Hi. I haven't been on here for awhile. I haven't been doing much of anything except working and trying to sleep. I'm so tired.

I saw my neuro last Thursday and he ordered a sleep study test to rule out Sleep Apnea. He mentioned that if I do not have it, then there is medication for MS related fatigue. I had the test Monday night and although the tech wouldn't give me the results, I don't believe I have it.

Anyway, my question is... what is the medication you take for fatique? Does it work? Are there any side effects?

Thanks.

Hi Blondi! Glad to see you posting again!

I have a prescription for Provigil. Although I don't take it everyday....actually I haven't taken it in over a month....it does help with the fatigue and sleepiness when it hits.

I tolerate it well, although I know some folks who are very sensitive to meds cannot take it or have to take a reduced dose. The only side effect I have ever noticed was a slight headache but that went away after a few days.

It works well for me when I need it. Luckily, I haven't needed it in a while.

Good luck to you...I hope it's not sleep apnea.

You can search Sleep Apnea by just entering that on your search. One suggestion for those who do have sleep apnea, which I sincerely hope you don't, is to avoid sleeping on your back.

Although I remember that at times sleeping on my back was not good. Sometimes I sleep on my back; sometimes on my sides.

I have not taken Provigil although I have friends who do take it. Some say it helps. What I must do, however, is have one cup of coffee in the morning. Tha keeps me going. However, when I do get tired, I must sleep the extra hours. No getting around that for me.

Good luck with your tests.

Hello Blondie I also take provigil, it is good for me, but as you will learn in time what works for me may not work for someone else. Pretty sure your doc is going to want to talk about what options you have for meds and should discuss the side effects. I hope you get some relief from the fatigue, I know it can be a pain, hang in there

hi

i've taken provigil too. it worked for me for about 4 hrs then wore off.
i find i can get the same effect with a morning cup of regular coffee. but i don't take it too late, say around 1100 because then i can't sleep.

there are several meds that are available for MS fatigue.
i'm sure you'll find one that works best for you.

please know that MS fatigue is a very common sx (symptom).
i've learned how to pace myself thru the day to conserve energy. i've also learned to stop (my errands) when i feel the fatigue setting in. there have been times i've even stopped at a restaurant to have a bite, or a cup of coffee and benefit from their AC.

you'll find strategies that work for you.

Hey Kim~~ I don't currently take anything for fatigue, but have often thought about talking to my Dr about it. I seem to have highs and lows where that is concerned.

Really glad to see you posting and hope you get to feeling better soon. Take care.

Hi Blondi! Sorry to hear the fatigue is getting you down! Kudos to you for being pro-active!

I take Provigil too.

I take it as needed, from 100mg to 400 mg. It's expensive but my neuro wrote my scrip for 200 mg 2xdaily and my insurance covers it all except my co-pay. I just cut the pills in half and take a half when I need it or when I need more of it with my doc's blessing.

Some insurance companies make you try amantadine first. It's a lot less expensive, but it doesn't work for everyone.

I do get dry mouth from Provigil but the clear headedness and energy outweighs the dry mouth and it makes me drink more water and that is good!

Good Luck! Let us know how it turns out!

Fatigue is one tough sx to get control of, I've noticed.

I've been on amantadine for 8 yrs and take it every morning. With 2-3 cups of coffee the last year.

I've tried Provigil, it is expensive, and gives me a headache. I've heard if you take it and rest/sleep for 20 minutes it kicks in and you know it. I've not tried that though.

Hope you feel better soon.

MS fatigue is a tough one to treat... just like MS itself.
Everyone is different, with different levels of fatigue and reactions to the various treatments.

With that said, here's my input:

Fatigue stinks. Okay, I had to say that

For me, my neuro. has labeled it as 'severe fatigue'. Nice to have a label for that.

Over the years, I've tried Provigil, Amantadine; separately and together
throughout the day.

My current treatment (for the last two years) is Ritalin-SR 20mg 1xday.

Provigil or Amantadine had no effect on the fatigue.

The Ritalin ... it's okay... the neuro has run out of options for the fatigue. I don't have any reaction to the Ritalin, just like the other two...

no added energy or anything...

What's my fatigue like? ... my mind gets tired before the body :yawn: So over the years I've had to adjust.

Can't do anything repetitive for too long -- reading a book, driving ... etc. My energy that I do have is in the morning, so I try to do what I need to do before noon, while trying to pace myself throughout the day to make it to the end of the day.

I've recently been granted SSDI.

I yawn a lot, I drink coffee (not really for the caffeine but for the taste)

I do what I can do when I can do it.

My suggestion is this: work with your doc and keep a diary of the medication(s) effect over time. Teamwork with the doc. will make progress in treatment.

Take a deep breath and relax

Wishing you well!

Niko

I haven't tried many meds for my fatigue (except initally A/D's, and LDN), but my MS Specialist is of the impression that we should simply sleep when we need to, i.e. it's our body's way of telling us to slow down, if only for a few hours.

Besides the fact that I am a terribly unreliable employee at the best of times now, my MS Specialist thinks that we should "go with the flow" as much as possible. Stressing or taxing our body beyond it's current capability (at any given time) is a no-no as far as she's concerned.

Oddly, the one thing I found that did make a difference in this regard, was going off A/D's. I wasn't able to do that until I got on LDN, but between the two changes, my fatigue let up considerably. (Ironically, I was put on A/D's originally to hopefully HELP the fatigue. )

If this is a sudden change for you, I wonder if you may be relapsing. Have you noticed any other changes at the same time; weaker legs, numbness/tingling, cognitive problems, etc.? Personally I first go get checked for any unnoticed infection that might be going on (UTI, etc.) because when I have one my symptoms (and fatigue levels) always act up.

Cherie