Armodafinil for Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome User Reviews (Page 2)

• Col...
• April 25, 2012

Armodafinil "I am a 22-year-old female college student. I take Pristiq, an antidepressant, daily. I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (runs in my family), and I sleep with a CPAP machine, which helps, but I was still tired and felt cloudy and unable to focus during the day. I started taking Nuvigil, and it has really helped. I am prescribed 250 mg, but I take the half dose. When I first started taking Nuvigil, I had awful headaches, and sometimes I felt jittery. Nuvigil kept me up at night for the first few weeks, but my body adjusted. I take it around 8 a.m. I feel alert and am able to focus better in school. I only get a headache if I skipped a few days, and they are not as bad."

• SRB...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2017

"I had taken NUVIGIL for over 5 years, and it was GREAT! Then last fall 2016, I was switched to the generic armodafinil, and it has been downhill since. The generic does NOT work for me. I am back like I was before I was given the REAL NUVIGIL! My Dr. ordered the real NUVIGIL, but the co-pay was over $500 for a 30-day supply. Talk about greed. I cannot afford that kind of money, as my RX bill is quite high with all of my diabetic supplies."

• mad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 12, 2015

Armodafinil "I've been using Nuvigil (and Provigil before that), and it works well. As others before me have said, it's nice to not fall asleep in the middle of the day at work. That being said, I still don't get enough sleep, even with the CPAP. Lately, I've been averaging under 6 hours a night, and at that rate, I still get sleepy at times. But, once the insurance company is convinced that I need the Nuvigil, they approve it for a year at a time. If you have prescription drug coverage, check out their website, because they have a discount card you can use to lower your costs even more, up to $50 off your co-pay. (excludes Medicare/Medicaid) This has saved me hundreds of dollars!"

• AOl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2020

"I am a 72-year-old woman. I have fallen asleep every day after lunch for 30 years. During the night, I got up to pee three or more times. Often, after the last time, I couldn't fall asleep again, so I averaged 6.5 hours of sleep at night. I had a sleep test last year and was diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea. I started using CPAP in late October. I still fell asleep after lunch every day, but the 3 a.m. bathroom trip has stopped. Last month, I was prescribed 50 mg of armodafinil (Aurobindo Pharma). I felt jittery and fell asleep after lunch anyway. The doctor told me to double the dose. At 100 mg, I felt like I had ADD. I was jumpy, couldn't concentrate, couldn't even form complete sentences. I was able to stay awake after lunch but had to lie down before dinner instead. I have stopped taking it. The jitteriness and other side effects are not worth it. I would like to try original NuVigil (if my insurance pays for it) to see if it is any better."

• Tis...
• January 25, 2011

Armodafinil "I have been using Nuvigil for 4 days now. I have horrible headaches! My eyes ache and feel like someone is pushing in on them, and I want to close them and feel very tired, but not sleepy. I am irritable, but I think that is because I feel so horrible. My doctor prescribed 150 mg and said to cut them in half. I think I will try taking 1/4 of a tablet and see what happens. I am not sure if I can handle much more. I can't focus at work by late afternoon because my head hurts and my eyes are aching. Ibuprofen and Tylenol don't seem to help."

• OSA...
• January 9, 2018

"Took 75 mg in the am for daytime fatigue believed related to OSA. This dose caused me to feel a bit disoriented and yielded a significant day-long headache. It did improve my alertness and ability to stay awake on the job. I cut back to 1/2 of my prescribed dose to see if it would still help and not yield the persistent headache and disorientation. At that level (37.5 mg), I still got improved alertness and prevented the headache. I am experimenting with when to take the dose and if I can take a noon dose for afternoon alertness without the headache. A noon to 2 PM dose seems to not wear off completely by bedtime. Continuing to see if I can use the product or should ask for a different prescription."

• Tac...
• December 14, 2011

Armodafinil "First day on Nuvigil, prescribed by a 'second opinion' sleep doctor. My first sleep doctor kept discounting my complaints of constant sleepiness even after having the CPAP machine for over a year. He had never even talked about any medications for excessive sleepiness. But my 'second opinion' sleep doctor did pay attention. I can't thank him enough. My first day on Nuvigil has been like a sunrise. This is the first day in at least 6 years that I didn't fall asleep. No headaches, jitters, nausea. Started to feel the 'wakefulness' easing off after about 6 hours. I agree about the cost, it's outrageous at over $10/day. I also take medicines for atrial fibrillation, so Nuvigil is one of the few I can take."

• Obs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2014

Armodafinil "After trying the CPAP machine for a short time, I had to resort to medication instead. I couldn't breathe through my nose due to a deviated septum and narrow nasal passages. CPAP was useless. It kept me awake at night, uncomfortable, and dug into my nose. Surgery on my nose 12/13 and breathing better, but still had issues staying awake at wrong times. Had to fight for Nuvigil and insurance. Finally allowed 1 year, whole pill, talk too much. 1/2 pill not enough. What to do? ... But great."

