Modafinil for Depression User Reviews (Page 2)

• Edi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 10, 2023

"I have a smart psychiatrist who sees a lot of folks with chronic fatigue and is very used to using modafinil. I've struggled with depression since I was a teenager, on and off. I'm now 71. It doesn't flare up often anymore, but when it does, I begin low-dose Prozac (10 mg) and then, if that doesn't do the trick, I augment it with low-dose (100 mg) Provigil. I have even been known to cut the tablet into quarters and have gotten some relief from that. It's kind of amazing. I don't like to use it often as I have a hard time sleeping in general, and Provigil tends to exacerbate that particular issue. But intermittently, it is a lifesaver. Life is too short to be feeling horrible."

• Con...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2018

"Within days of taking Provigil with another antidepressant, I was feeling so much better. I was starting a new job and really needed to be on top of things, not sad and teary-eyed. It gave me focus, energy, and a feeling of well-being, finally! Unfortunately, my current insurance will not okay it for treatment of depression, as that was not what it was originally used for. Very disappointing because it worked so well for so many years."

• Suz...
• September 11, 2013

"I had this added to my antidepressant cocktail and I have to admit, it's given me more energy and increased my mood quite a bit. I was really surprised at its effectiveness for depression and depression-related fatigue. The only drawback for me is that I often get headaches when it starts to wear off. But overall, it's a good medicine!"

• DMN...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 5, 2014

"I selected depression, but at this point, I believe depression is a side effect of a larger neurological issue and apnea. I was diagnosed with depression years ago, and after being put on tons of different medicines, some of which were a nightmare, I was upgraded to bipolar. Along the way, I gained about 100 lbs and eventually ended up on a cocktail that included Seroquel, which made me very sleepy all the time. I was initially given Provigil as a way to be awake during the day. It was a very positive improvement. After a while, I was adjusted to Seroquel, Lamictal, and Provigil, and it seemed to keep me stable but still lethargic. Eventually, we tried lessening the Seroquel and eventually eliminated it. I am doing better than ever now for several years."

• omc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 27, 2014

"I take a 1/4 of a pill of Modafinil together with 1/4 of paroxetine 5 mg in the morning, never felt better. I have tried other options like Wellbutrin and Ritalin, but with erratic results, you should try Modafinil and you would be surprised."

• Pro...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 16, 2014

"After many hospital stays for trying all the different medications for bipolar depression, Modafinil has been part of my regimen with gabapentin and nortriptyline. Any regular medication for bipolar disorder has side effects such as déjà vu to diarrhea. My wife changed jobs but took the new one on the basis that it was the same insurance carrier and would continue coverage. Now, because they say Modafinil is not a bipolar medicine, they refuse to pay for it. I will not be able to afford the $650 a month. Without it, I wake with nightmares. It's very sad insurance says they know better than a group of doctors and 10 years of success using a prescription."

• Ch...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2022

"A God-sent drug, hammer of Thor, saved my life after 15 years of suffering from treatment-resistant dysthymic depression that crippled me to the point of annihilation. Thanks to God for sending it for me. I'm determined now to get back everything I had lost: my educational grades, wealth, prestige, social status. Goddamn, I was a GOLD MEDALIST at the college level, looking forward to earning many more... My best is yet to be seen..."

• kkh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2020

"After 3 months, I quit taking Zoloft for depression after taking modafinil. It gives me energy from chronic fatigue also. I'm a teacher, and I also notice I'm much more alert and focused while taking it. I have mild bipolar 1 also, and take Seroquel and Lamictal also. I can't detect any side effects unless I have to take it with my asthma inhaler, as then it can cause shakiness, nervousness, sleeplessness, etc. Otherwise, it's a great product! I found Zoloft to 'numb' me to a degree-I didn't feel sad, but I didn't feel happy either. Kind of desensitized."

• B_1...
• May 30, 2017

"It is great and all for giving you laser focus, however, after the drug wears off from my system, I notice that I get a little bit of a crash. I get depressive symptoms, that's why I don't take it anymore."

