[barb02]

I was given free sample of provigil last spring, but never tried it. I am afraid of a reaction, and feel like I am being paranoid. However, I have had problems and reactions to alot of meds. The specialist I saw the other day told me I should try it again and to split the 200mg pill in half. I was thinking about splitting it in quarters. I am having a problem with fatigue, especially in the afternoons which is interfering with my job. My classes are all in the morning, but I do have meetings and need to prep and grade in the afternoon.

So I am wondering what your experiences have been with provigil? I tried amantadine about a year ago and it did nothing for me.

[weegot5kiz]

break the pill in half and take it early, it can last a wee bit and if taken too late your gonna be up with me twink and koala, try it tomorrow you dont have work and if it makes you too hyper you can swing by here and help me with the kitchen

[Kitty]

I love Provigil. I break them in half sometimes and it still gives me the energy I need. I've never had a bad reaction. When I take the whole pill I take it early in the day - like before 9 AM. I don't have trouble with insomnia by taking it early....I'm sure I would if I waited and took it later in the day. Just be careful of your coffee consumption on days you take the Provigil. It can make you a tad hyper!

[Koala77]

With the fear of possibly having an adverse reaction to the medication, maybe you could try a quarter of a tablet first.

Take it early in the morning as the others suggested, but on a day when you don't have to be at work; when you have somebody with you for the whole day. That way if anything untoward did happen, you'd have some-one with you to call for help, and some-one who would stay with you until help arrived.

If you didn't have any bad effects, you could go up to half a tablet under the same conditions, before finally taking the full dose. Just a thought.

[Jodylee]

I took a third of a Provigil once. It felt like the crappy speed I took in high school! I felt like I was gonna jump outta my skin . I would try a quarter of one Barb, just in case.

[FinLady]

The quartering sounds like a good idea, and doing the first couple when you don't have to work, as a just in case.

I was on the lowest dose possible, and the bad reaction I had to it happened on the second day a few hours after I took it. Which really made me mad since it felt like it was gonna help the fatigue. And of course, I was at work (Murphey is a really good friend of mine, lol ).

For me, the IPIR feels worse than what happened, but it still wasn't fun. And it was an auto pull by the neuro when I reported it. Hoping that you have better luck with it.

[ewizabeth]

Hi Barb,

I took 50 mg for the first month or so, then slowly moved up in dose. I take it five days a week with Wed and Sunday off. I take about 75 mg now. You can get an RX for 100mg pills and they snap in half easily. Or, you can break the end off and have 75 mg (which is what I do). If I ever get up to 100mg, I'll get the 200mg tabs and split them in two.

It's a lifesaver for me, I'm a zombie at work without them, and it's hard to keep my eyes open in the afternoon.

It's important to get enough rest while on them though.

Good luck! I hope they help!

[snoodles]

Hey Barb
Provigil has saved my job - I would no longer be able to work if not for the drug.

I take 1/2 pill in the morning (a 200mg pill).


ALSO - I have had very bad reactions to medications also - I too was scared to take it. I went blind for 4 days due to a reaction to Topamax so I totally relate to your fear of having a bad reaction.

The others gave good suggestions - you will never know how you will react to the drug until you try it since we are all so different - taking a very small dose and giving it a try sounds like a good start.

BTW - I took a whole pill when I first started on Provigil - my heart pounded - I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off !!! It was a little scary, I called the doctor and then tried cutting it in half and it did the trick !!! Had I not been so desperate (in terms of my job) I'm sure I would never have given it a second chance but I'm so thankful that I did.

Provigil and Imitrex (for my migraines) have kept me going so far !!!!

Snoods

[lady_express_44]

I have a lot of trouble with meds too, Barb, so I always make sure someone responsible is home (and awake) when I try something new.

Cherie

[barb02]

I appreciate all of the advice.

Since I live alone and do not feel like I can ask someone to hang out with me all day just in case I have a reaction, I have not tried it. My friends are barely tolerant of my ms now. They would think I am crazy.

I did cut it in 4 quarters today, but then I reread the phamplet and chickened out. I have high blood pressure (take meds for it) and I am not sure provigil is for me. I have decided to give acetyl l carnitine a try for a week or so.