Modafinil for Narcolepsy User Reviews (Page 2)

• Teresa
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 4, 2023

"I've been taking it for more than 20 years. My career is court reporting. I used to fall asleep in the courtroom while writing on my machine. On 15-minute breaks, I went into the closet to nap. This drug works magically perfect. I'm awake and attentive but can still nap if I feel like it. No side effects. I'm retired now but still need Modafinil if I need to drive anywhere. I always had to pull off the highway to take 10-minute naps before this lifesaving drug. I've also gone without it and NEVER feel addicted to it. I never feel hyper or jittery. It's a miracle pill! A+++++ When I first started taking it, I took 200 mg in the morning and 200 mg at noon. I can now get by with 200 mg once daily most days unless I have to drive several hours. It's the TOPS!"

• DrWil...
• July 19, 2012

Provigil (modafinil) "I can't take Provigil daily because it is expensive so I use it on days when I need to accomplish important tasks (shopping, housework, social occasions, etc.). Having suffered from depression since my teens, and although my standard medicines help, Provigil is the only medicine ever that has made me feel "good". I'm so happy my psychiatrist suggested this medication and I hope that it is approved for depression so that insurance companies will cover it."

• Geeec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2016

Provigil (modafinil) "IMHO, modafinil is a good medication. I was originally diagnosed with EDS. Couple years later, MSLT showed REM, blablabla, narcolepsy. I've tried it ALL. best was Dexedrine which is no longer manufactured (as far as I understand). Adderral dropped me down to about 95lbs (even tho I'm a small girl). Ritalin made me super anxious and mute and slow. And provigil was... Just ok and VERY expensive. Stopped the provigil because it cost $500 a month, 60tabs BID 100 mg. I just can't keep paying for it. I went back to Ritalin which is the cheapest of them all cause I thought I was better. Never been more wrong! Not being on the provigil has shown me, I DO HAVE NARCOLEPSY. W/o provigil, I can barely function :-/. But how can I carve out $500 for it?!"

• CityL...
• January 31, 2009

Provigil (modafinil) "I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy when I was 17 and still in high school. That was about 14 years ago. Out of those 14 years, ten of them have been spent on Provigil. It has obviously worked for me. I take 200mg 3 x a day - One in the morning and two at lunchtime. I haven't had any side effects, other than not being ready for bed at night but that could be me just not wanting to go to bed. All in all Provigil keeps me awake and functioning. Oh, I do agree with everyone about the cost - it's not cheap."

• BBB
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 17, 2019

"I have severe narcolepsy without cataplexy and have been taking Provigil/Modafinil for about 12 years now. I started on 200mg but found it didn’t do much to help. After a couple months at 200mg I was then prescribed 400mg and have remained at that dose ever since. This medicine has truly changed my life. I take the full dose about an hour after waking up and eating something (seems to be more effective after eating). Insurance made me try Nuvigil right after it hit the market and the Nuvigil put me into a deep sleepiness state for more than 36 hrs, will never take that again!!! Seems that some of the manufactures versions aren’t as effective as others, as I’ve just been switched to Alembic’s Modafinil and it’s not giving me that fully awake feeling that Provigil, & Heritage versions do."

• Carter...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 9, 2015

Provigil (modafinil) "I have narcolepsy which went undiagnosed for decades. I don't drink coffee and for years self medicated using caffeine tablets and diet sodas. Finally in desperation started looking for answers via the net, had a sleep study and voila, narcolepsy. Tried Ritalin with no effect, then Provigil and for the first time felt normal and productive. Health insurance would not cover and soon I was paying $800.00 a month for meds. To make matters worse, the Provigil soon lost any efficacy. Ultimately my Doc, reluctantly prescribed Adderall and I have been taking 30mg in the AM and 20 more around lunch. This works ok, but still need caffeine."

• KRano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2019

Provigil (modafinil) "This medication worked wonders for me. It had a lot fewer side effects than the alternatives like amphetamines and methylphenidate, however modafinil raises histamine levels and I broke out in hives about 2 weeks into taking it. It’s a shame because this medicine worked better than anything else I have tried."

