Narcolepsy Forums (Page 5)

I live in northern Wisconsin, moved here 3 yrs ago from Milwaukee and need a competent neurologist to help me with my Narcolepsy. I have been on adderral for 10+ yrs and now it doesn't seem to be working. I've changed health care providers and my new PCP referred me to a neurologist who makes me feel like a drug addict. I just need to try another medication not increase my current dosage. Help

I've been on 150 mg Nuvigil for about 4 weeks and just starting to go to 250 mg because it didn't seem as effective during the day as when I first started using it. I'm continuing to have problems falling to sleep at night. It's like trying to get to sleep after taking a daytime cold medicine. I take the pill early in the morning (around 7AM) and don't go to bed till 9 PM. I toss and turn till around 1 or 2 AM. Any suggestions on how to sleep better? Would taking benedryl, melatonin, or some type of sleep aid help? ## It is very common to experience insomnia for the first 4 weeks, or so, after starting this medication or raising the dosage. However, after that, things should improve, once your body gets used to it. Other side effects, as listed by the FDA, may possib...

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I was placed on 150 MG of Nuvigil 6 days ago as major sleep apnea causes me to fall asleep at my desk or while driving. The second day I felt wide awake all day. The last 4 days I feel no benefits from the dosage. Does it take time to build the drug up in your system or do I need a higher dose right up front. ## Yes, it can take time to reach its full level of effectiveness in your body, so it's best to give it about 4 weeks, before deciding whether or not this dosage works for you, unless your doctor advises otherwise. The FDA classifies this medication as a stimulant, so it may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, headache, anorexia, appetite loss, nervousness and insomnia. Is there anything else I can help with?

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I just was prescribed 150 MG to help with my daily sleepiness resulting from my battle with sleep apnea. I have been on the med about 6 days and see no reaction good or bad. I have read so much about how much different the side effects are on folks and the benefit / no benefit from a variety of patients using it. Is this drug just a roll of the dice and when should I feel any effect from the med? I read it deters hunger but I have seen no decrease in my appetite thus far. I need to lose weight as a side benefit. Any hope for that? Am I to expect in effect on libido? ## Hello, Alex! How are you? It may take about 4 weeks for this medication to reach its full level of effectiveness in your body. The FDA classifies this medication as a stimulant, so along with the possible side effects you...

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I have had narcolepsy for 15 years and its well controlled with provigil. October of 2014 after 2 1/2 months of different tests I was diagnosed with hashimotos with a 2.2 cm nodule. I have been taking 25mcg of l-thyroxine. I felt real good about 6 weeks after starting it but after being on it about 3 months symptoms started coming back. I never lost the symptom of being cold. I am so tired of being cold. The lack of energy and my legs feel heavy my voice is froggy and sometimes I feel dull pain in my neck. Just switched doctors a couple days ago. New Dr said if l-thyroxine dose isn't right it can cause being cold or hot. I'm waiting for blood work to come back. He is also checking my t3, my old Dr refused to. She said tsh .738(.350-3.74) and free t4 1.14(.76-1.46) were great num...

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Is the generic Modafinil produced by Teva gluten-free? It contains pregelantized starch, but I can't find any information about the source of the starch. ## I also couldn't find any information that has more precise details. However, you could call Teva Pharmaceuticals and ask, they have a customer service line you can reach at 800-545-8800. Learn more Modafanil details here. Can you post back if you get an answer? ## I know this is an older question but I thought I'd post some more details in case anyone else is wondering. According to the NIH page, the inactive ingredients are: - Croscarmellose Sodium - Lactose - Magnesium Stearate - Microcrystalline Cellulose - Corn Starch - Povidones This is for the version with NDC codes 63459-101 and 63459-201 since they are manufactur...

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Is there a way to avoid the minor interaction? "finasteride oral will decrease the level or effect of modafinil oral by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism." Both use CYP3A4 enzymes. I'm thinking if one was taken 12 hours apart from the other, the CYP3A4 would be more readily available? Thanks. ## Hello, Craig! How are you? What I'm reading from the FDA says that it's the Modafanil that affects the Finasteride, decreasing its level and/or effect. However, it is considered to be a minor and insignificant interaction that isn't a concern. Thus, it would be best to continue taking them as prescribed by your doctor and on the dosage schedule they've provided. Modafanil is classified as a stimulant that's used to treat conditions such as ADHD...

