Armodafinil and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Jmi...
• September 23, 2009

Armodafinil for Drowsiness "I was prescribed Provigil about 3 years ago to counteract excessive daytime sleepiness resulting from chronic insomnia. The dosage was set at 400 mg/day; 200 mg in the morning and 200 mg after lunch. Over the course of a normal workday, I would experience a significant rush and crash cycle with each pill and had the odd feeling of being anxious and tired at the same time. The effectiveness of the last pill would fade away well before the end of the work shift. I was recently prescribed Nuvigil and have taken it for about a week. So far, I haven't experienced the rush/crash cycle associated with Provigil, and it seems to last much longer. I take a single dose of 250 mg in the morning and usually feel the effect within an hour. Okay so far."

• DoJ...
• September 14, 2016

Armodafinil for Narcolepsy "Works very well at keeping me awake. No euphoria like amphetamines, very few side effects in fact aside from a very mild headache, which aspirin can fix. It seems like all it does is remove my chronic fatigue without giving extra energy. Perfect in my opinion. Anxiety can be a problem, especially at the 250 mg dose. If it is a problem, I would recommend breaking the 250 mg in half and taking them several hours apart, which also helps with the late afternoon crash. If you have high blood pressure or heart problems, probably not a good idea to take it. Also, there is a generic, not sure of the price difference."

• Car...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 29, 2024

For Fibromyalgia "I have severe fibromyalgia body aches, and within 5 days of starting armodafinil, I was able to stop using oxycodone, and my pain went away. I do have to take it with food because the side effects are mild feelings of anxiety and jitters if I don't. Insurance would only cover this if I was diagnosed with a sleep disorder. I feel that this medication saved my life."

• bes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2023

For ADHD "I was on Provigil, which didn't do anything for me. My doctor switched me to Armodafinil, and I literally feel amazing. My ADHD is good, my procrastination is gone. Instead of dreading the time at work, I'm working without looking at the clock, actually enjoying what I'm doing. I've tried Adderall, Concerta, and all that garbage, and none of it compares. This drug makes you feel so content and happy and gives you a feeling of no anxiety. I am also diagnosed with anxiety and take Klonopin, but now instead of dreading future events when I think ahead, it doesn't feel so bad, I can cope with my thoughts better. If thinking about trying this med, please do, it's worth it. Also, to note, I have bipolar and take Zyprexa for it, but knowing this med is also used off-label for bipolar is a plus."

• Col...
• April 25, 2012

Armodafinil for Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "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."

• Pun...
• December 6, 2019

For Narcolepsy "I am 59 years old. I have narcolepsy. If I do not take Nuvigil, they will take my driver's license. I've been on it for about a year. I used to sleep all day and all night, sometimes for like 3 days straight, but now on Nuvigil, it was helping a little, but now I'm like, take it at 8 and by 11 I can't keep my eyes open, so I don't know what to do. Kind of freaking out here. I have anxiety, and I'm very hyper, so goodnight. There's no way I can take Ritalin, that will just throw me over the edge of being too hyper. I don't know what to do. I don't think anybody really cares, but I just wanted to say something, so that's my story, and I'm sticking to it."

• Cam...
• October 13, 2021

Armodafinil for Narcolepsy "I took a sleep study a couple of months ago and, of course, failed because of my extreme anxiety. I was prescribed Nuvigil, and each time I have taken it, I have still been extremely tired, but my mind will not let me nap. I can’t even sleep at night, even if I take the drug in the morning. I woke up today bawling my eyes out from an anxiety attack, and this is the second time it has happened. I’m done with this medication. I was so excited to get my life back."

• tsa...
• July 5, 2010

Armodafinil for Narcolepsy "I started Nuvigil 250 mg in the morning, two weeks ago after being diagnosed with narcolepsy. I went from sleeping all night and basically most of the day with extreme napping before the Nuvigil to no naps at all. I don't even feel sleepy. That is a plus. The first three days were a miracle! I was alert. Colors seemed brighter. I felt focused for the first time in years. Slowly, I started having afternoon side effects of a dull headache. I feel 'car sick' and jittery, and my skull feels actually numb to touch. I hope this subsides soon, or I may try halving my dose of 250 mg."

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

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "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."

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

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "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."

• LS5...
• February 21, 2012

Armodafinil for Narcolepsy "I have EDS and found Nuvigil (250 mg) very effective for remaining awake for the first couple of weeks, then my alertness diminished. I did find that while taking Nuvigil, if I took a 20-minute nap in the afternoon, I awoke feeling refreshed, not groggy and needing more sleep. The major side effect I experience is nearly severe jaw clenching/teeth grinding during the day when I was awake. My jaw is sore by 2 or 3 pm every day. Also, I found it difficult to sleep at night if I took it too late in the morning. I tried getting up at 5 am and taking my dose, then sleeping for another hour. This helped me get to bed earlier at night. I noticed that I felt more anxious also."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2012

Armodafinil for Drowsiness "Diagnosed with hypersomnia. Prescribed 150 mg Nuvigil 1 x day. This medication made me extremely talkative for the first few days to the point of annoyance to others and even myself. Though it curbed my extreme need for napping and did make me feel somewhat more 'alive' during the day, the side effects, for me, far outweighed the benefits. Chills, daily headaches, feeling feverish with no temperature throughout the two months I took Nuvigil. Daily stomach pain and irritability and changes in my behavior to include sadness and crying episodes, feeling overwhelmed, feelings as if I were 'losing it'. I stopped taking Nuvigil two weeks ago and no more side effects!!!!"

• hip...
• March 21, 2011

Armodafinil for Narcolepsy "Nuvigil works really well. The effectiveness does slightly wear off after several consecutive days with the dose, but taking a day or two off the medication has restored effectiveness for me. The only side effect I've experienced in the last month and a half is headaches (infrequently, at that). Be wary of mixing caffeine with Nuvigil. In my case, caffeine increases palpitation-like symptoms, increases jitteriness, and has even provoked hallucinations more than once."

• Fem...
• August 24, 2011

Armodafinil for Narcolepsy "I was diagnosed with narcolepsy a little over a year ago. As I was just about to start my senior year of college, I knew I needed to start a medication in order to get through classes and homework, so I started on Nuvigil 150 mg. I immediately noticed a huge difference in my quality of life. I had forgotten what it was like to be focused and alert throughout the day and would suddenly realize it was 9 pm and I was totally exhausted. However, side effects started to take over the benefits for me, and I started to experience problems with jitters, a sort of lingering morning sickness feeling, and anxiety. I stopped taking it due to these side effects, but sometimes now I feel the exhaustion is worse than dealing with the side effects."

• che...
• December 23, 2014

Armodafinil for Shift Work Sleep Disorder "I tried Nuvigil and Provigil years ago for obstructive sleep apnea because the CPAP machine didn't work. The trials of both medications increased my anxiety and depression and made me have suicidal ideations. Guess it doesn't work for everybody."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2020

For Drowsiness "If you are prone to anxiety like me, this may not be for you. Took it in the morning, and it kept me up all night, made my heart race, gave me a panic attack so bad I went to the hospital. I will never put myself through that again, I'd rather be tired than feel so awful. I really wish it worked, as I'm tired of being tired."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 11, 2012

Armodafinil for Drowsiness "I have been taking Nuvigil for over a year. It has been a great thing for me. I was starting to be afraid to drive, even in the morning after a good night's sleep. My doctor helped me by prescribing the 250 mg, and I split them. I keep myself able to manage with the 125 mg by only taking it the days that I work, and skipping one day midweek that I schedule heavily with more physical stuff to keep me alert. I also notice anxiety building if I take it daily for several weeks, or don't get enough sleep while I am taking it."

• Anonymous
• April 20, 2010

Armodafinil for Drowsiness "I was diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia after months of falling asleep during the day and very early at night. It very much affects my life, making me feel overwhelmed and unable to complete what a normal person should be able to do. I was put on Nuvigil, and a few hours after taking the first pill, I began to feel jittery. It lasted a couple of hours, and as that feeling left, I got migraines. The migraines lasted for 2 days. I then had 2 days where I felt absolutely awesome - I slept fine at night and had ample energy to get through my day. The next 2 days, I felt tired and dragging again. The last day, I was tired, depressed, and crying on and off all day. I am now off the medication."

