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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by awatts on February 18, 2005, at 15:13:34
I have samples of the 200 mg tablets of Provigil, but am starting with 1/4 tablet (50 mg) per day. I'd like to hear experiences from others who are taking it.
This is my first day on Provigil. I'll keep you posted. Nothing to report so far.
Posted by TamaraJ on February 18, 2005, at 15:41:23
In reply to Provigil - I Just Started It, posted by awatts on February 18, 2005, at 15:13:34
I can't wait to hear how you do on it. Are you taking it as an augmenter to help with motivation and deal with AD apathy? My pdoc has agreed to let me try it as well. I have had the filled script for a couple of weeks, but had been experiencing such bad insomnia and severe loss of appetite since the end of December that I held off on starting it until I had those things a bit under control. So, I will be starting tomorrow. So, we can compare notes.
Good luck to you!
Tamara
Posted by Rocket Jackson on February 18, 2005, at 15:51:20
In reply to Provigil - I Just Started It, posted by awatts on February 18, 2005, at 15:13:34
I'm glad to see you're giving Provigil a try. It works wonders in combination with my Klonopin for social anxiety. I take 100mg about once or twice per week as needed and I feel it really helps to alleviate the Klonopin sedation as well as help with motivation, pro-socialty, etc. I get the occasional headache from it but otherwise don't notice any increased anxiety, insomnia, or other adverse effects. Good luck, and keep us posted!
Posted by banga on February 18, 2005, at 18:01:25
In reply to Re: Provigil - I Just Started It » awatts, posted by Rocket Jackson on February 18, 2005, at 15:51:20
I also had a trial package--for me, I found it was hard to evaluate the effect, because 50, then 100 did very very little for me. I wish I had had more, to give it a fair try at a higher dose, say 150. But for many 50mg does make a difference...
Wish you all the best!!!!
Posted by awatts on February 18, 2005, at 19:26:43
In reply to Re: Provigil - I Just Started It » awatts, posted by TamaraJ on February 18, 2005, at 15:41:23
> I can't wait to hear how you do on it. Are you taking it as an augmenter to help with motivation and deal with AD apathy? My pdoc has agreed to let me try it as well. I have had the filled script for a couple of weeks, but had been experiencing such bad insomnia and severe loss of appetite since the end of December that I held off on starting it until I had those things a bit under control. So, I will be starting tomorrow. So, we can compare notes.
>
> Good luck to you!
>
> TamaraWell, the original idea was to augment an AD with Provigil. Effexor XR was the only AD that has ever worked for me, but I refused to take it anymore because it completely shut me down sexually. We were hoping that Cymbalta might work without such side effects, but that was not the case.
So, I am taking Provigil as monotherapy for lack of motivation, apathy and any other symptoms of depression that it might effect. I stay in the house and in bed a lot.
For SA I take Klonopin and Inderal. Hope Provigil does not increase my anxiety problems. That's why I'm going very slowly.
Good luck on your trial. I'll be watching for your reports.
Posted by TamaraJ on February 18, 2005, at 20:13:39
In reply to Re: Provigil - I Just Started It, posted by awatts on February 18, 2005, at 19:26:43
It's going to be particularly interesting to hear about your progress since you will be using it really as an AD alternative. I, too, have been experiencing such a lack of motivation and really bad apathy (these are things I have never experienced before [at least not to such a severe degree], and, I have to say, it's unnerving). I am also hoping that the Provigil will help me with the difficulty I have been having lately focussing and with brain fog and scattered thoughts. Well, time will tell.
Again, best of luck to you. I hope all goes well.
Tamara
Posted by jeffreyms on February 18, 2005, at 20:53:03
In reply to Re: Provigil - I Just Started It, posted by awatts on February 18, 2005, at 19:26:43
Hello
Could you please give us some info on Inderal? Like what exactly it is and how it helps you/side effects etc. I tried Nardil for SA but although it worked great, it made me too tired all the time.
Thanks much for the help
> > I can't wait to hear how you do on it. Are you taking it as an augmenter to help with motivation and deal with AD apathy? My pdoc has agreed to let me try it as well. I have had the filled script for a couple of weeks, but had been experiencing such bad insomnia and severe loss of appetite since the end of December that I held off on starting it until I had those things a bit under control. So, I will be starting tomorrow. So, we can compare notes.
> >
> > Good luck to you!
