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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phil on July 25, 2008, at 15:39:02
I'm on a boatload of drug..Lamictal, Clonazepam, Cymbalta, and Lithium.
Basically, I sleep all the time. On weekends I'm asleep and just get up to eat or smoke a cig, whatever.
Sometimes during the week, I get home, take a 'nap' from 6-8, get up take meds, go back to bed for the night.
I really don't feel depressed, I just can't stay awake.
Think Provigil could help? Any input appreciated. I'll read it when I wake up.
Posted by dbc on July 25, 2008, at 16:43:27
In reply to Can Provigil help?, posted by Phil on July 25, 2008, at 15:39:02
Having your doctor reevaluate your drug dosage might help things. Lamictal makes me slow on its own and if i add some valium to the mix im pretty much useless.
Provigil may help some but its not particularly strong.
Posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2008, at 17:14:46
In reply to Re: Can Provigil help?, posted by dbc on July 25, 2008, at 16:43:27
A number of posters take it only five days a week then give it a rest on the weekends seems to work better then. Phillipa
Posted by cactus on July 26, 2008, at 2:39:51
In reply to Re: Can Provigil help?, posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2008, at 17:14:46
I think it's worth a try, it's actually so subtle sometimes that you don't notice it at all. I stand back and look at where I am during the day and think "wow, I would be dead tired right about now!!!" So my answer is yes, why not ask your doc about it. Be warned, it's bloody expensive, very subtle and works a treat for me. I take 200mg in the morning which lasts me all day. Some people need to split their dose, I just have a coffee instead, which can make you a little jittery if you have too many. C
Posted by Dinah on July 26, 2008, at 19:37:22
In reply to Can Provigil help?, posted by Phil on July 25, 2008, at 15:39:02
I definitely find it helps me. Over a long period of time, it's become less helpful and I've had to increase the dose. But in four years of use, I haven't gone up all that much.
Every once in a while, I still have to supplement it with some serious caffeine. I prefer Provigil, since it doesn't leave me nauseous or jittery the way caffeine does. I'm really not at all aware I've taken it, except that I'm not asleep.
If the darn thing would be made generic, I might be able to be prescribed enough to work without needing the caffeine supplementation. But my insurance company balks at even 1 1/2 pills a day. They'd never go for two.
Posted by Nadezda on July 26, 2008, at 21:39:57
In reply to Re: Can Provigil help? » Phil, posted by Dinah on July 26, 2008, at 19:37:22
It helps me. It isn't as strong as ritalin or adderall, but it has a smoother, brighter cast-- when I'm aware of it. It does help me keep going, though.
I'd give it a try.
Nadezda
Posted by Zeba on July 26, 2008, at 22:54:50
In reply to Re: Can Provigil help?, posted by Nadezda on July 26, 2008, at 21:39:57
For some reason, when I took it, it had the opposite effect on me. It made me like a zombie, and I had to quit taking it. I would just shuffle along as I tried to walk, and no emotions. Weird.
Posted by ClubSoda on July 28, 2008, at 14:55:31
In reply to Re: Can Provigil help?, posted by Zeba on July 26, 2008, at 22:54:50
I tried Provigil for about 6 months and never really felt anything. I even asked my sleep doc (who proscribed it) what I should feel. And he just sort of looked at me and "Awake". It's been so long since I have felt awake and with energy that I don't remember what it's like.
Toward the end I was taking 100mg twice a day. About 9am and 1pm. Then I switched to 7am and 11am because the doc told me it could take 1-2 hours to kick in.
When I told the doc that I didn't think it was helping he said stop taking it and see how you feel. It's been about a month now and I don't feel any different. No more or no less energy.
I hope it works for you.
Posted by Phil on July 29, 2008, at 15:14:09
In reply to Re: Can Provigil help? » Phil, posted by Dinah on July 26, 2008, at 19:37:22
Thanks for y'alls responses. I remembered that I did try Provigil years ago. I remember saying that it was the most expensive placebo ever. I couldn't tell anything on it and had no problem with a 4 hour nap here and there.
I am desperate though and I'm taking way different meds so maybe I'll give it a shot.
This is the end of the thread.
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