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I've been on Nuvigil for a year. Worked my way up to 250mg 6 months ago. Like many, at first, 12 months ago, I was speeding, deep cleaned the house, yard work, etc. The effects leveled and then returned to daytime sleepiness even if I'm mentally engaged, which used to get me thru. But I've noticed over the last 6 months, even when alert, I've had trouble concentrating at work. I'll reread an email draft 10 times and find fatal flaws. Texting is very hard. I'll leave out "not" for example. Small display/monitor. Anyone else feel dumbed-down? Recently my sleep disorder doc wrote Rx for 2, 250m. Insurance declined and I got it filled in Canada, with his knowledge. Still struggling with timing. Waiting till noon for 2nd dose doesn't work. I'm trying 3...

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I have been taking Provigil for 2 yrs and I have lost my health insurance. Not sure what I'm going to do. The cost without insurance is crazy ## There is an assistance program provided by the manufacturer, Cephalon, for those who need this medication but don't have insurance. You can call them for more information on applying at 877-237-4881, the call center is available from 9am to 8pm EST. Learn more Provigil details here. These programs actually do work and help people, I receive a very important medication through one directly from a manufacturer myself. Can you please post back and let me know if you have any luck? ## I would like to try provigil because Vyvanse is not covered by my Medicaid card. ## Looking for free 7 day sample of Provigil, I have a prescription ## Hi how...

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Just started on Nuvigil for daytime drowsiness from OSA, third day. First night I couldn't sleep; second night I took 3mg of melatonin and was able to sleep, but not quite as awake on third morning as prior day - haven't fallen asleep yet, but yawning. Is melatonin OK to use to make sure I get to sleep at night, or might that be counteracting the nuvigil into the next day? Should I expect some variability in the first couple of weeks regarding how awake I feel in the day and when it wears off in the evening? Should I not take melatonin at night if it's keeping me up? ## Hello, SleepyPete1 How are you? It should be okay, as long as your doctor approves of you taking it. I didn't find any dangerous problems or interactions listed between the two, but it's always best t...

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Hi. I have narcolepsy, chronic pain, and several disabilities from a severe accident a few years ago. I've taken Adderall (30 MG 2x day) for the past 3 years. Prior to that I took 200 MG of Provigil daily, but it's cost was over $800/month, and neither insurance nor medicare would cover it. My former sleep specialist switched me to Adderall with good results. I had to change doctors last December, and the new Dr. at the University of Iowa took me off all of my meds pending new sleep studies (I've had 3 in the past 5 years), pain clinic (also had that 3X in 5 years), seeing a neurologist, etc. We're talking 3 months for these tests and I'm currently sleeping 18 hours a day, and I'm in so much pain from lack of my other meds that I wouldn't care to be on my fee...

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I was given a prescription for Nuvigil, then Provigil, and my Insurance denied both of them. My Doctor prescribed it for Treatment Resistant Depression, which is Depression that has failed to be controlled by many (for me about 20) combinations of anti-depressants and then anti-psychotics and anti-depressants. Also, treatment failed for me by having 4 Electro Shock Treatments and then a Vagus Nerve Stimulator implanted in my neck to send waves to my brain to help the depression. I was still not functional. The doctor said to look into ordering Modafinil overseas. I called the FDA and was told this was legal as long as my Doctor had it documented in my records. I found a place and when I started treatment on Modafinil, my depression was lifted to the point where I was able to do things f...

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I have been taking Nuvigil pretty consistently for about a 2 month period now for OSA, and have noticed what look like bug bites or hives popping up here and there on my body. I have anxiety disorder as well, and have had allergies since I moved to this area. I have had hives in the past due to both of these conditions, so I am not sure if it is just related to allergies or anxiety. Naturally, after reading the potential side effects for Nuvigil, I have some concern. It is not SJS (From the pictures I have seen), but I am not sure if the Nuvigil is contributing to the hives that have been popping up randomly. Has anyone else experienced this? Any help is greatly appreciated. ## Hello, Sandman! How are you? If they are similar to the ones you've gotten before, then it this is most li...

