Posted by IsoM on December 9, 2002, at 0:46:47
In reply to Adrafinil: Revisited, posted by ShelliR on December 8, 2002, at 18:50:32
Shelli, I probably would still be using adrafinil if modafinil (Provigil in the States, Alertec here in Canada) wasn't available. Because I had to pay for adrafinil from overseas but I can get modafinil covered by my insurance, I chose the cheaper option for me.
I originally tried adrafinil for my narcolepsy. Because it also works as an AD, I initially felt a gentle euphoria. I think my brightened mood brought a temporary increase in my PEA levels which increases dopamine & therefore kept me awake & alert. Sadly, after a couple of months, when PEA levels returned to normal, so did the sleepiness. Even when I increased the adrafinil to the maximum dosage (& later did so with modafinil), I felt no more awake than I did before.
Because I thought that modafinil (at this point I'd stopped adrafinil) was no longer having any effect, I quit it. Total time of being on both adrafinil & modafinil was close to 7 months. But after a few weeks, I realised that it had been doing a lot. Maybe it was a lousy anti-narcoleptic agent (for me) but it sure did help as an AD - pretty darn good really! And I still think it helps my focus (either that or my memory - for me, the two are entwined).
I can't say I noticed any diff between modafinil or adrafinil. I never did have liver tests. Maybe I know I should but my system is surprisingly resilient. When liver problems start, there are symptoms & I've had nothing show at all. I'll get a liver test done yet when I talk to my doctor next. I tend to have low/normal blood pressure too & I don't think anything could raise mine - even if I ate a whole salt block. Fatigue isn't a problem with me - just constant sleepiness. I'd sooner give up my SSRI (Celexa) than stop modafinil. I like it that much.
poster:IsoM
thread:131037
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021203/msgs/131063.html