Provigil and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Kat...
• September 23, 2013

For Narcolepsy "I am 2 months shy of having used Provigil for 10 years. I have no physical side effects from it, which is pretty good since I am in my late 60s. It was more effective at keeping me awake when I first started using it, but it also made me a little nervous. These days it is usually effective, but sometimes not, but the good news is that I am much calmer than I have been in years. If this medicine seems to lose its effectiveness, don't give up. Stop taking it for a little while (a week or two) and it will work again just fine. All in all this medicine has given me back my life, except for driving me to the poor house."

• Dad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 21, 2019

For Narcolepsy "Does nothing for my narcolepsy. I stay on it because the doctor told me to, and I’m not competent enough to know that it’s not working. Also, I look like a drug seeker if I mention anything, and I don’t agree with the doctor's recommendation. It gives me some anxiety, my body feels awake, but my head feels sleepy. Does nothing for the brain fog I get with my narcolepsy. Armodafinil works better."

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

For Narcolepsy "This med has been very helpful for my excessive daytime sleepiness (idiopathic hypersomnia). Probably saved me from ending my career as a therapist altogether, although I’m limited to seeing half the usual number of clients. First 100 mg dose at 8 am, and I’m good to go for about 4 hours—and quite talkative and energetic. By noon or 1, I’m getting quite tired and, even though I take my afternoon dose of 100 mg, the rest of the day I typically feel quite tense and often irritable. Tight knot in upper back. Seeing clients is a real challenge. My life remains pretty limited by my idiopathic hypersomnia, but I’m so relieved to at least be able to work enough to support my family. Losing that capacity altogether would have been devastating, so I’m very grateful for Provigil."

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

For Narcolepsy "IMHO, modafinil is a good medication. I was originally diagnosed with EDS. A couple of 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). Adderall dropped me down to about 95 lbs (even though I'm a small girl). Ritalin made me super anxious and mute and slow. And Provigil was just okay and very expensive. Stopped the Provigil because it cost $500 a month, 60 tabs BID 100 mg. I just can't keep paying for it. I went back to Ritalin, which is the cheapest of them all because I thought I was better. Never been more wrong! Not being on the Provigil has shown me I do have narcolepsy. Without Provigil, I can barely function :-/. But how can I carve out $500 for it?!"

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2010

For Drowsiness "I have been taking Provigil 200 mg x 2 for 3 years. I don't doze off while driving like I used to, which is wonderful. I do still get very sleepy in the afternoon, and I have a lot of fatigue. The major downfall to Provigil is the cost. I lost my job due to a layoff and no longer have insurance. My prescription without insurance is over $800 per month. Needless to say, I will no longer be able to take it once I use all of what I have. Not looking forward to that at all. My doctor also prescribed Ritalin to take in the afternoons, but it just makes me jittery for about 15 minutes, and that's pretty much all it does for me."

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2009

For Multiple Sclerosis "I take Provigil about 5 times a week. I have been on it since 12/06. I have to take 'vacations' from it in order for it to work like it should. When I start it again, I get massive headaches, but it's worth it for the energy. My MS fatigue is so bad most of the time that I really need this medication. I do get headaches, nervousness, anxiety, and stomach issues while taking this pill. But all I do without taking it is sleep."

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2009

For Multiple Sclerosis "I take Provigil about 5 times a week. I have been on it since 12/06. I have to take 'vacations' from it in order for it to work like it should. When I start it again, I get massive headaches, but it's worth it for the energy. My MS fatigue is so bad most of the time that I really need this medication. I do get headaches, nervousness, anxiety, and stomach issues while taking this pill. But all I do without taking it is sleep."

• Coa...
• August 17, 2021

For Narcolepsy "Diagnosis with narcolepsy at 23 years old, and now I am currently 41 years old. Saved me from quitting college. I now have 3 college diplomas. I run about 30+ miles a week. Fall asleep no problem and can still take naps if need to. My dose is 200 mg in the morning and another 200 mg at lunch. Will often supplement with caffeine beverage as long as it’s not after 4 pm. I have slight cataplexy, anxiety, and both are treated with Effexor XR, which goes nicely with Provigil. There is a weird side effect, if I am not hydrated enough, I will have itchy legs. No rash or hives, just uncontrollably itchy, especially after a run in the summer. So if that happens and the dermatologist can’t figure it out, that’s your problem: you are not drinking enough. Sleep well, y’all."

• tee...
• August 8, 2009

For Narcolepsy "For several years, I have been on Provigil, with a small dosage of Ritalin as a supplement. The Provigil was not enough for me, but it was much better than being on Ritalin alone. Ritalin had a tendency to make me anxious and talk constantly. Life is good now as a narcoleptic."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2017

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "Jittery, dry mouth, shortness of breath, tightness in chest, exacerbated hand tremors, diarrhea, nausea, headache, hot flash every day. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) marginally improved at best."