Possible Solution to Working with PCS using Provigil/Modafinil?
 

I just wanted to share my experience with Modafinil (the generic of Provigil) and see if anyone else is using this for PCS symptoms.

Since my 2nd concussion 1.5 years ago, I've been struggling to find something to help the brain fog and dizziness caused by my PCS.

I tried many supplements, vitamins, completely changing my diet, exercising, Acupuncture and a Chiropractor. All of which helped a little bit to help cope each day and feel good. But nothing has "fixed" my PCS or been a tremendous help. They just take the edge off.

Then on my last visit to my Neurologist, I told him I was really having a problem with brain fog. For me, that's an especially big problem because I run a business that many people are counting on. That means I can't take workers comp and take the needed rest everyone recommends.

This time he prescribed 100mg of Provigil per day. It's off label so that means it's not covered by insurance. At $1000. for 30 200mg pills (split dosage), that's a bit of a problem.

I found some Modafinil online and have been trying it for 1 week. So far, it's been a miracle drug for me. I'm cautiously optimistic, but if this keeps up, this could be the answer to others in a similar situation. Having to work and move on while dealing with PCS is a whole different game than just trying to heal.

He also recommended brain training. He said he's seen real results of people recovering from PCS with brain training from a trained psychologist. For now, I'll try lumosity and see how that goes first.

Any others here have experience with Provigil and PCS?

Provigil is basically a neurostimulant. I will be surprised if it helps you long term. It will likely exhaust your brain until you reach a point of fatigue.

Some have tried Ritalin and caffeine and other stimulants. They help short term.

The side-effects of Provigil are troubling. Check out:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/drug-...article_em.htm

One comment says: This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Off label can be problematic because you don't get to see how the med effects a specific condition is a clinical study. Often, there are other conditions that were studied but the med was not found to have a conclusive action.

Thanks for responding Mark. I always enjoy your insightful comments and do appreciate the time. :)

For me, it's experimental for sure and I remain cautiously optimistic as I monitor myself carefully. As you mentioned, I'd love to have studies to refer to. However with nothing else working for me, I have to experiment beyond the norm.

When I asked about side effects etc, my neurologist said he "loves this drug" and that it has the least amount of side effects out of the other neuro drugs out there. *Most* of the comments I've seen have been stellar for Provigil. From .com execs trying to keep up their motivation to patients like us. I've seen mostly good examples over years of use. There are always exceptions of course.

After 1 week, it's been working scary good. Just the opposite of the comment you mentioned. Thinking from mindfulness to reactions has been fantastic. My IQ seems to have been given a boost. It's not the typical stimulant. For example, caffeine increased my dizziness and foggy head horribly. Whereas Provigil has the opposite effect.

I avoided lights, loud sounds and too much thinking for the past 1.5 years. They all made me dizzy and tired. After several days on Provigil I went to a 5 hour concert as a test. My first one in 2 years. I thought I might stay 1 hour then leave. I felt fine the whole time, it really was a great feeling to have my brain back and enjoy life like "normal people" again.

As I do realize it's also a stimulant and my brain still needs rest (even though I don't feel like it). I'll continue my afternoon naps and try not to burn myself out on too much work at once.

I'll report back as time goes on for others considering Provigil as a solution to PCS.

Experience with Modafinil (Provigil, Nuvigil), yes.
 

Hello there, sandwalker,

I too was greatly helped, for a time, by Rx Modafinil, which my PCP had to 'fight' for me, re: insurance. It is indeed still very expensive!! My nephew has also been greatly helped by this and other nootropics.

My dr Rx'd this for me during "A good year" for me, when I was feeling better and able to take on a rather all-encompassing creative project, and I needed to be as highly-functioning and free-of-the-brain-fog, as was possible. I took it on the more active days that I knew that I would "need to be sharp"; thus I did not take it on alternating "brain rest days". It helped me very much yes.

However, when "my wheels fell off" later in the year (due to overdoing it --- though I "thought" I was taking good care!! :eek:) --- it no longer helped and only gave me an uneasy, unwanted, unneeded stimulant-feeling, which was not what I needed to feel nor to function!

Thus, it was back-to-basic-brain-rest, and as we know, "Life on hold" yet again, until further improvement/ healing/ recovery, regained, restored.

Best to you. Keep us posted, sandwalker!

Sincerely,

Theta :rolleyes: