Good afternoon gang,
Today is day 3 of Provigil and I wanted to give a report.

I *LOVE* it. It has made a marked difference in my ability to process and concentrate. My Neurologist gave me samples at 200 mg, because they're rather expensive if insurance doesn't pick it up. I called her today and asked her to go ahead and call in a prescription for me. (I think my actual words were, "this is good stuff- sign me up!"

I looked up the cost on my health insurance site (United Health Care) and it states that the monthly cost is around 250.00 . My co-pay is only 45.00, thankfully.

I do feel a wee bit euphoric (my husband likes to refer to it as obnoxious, rather than euphoric!), but I think it's just because I feel so much better.

I've performed lots of research and there is nothing addictive about this drug thankfully. I can see becoming addicted to feeling this good though.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not opposed to using drugs if it's something that will make me feel better, so I hope that I don't offend anyone by my drug 'pushing'. Just wanted to get the info out there for someone who might be interested.

Have a great day,
Lori

Thank you for that. I am going to the Doctor on Friday and asking if I can try Provigal. I googled it and feel that I would be ok - the teeth grinding bit may be a pain as I have done that in the past, though with my dothiepin I don't seem to. Nothing like has been uptight perfectionists! I have private medical insurance so if the Govt system doesn't pay I will be able to claim it back if I haven't gone over my quota. I would be lovely to be not distracted so easily!!

Lynlee

I am constantly amazed at how alike we are. I guess that all A-types are alike, eh?

Anyhoo- I ordered myself a mouth guard to wear during the day and night. Of course, I do not plan to wear it when I'm in the office. They already think I'm a little strange....

The jaw clenching/teeth grinding has been a real problem since I bonked my head, so taking something that's making it even worse is rather annoying.

I bought a mouth guard for night time last week, but it's just one of those cheapie deals that you boil in water and mold to your teeth. It's not keeping me from clenching during the day. This thing looks like it'll keep me from clenching as well as grinding.

We shall see....

The place where I purchased the mouth guard had a link to philosophy- I thought it was interesting and encouraging:


Awareness
We strongly suggest you begin wearing the SleepRight Night Guard 30-60 minutes before sleep. Keep your “lips together and teeth apart” while in your conscious state of mind, never allowing the teeth to bite down on the bitepads. This will increase your awareness of the habit to clench and grind your teeth. Conscious awareness of “lips together, teeth apart” is necessary for the brain to make the appropriate changes to relax while you sleep. The SleepRight Night Guard does not attach to the teeth. The soft strap and learning to control the muscles of the mouth will keep the appliance in place.

Accountability
You must accept the responsibility to manage your own health care. The SleepRight Night Guard bitepads will establish the space that should exist naturally between your teeth when you are relaxed. Do not bite down on the bitepads…this is very important, although the urge to do so will test your concentration. Finding evidence of clenching and grinding on the bitepads show your efforts to concentrate on “lips together, teeth apart” must be raised to a higher level.

Behavior Modification
The brain does not distinguish between good and bad learning, it just learns. You must repeat the desirable model, “lips together, teeth apart”, until it is a healthy habit, no longer needing your conscious supervision. Your ultimate goal is to eliminate the dependency on a night guard as soon as possible. Everyone’s learning curve is different, so be patient.

If you guys have any pharmaceutical questions, I'd recommend that you check out

www.crazymeds.us

It's quite possibly the ugliest site on the internet, but it provides comprehensive descriptions of the potential positive benefits and side effects of most every brain related drug on the market, all written in PLAIN ENGLISH instead of confusing medical jargon (I found this site to be an invaluable resource when I tried the western medicine route to wellness a few years ago).

I found the Provigil entry particularly hilarious. Sounds like some fun stuff!

http://www.crazymeds.us/provigil.html

Well there is not a lot I can say to that is there!!!! All I want is to be able to stay awake all day!!!!! Not a lot to ask for is it!! Don't care so much about the rest I just want to be able to stay awake all day!!!!! Lynlee

I've been to that site before, you're right- it's kind of ugly.

But I really didn't see anything negative in the post except the rumors that it's going to be banned in sports. I think that's a bunch of hogwash, because it certainly doesn't give me super powers.

As for monkeys liking it as much as cocaine, I can see that. I've never tried cocaine (I grew up a nice lil' Mormon girl), but from what I understand cocaine gives you energy and makes you feel like you can do anything.

That's kind of how this drug feels.

Although.... it was a super rough day today. Even the provigil didn't do a lot for me. But the other 3 times I've taken it, it was great. Not sure what was different about today.

Yeah- I'm a monkey, I guess.

I have a theory.....

I took Provigil four days in a row. Day 1 and 2, I was on TOP of the world and went crazy doing stuff. Day 3, I worked from home, so just did my normal stuff- worked and not much of anything else.

Yesterday (day 4) I was in the office. I was SO tired, I felt like a zombie and I couldn't think to save my life (ok, that's an exaggeration). Today I didn't take the Provigil (worked from home today). I didn't set my alarm and didn't wake up until 8:30 a.m. (I usually start at 7am on my at home days and leave the house at 5:30 a.m. on my in the office days). I was up for two hours and then had to go lay down. I slept until 3:30. SOLID sleep.

I was exhausted. Thankfully I have the ability to work whatever hours I want when I work from home- so I'm busy catching up for the hours I was asleep. Even with all that extra sleep- I think I'll be going to bed early tonight and sleeping well. I'm still very tired.

So, here's my caution and lesson. Just because you feel better (artificially), don't overdo it. I'm 47- you'd think I'd know that by now. I guess I'm a slow learner.

I think I'll be more selective on how often I take it- maybe just the days I go into the office. AND I'll try to not overdo it, as is my natural tendency.

HI - der.............. I have answered re the provigil on the Lyrica thread - can you go and look at that please. Just reading back on here I note about not over doing it - and that is one of the things I asked the doctor this afternoon - it will hide the symptons but they were still be there and will need to be careful not to crash = but at least it is an option! Not over doing it will be very very difficult. I can remember what I was like when I had a few days of morphine - a woman possessed .... the things I did - it was the first time in about 4 years that I felt ok and I just had to take advantage of it - was like having a load lifted and not dragging myself around like normally feel about 6/10. Anyway if we can get the drug into the country I will have an option!!! Great,

Lynlee

and PCS McGee I note your comments.

I truly hope your doctor can bring it into NZ for you AND I hope it gives you a little boost.

Boy, I sure learned a lesson about overdoing it. At least you have me to learn from, eh? You're probably smarter than I am and could have figured out to not go to town with your artificial energy.

Doing so, makes the brain fog even worse than it was.

I was relating on my blog that my mind is like trying to start a car when it's cold outside. You keep turning the key and hear the engine trying to start, but it doesn't. You try again, and again, and again. If you're lucky, the car will eventually start. Sometimes you just end up flooding the engine.

Yesterday was one of those days. If you sat in the desk next to me, you'd hear me constantly saying "come on... come on..." just like I would when trying to get my car to start. I even sometimes pounded the desk- kind of like I'd pound the dashboard if the car wouldn't start. (I'm not a desk pounder- I'm a kind and gentle person!)

My job sometimes requires building databases with lots of functions in them and it's SO HARD to make that stuff come to the surface. I used to be able to do it practically in my sleep. Yesterday really depressed me because it was such a struggle.

Oh well, it WILL get better. I know it will, and that's what's important.

Keep me informed on the Provigil!