing information on URLs of online pharmacies. He could get in trouble.

Here's his reasons for such & what overseas meds may enter the country & regulations concerning customs:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#illegal


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