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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shellie on July 3, 2000, at 19:24:42
I have been taking provigil for almost a week now. I have been incredibly tired. So tired, I can't do almost anything. At first I thought it was pms, but I'm done with that. I also can't sleep (during the day) despite the fatigue. At night I take aderex and am able to sleep but am waking up early (about 6am--I go to bed about 1am--took valium to fall back asleep this morning until 10am). Last night I just lay in my bed from 8pm until 11:30, couldn't open my eyes to even watch tv. (I was not feeling depressed). I finally took aderex and klonopin (which I do every night) and feel asleep until 6am.
I think the provigil has kicked in on the depression in the last two days. Last time I tried provigil at a higher dose and also took klonopin, so I thought that's why I was tired. This time, no klonopin, and still the fatigue. No swollen glands to indicate any virus.
Could I be having a paradoxical effect? I looked at side effects, no mention of tiredness. I wouldn't even call it sleepy, just tired--my whole body. Any ideas? Thanks, Shellie
Posted by JohnL on July 4, 2000, at 6:44:03
In reply to Cam, Rick, or anyone--provigil question-HELP , posted by shellie on July 3, 2000, at 19:24:42
> Could I be having a paradoxical effect? Thanks, ShellieShellie,
Could be. Sometimes stimulants have the opposite effect with some people.
I wish I could help with more information about Provigil. All I can say for sure is that when I tried it I didn't like it one little bit. But you know how it is, we all respond so differently.
It could be the dopamine or other mechanisms of Provigil are related to your medication reactions. A med with more specific action might be better. Of course, if you've read any of my recent posts, you know what my favorite choice is. :-)
JohnL
Posted by Cam W. on July 4, 2000, at 6:48:29
In reply to Re: Cam, Rick, or anyone--provigil question-HELP , posted by JohnL on July 4, 2000, at 6:44:03
Shellie - I know absolutely nothing about Provigil. We don't have it in Canada, yet, and I am having enough trouble keeping up with the info on the drugs we do have. Maybe AndrewB can help (I was going to say JohnL, but he beat me to it. - Cam
Posted by shellie on July 4, 2000, at 8:33:56
In reply to Re: Cam, Rick, or anyone--provigil question-HELP , posted by JohnL on July 4, 2000, at 6:44:03
Thanks JohnL and Cam for your prompt responses. I'm frustrated because the provigil does seem to be having antidepressant effects for me, but unless the tiredness goes away, I'll have to switch again.
JohnL.--does adrafinal not have a dopamine mechanism? (I don't even know what that is!) Shellie
Posted by Bill Phelps on July 9, 2000, at 23:08:58
In reply to Re: Cam, Rick, or anyone--provigil question-HELP , posted by JohnL on July 4, 2000, at 6:44:03
I am new here. I hope I am doing this right. (I almost sent a blank message, but luckily the system wouldn't allow it.) I am so glad
that I discovered this site, because I couldn't believe what was happening to me. I started taking Provigil a few days ago. I have been having
a problem being sleepy and tired. I was told that Provigil would keep me alert during the day. I had no idea that it was related to antidepressants.
I had, however, taken antidepressants in the past. The antidepressants didn't help me in any way, and caused unpleasant side effects. As soon
as I started taking Provigil, I felt the familiar side effects of an antidepressant, something along the lines of Paxil, Zoloff, or Celexa. Like
those antidepressants, Provigil made me feel extremely tired and sedated. I had been sleepy and tired before, but Provigil made me very much more
so. I was too sleepy to do any of the research and writing that is my work. I tried, and I just sat at the desk, totally "zonked out." I called
the doctor's office, but was told by a person there (not the doctor) that "Provigil doesn't have that effect."
I have been on Provigil for three days now, and I think that maybe today was a tiny bit better, although I spent the entire afternoon just sitting
in a chair, too tired to even get up. Does this improve over time? Is there anything I can do about it? I should make it clear that the side
effects are not only tiredness, but the whole group of symptoms that I get from an antidepressant.
By the way, I think that this is a wonderful site, a real service. I thank Dr. Bob for providing it.
Posted by KarenB on July 11, 2000, at 13:22:37
In reply to Provigil makes me sleepy and tired, too, posted by Bill Phelps on July 9, 2000, at 23:08:58
Hey Bill,
Welcome! Sorry no one has answered you yet.
I too, trialed Provigil and did not like the results. It really is considered a stimulant but works for SOME as an antidepressant. I trialed it, however, during PMS time and so can't really make a firm judgement BUT I was more sleepy than normal. It should have improved wakefulness but didn't. It also did nothing for my mood but, like I say, it was bad timing. I have PMDD (Pre Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder or, at is is known around our house, "PMS from hell"). I also have adult ADD with hypoactivity and the resulting depression from years of not being diagnosed and treated. I was previously diagnosed BipolarII. Maybe I'm both. Whatever I am, I am feeling better today because of research and suggestions of people on this board.
Adrafinil has done what it is supposed to do, so far. I take 300mg, plus 10mg Adderall in the morning and it is really helping me not only with focus and energy but motivation and mood. First dose is taken 1/2 hour to 45 min. BEFORE arising. Second dose (of both) is taken about 5 1/2 hours later.
I also started 5mg of Zyprexa in the evening. I found that if I take it a bedtime as they suggest, I am too groggy in the morning. This is really helping with ruminating thoughts. My mind is "quieter," and I feel altogether more stable. I can sleep now, no problem, without a sleep med. The less meds the better, as far as I'm concerned. Zyprexa makes me crave sweets, though. Without the Adderall, I am sure I'd gain back the weight I have lost. I am in a size 2/3, where I should be at 5'1" and don't want to give that up. My husband say, "So...eat fruit." But we all know that's not the same as chocolate, don't we? If my clothes start getting tight, I'll have to re-evaluate.
I am going to trial Amisulpride, to relace the Zyprexa soon. If that doesn't work out, I can always go back to the Zyprexa.
Yeah, I know I sound like I'm looking for the magic bullet but why feel 50% better when you can feel maybe 95%? I'm an incurable optimist when I am not depressed.
Again, welcome. I found this board just a few months ago while doing research for my own illness. For the most part, the people here are some of the kindest I have not yet met. Isn't it interesting the relationships we can form when not prejudiced by what our eyes see?
Karen
Posted by Bill Phelps on July 13, 2000, at 12:55:46
In reply to Re:Provigil Paradoxical Effect » Bill Phelps, posted by KarenB on July 11, 2000, at 13:22:37
Thank you, Karen, for replying to my previous message. It is interesting how these different medicines affect differnt people differently. I guess the "bottom line" for me is that if I don't like Provigil, then I shouldn't take it.
Other than that, I guess I don't really have much to say, so I guess I will just try visiting this site from time to time without necessarily posting, to see if anyone has anything to say about Provigil.
-- Bill
This is the end of the thread.
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