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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by john51 on July 30, 2009, at 23:08:34
Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil to boost alertness, focus and motivation associated with depression? What do you think of it and has it helped. Especially interested if Ritalin didn't work for you.
Posted by chumbawumba on July 30, 2009, at 23:19:27
In reply to Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by john51 on July 30, 2009, at 23:08:34
It is smoother than Ritalin and more long acting. Not as much of a crash coming down off of Provigil. It lasts so long that I have had difficulty falling asleep at night if I take more than 200 mg in the morning.
Your powers of concentration on it will be amazing.
But I found that occasionally it would make some event that was anxiety provoking much more stressful because I was a little "amped" to begin with.
Posted by Zana on July 31, 2009, at 9:32:50
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by chumbawumba on July 30, 2009, at 23:19:27
I take provigil and tried nuvigil. Provigil is activating, less jittery than the ampetamines and brightens my mood. Nuvigi lasted all day but did not have the mood elevating effects.
Zana
Posted by john51 on July 31, 2009, at 11:05:56
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by Zana on July 31, 2009, at 9:32:50
> I take provigil and tried nuvigil. Provigil is activating, less jittery than the ampetamines and brightens my mood. Nuvigi lasted all day but did not have the mood elevating effects.
> ZanaREALLY!?! Didn't think it would make that much difference....
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on July 31, 2009, at 19:19:19
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by john51 on July 31, 2009, at 11:05:56
I didn't like Ritalin. It left me sluggish and depressed. Provigil is good for me. It wakes me up and gives me focus but doesn't make me anxious or jittery. (except when I look at the price!).
gayle
Posted by john51 on July 31, 2009, at 19:29:49
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on July 31, 2009, at 19:19:19
> I didn't like Ritalin. It left me sluggish and depressed. Provigil is good for me. It wakes me up and gives me focus but doesn't make me anxious or jittery. (except when I look at the price!).
> gayleYes, I was on Provigil once before, and same thing. Ritalin IS a form of "speed" and Pro/Nu-Vigil isn't. My doc said it was a "cleaner, smoother" drug.
john51
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on July 31, 2009, at 23:54:47
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by john51 on July 31, 2009, at 19:29:49
I read that Nuvigil should be cheaper, but isn't so good. My pdoc faxed Xubex.com and got me a 28 day free bottle of Nuvigil. He asked for Provigil but they only send Nuvigil now. So I'll be trying it. It comes in one 150mg/day tablet instead of two 100mg tabs/day. I'll let you know what I think of it after I try it.
Provigil works really well with my Parnate!
gayle
Posted by john51 on August 1, 2009, at 16:19:44
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on July 31, 2009, at 23:54:47
> I read that Nuvigil should be cheaper, but isn't so good. My pdoc faxed Xubex.com and got me a 28 day free bottle of Nuvigil. He asked for Provigil but they only send Nuvigil now. So I'll be trying it. It comes in one 150mg/day tablet instead of two 100mg tabs/day. I'll let you know what I think of it after I try it.
> Provigil works really well with my Parnate!
> gayleHi Gayle, Are you switching to Nuvigil because of the cost? I read that Provigil is actually more expensive than the newer Nuvigil. That is until it becomes available as a generic which I believe is supposed to be in 2011. Also, you mentioned that Provigil worked really well with your Parnate. Many years ago I was on Nardil and I can honestly say it has been the only AD that has EVER worked for me. Not too long ago I had my pdoc put me on Parnate because it is generic and Nardil isn't (though it should be..long story!). Anyway, I had to stop taking the Parnate after only 4 days because I felt downright lousy all over. Did you have that problem when you started Parnate? Should I have just stuck with it longer?
Thanks for your input!!
john
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on August 1, 2009, at 22:28:39
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by john51 on August 1, 2009, at 16:19:44
Hi John51:
I'm not switching to Nuvigil. I found a place on the internet, Xubex.com, where they will send you a free month's supply of one of about 100 drugs on their "free medication" list. (Take a look at it!) Provigil was on the list. I printed up and filled out the request. My pdoc signed it and faxed it from his office. A few days ago I received a free bottle. They had a little note in it that said they no longer sent Provigil (200mg), only Nuvigil(175mg). I haven't tried it yet. I will this next week. I had read somewhere Nuvigil would be cheaper because it is more expensive to manufacture Provigil. Also, that it isn't as good as Provigil. So I will stick with Provigil but I have to find a cheaper way to buy it. A month ago you could get it in Canada but now they have a law that Provigil can't be mailed to US. I might go to Mexico because it's closer, but it's gotten pretty scary to go there, esp to border towns. So I'm still thinking about how I'll continue to get it. Any ideas?
gayleps: I'm going to look at my notes about Parnate and then I'll let you know.
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on August 1, 2009, at 23:34:55
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by john51 on August 1, 2009, at 16:19:44
OK John51!
