Provigil and Agitation

[sneakypuss]

Hi All

I've been prescribed Provigil for my MS Fatigue. I am to take 100-200 mgs a day.

Well, I got extremely agitated on the 100 mgs. I was angry and the smallest thing was setting me off. I've since stopped taking the medication. Has anyone else had this reaction on this med?

I have an appointment with a specialist at the Sleep Clinic in late February, as my GP thinks maybe they might have something that can help me that he hasn't thought off.

Until then, I am struggling to stay awake.

Thanks
Sneaky P

[SNOOPY]

Well, I got extremely agitated on the 100 mgs. I was angry and the smallest thing was setting me off.Has anyone else had this reaction on this med?

Yes, this is a negative reaction I have to all stimulants as well as other negative side effects. I am unable to use anything for fatigue

[sneakypuss]

Thanks for your reply Snoopy.

Is Symmetrel considered a stimulant as well?

Ive been reading in here about Acetyl L-Carnitine and
Alpha Lipoic acid, so if the Sleep Specialists cant come up with anything, then I'll ask my neuro if I can give this a try.

[seena]

i think when you have more energy your natural anger has a better chance of coming out.

Not for sure but maybe.

[SNOOPY]

Is Symmetrel considered a stimulant as well?

No, It's an anti-viral medication that has show to help with MS fatigue. Amantadine has been around a long time. Some do have good results with it, others don't.

I used Amantadine for awhile. I noticed minimal help from fatigue. I probably would have kept using it but the side effect I noticed and did not likewas it made me shake pretty bad. It did work as an anti-viral --- I had not gotten sick the whole time I used it but as soon as it was out of my system I got a cold

Here is some information you might find helpful:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000564/

seena:

i think when you have more energy your natural anger has a better chance of coming out

I'n not sure where you got that information

Stimulants have side effect like any other medications. Unfortunately, the side effects from stimulants can be anger, agitation, nervousness depression and suicidal thoughts. This will not be the case for everyone but something to be aware of.

[Justsayyes]

My very first dose of Provigil ramped me up enough to start scrubbing floors I take the least amount that is effective for me and split the dose taking it twice during the day. I split a 200 mg. pill into quarters taking 50 mg. in the morning and 50 mg. more later if needed.

Guess I am very sensitive to some medications. I also took Amantadine for a few years, worked well for me to give a subtle relief from fatigue. Caused too much constipation that I just couldn't offset even though I drink tons of water. Was not agitated or anxious on it though.

I do think I'm more agitated in general taking Provigil, but the fatigue is just too much to not take it. You might try a quarter of a pill and see what happens even though I hesitate to tell you to take anything that causes such an adverse reaction.

I've also tried Ritalin which worked well, I didn't like the hassle of seeing my neuro every 3 months, and picking up a written script every month. Went back on the Provigil.

[sneakypuss]

The Sleep doc wanted me to have a sleep study before my appointment with him, so I had an overnight sleep study last night, and a day sleep study today. I have no sleep disorders, just good old fashioned MS fatigue.

Looking forward to discussing my treatment options with him on the 17th, and I will be sure to keep you posted.

Thanks for the input
Sneaky P

[erica1000]

Sounds like we have some of of the same issues.

I have tried numerous things for fatigue but since I have a very low tolerance for stimulant type drugs it is hard to find something I can stick with.

Tried Acetyl L-Carnitine/Alpha Lipoic acid and did not really notice a difference in fatigue levels. After a few weeks my body could not handle it any longer and I would get jitters and heart palpitations so had to stop taking.

Provigil was just too much for me even at low dose, thought I was going to come out of my skin.

I do seem to get some relief from Nuvigil. Similar to Provigil but is a slow release. If I take a very very low dose, I still have fatigue but can function without the jittery feeling or the agitation.


I also did a sleep study and also found no sleep disorder there.

I found for me the best thing is napping. I try to get a 15 -30 min nap during the day and that makes a world of difference for me.

[sneakypuss]

Tried Acetyl L-Carnitine/Alpha Lipoic acid and did not really notice a difference in fatigue levels. After a few weeks my body could not handle it any longer and I would get jitters and heart palpitations so had to stop taking.


I do seem to get some relief from Nuvigil. Similar to Provigil but is a slow release. If I take a very very low dose, I still have fatigue but can function without the jittery feeling or the agitation.


I also did a sleep study and also found no sleep disorder there.

I found for me the best thing is napping. I try to get a 15 -30 min nap during the day and that makes a world of difference for me.

Ive ordered some Acetyl L-Carnitine/Alpha Lipoic acid to see if that works. I didn't realize this could give you the jittery feeling?

I am not sure if they have Nuvigil here in Australia, but I will bring it up with the Sleep doc.

[jumpinjiminy]

I had really good luck with this the first few months. Then I quit smoking and it seemed to cause a lot of anxiety and irritability after that. I'm trying to find other ways of dealing with it, dietary mostly. It's all I have left at this point. I really envy people that have the 'go' in them all day long.

[mommy1]

It's giving me a bit more freedom

I definately experience this and other side effects with the stimulants like snoopy said and tried several different meds provig, add, rit and nuvig over three or 4 years.

Pretty much had given up taking anything.

I tried provigil again 6 months ago and have found the side effect symptoms have lessened the longer I am on it.

I am still tired but I am not asleep and have been able to enjoy more of the things I gave up because of the fatigue.

It makes a noticable difference. I am happy I stuck with it.