Modafinil and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ama...
• May 26, 2016

Modafinil "I seriously do not know how this medicine is approved as a stimulant. I suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and shift work sleep disorder. This medicine in no way kept me awake, alert, or focused. If anything, I had a complete opposite effect. I felt some sort of brain fog, my performance at work lagged, and I couldn't keep my eyes open. I had no motivation to accomplish any tasks or get out of bed for that matter. Along with these negative effects, I had headaches and nausea. I would not recommend this as a stimulant or something for sharp cognitive effects. But maybe more like a sleeping pill. I felt like it was a sleeping pill but struggling to stay awake after taking it. Tried for one week."

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2010

Modafinil for Narcolepsy "I was put on Provigil a year and a half ago and can no longer take it. I was one of the ones that had a horrible reaction to it. At first, it was just a headache, then I would crash around 5... then the headaches got worse, and no medicines helped with the headache. Then I started itching. At first, I didn't connect it to the Provigil, then I broke out EVERYWHERE with a rash that was like poison ivy, just worse. So I am no longer on any medicines, and let's just say that most days are very hard, and I am so very tired."

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

For Narcolepsy "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 100 mg, half a pill at a time. No headache, no nausea, I ran a couple of 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
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2012

Modafinil for Narcolepsy "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 1, 2009

Modafinil 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

Modafinil 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."

• 1Te...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2018

For ADHD "I used Provigil for about 6 months “off label” for ADHD, non-hyperactive type. I was trying to find something that wasn’t as strong as the Adderall (60 mg) twice daily. My psychiatrist had me take one 30 mg in the morning and 100 mg of Provigil at lunchtime. This was generally when I took the second Adderall. The Adderall was immediate release. It seemed to work, but made me have headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and irritability. After 5 months on this regime, I started noticing urinary retention. I finally got a UTI and had to go back to the Adderall! It’s a good medication for some people, but it wasn’t for me. Also, it’s unbelievably expensive if you don’t have insurance that will pay for this medication, even the generic version."

• Sle...
• July 23, 2009

Modafinil for Narcolepsy "I took Provigil for 6 months with varying doses (100-300 mg/day). It only took about 20-30 minutes to kick in and lasted roughly 7 hours. It gave me an incredibly high level of alertness. I also have mild cataplexy and sleep paralysis, and it seemed to help keep both of these under control. However, it also gave me very bad nausea and an even worse headache. When the medicine wore off, my body reacted by immediately having a strong 'sleep attack.' If I didn't take my next dose before the first had worn off, the second didn't seem to work. Also, my urine smelled strange, and the smell got even stronger when I drank more water. This stopped as soon as I changed my medication to Adderall."

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

Modafinil for Narcolepsy "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 200 mg is 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."

• hea...
• May 18, 2011

Modafinil for Multiple Sclerosis "Provigil gets 9 out of 10 ONLY because of the extreme headache I get when I don't take it A--with lots of water (and a little food in my stomach) and B--before 10 a.m. I've had Multiple Sclerosis for 7 years now and have been on Provigil for the last few years to fight the fatigue and lack of focus associated with MS. And it even has the 'bonus' side effect of making me HAPPY again. Most people who have MS know that depression is also a silent struggle that never gets acknowledged. Provigil makes me physically less 'worn out,' makes me mentally alert, and makes me emotionally just in a better mood. I guess I can't say enough good things about it. If you can tolerate the headache you might get, this medicine is WORTH IT."

• Kev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2020

For Narcolepsy "I was prescribed modafinil after my 20 mg 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."

• buy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2024

For ADHD "Effectiveness for ADHD: Several clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of modafinil in reducing symptoms of ADHD in children and adolescents, including improvements in inattention, hyperactivity, and overall quality of life. Many users report that modafinil provides them with improved focus, energy, and productivity compared to other ADHD medications like Adderall. Side Effects and Safety: Modafinil is generally well-tolerated, with common side effects including insomnia, headache, decreased appetite, and gastrointestinal issues. However, there are also reports of more serious side effects like severe rashes, allergic reactions, and mental health effects like depression and suicidal thoughts."

• Dad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2019

"Modafinil is not worth the risk! I was prescribed 100 mg of Provigil brand, and it worked great the first few days, but seemed to become less effective at keeping me awake after that. I went back to the Dr., and my dosage was increased to 2x daily. The second morning of taking the increased dosage, I awoke with a fever, stiff neck, and excruciating headache, but went to work anyway. As the day progressed, my fever got higher, my legs and feet tripled in size, and I had the worst rash I have ever seen on my legs. This medicine caused vasculitis in my legs, and they also believed it brought on DIL (drug-induced lupus). They said it was a severe allergic reaction, but with this medicine, it can take 1 to 5 weeks for an allergic reaction to occur. It is also very expensive."

• She...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 22, 2021

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "Modafinil has saved me. I have 8 autoimmune diseases, and they cause me debilitating fatigue. This drug has given me my life back, and I am now able to go on walks, play with my grandkids, and live life. The only side effect I had when first starting it 2 years ago was mild headaches. I am very thankful this works for me."