I'm really glad I'm on Parnate. It has worked better for me than anything else has. My doctor had been trying to get me to go on it for several years and I was too afraid. I wish I had done it a long time ago. At the get-go I promised my pdoc I would take it for 6 months. I am at 3 months now, and I'm now just trying to "fine-tune" it. My pdoc is one of those who believes in taking Parnate with one of a few select tricyclics. He thinks it makes it smoother and safer. So I started out taking amytriptyline as I was coming down off Wellbutrin... over several weeks. That was all ok. I had to wash out Wellbutrin for 14 days, but was on the amytrip.Looking back at my notes I see how afraid I was. I took my BP about 6Xday, wrote down every morsel of anything I put in my mouth. My BP was generally on the low side which is fine with me.
My biggest problem was FATIGUE!. I also had quite a bit of edema in my face, hands and feet, prickly itching on my arms and face, tight jaw a few times, moderate headache a few times, diahrrea a few times, some aches and pains in my joints and some heartburn which I now think was the amytrip. I didn't feel very well for 6-8 weeks. But I knew my depression was better because I and others could hear it in my voice and I didn't think about suicide. That's big!. It really wasn't until I went off the amytript. that I really felt good. If you look at my request for Parnate help from Scott down the page a little bit, you'll see what issues I am trying to figure out now.
My doctor loves Parnate. So do I, now. It feels so much "cleaner" than any other ADs I've taken.
I read once a doctor said "Parnate Always Works", and I kept telling myself that. Have you looked at psychotropical.com Dr. Gilman in Australia has treated over 1000 pts with Parnate. He loves it. And look at askapatient.com parnate. It gets the highest rating of any AD by far. Some people on it 30 years!
You might want to consider giving it another try!I'd be happy to answer any other questions if I can.
Scott (SLS) is the real expert on drugs; Parnate. I think he has taken Nardil as well. He's a wonderful resource person.Good luck!
gayle
Posted by TriedEveryDrug on August 3, 2009, at 18:19:44
In reply to Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by john51 on July 30, 2009, at 23:08:34
> Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil to boost alertness, focus and motivation associated with depression? What do you think of it and has it helped. Especially interested if Ritalin didn't work for you.
yeah, I've tried provigil for focus and motivation, but for ADD.
Made me less focused and spacey. More sociable and cheerful though.
I tried doses from 100mg to 400mg. Not for any length of time though.
Posted by john51 on August 3, 2009, at 18:54:06
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil? » john51, posted by TriedEveryDrug on August 3, 2009, at 18:19:44
> > Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil to boost alertness, focus and motivation associated with depression? What do you think of it and has it helped. Especially interested if Ritalin didn't work for you.
>
> yeah, I've tried provigil for focus and motivation, but for ADD.
>
> Made me less focused and spacey. More sociable and cheerful though.
>
> I tried doses from 100mg to 400mg. Not for any length of time though.Hi, thanks for your response.
I'm not sure I understand though. You said you tried Provigil for focus and motivation but for ADD. Did you mean NOT for focus and motivation but for ADD or FOR focus and motivation but NOT for ADD. You also said it made you spacey but more social and cheerful and that you tried doses from 100-400mg but not for any length of time. So, what I am wondering is why not for any length of time....? I'm just curious. I'm taking Nuvigil but only for 4 days so far.;) john
Posted by elkojohn on September 6, 2009, at 16:48:33
In reply to Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by john51 on July 30, 2009, at 23:08:34
For several years I had cognitive problems related aging with a past history of PTSD and head injury. In 2004, I was given Adderall. It didn't help cognitively, and caused me problems trying to urinate. In 2007, I was given Aricept, which helped with memory, and eliminated episodes of feeling confused and disoriented -- but didn't help with my symptoms of ADD. Last month I was given Provigil. Now I have a stable energy level; feel more alert; have improved concentration and more ability to stay focused and hold thoughts -- with no side effects. I have to pay $390/month at Wal-Mart for my Provigil, so thank you to ColoradoSnowflake for the tip on Xubex.com. The 30-day supply will help while I'm trying to get the VA to give me the Provigil. Because it's only approved for Sleep Apnea, Sleep Shift Disorder and Narcolepsy, the powers-that-be won't recognize its use for ADD. My shrink said it works in adults and not in children because of an enzyme that children have. Oh well. . .
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on September 7, 2009, at 18:19:16
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by elkojohn on September 6, 2009, at 16:48:33
Hi Elkojohn:
That's wonderful the Provigil is working so very well for you! And it's doing so many positive things!! It will be interesting to get the 30 day supply of Nuvigil and compare them. I'm glad the Xubex.com connection is helping. I'm trying to get Lunesta from them now so I can try it, although I really don't have any insomnia to speak of on Parnate/Nortriptyline. I'm very lucky, because I have a bad history of insomnia.
Since the Provigil is working so well are you also still taking Aricept? Sometimes I feel I need to be taking a brain booster for my memory. It comes and goes.
I do hope the V.A. will approve Provigil for you. In Denver the VA is pretty good about that. If it helps that much you obviously medically need it!! I hope they are understanding in Elko or wherever you are. I am still looking for someplace to get cheaper Provigil/Modafinal for myself. Canada used to send it with no problem but now they can't...say they have new laws. Does anyone out there have a reliable overseas source for it? I would certainly appreciate any info/help you guys might have for me. I have been taking less Provigil to make it last longer and then I don't feel the good Parnate results when I do that. So that's not a great idea.
