Posted by PsychoSage on March 1, 2004, at 17:19:23
In reply to Provigil and Heart?, posted by jiggitykid on February 28, 2004, at 23:29:57
> Hi - I have a problem with fatigue/sleepiness, so my doc prescribed 200 mg of Provigil, once daily. I took it and had trouble sleeping, so I snapped it in half and now take just 1/2 dose each day. That seems to be a good level for me as far as alertness goes, and it seems to keep the anxiety side-effects at their lowest. However, the raised heart rate frightens me. I don't notice it during most of the day. I only really notice it at night when I am lying down to sleep. Then it seems as if my heart is going to pound out of my chest. The last thing I need is to damage my heart with medication. Has anyone heard of any heart-related problems associated with Provigil, and is the rapid heart rate something that will settle down over time?
I have no idea, and this is a very valid and important question.however, I would think about the fact that on stimulants any worrying thought will have more of a physiological response than without them. That means your heart rate might spike a little more because, well, you are more vigilant on provigil.
Worrying about whether you should worry about your heart and taking your heart rate is not a good way to know how this drug affects you. Insomnia [in the beginning], not so deep sleep, and less sleep needed are understandable and common side effects of provigil. You need to give the drug and your body at least four weeks to figure out if the drug is tolerable in terms of benefits, risks, and disadvantages.
A low dose with Provigil can be entirely appropriate. i think starting out at 50mg for non-narcos is the best idea even if it's 50mg for an entire day. You can cut the 100mg into fours easily as well for 25mg pieces. Everyone should have a pill-cutter. At least everyone who comes to this board should.
poster:PsychoSage
thread:318675
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040228/msgs/319177.html