• grann...
• November 19, 2011

Provigil (modafinil) "No side effects. Did not see anyone who listed pain relief. It was prescribed for my daytime sleepiness, but I noticed that my arthritic pain (knees and back) was much less. Had much more energy as well."

• Sleepy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2018

"This drug has absolutely zero effect on me. I've taken doses from 50mg up to 400 mg and I don't feel anything. I can take it and go to sleep immediately. For me, this is basically a sugar pill. I wish I had the great experiences others report, but I seem to be a total non-responder."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2010

Provigil (modafinil) "Literally, PROVIGIL saved my life. I suffered the severest of symptoms re: Narcolepsy w / Cataplexy for several months prior to Physicians determining a diagnosis, I'd have complete "drop attacks" out of a clear blue sky; chattin someone up, nuking a cup of coffee, taking a shower, & SPLAT, down I'd drop! Hit like a sack of sand. Broke numerous bones, ruined numerous joints, fractured my skull & broke 3 ribs. After being evaluated & worked up by a SPECIALIST, I was diagnosed & medicated with 2 X's 200mg Provi's in the A.M. & I've now a somewhat normal life! It's been 2 years & I note the dose is less effective; I've not ate turf lately, but I'm noddin out @ the PC often & slipping from AWAKE to REM, boom like that!"

• Flyin...
• November 3, 2008

Provigil (modafinil) "Compared to ritalin, which I was taking before this drug, this produced a much more alert and natural awake feeling. Unfortunately for me it also made me practically psychotic and in a moment of thoughtfulness I thought this must be how people feel when they talk about "snapping". I could not control my emotions. I went back to my doctor and promptly switched off the medication. Too bad the side effects were over the top as the alertness was amazing. I took the drug for less than two weeks."

• sleepin...
• May 1, 2009

Provigil (modafinil) "The first one I tried and it was not good for me. The constant headaches, dry mouth (very bad at night time), made me have very real like/scary nightmares, and after 2 days did not even change my energy level/random sleep attacks. Still had to have a nap to make it through the day."

• btc
• March 19, 2010

Provigil (modafinil) "Provigil saves the day. I work full time, intricate work, drive, multi task person. Yes, it is expensive, but fortunately I have good insurance from my workplace. I take 200 mg a day. No side effects. Never take a nap. I'm the energizer bunny."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2012

Provigil (modafinil) "I have only been on Provigil for a month, but it has caused extreme nausea and headaches. I have a history of cluster headaches and migraines, which had diminished, but are now back in full force. I've also had stomach cancer twice and Provigil makes me very nauseous and losing weight due to an inability to eat. I'm glad that it is effective for some, I just wish that I was in that group because I am TIRED."

• Anonymous
• March 16, 2009

Provigil (modafinil) "I hear people rave about Provigil and I was excited to try it. Unfortunately it did not help me. I slept just as much as I did taking no medication at all. I am still in testing and trying different medications. Hopefully I will find one that will help me stay awake eventually."

• Anonymous
• April 8, 2009

Provigil (modafinil) "I have been on 2 x 200 a day for 10 months now, and it has not been the miracle drug for narcolepsy that some people talk about. I have given it a lot of time, but still have excessive daytime sleepiness. Works better for others I suppose. Also, does anyone else notice that it makes your urine smell weird?"

• Lucille
• January 29, 2021

Provigil (modafinil) "When I was 50 years old I started nodding out in the car and restaurants and it was very humiliating it was uncontrollable my family was very embarrassed I went to a neurologist and they took sleep studies and they said that I had sleep apnea which was unusual because I am but at the time I was 105 lb and I was not diabetic and I am borderline narcoleptic I am hypersomnia I was prescribed many medications they did not work such as adderal  which just come out they said it was a very unique medication. I had to fight the insurance to pay for it my doctor prescribed that after it was approved and I have to take 200 mg in the morning then  I would become myself I take that faithfully and another 200 mg at 1 p.m. and I do not have those episodes anymore of uncontrolled sleeping where I cannot function. I've been on provigil for 12 years now my doctor prescribes 100 mg Nuvigil in the afternoon with the 200 mg Provigil"

