Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 678691

Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

I want to try Provigil, Help

Posted by curtm on August 21, 2006, at 10:34:08

I have been diagnosed with ADD and have very mild depression at times. Lamictal helps doesn't quite give me the happiness I need and Abilify makes me flat. I want to try Provigil very badly because I think it will help, but what do I tell my doc exactly as far as symptoms and feelings without sounding like a drug seeker? I am willing to *bend* the truth a little.

 

Re: I want to try Provigil, Help

Posted by notfred on August 21, 2006, at 18:52:18

In reply to I want to try Provigil, Help, posted by curtm on August 21, 2006, at 10:34:08

My psycopharmacologist is envolved in research with Provigil & says it really should not be scheduled. He thinks it may not be scheduled at some point. Most people d not report any "high". That is my experience, it is **nothing** like any amphetamine or other stim I have used. No buzz, no euphoria at all. Should not be a big deal just to ask for it.

Try "I never feel like I am fully awake" or "I feel like I go through life half asleep".

 

Re: I want to try Provigil, Help » curtm

Posted by maxime on August 21, 2006, at 18:53:22

In reply to I want to try Provigil, Help, posted by curtm on August 21, 2006, at 10:34:08

> I have been diagnosed with ADD and have very mild depression at times. Lamictal helps doesn't quite give me the happiness I need and Abilify makes me flat. I want to try Provigil very badly because I think it will help, but what do I tell my doc exactly as far as symptoms and feelings without sounding like a drug seeker? I am willing to *bend* the truth a little.

If you have ADD then Provigil shouldn't be a problem ... I mean asking for it. Would it?

Maxime

 

Re: I want to try Provigil, Help » notfred

Posted by curtm on August 21, 2006, at 22:17:27

In reply to Re: I want to try Provigil, Help, posted by notfred on August 21, 2006, at 18:52:18

It is a controlled substance apparently and have past abuse history, however I trust myself not to abuse. I just want to feel better. This may be an obstruction to at least try it? I am not searching for a high, I just want to have a little bit of motivation/zest that I lack. Any input is great and thanks for your reply.

 

Re: I want to try Provigil, Help » maxime

Posted by gardenergirl on August 21, 2006, at 22:22:00

In reply to Re: I want to try Provigil, Help » curtm, posted by maxime on August 21, 2006, at 18:53:22

Provigil is not labelled for ADHD. That may get in the way for some due to insurance problems or docs who don't like to prescribe off-label.

gg

 

Re: I want to try Provigil, Help

Posted by notfred on August 21, 2006, at 23:33:37

In reply to Re: I want to try Provigil, Help » notfred, posted by curtm on August 21, 2006, at 22:17:27

> It is a controlled substance apparently and have past abuse history, however I trust myself not to abuse.

I cannot find any reports of actual abuse.
Since is produces no high at all, what is there to abuse ? You can sleep on it with no problems, many report it improves sleep. Also it does not seem to effect dopamine, as all the abusable stims do.

I bring up these issues as you seem conserned that your doc would have a problem scripting for it & the only reason I can think of are abuse issues.
As it is not abusable and you don't have abuse problems this seems to be a non-issue.

However, your posts on the subs board seem to indicate you have substance abuse problems.
so I would think provigil would be a safe choice.

Here are some discussions from 2002:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020131/msgs/93083.html

From my experiences with provigil i would say its pros are:

Lack of many side effects of the stims; sweating, minor hand tremor, increased heart rate,
pupil dialation, agatation, supression of sleep.
lack of a "crash" as it is long acting, may improve sleep, very effective in producing
a wakeful state w/o feeling at all "wired", excellant to counter med induced tiredness/lethergy, excellant counter to lack of sleep w/o side effects, unlike methamphetimine/amphetimine which make me feel
worse if I lack sleep.

Cons:

Very expensive, appetite supression (much more so than methamphetimine/amphetimine), not nearly as effective for ADD/focus than ritalin/amphetimine,
both which are far cheaper than Provigil, GI upset
far in excess to any med I have taken, not nearly as much antidepressant effect as methamphetimine/amphetimine

 

Re: I want to try Provigil, Help

Posted by llrrrpp on August 22, 2006, at 8:21:24

In reply to Re: I want to try Provigil, Help, posted by notfred on August 21, 2006, at 23:33:37

Curtm,
I think that if youtell your doctor that you are having problems making it through the day because you are sleepy and lack focus, it might help your case. I think a trial of provigil is definitely worth trying. If your pdoc has a problem with writing you out a script, just ask for a sample, or a 2 week prescription. In my personal experience on provigil, it doesn't really give me any cravings for more. It has given me a tiny euphoria a few times, but nothing that is even as euphoric as having a beer on an empty stomach.

If doctor says no, ask why. And tell her that provigil isn't known to cause seeking behaviors, and that it has a low potential for abuse (especially when compared to coffee, and cigarettes, which are LEGAL stimulants). Her answers to your question might help you learn a little more about how she wants to treat you, or what her philosophy is on treating you. I hate to think that she's trying to punish you somehow for your abuse history.

-ll

 

Have you considered telling her the truth? » curtm

Posted by Racer on August 22, 2006, at 22:38:25

In reply to I want to try Provigil, Help, posted by curtm on August 21, 2006, at 10:34:08

Tell her that the Lamictal helps, but it isn't doing the trick, so you need to augment it. And, that you've done a little research, and think Provigil might be a good choice because it might address some of your ADD symptoms as well -- AND because it's a drug with a very low potential for abuse, since you have a history?

And, if that doesn't appeal to you, maybe telling her you're feeling draggy and half asleep all the time...

I guess I'd be afraid that telling her you're draggy, without telling her you want to try Provigil, she might worry that you're looking for an amphetamine...

Good luck.


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.