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2009

Modafinil for Narcolepsy "I was recently diagnosed with narcolepsy and started on Provigil. I started with 100 mg in the morning and then 100 or 150 mg in the afternoon. The first few days I was a little dizzy at first, a little nauseous, lost my appetite, had a mild headache every night (ibuprofen took care of that), and tense jaw/neck muscles. It was working great, but once I started classes (i.e., inactivity), I was falling asleep sometimes before my noon dose and every day around 6 pm or 8 pm. So, my doctor upped it to 200 in the morning and 200 after noon. For all 3 days of it, I was awake, only crashing around 8 pm, but I was having problems with my memory and concentration. Just switched to Ritalin."

• SL8...
• September 18, 2011

Modafinil for Narcolepsy "I'm a 36-year-old female, and I've been living with narcolepsy for over 20 years and was just diagnosed about 2 months ago! I have been on Provigil for 1 week, 200 mg twice a day. With that, I still feel like a walking zombie. I have not noticed a change, with no side effects. I was taken off of Nuvigil 150 mg 1x/day. I did notice a huge difference with that. I remember feeling... wow, this is what it feels like to be awake. But it would die out by noontime and barely get me through the rest of my day. I also experienced a dull, constant headache and random nausea. It now seems almost worth going back to it and dealing with the side effects."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2021

For ADHD "I begged my doctor for this after taking Adderall for my ADHD. I was desperate to get off Adderall, it ruined my life and my brain chemistry. It made me extremely depressed and couldn't function without taking it. Besides just sitting around on the couch, watching TV and browsing the internet, I just could not bring myself to do anything else. Cleaning the house was like climbing Mount Everest. Long story short, I begged my doc for this to stop the Adderall, and I had such high hopes because of all the fantastic reviews, and I even know a couple of friends it worked great for. Unfortunately, besides giving me massive diarrhea and headaches, it did nothing for me. I took a full 200 mg pill, and it felt like drinking a bad cup of coffee. It didn't give me the motivation or anything as others raved about. Give it a try, though! Everyone is different. Good luck!"

• Jul...
• April 13, 2009

Modafinil for Narcolepsy "Provigil works great for me, at 200 mg once in the morning. I usually feel dull-witted and fatigued, but I don't suddenly 'switch off.' After about a week of steady doses, however, I often develop a bad headache and have to quit taking the stuff for a few days. Maybe that's a good thing if it keeps me from getting habituated. Ritalin did nothing except make my hands shake."

• Fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2014

For Narcolepsy "I was diagnosed with narcolepsy a while ago and have been started on modafinil. This does work, but with some side effects, which I tend to find only if I take the whole 100 mcg at one go, rather than have it in twos. By separating the whole dose, it has helped with the headaches and increased heart rate. I don't take it on a daily basis, but only when I am at work or at uni. Another brownie point for this medicine is that it definitely curbs my appetite for hours."

• Tor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2018

For Narcolepsy "I took this for about two months. It did help me stay awake a little longer, but I was still having sleep attacks. The headaches/migraines were also unbearable. I also had to switch to a pharmacy that prescribed 60 days, not just 30. Without that, it would have been $150 a month with insurance."

• JMi...
• March 8, 2021

For Narcolepsy "Increases my energy but leaves me with a headache all day that by the time I'm off work, I am miserable. It also gives off a sluggish feeling, like being under the influence of alcohol to a certain degree... light-headed/dizziness kind of thing. Hard to focus."

• mdd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2017

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "So far, this medicine works well. One hour after I take the medicine, I feel wide awake and more alert than I have felt in years. About 4.5 to 5 hours in, I usually get a headache, but I stay awake feeling fine. I have noticed that when I go to sleep, I sleep much sounder and longer."

• T a...
• November 15, 2017

For Shift Work Sleep Disorder "I work long hours at an ED in a small Swiss community hospital. Had bad trouble staying awake. I took everything - caffeine pills, OTC ephedrine at high doses, on the end even tramadol, Ritalin, and benzos. Modafinil helped me get off these pills - with 200 mg, I can stay awake a whole busy 14-hour shift. As side effects, I noticed some mild headaches, dehydration, nausea, and kind of mild aggression. In Switzerland, it's off-label and only for narcolepsy, therefore, you have no insurance coverage. 100 mg generic modafinil from TEVA are 2.50 CHF or so (about 2.45 USD), guess it's worth it."

• Anonymous
• September 1, 2016

For Narcolepsy "Modafinil gave me no relief from my daytime sleepiness at all. The medicine gave me headaches and made me nauseous all day long. I stopped taking it and tried to deal with living with narcolepsy without medicine, but that only led to more problems for me."

• Cel...
• June 1, 2009

For Narcolepsy "This is the first and only drug I've ever taken for narcolepsy, and my standard of life, work, etc., has improved incredibly since then. I do get the side effects (dry eyes, dry mouth, crawling skin, headaches, tummy problems, and ironically enough, sometimes tiredness too), but these are subsets of one main side effect - massive dehydration. So I just drink lots of water and am mindful of it. Once you get over the main onset headache (which admittedly took me a few weeks), the benefits far outweigh the cons. I'm lucky with the costs, as I live in the UK, so 6 boxes x 30 tabs (200 mg) only costs the price of a prescription (about"