Nuvigil problems -- anyone else?
 

Hi all,

My depression got worse this fall because of an infection that put me in the hospital and serious stressors with a step kid. Fortunately these 2 problems have been resolved! (kid is gone now!) I've pretty much tried every AD out there.

The psychiatrist suggested taking provigil every day instead of on an as needed basis. The provigil was great when I took it occasionally but if I take it every day I start to get these vicious headaches in the base of my skull/back of head.

So the neuro suggested trying Nuvigil. I have no headaches (yeah!) but there are other problems. This drug makes me feel like I have marbles in my mouth. I try to read something aloud and I'm stumbling over words like I can't pronounce them. My brain feels stupid and word recall is hard too.

I know this isn't MS related cognitive/speaking stuff because it started with the drug. Has anyone else had this problem with Nuvigil? Oh and I'm taking the smallest dose possible because my body is so sensitive to meds.

Ergh. I really like the energy provigil gave me. I felt like a normal non- MS person again! I need to find something that works but with tolerable side effects. Ahhhh, the age old dilemma.

Thanks!!

Nuvigil made me feel more awake but I couldn't really form a coherent thought.
I take generic Adderall XR now and it works better but I need to keep watch of my blood pressure.

I have been fortunate in that I have not had problems with Provigil other than the cost before it became available as a generic. When I moved to Greensboro my new neurologist prescribed Amentadine and it did pretty much the same for me as the Provigil did.

I love my Nuvigil!

The Provigil didn't really do much for me. Well, of course it didn't: it was the least expensive, lol!

I was on Amantadine for a year or so. It was just okay.

I've been on Nuvigil for over a year and I love love love it! I don't have to worry about running "out of gas" -- I can keep going until bedtime.

It has actually helped with clarity of thought. I haven't had to deal with the problems you describe.

I do hope you are able to find something to help. Too bad that Provigil causes headaches. Aaccckkk. Its always something, isn't it? Hard to find that perfect balance. :hug:

Hey stranger! Glad to see you are still Puttering! :)

Twink, I'm so glad the Nuvigil helps you and you found the perfect thing to get you through the day! :) I hate it when the body wants the more expensive drugs though. I've been in that boat before.

What is Amantadine? I looked it up and it's listed as a Parkinson's drug and antiviral. Huh?

Natalie,

I can't tell you for sure but most drugs are developed for a specific disease but after being use for a while they are applicable for other conditions. For example Provigil was originally developed to help people with narcolepsy but at some point it was found to help the energy levels of us with MS. Since amantadine predates Provigil I have to believe that over time it was found to help MS patients with energy levels. For me it served a purpose to replace the Provigil which at the time would have cost me a small fortune each month.

Mike

V
 

Yep it is an Anti Viral, but works for some as an energy booster.:)

AMantadine worked ok for me but can no longer take it. I did not get wired but found I needed less naps and felt less tired (as in I could soldier on easier without my daily nap)

I ended up getting a weird lacey pattern develop on my legs (as in red purple lines snaking in a pattern up & down my lower extremeties) and a lot of swelling in feet and legs. My husband said it reminded him of ugly version of fishnet stockings on pudgy feet and legs LOL

The decrease in fatigue (I hate that euphamism!) wore off after a few months being on it. A side benefit is I never got the flu while on it :-)

Amantadine is cheap, relatively easy to tolerate and helps some MSers. It is not "approved" to treat MS induced fatigue as that side benefit was discovered after/about the same time it became available in generic form (thus no reason or $ incentive for original maker to spend big bucks on getting FDA approval for MS).

So the Amantadine didn't make you feel crummy? Every anti-viral I have ever taken made me feel terrible, almost to the point I couldn't tolerate it.