• cj1...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2022

"This review is targeted for those with a depression of a chronic, more severe and biological component as opposed to other forms. I have been prescribed many 'treatments' over the years, none have worked, if anything, made me feel worse. My symptoms are heavily focused on lack of reward, motivation, arousal, and sensation to the whole body, low to no mood, heavy feeling inside my head, lack of focus, clarity. I came across modafinil and felt different in a good way, unlike other medications. Half an hour or so after I took it, I began to feel like my old self was coming back... I felt more alive, energized, more connected to the world, felt slightly more animate. The effects were weak but noticeable. No other medication comes close to making me feel this way. Unfortunately, the effects are temporary and stop when you don't take the drug, so it's not exactly a cure (hence 9/10). Still, however, something is better than nothing, I am happy this drug gives hope."

• Ali...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 27, 2021

"I have treatment-resistant depression, for which little has helped. I have gone from naturopathic, homeopathic, and psychiatric modes of treatment. I have also been in therapy for years. Although the antidepressants that I take have a marginal effect on me, nothing has helped as much as modafinil. Unfortunately, California does not recognize it as a treatment for depression."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2023

"Modafinil is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. After taking several antidepressants, including Lexapro, Buspirone, Cymbalta, Trintellix, Lamictal, Celexa, Effexor, and Xanax, I have NEVER felt like myself, possibly even worse. I would sleep for hours to forget and slow down my raging thoughts, often in a dark room. I avoided socializing and lost touch with many of my friends. I had suicidal thoughts and felt hopeless. My psychiatrist didn't know where to turn. I'm a hairdresser, and luckily, I have a good friend and client who is a doctor. She told me about Modafinil and suggested I try it. At first, I was skeptical because so many other treatments had failed me. But, oh boy, what a difference modafinil made! I feel more focused, energetic, and free from depression. It has shown me light at the end of the tunnel, and I am incredibly thankful for it."

• Im ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 3, 2015

"I have chronic depression and am a survivor of ovarian cancer. After chemotherapy, I suffered from severe fatigue that never resolved. My family physician suggested Provigil. This medication literally gave me my life back. At present, my insurance company has discontinued paying for my Provigil. I stopped taking my old antidepressant to start a new one, which didn't agree with me. I made a doctor visit during the two days I was off any antidepressant, the doctor documented it and no more Provigil. It's under appeal at the present time, but I don't think I am going to win. Beware of what you say!!"

• Anonymous
• March 3, 2010

Modafinil "I was initially prescribed this medication to address both a mild sleep apnea problem and persistent depression. Initially, it was indeed like a miracle drug. I felt better immediately and continued so for about a year. However, the drug then quickly became less effective and actually began to make my depression much worse. I very briefly switched to Nuvigil, but I continued with the worsening depression and ended up having to stop the medication. Within a few days of discontinuing the medication, I felt considerably better. I went on to other medications to help with the depression and fatigue. Provigil/Nuvigil has been a blessing for many people. However, as with many medications, their continued use can sometimes backfire."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 8, 2023

"Been on modafinil for years. I originally took it for sleep apnea, but the benefits for my depression are huge. I no longer have sleep apnea (had my tonsils removed), but still suffer from daytime sleepiness. My doctor agreed to keep me on modafinil as it helps so much. I recently stopped taking it for a while, I just kind of forgot, and I couldn't make out why I was feeling so depressed. Then I remembered I'd not been taking it. After 2 days of being back on it, I feel like a different person. No antidepressant ever really worked for me, but this does. I hope my doctor never takes me off it."

• blu...
• October 16, 2018

"I started taking Provigil for major depression. I cannot take SSRIs, so the doctor put me on 450 mg of Wellbutrin. When I took my first Provigil, I was so tired and could not think well. It was tired like one might feel if they had taken a huge overdose of Benadryl. Not a good tired at all. I do not feel like doing anything. I am also diagnosed with anhedonia and PTSD. The main idea I want to get across is that on the day I took the Provigil and felt so horrible about twelve hours later, I had a two-hour window of feeling 'normal.' I did not feel depressed at all and I actually wanted to play solitaire. I cannot tell you what a huge difference this was as my natural state is being in so deep a depression it is hard to make it from one moment to the next. I want so badly to feel like I did in that two-hour window and I want to know if it was the Provigil that caused it. I also wonder if I should quit taking Wellbutrin because maybe together it is just too much."