• Kevin
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2020

"I was prescribed modafinil after my 20mg of adderall wasn’t doing its job. I had high expectations going in, and boy was I wrong. It did absolutely NOTHING to help my extreme fatigue. Actually, all it did was give me terrible side effects, such as; stomach pains, feeling “out of it”, diarrhea, headaches, smelly urine, and reflux. I’m sure it will work for some, but it most certainly did not work for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2012

Provigil (modafinil) "I have Narcolepsy with Cataplexy and am currently taking Provigil during the day when I first wake up. I have noticed that my Cataplexy attacks are fewer but it doesn't stop them all. I still have at least 3 big attacks a week. I have found that I am more alert taking Ritalin but have more cataplectic attacks. I am currently working with my doc to up the dosage because the 200mg are not enough. I have had some side effects with the medicine. Mood Swings, becoming fixated on a task or project, confusion, headache and some depression. I am currently a full time student and for me taking Provigil to prevent attacks vs being more alert is the best option for me at this point."

• JDano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2019

"I am new to this modafinil (just started this week). I am taking 200mg for narcolepsy. So far it has been great. I haven’t felt this awake in so long. I am able to function all day without naps. One question I have is since I started this I have only been sleeping on average 4-4.5 hours at night. Has anyone else experienced this. Is it because I just started? I don’t want to sleep that little that can’t be healthy."

• signs
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 22, 2012

Provigil (modafinil) "Provigil (Modafinil) has been a good addition to my regimen for dealing with the symptoms of narcolepsy. I take different doses depending on severity of symptoms. I take 50 mg. twice a day most of the time. Or 100 mg. twice a day. I have tried 200 mg. once or twice a day and that's where the side effects kick in (very dry mouth and headaches). It does keep me awake during the day most of the time, but sometimes I feel as if I never took it. But that's where adding coffee or caffeine pills really helps. I feel safe taking this med and I'm happy to have discovered it."

• Awake...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2014

"I was just prescribed modafinil and I was happy I picked up my prescription on Friday so I had the weekend to try it out. So yup- I woke up and cleaned things I haven't cleaned in months with incredible focus. I didn't feel scattered, didn't lose my train of thought, my attention span was excellent. It almost made me wonder if I had ADHD and never knew it. But anyway, I took 100mg, half a pill at a time. No headache, no nausea, I ran a couple miles and did okay. I was able to feel good and not be tired and even got to play with my kids in the evening- something that never happens because I'm usually too exhausted to do anything like that. Overall, I'm feeling a ton better!"

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2019

"I have been recently diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy and mild sleep apnea. Prescribed 100mg modafinil twice a day. I have been on it a week and have not noticed any difference, except lights seem more brighter. I have been misdiagnosed my whole life. I am 42, and am so tired of being exhausted. I am scared to drive since falling asleep and totaling my car on the interstate. I just want to be able to work and be a mom. Hate this disease. I had a hard time even getting modafinil because they wanted to treat the very mild sleep apnea first."

• Media...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 18, 2016

Provigil (modafinil) "You get used to this and need to take more, or not take it (therefore not drive) for about a week. But only 'helpful' insights will be printed (after editing). So my saying $3600 a month for 60 pills? Really? Are they worth their weight in gold? They don't seem to have any side effects, for me. Other then tremors. So that's a plus. Should they cost more than most people make in a year? I am disabled, and receive $10,000 a year. After researching I'm not finding any major payouts from the company, due to lawsuits. (I realize awards are confidential, but there hasn't been many cases. Who(m) am I kidding. This won't be printed. I just HAD to say something, because the cost is abominable. Ok. I c $$ How did u do the A-spam thing? Impressed!"

• Mel
• July 14, 2019

"Modafinil takes a lot of getting used to and to figuring out what doses at what time works best. It has made me able to be sociable and do things again! I used to sleep for over 50% of the day, but this is no longer a problem. I’m very very happy with it. I can still fall asleep when I take it though."