> >
> > Tamara
>
> Well, the original idea was to augment an AD with Provigil. Effexor XR was the only AD that has ever worked for me, but I refused to take it anymore because it completely shut me down sexually. We were hoping that Cymbalta might work without such side effects, but that was not the case.
>
> So, I am taking Provigil as monotherapy for lack of motivation, apathy and any other symptoms of depression that it might effect. I stay in the house and in bed a lot.
>
> For SA I take Klonopin and Inderal. Hope Provigil does not increase my anxiety problems. That's why I'm going very slowly.
>
> Good luck on your trial. I'll be watching for your reports.
>
>
Posted by Phillipa on February 18, 2005, at 21:54:07
In reply to Re: Provigil - I Just Started It, posted by jeffreyms on February 18, 2005, at 20:53:03
It really does not increase anxiety? Can you take it if your primary dx is anxiety, but you have zero motivation? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by awatts on February 19, 2005, at 6:44:20
In reply to Re: Provigil - I Just Started It, posted by jeffreyms on February 18, 2005, at 20:53:03
> Hello
> Could you please give us some info on Inderal? Like what exactly it is and how it helps you/side effects etc. I tried Nardil for SA but although it worked great, it made me too tired all the time.
> Thanks much for the helpFor me, Inderal helps only with the physical part of anxiety, e.g. flushing and sweating in social situations. I need a benzo like Klonopin to help with the major psychological anxiety symptoms.
Inderal (propranolol) is a beta blocker often used to treat high blood pressure, so you need to monitor your PB for too much of a drop.
Posted by awatts on February 21, 2005, at 16:44:00
In reply to Provigil - I Just Started It, posted by awatts on February 18, 2005, at 15:13:34
> I have samples of the 200 mg tablets of Provigil, but am starting with 1/4 tablet (50 mg) per day. I'd like to hear experiences from others who are taking it.
>
> This is my first day on Provigil. I'll keep you posted. Nothing to report so far.Report:
After 3 days of 50 mg Provigil taken AM, I feel nothing new - no increase in my major anxiety or sleep problems - no change in major depression.
This morning I began 100 mg of Provigil. I'm getting nothing from it so far. Let's see if my sleep is effected tonight.
Other folks taking Provigil as monotherapy or AD augmentaion for major depression, please post your experiences.
Thanks
Posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2005, at 17:35:11
In reply to Re: Provigil - I Just Started It, posted by Phillipa on February 18, 2005, at 21:54:07
I'm glad to hear it doesn't increase anxiety, and I hope you sleep tonight. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by gromit on February 23, 2005, at 1:34:57
In reply to Re: Provigil - I Just Started It, posted by awatts on February 21, 2005, at 16:44:00
I didn't feel a thing until I upped my dose to 300 mg, 400 mg is the dose that worked best for me.
Posted by awatts on February 23, 2005, at 17:25:26
In reply to Re: Provigil - I Just Started It, posted by gromit on February 23, 2005, at 1:34:57
> I didn't feel a thing until I upped my dose to 300 mg, 400 mg is the dose that worked best for me.
Yes, this stuff doesn't seem to be very strong. I started 200 mg this morning, and it feels less enervating than a cup of coffee. However, no negative side effects so far.
If 200 mg does not eventually provide more relief, I will quit Provigil when my samples run out. My insurance will not cover the off-label use. Even just 200 mg per day would cost me $230 per month out of pocket. Provigil would have to really help a lot for me to pay that much.
Posted by TamaraJ on February 27, 2005, at 10:19:54
In reply to Re: Provigil - I Just Started It, posted by gromit on February 23, 2005, at 1:34:57
I am about to increase my dose to 100 mg. However, for the past two days, I have been experiencing nausea, particularly within about 1 - 2 hours of taking the Provigil when I have something to eat. And, when I have a cup or two of coffee just after noon, I really feel queasy. Did you experience nausea when you first started Provigil? Does it eventually subside? Does coffee accentuate the effects of the Provigil? I really want to go up to 100 mg because 50 mg seems to help a bit, but I don't want to feel barfy all the time (I have had a hard enough time eating for the past 6 months).