• cas...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 11, 2014

"I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder back in 2002, and I've tried every medication under the sun with no success. Then, in 2006, my doctor tried me on modafinil as an add-on to my other medications. I was really surprised at the effectiveness of modafinil. On my depressed cycle, it made me get off the sofa and lessened my depression. During my mania cycle, I would not have to take modafinil. It is definitely a medication worth trying as an add-on."

• Sad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2017

"I started Provigil (Modafinil) to treat the extreme fatigue due to major depressive disorder. I've only been taking 100 mg daily for two days, but the effects are immediate. I can think faster and more clearly (no more brain fog), my depression is non-existent, and I have a tremendous boost of energy! The only side effect has been heart palpitations in the afternoon. I've read this goes away after about a week. Not bothersome enough to stop. My insurance wouldn't cover the cost to use it for depression. With an online coupon, I was able to get it for under $70. All other pharmacies were between $115 and $600 for a month's supply! And those prices are for the generic with a coupon. Cash prices for the brand name were a little over $1,000!"

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2021

"I was actually having shift work sleepiness, and so I went to my sleep doctor, who, after ordering a sleep study, also added Modafinil, because I was always sleeping and feeling tired during the day. After taking Modafinil for three days, I noticed something very interesting: I was no longer sad or anhedonic, I felt enthusiastic and had increased self-efficacy. Those things that usually made me sad didn’t affect me after taking Modafinil. So I did a test and did not take my Modafinil for two days, and that’s when I noticed how great this drug really is… I’m so glad I found this drug."

• sam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 4, 2021

"I am in recovery from substances and have major depressive disorder. Modafinil changed my life for the better. I had zero energy prior to taking it and no desire to do anything at all. Prior to beginning modafinil, I had several relapses with drugs. Since I started it years ago, I no longer have any cravings for drugs, and I have energy, finally. This medication saved my life."

• RFM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2020

"I take modafinil on and off for OCD and depression, and it works. I have high blood pressure that is treated with meds, and this doesn't seem to bother it too much. It messes with my anxiety, but not enough to stop using it. If you want to get a job done, then this is for you."

• mra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 5, 2016

"I knew the modafinil was helping with my MDD. The benefits were hard to miss. Even when I was in a bad bout of depression, I could still work. That's never happened before. What I didn't realize was that it was actually keeping my depression at bay. I found out because the factory that makes all the 'Provigil' for my entire country shut down, so I had to stop taking it. My doctor has put me on a large dose of Ritalin, and there is absolutely no comparison. I am currently in the worst bout of depression I've had in ages. It's taking all I've got just to handle my immediate deadlines. I am feeling the modafinil's absence acutely. Other drug info: I am also taking a combination of Wellbutrin and St. John's Wort. They work very well together."

• Dyl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2023

"Tried Wellbutrin, but it made me forget my words after a while, which was alarming. Tried Adderall, but it messed with my heart. Modafinil is a dream come true. I have executive function. I can do things. I'm not depressed. I feel like my best, most confident self. This drug has saved my life."

• NON...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2018

"I tried this medication for SAD (seasonal depression), complete lack of motivation and tiredness. I immediately felt my mood was enhanced and more positive and definitely helps with procrastination - got so much done. Not sure if I will take it every day, as I've read it's best to have a break after a few days. Worked for me."

• Che...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 10, 2023

"I’ve been using modafinil for years. It has made a big difference in my life. I’m a lot more productive and happy. I go to the gym now almost every day and I’m doing great in my profession. I plan to take it for the rest of my life. The main thing is that I’m not stuck in the negative background noise of the mind. It’s how I imagine a person feels after years of meditation. Rested wakefulness is my best description. I have recently started using Armodafinil. At 250 mg it is more potent and overall is a better deal financially."