It's so frustrating to finally find something that works and then not be able to afford it!
Good luck with the VA, and keep us posted on how you're doing!
Gayle
Posted by MSandCrazee on September 10, 2009, at 16:51:04
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on September 7, 2009, at 18:19:16
<Does anyone out there have a reliable overseas source for it? I would certainly appreciate any info/help you guys might have for me.>
I am still able to order from Canada from a company called Jan Drugs. If you go to their website www.jandrugs.com, and search modafinil, you'll see a message that it's not available online, but they provide a phone number to call. I'm not sure if they will accept new patients but it's worth a try. I pay about $200 for 100 pills. My insurance won't cover Provigil, NuVigil, or even generic ritalin (although that only costs $14 otc) for MS fatigue.
My husband has a head injury and takes provigil and was just given nuvigil as a sample. Has Cephalon released Nuvigil? I had heard they were holding it until the patent on Provigil ran out.
Posted by Engineer405 on September 11, 2009, at 11:55:37
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by MSandCrazee on September 10, 2009, at 16:51:04
FYI, my sleep doctor said that Nuvigil was released in June of this year.
My wife and I are starting on samples of it today, for daytime tiredness. We both have sleep apnea and narcolepsy, based upon updated sleep studies completed a couple days ago. We both have been using CPAP machines (while sleeping) for several years. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2001, so we are hoping this drug will help rather than hurt in this area.
I took Provigil at 300mg/day for several years, beginning shortly after its release (100mg at bed time and 200mg in the morning). But I dropped the dosage to 100mg/day (morning only) after coronary bypass surgery 5+ years ago. At that time it seemed to be contributing to atrial fibrilation in the higher dosage. A couple years ago I stopped taking Provigil altogether because the low dosage did not seem to be helping much, and my daytime sleepiness did not seem as bad after having had bypass surgery. My recent tests said otherwise. We will have to petition Medicare Part D to cover it over Provigil - if it seems to help.
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on September 11, 2009, at 12:51:31
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by MSandCrazee on September 10, 2009, at 16:51:04
Thanks for your input. I had started with that same place but when the new rules went into effect I took the word from someone who worked there at night, who said they weren't sending it.
So this morning I called. I had already gotten my hard copy rx from my pdoc. I am getting 3 months worth for less than $200. I decided to be brave and try the generic, that's why so cheap. The price is almost too good to be true. The generic is made in India. I'll let you know if it works!Thanks so much for the heads up!!
Gayle
Posted by MSandCrazee on September 11, 2009, at 16:41:56
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil? » MSandCrazee, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on September 11, 2009, at 12:51:31
Oh that's great - I should have mentioned I've been getting the generic all along. I actually found it to be quicker-acting than the name brand. Good luck!
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on September 14, 2009, at 10:21:02
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by MSandCrazee on September 11, 2009, at 16:41:56
MS and Crazee:
That's good to know.
Mine is coming from Singapore.
Is that where yours comes from?Thanks again,
Gayle
Posted by MSandCrazee on September 14, 2009, at 19:43:42
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil? » MSandCrazee, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on September 14, 2009, at 10:21:02
Over the past two years, it has come through Fiji, Singapore, Bangladesh, and Germany. But if it is the Modafinil manufactured by SunPharma, it originates in India, and by ModaPro, Pakistan. I suppose we get the benefit of the Canadian government's ability to buy in bulk from the manufacturer! -D
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on September 14, 2009, at 21:03:18
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by MSandCrazee on September 14, 2009, at 19:43:42
Hi D
Did you read my post below?
I am so bummed.
JanDrugs was very nice as they stuck the knife in my heart. I'd rather have been told "no" at the get-go.
If you have any ideas you can Babble mail me by pressing on my name in blue at the top of the page.
Thanks for the info. It was sure worth a try!
Gayle
Posted by elkojohn on September 14, 2009, at 21:16:43
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on September 14, 2009, at 21:03:18
Gayle,
What did JanDrugs do ?
elkojohn
> Hi D
>
> Did you read my post below?
>
> I am so bummed.
>
> JanDrugs was very nice as they stuck the knife in my heart. I'd rather have been told "no" at the get-go.
>
> If you have any ideas you can Babble mail me by pressing on my name in blue at the top of the page.
>
> Thanks for the info. It was sure worth a try!
>
> Gayle
>
>
Posted by MSandCrazee on September 15, 2009, at 21:51:49
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Provigil or Nuvigil?, posted by elkojohn on September 14, 2009, at 21:16:43
John, I don't know what JanDrugs did to Gayle - Gayle: I wasn't sure how to find your "post below"
Now I'm really curious! -D> Gayle,
> What did JanDrugs do ?
> elkojohn
> > Hi D
> > Did you read my post below?
> > I am so bummed.
> > JanDrugs was very nice as they stuck the knife in my heart. I'd rather have been told "no" at the get-go.
> > If you have any ideas you can Babble mail me by pressing on my name in blue at the top of the page.
> > Thanks for the info. It was sure worth a try!
> > Gayle> >
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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