Fatigue, sleeplessness, and Provigil
 

I've been struggling with sleep issues for six months, and put it down to the monthly solumedrol IV I was getting. My last infusion was three weeks ago, and the sleeping hasn't gotten better. I need a nap just about every day. I fall asleep easily, often by 8 or 8:30 p.m., but I toss and turn from 1 or 2 a.m. until the alarm goes off at 5 a.m. I sleep, but it is not deep sleep, and I sometimes get up just about as tired as when I went to bed.

I discussed my fatigue with my neuro recently and she said she'd prescribe Provigil for it. Not sure if I want another med. I'm on seven already.
Besides, do I need something for fatigue, or something to help me sleep more soundly through the night?

Any opinions? Anybody on Provigil? What do you think about it?

I've been on Provigil for about three years now. I take it on days when I have to work and don't take it on my days off unless I absolutely have to, to ensure that it keeps working.

I don't have any problems sleeping when I use it. I am also on Tizanidine and baclofen and the Tizanidine knocks me out anyway. When I forget to take the Tizanidine, I get spasms all night long and THAT keeps me awake!

Provigil may help to keep you awake and alert during the day and better regulate your sleep cycle at night. It doesn't work for everyone but it works for me! I do 10 hour night shifts and it's allowed me to keep working despite disabling fatigue.

I started out at 100 mg per day and moved up from there. I take between 200 and 400 mg per day on some days, and other days I need less.

Hope this helps!:)

it sounds to me like the first line of defense would be to sleep better.
but i know how complicated that can be.
when i first had sleep problems i took 25mg of benadryl. but if your problem is early waking it may not work. (ps...don't take any med without 1st checking with your dr). it's possible that they would give you something for some short term relief.

maybe you need a sleep study?
you might want to wait a few more wks. i don't think the effects of steroids are completely worn off in only 3 wks.

and, after that you might run this by your pcp. sometimes specialist docs aren't very responsive to sleep complaints.

I would wonder if the Solu Medrol is still playing havoc with you. I had a sleep study 'casue I didn't think my Ritalin was doing enough for me. So now with my C-PAP I do sleep better, I don't always feel more rested but anyone else around me is because they don't have to listen to me snoring.

UPDATE! :D

Are you feeling any better Catch? I got thinking about you not sleeping and it may be a side from the steroids, but I wanted to give you the advice my doc gave me when I was on a course of 'roids.

When you wake up, GET UP.
Don't stay in bed if you don't fall asleep again. Get up and do something. Clean, read, do something, but don't stay in bed! When you start to yawn, then go back to bed.

Steroids will wreak havoc with your system. I was up for 80 hours the first time I was on them. I COULDN'T sleep. The doc said next time he would give me something for it, but I wasn't at the point where I believed in better living through chemistry yet and I refused during my second round.

I came around and asked for sleep meds the third time :D I only used them until I got back on schedule, but they helped me get there!