Tamara
Posted by awatts on February 27, 2005, at 13:46:21
In reply to Re: Provigil - Nausea anyone?, posted by TamaraJ on February 27, 2005, at 10:19:54
> I am about to increase my dose to 100 mg. However, for the past two days, I have been experiencing nausea, particularly within about 1 - 2 hours of taking the Provigil when I have something to eat. And, when I have a cup or two of coffee just after noon, I really feel queasy. Did you experience nausea when you first started Provigil? Does it eventually subside? Does coffee accentuate the effects of the Provigil? I really want to go up to 100 mg because 50 mg seems to help a bit, but I don't want to feel barfy all the time (I have had a hard enough time eating for the past 6 months).
>
> TamaraNo nausea here, and no other side effects to report. I've been on 200 mg for several days now. Like you, it seems to help a bit, but I'm not sure it's doing much. Maybe it just doesn't work as monotherapy for depression. I'm going to continue at 200 mg until I run out. I see my pdoc about that time, and we'll have to decide what to do next. He had been talking about Gabitril, but maybe it also only works as augmentation to an AD - not alone.
Posted by zeugma on February 27, 2005, at 14:16:56
In reply to Re: Provigil - Nausea anyone?, posted by TamaraJ on February 27, 2005, at 10:19:54
hi Tamara.
I have found I have to be VERY careful with caffeine and provigil. Today I mixed in about a half tablespoon of caffeinated coffee with my second pot of the day (I did the same thing in the morning). The mixture can cause insomnia and jitteriness, although it does not cause nausea for me.
I would drink decaffeinated coffee while acclimating to Provigil.
-z
Posted by TamaraJ on February 27, 2005, at 17:45:57
In reply to Re: Provigil - Nausea anyone?, posted by awatts on February 27, 2005, at 13:46:21
> > I am about to increase my dose to 100 mg. However, for the past two days, I have been experiencing nausea, particularly within about 1 - 2 hours of taking the Provigil when I have something to eat. And, when I have a cup or two of coffee just after noon, I really feel queasy. Did you experience nausea when you first started Provigil? Does it eventually subside? Does coffee accentuate the effects of the Provigil? I really want to go up to 100 mg because 50 mg seems to help a bit, but I don't want to feel barfy all the time (I have had a hard enough time eating for the past 6 months).
> >
> > Tamara
>
> No nausea here, and no other side effects to report. I've been on 200 mg for several days now. Like you, it seems to help a bit, but I'm not sure it's doing much. Maybe it just doesn't work as monotherapy for depression. I'm going to continue at 200 mg until I run out. I see my pdoc about that time, and we'll have to decide what to do next. He had been talking about Gabitril, but maybe it also only works as augmentation to an AD - not alone.
>-- Thanks for responding. I'm so sorry that you are not having the success you had hoped with the Provigil :-( Maybe augmenting with Lamictal might be effective. It is used as a mood stabilizer, but, apparently, it has some AD effects as well. Another option might be ask your pdoc if you can augment with a low dose of another stimulant. I hope you and your pdoc can find a combination that works and gives you relief. I know how discouraging it can be. I had a number of good days in the past week, and today I am all weepy again. It just doesn't make sense, but I continue to have hope. My thoughts are with you.
Take care,
Tamara
Posted by TamaraJ on February 27, 2005, at 17:48:17
In reply to Re: Provigil - Nausea anyone? » TamaraJ, posted by zeugma on February 27, 2005, at 14:16:56
just forego coffee completely. That would be a bummer because I had forgotten how much I like coffee and it's effects.
Tamara
Posted by rudialexander on February 27, 2005, at 20:30:48
In reply to Re: Provigil - Nausea anyone? » TamaraJ, posted by zeugma on February 27, 2005, at 14:16:56
Yep, I get the nausea sometimes. I take 300 mg Provigil a day. It's worth occasional queasiness though- it really helps augment the ADs
Posted by TamaraJ on February 27, 2005, at 20:43:33
In reply to Re: Provigil - Nausea anyone?, posted by rudialexander on February 27, 2005, at 20:30:48
Thanks. The queasiness has been unrelenting for almost two days, and I had just started being able eat again (boo hoo poor me :-)). I am not going to give up though, even if I have to take tums or Mylanta (sp?) or even ginger! May I ask which AD you are augmenting? Also, would you mind telling me at which dose of Provigil you starting experiencing relief from adhedonia and apathy (if those were a problem for you), and an increase in motivation? Has it helped your concentration and focus? Boy, I bet you are regretting responding now, aren't you :-)
Sorry for all the questions.
Take care,
Tamara
> Yep, I get the nausea sometimes. I take 300 mg Provigil a day. It's worth occasional queasiness though- it really helps augment the ADs
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