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Looking for some real life experiences to hear about. I'm new to nuvigil as of today, and like to have the occasional cocktail. I've read warnings saying not to combine, so am I going to have to quit drinking? Anyone with experience I'd love to hear from you. ## Hi James, I'm not one to speak from personal experience, but according to umm.edu, there are no drug interactions listed between Nuvigil (armodafinil) and Alcohol. Based on these findings alone, I have no reason to believe that you'd experience complications upon using the two together in a responsible manner. Other drug interaction checkers I've come across do not list anything discrepancies either, so depending on where you read those warnings suggesting otherwise, it seems to me like the best thing to ...

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I take an older antipsychotic and in addition have sleep apnea. Nuvigil 250 mg 2 times a day makes me feel like a new person, yet most doctors are too timid to prescribe anything beyond what it says on the box. I feel it's actually way more dangerous to be sleepy and driving around saying and doing dumb things, but I can't seem to get any MD's to think even a little bit 'outside the box'. Off-label they can write for whatever strength they want. ## Hello, Based on my research, Nuvigil is a federally controlled substance because it has the potential to be abused or lead to dependence. (250 mg) is the highest dose of Nuvigil and is usually prescribed for oral administration once a day. Since the dose you're comfortable with is 2 (250 mg) pills a day that probably m...

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i just started 50mgs of nuvigil like 6 days ago. is this a drug that works right away? i lefted a message for my doc to see if he would increase it and he lefted me a message saying i was to stay on the 50mgs till i see him which is 6 weeks.and then he said something like he wants to see the long term effects.. will i feel better on it in the next 6 weeks or will it stay the same as i feel on it now? ## Hi sparky, Because these medications can affect each person differently, unfortunately there's probably very little one can tell about how you might end up feeling six weeks from now on this 50mg dosage. Some patients in other related threads have reported experiencing more wakefulness within the first few doses. And based off that information, I don't think there's an actual...

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Can you take cold eeze while taking nuvigil for narcolepsy? ## Hello, Minnie! How are you? Cold Eeze just contains the nutritional supplement Zinc, which is believed to support immune response and I didn't find any interactions or problems listed between it and Nuvigil, but you should always double check such information to be sure. Nuvigil is a stimulant, so it may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, headache, irritability, anorexia, weight loss and insomnia. Is there anything else I can help with?

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Are there any other ways to save money on brand name versions of modafinil? I have insurance, I have a legitimate prescription, I just can't afford the name brands that are available at my real world pharmacy any more. Somebody please help. Thank you in advance for any leads and/ or suggestions. ## The manufacturer offers a patient assistance program. Also you can print an rx savings card from this site which is free and can be used at your pharmacy for a discount on filling your script. Hope this helps!

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I have REM sleep disorder, with mild narcolepsy, for which I take low doses of modafinil and clonazepam. I also have Hashimotos Disease, for which I had a partial thyroidectomy, and take thyroxine hormone replacement. Do any of these interfere with my blood pressure, causing it to fluctuate, and my throat is starting to sound hoarse when I sing. Should I be concerned about the hoarseness when I sing, and do the drugs cause my blood pressure to fluctuate? Thank you for your help. ## Your blood pressure always fluctuates, it will never hit one set of numbers and remain there. It will vary depending on what you eat, stress levels, activity levels and etc. But the Modafanil can cause blood pressure elevations, since it is a stimulant. It can also cause elevated heart rate, nervousness and i...

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I happened upon this forum when I did a search on whether Nuvigil causes sweating and decided to share my experience. I've been taking 250mg Nuvigil for about 5-6 yrs. As others have said, one needs to start at a low dose. Severe, unrelenting headaches are the main side effect for most people when starting this medication. This was what my doctor had told me & I found it to be true. Starting at a low dose helps this and the headaches stopped after about 2 wks, as my doctor had also said. After 2 weeks, I had no side effects. This med has literally changed my life. Before taking it, I slept most of the time. Once I slept for 36 hrs straight, only waking to use the bathroom! Now I am awake and can function. It's the only reason I'm able to get out of bed most mornings. It ...

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