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PROVIGIL is working...but will it keep working?

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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Posted 11/11/2007 9:46 PM (GMT -6)
Greetings,

I was wondering if anyone had any insight/experience on the long term effectiveness of Provigil for CFS.

I was diagnosed with CFS about 2 months ago now, but my Doc thinks i've been suffering from it for about 4 years, we had thought it was seasonal affective disorder but when it didn't go away anymore in summer and then kept getting worse and worse with the fatigue decided to test for EVERYTHING.  The good news is i'm REALLY healthy, the bad news is i do have chronic fatigue and it was getting worse quickly. 

The docs first plan of action was to see if i saw improvement by trying to improve my sleep, that didn't work, i slept GREAT...but was even more fatigued through the day, so he decided to switch his game plan and see if we could address the fatigue head on, he prescribed a daily dose of 200mg of Provigil for 15 days and then told me to switch to Phentermine for 15 days and we'd see if either one of them made a difference.  The provigil was the winner, i finally feel 'normal' again, i crash occassionally but at least i can rally, i did try the phentermine for 1 day and it made feel so darn 'high' i called him up to explain that it was great, but probably a little bit too 'fun' for a solution, i couldn't function on the stuff.  So...now i'm back on the Provigil.  So far so good, no side effects, and i don't take it on the weekends if i get tired...i just take a nap, or lay down...basically...i can let the fatigue have it's way and it doesn't really affect my quality of life...but through the week, i've GOT to work and the provigil gets me through with flying colors.

My fear is i will build up a tolerance to the medication over time and it's really scaring me.  It's been so refreshing having my life back this past month...i don't know how i'd cope if this stuff stops working.  Has anyone here been on provigil for an extended period of time?  Any information you can provide would be most helpful. 

Posted 11/29/2007 10:32 AM (GMT -6)
I have taken Provigil for 6 months & do not find I needed to increase dose or developed a tolerance. Like you I limit it to the weekdays. I always take it first thing in the AM and I wouldn't have any energy without it. I think its a mracle drug for those of us who can't rally energy otherwise! Dr. does not have any long term concerns about taking it or developing tolerance. Perhaps ask your Dr. about your concerns.
Posted 12/6/2007 2:22 AM (GMT -6)
I have been taking provigil for about two years now, but sporadically. I have fms and a lot of daytime sleepiness. I am retired because of the fms and sleeping so much. I would just drop off to sleep during meetings, at my desk, etc. I started taking provigil and it works for me sometimes and other times I could take two or three tabs and nothing. I certainly can't depend on it and can't drive for any distance any more for fear I'll fall asleep. Anybody else have this degree of falling asleep?
Posted 1/3/2008 5:06 AM (GMT -6)
Sea dancer yes! Falling asleep as you drive: UGH.


Also everyone , I did ask about provigil when they prescribed it for me. I only took it once so I have no experience to say how well it works. But i did ask about long term tolerance. they said that 200mg was very low and it can go much higher so not to even worry about that.

Sea, about the sleepy @ driving time. My docs did a different idea on that part. Instead of Provigil for that the got together and talked about how to Enforce 8full hours of sleep. Ambien didnt work, vallium didnt work and so on. But ambien CR did. Because its 12.5 mgs instead of 10, and becasuse its time released to not only help you to get to sleep but to remain there. Then with the provigil after a full 8hrs sleep the driving fear has almost gone.

There are still days I have to avoid driving but not nearly what it used to be. Before I was hitting curbs. Got pulled over for swaying and had to take the road test again! Also pls get your b12 checked as this can also attribute to this. Mine was low and getting b12 injections helps. Adding gatorade followed by 2 glasses of same size w/water x 3 daily was told to my daughter in iraq and WOW it works. the electrolytes give you energy and of course not nearly enough for CFS but with 8full hrs of sleep, Provigil at correct mg, and the gatorade , I've found a place of relief. I have suffered for about 3yrs now and I've found that its never one medicine alone but a combination of all things.


Hope things get better, i totally can relate to the driving thing!


kiera
Posted 4/18/2008 7:14 AM (GMT -6)

yeah  I have been on Provigil for about 4 months now and it is wonderful.  I have Chron's Disease, CFS, and Rheumatoid arthritis.  I can't believe the difference it has made in my life. 

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