Need FDA approval for provigil and MS fatigue

[EmmieO]

How are people getting provigil/nuvigil? My insurance, denied my coverage for it stating these meds do not FDA approval for MS fatigue. I got samples and they changed my life. I never realized how very fatigued I was until I wasn't anymore. Doesn't the NMSS have lobbiest that can put some pressure on the FDA? This is horrible to know how I should be feeling and then be denied help due to the cost. I can get a so called generic from India but don't trust that and Canada cost's about the same as the US.

[KoKo]

Hello EmmieO


Welcome to MS World.

Sorry to learn that your insurance company won't cover your Provigil, especially since it is so beneficial for your fatigue.

Although not technically an MS drug, my Neurologist had prescribed it for me, and my insurance did cover it. It must all depend on the insurance company. Doesn't seem fair at all that some insurance companies won't cover it. It is very expensive to purchase without insurance, unfortunately.

It is approved for narcolepsy and sleep apnea, for persons who have sleepiness/difficulty staying awake during the day. MS fatigue can cause daytime sleepiness for sure. I'm wondering why your Neuro just didn't give that as the reason for your prescription?

Let's see if other members have some feedback.

Take care,
KoKo

[Dulcinea714]

Shift work

My neuro at Vanderbilt was able to prescribe provigil because I worked shift work and it was needed to regulate my sleep pattern.
Then the VA declared my MS service-connected and I decided to switch healthcare to the VA (had exacerbation and can't work now). On my first appointment with the VA neuro (funny, he was a Vanderbilt neuro, but not MS specialist), he tried to keep me on provigil, but I got call the next day that VA wouldn't authorize it. I had told the VA neuro that I didn't think it would be approved because I wasn't working anymore.
I definitely liked the provigil, I was more alert at work and I slept better at night.

[Shashi]

Hi, my insurance company wouldn't approve Provigil for me either for the same reason, and I wasn't even diagnosed with MS at the time. I was able to get samples from my doctor, but when I took the medication, I had horrible chest pain, so was unable to take it.

However, I have been taking two supplements, acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA), which have totally alleviated my fatigue. These two anti-oxidants have been shown to be more effective than Amantadine in combating MS fatigue and the fatigue from chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, and old age. They have given me my life back. I am able to do things I haven't done in years. The results have been amazing.

I take 1,000 mg of ALC and 200 mg of ALA daily. If you decide to try these two OTC supplements, you need to discuss them with your doctor first, especially if you are taking thyroid or diabetes medications as they can increase the effectiveness of these medications. And if you do take them, be sure to do so every day. Also, it can take up to a month to feel the full effects of the supplements, so if they don't work immediately, don't give up.

(You can do a search for either of the two supplements here and find a lot of good information about them. There is currently a thread on the nutrition and supplements board that I started where several folks share their experience with these supplements.)

Good luck,

Lisa

[mnkitten]

I have been taking Provigil for several years now. It took three appeals to get it approved by my insurance company. I'm glad I can get it, as it makes all the difference in my day-to-day functioning.

[Grace]

Appeal to your insurance company. In most cases it only takes a call to the customer service department and they can get the info to the pharmacy provider to allow coverage for this medication. Mine was denied because I don't suffer from depression due to sleep apnea... not sure how they could make that determination but hey ~ they do what they want and make the rules up as they go!

[rubberlegs]

I have no problem getting my Rx filled the inconsisticy of our system in USA is nuts.