• Anonymous
• June 29, 2010

Armodafinil "My first day on Nuvigil. I have not had this much energy in years, and I'm only in my late 30s. The only side effects I've noticed so far are some very mild nausea. Just enough to suppress my appetite, which is actually a good side effect. Had a mild headache this afternoon a couple of hours after taking the pill, but I cannot say that it was a result of the medication."

• JDS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2019

Armodafinil "I started on 150 mg Nuvigil, but I was still tired. Dr. added Adderall, but it is still not helpful throughout the day. I still feel like taking a nap. Thinking about going up to 250 mg when I see the doctor next week."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2010

Armodafinil "I started this medicine two days ago. It was working great. I was alert, and my wife was enthused that I was able to have a conversation with her. The second day, my face got a rash and was swelling. I ended up in the ER. Truly upset because I think it would have done great if it weren't for side effects."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2018

"DO NOT USE THIS MED!!! NOTHING LIKE THE BRAND, NUVIGIL!!! I had received a free 30-day supply of Nuvigil with their savings card, and it worked wonders for my sleep apnea and shift work disorder (night shift)!!! I was able to work night shift after being on day shift for many years with no problem!!! I was able to stay awake, be alert to do my job, and be in a great mood!!! Got ready to get my refill, and my insurance WOULD NOT COVER IT, and even with the savings card, a 30-day supply was going to cost me $600!!! My insurance would cover this generic, so I decided to try it!!! The generic is NOTHING like Nuvigil!!! Taking the generic made me more sleepy than I think I would have been without taking anything!!! I could barely hold my eyes open, could not concentrate, and felt like I had been drinking alcohol!! Could not get my thoughts together good enough to complete my job!!! I will NEVER take this medication again!!!"

• wak...
• January 16, 2010

Armodafinil "I was on Provigil for about 2 years, but when my doctor switched me to Nuvigil, it was so much better. I felt as if I had my life back, and for months it worked. With both Provigil and Nuvigil, they work great for a while, then they seem to lose their power. I still have chronic fatigue, plus muscle weakness. I am hoping that my doctor will try me on something else."

• Bon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2014

"I suffered with obstructive sleep apnea for 20 years, surviving on 1-2 hours of sleep per night. I would fall asleep everywhere, even fell asleep in two job interviews! (didn't get those jobs) I got my CPAP, and it helped a lot, but I was still sleepy during the day. Then my doctor prescribed Nuvigil 150 mg, and I woke up for the first time in 20 years! I'm 53, and I haven't felt this alive since I was a kid. Week 1, I had a small headache and insomnia, but then my erectile dysfunction went away, my memory greatly improved, I stopped falling asleep in meetings, and even my essential tremor, which runs through every male on my father's side, has all but disappeared. For me, Nuvigil is truly a miracle."

• Kel...
• October 12, 2010

Armodafinil "Today was my first day on 150 mg of Nuvigil. I took it at 7:00 am, and it is now almost 11:00 PM. I am still speeding like crazy. I cannot sleep. Breathing is twice as heavy. It's weird that 15 hours after taking it, I am still in panic mode. I was very much awake today, but rapid heartbeat all day. Threw down a hot dog to try and suppress the speeding. Otherwise, my mind went 100 mph. Definitely not sleepy a bit. Would like to eat, but just cannot do it. It feels like I'm on the movie Speed where the bus has to go so fast. Hopefully, tomorrow I will do better. I want to go to sleep so badly. I took 1 mg of Xanax and Luvox; no help at all."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2024

Armodafinil "If I take the 150 mg or 250 mg tablets, I cannot sleep that night, even when I take them around 6:00 AM. If I halve the 150 mg tablet or quarter the 250 mg tablet, it keeps me awake during the day, but night sleep is OK. It seems it works best when I take a tablet only on those days when I need to drive or do work that needs long periods of concentration. If I take Nuvigil every day for up to 8 days in a row, I find that I become more erratic in my behavior and start doing things without properly considering what needs to be done in preparation."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2017

"After years of struggling with sleep disorders, I went through two sleep studies, a battery of tests including echo and bloodwork. Once they found out from sleep studies I have mild obstructive sleep apnea, nocturnal eating disorder, REM-resistant sleep disorder, and upper airway resistant syndrome, they put me on a CPAP machine, and after much pushing, I finally got approved for Nuvigil because I am still tired even with CPAP. My fatigue not only comes from sleep disorders, but I also have Type 2 diabetes, vitamin D3 deficiency, and depression fatigue. Anywho, I started on Nuvigil like two days ago at 150 mg, and at first it was perfect, but very quickly I've become desensitized to either the med or dose, 150 wears off after six hours."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2022

"Diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea by the Veterans Administration, October 2010. Issued CPAP. Diagnosed with PTSD, ADHD, OCD, January 2013. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, December 2014. Current psych meds are Prazosin, Lexapro, Latuda, Depakote, Wellbutrin, Buspar, and last but not least, Nuvigil. All generic because I prefer generics. After an 11 years and 10 months odyssey of sleep apnea treatment and medication, I've finally reached the promised land! Today is the first day I used 50 mg Nuvigil, and I exercised for the first time in 2 years. I did push-ups, crunches, and I even walked a mile and a half. I feel happy, but not manic happy, more like satisfied happy. My energy is high, but stable. No caffeine boost/crash. Just smooth sailing, easy-going energy. I cleaned the house and felt happy all day. The VA saved my life. Nuvigil was the cherry on top. I hope this drug does wonders for you as it has for me. Looking forward to the rest of my life now, and hopefully it's a long one."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2021

"I was on Provigil first, but it wasn't helping me, so I was switched to Nuvigil. Yesterday, I took it for the first time around 8:30 a.m. Around noon, I got this horrible headache, took some Excedrin, and it stopped. Then around 4:30, it came back. I didn't take anything, I just laid down and eventually ate because I had no appetite. I've been up since yesterday, and it's now 1 p.m. I'm trying to make myself go to sleep, and I can't. My mind is running! I was able to clean up and study and do some things I never get to do around the house, but now I really want to sleep! I'm going to notify my doctor on Monday and maybe see if I should go to half a pill, it's 250 mg, so it should still work."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 13, 2012

"Without this medicine, I fall asleep frequently. I fall asleep while having breakfast, tying my shoes, reading the news, waiting at traffic lights. Without this, my lifestyle is one of sleeping more than I am awake. Having it has changed my life, I can function in a normal way. It does not seem to have any negative side effects. I can't be part of life without it."

• cam...
• August 9, 2009

"This could be an important medicine for those who don't like taking medicines. I have chronic pain and don't sleep well for a few days, then just coma-sleep because I am so exhausted by about the third day. When I am out driving, I don't like to take much more than ibuprofen until the evening, although the menu for me includes Vicodin, Dilaudid, Skelaxin, etc., as required. Have had 4 surgeries. My pain management doctor and I go round about pain medicines, and I know I wait too long to take it, but I think Nuvigil can be a great once in a while solution for when you wake up exhausted and have to be alert. I experienced no jitters or side effects, but was able to have a normal, productive day. No trouble sleeping and having some choice about my day. Priceless!"

• bor...
• October 11, 2022

"I was born tired, and over the years, I became depressed. In my early 20s, I sought medical help. The diagnosis was Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, anxiety, and depression. I was put on an antidepressant and told I would need to learn to live with my chronic fatigue. Life was hard, especially as a working mother and dealing with depression daily, despite the antidepressant. In my late 40s, a new doctor ordered a sleep study test and found I had OSA. It helped a little, but I was still so tired all the time. Finally, in my late 50s, a new pulmonologist actually listened to me and put me on Armodafinil. It changed my life. I am not tired all the time, and I no longer live in a fog. The depression that lingered despite the medication is gone! I don't feel like I am swimming against the tide to stay awake and be present in the moment. It is a miracle. I feel normal."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2022

"My VA psych prescribed me 50 mg every morning for daytime sleepiness. Wow! This is my favorite prescription drug ever. I used to sleep 10 hours a night with a 2-4 hour nap in the daytime. But whenever I take this drug, I only sleep 8 hours a night with a two-hour nap in the daytime. I'm awake, alert, with a calm energy stream unlike stimulants. As a bonus, it's helped with my anxiety, bipolar depression, racing thoughts, and it even curbs my cravings to smoke cigarettes! Only bad news is that it causes low sodium, and now I have had to discontinue it until I can get my sodium up to normal levels. So far, I've put salt in my oatmeal, and it looks like I'll have to eat a bowl of ramen noodles a day until my next lab in two weeks. To anyone else on this medication, please enjoy. This drug is a lifesaver!"

• NW4...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2024

"I first was on modafinil, constantly falling asleep during the day. It never worked so I asked my doctor if I could try this one and finally I found something that worked, and I was able to stay awake during the day. Heck, it even helps with my adult ADHD."

• Pee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 23, 2022

"As a 58-year-old male who is still very physically active, it's depressing to be so sleepy in the daytime that I don't have the impulse to be active. I was disappointed by how little benefit I received from my CPAP. That led to being prescribed armodafinil. This is where I, my PCP, and sleep specialists will dispute the claim of 150 mg being the same as 250 mg. Negative, 250 mg made a big difference, no questions. The doctor's attitude was almost to the point that 150 mg is useless, and their eagerness to just get 250 mg prescribed was obvious. Nothing wrong with starting a prescription with 150 mg, but I bet that most people are using 250. For some reason, I have a higher tolerance to medication. More or less like my immune system. COVID had very little effect on me, even colds and flu have very little impact. I don't know why. Probably because of growing up with little medical intervention and drinking water from a cistern as a kid. I think you can be raised 'tougher.' Anyway..."