• tir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2012

Armodafinil for Drowsiness "I suppose I am in the first stages of figuring out what causes me to be tired all the time. I am frustrated, and memories are flooding in of the onset of my tiredness. I remember falling asleep in every class in 9th grade at the age of 14. I always assumed my tiredness was from one reason or another. With that said, recently I have been back and forth to the doctor for four months now. This last time, he prescribed Nuvigil, and wants to order a sleep study. I was so excited at the prospect of feeling awake, and to my dismay, I have not felt anything good. Headaches mainly, tiredness, anxiety, emotional, spaciness, and even on 200 mg took a 2-hour nap. Been on 150 mg dose, still tired and don't feel as much anxiety and spaciness."

• MiM...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 3, 2022

For Depression "61 y.o. female with MDD, fibromyalgia, and probably ADHD. Have been on many antidepressants since the early 90s and developed severe anxiety in the early 2000s. Now take a low dose of alprazolam. Psych prescribed Nuvigil 10 years ago - and it allows me to live and function! For the longest time, I assumed it was my inability to focus being the reason for the Nuvigil, but I can clearly see how it clears the fog of depression! Even doctors aren’t sure what receptor(s) are affected. I’m praying that the daily mg restrictions are lifted because I believe that’s needed for an all-day benefit. By the way, Nuvigil does not make me feel anxious or jittery like Adderall - but actually gives me a sense of calm."

• MiM...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 3, 2022

For Depression "61 y.o. female with MDD, fibromyalgia, and probably ADHD. Have been on many antidepressants since the early 90s and developed severe anxiety in the early 2000s. Now take a low dose of alprazolam. Psych prescribed Nuvigil 10 years ago - and it allows me to live and function! For the longest time, I assumed it was my inability to focus being the reason for the Nuvigil, but I can clearly see how it clears the fog of depression! Even doctors aren’t sure what receptor(s) are affected. I’m praying that the daily mg restrictions are lifted because I believe that’s needed for an all-day benefit. By the way, Nuvigil does not make me feel anxious or jittery like Adderall - but actually gives me a sense of calm."

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2011

Armodafinil for Narcolepsy "I have been taking Nuvigil for a little over a month now. At first, I took 150 mg. It worked for 3 days, and then I went back to being exhausted. My doctor bumped the dosage to 250 mg, and it has been working a lot better. The thing is, I can still feel episodes of sleepiness coming on later in the afternoon and have been adding caffeine, but I think it's bringing on the side effects like jitteriness, nausea, fogginess, extreme dry mouth, and an uncomfortable feeling in my jaw and the back of my neck. I do not like the side effects, and I am now trying to cut back on the caffeine, hoping it will help. Going to add Xyrem to my treatment to see if it will fix me."

• mai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2023

For Narcolepsy "My doctor prescribed armodafinil to treat narcolepsy. I was on it for over a week, and it is quite possibly the worst week I have experienced in a long time. I have been diagnosed with depression, however, I am on Pristiq and haven't had an issue for years. The first day, 150 mg was fine, I felt 'normal,' so to say, just without the extreme fatigue all the time. On the second day, I felt spaced out, like I wasn't quite there, but I also wasn't fatigued, so I continued on. On the fourth day, I felt extremely nauseous and dizzy. I was sitting on my bed, however, it felt like I was on a boat rocking back and forth. The fifth day is when the crying, depression, anxiety, and racing heartbeat all came in. It was like a switch was flicked in my head. It made me so sad, depressed, unable to see the point of life, and stressed out about 1,000 tiny things I would never stress out about. This, alongside a racing heartbeat, made me feel even more anxious. I went to my GP, who said I have tachycardia and need to stop taking it ASAP."

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2010

Armodafinil for Narcolepsy "I've been taking 250 mg for almost a week. At first, I felt a bit euphoric, but that quickly passed. Now I just feel physically anxious - sweating, increased heart rate and blood pressure, heat waves. I'm cutting down to 150 mg and hoping that the effects subside as I get used to being on the medicine. If this anxiety does not go away, I cannot continue on the medication."

• jlg...
• February 24, 2011

Armodafinil "This is my first day taking Nuvigil 200 mg. I felt jittery for the first 4 hours after taking it. Got a pretty severe headache around that 4-hour mark. Took some Tylenol, which relieved the headache, and I felt great the rest of the day. Worked a 10-hour shift in a physically demanding job, and I still was able to come home and stay up a few hours before going to sleep. I will keep posting my continued experience with this medication. It really helped me out to get on here and see what I could expect with this medication. Thanks to everyone. Oh yeah, I take this medication to help with the fatigue caused by MS. I was taking amantadine, which kept me awake but didn't help my body from feeling completely exhausted."