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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mashogr8 on January 3, 2003, at 15:31:26
I've been taking provigil (modafinal)(in an effort to gain some antidepressant relief) for about two months (along with wellbutrin, celexa and cytomel which I've taken for years)with some decent improvement at first. I started out with one a day and then moved to 1 and 1/2 but I am losing any positive benefits. My p-doc has upped it to two tablets a day. What dose are people taking? Have they felt that it was helpful? I'm getting to the end of my rope again and that stupid rope is not long at all.
MA
Posted by IsoM on January 3, 2003, at 17:43:37
In reply to Provigil's antidepressant effect, posted by Mashogr8 on January 3, 2003, at 15:31:26
Just bouncing some ideas back to you that may account for the lowered mood. By reading them over, maybe one of them will click for you. Or perhaps something else might be the reason if you could reflect back on any changes recently.
1. Do you have lowered energy levels & depressed mood in winter? Might the fact that we're at our lowest light level & daylight hours be causing it? You may have a mild SAD without any meds losing their effiency.
2. Have you been less active & sitting about more because it's hard to get outside in winter? That can make a big difference for some people, but not all.
3. Has your diet changed much? Less vegetables & fruit; more fatty foods, carbohydrates, & Christmas treats? Are you drinking less because you're not feeling as thirsy in winter when it's cold? Again, those changes can have a strong effect on some.
4. Have you had more illnesses like colds? If you've been fighting infections, your mood can reflect your lowered immunity & resistance - it's wearing on a person.
5. If you're taking cytomel, have you had your TSH level tested recently? Over time, a person's thyroid can slow further, requiring a slight increase in your dose.
These are just some ideas. I know Provigil is still working very well for me even though my mood is much lower. My union's supposed to cover all med costs (so it was thought) but it seems I've reached my limit. So I didn't refill my last Provigil prescription, trying to keep expenses down. Over a 2 week period, I noticed my mood dropped quite low. I decided to pay for the Provigil anyway & take it again, & damn the expense. After about 2 weeks, my mood had vastly improved again. BUT it is lower than my summer mood. If I hadn't temporarily quit the Provigil, I would assume it wasn't working as well. But I know I'm suspectible to stress easily & there's been matters I've had to look after that proved quite taxing. Add that onto SAD I have, & it's only normal for me to be on the low side in winter.
Maybe something else might occur to you that has made you drop. Think back first before you assume the meds aren't working as well. I do love Provigil - it's a real life-saver for me.
Posted by Mashogr8 on January 6, 2003, at 15:28:57
In reply to Re: Provigil's antidepressant effect » Mashogr8, posted by IsoM on January 3, 2003, at 17:43:37
IsoM, Thank you for your comments.
SAD is a dreadful complication to everything else. I'm thinking about what you have written.
Would you please tell me what your dosage is if you don't mind? I can tell when I have forgotten to take it in the morning. I"m falling asleep.
MA
Posted by IsoM on January 7, 2003, at 20:04:14
In reply to Re: Provigil's antidepressant effect/IsoM, posted by Mashogr8 on January 6, 2003, at 15:28:57
Mashogr, it's not just the Provigil that helps me. I do notice a significant difference when I don't take Provigil but not till a week's passed. Provigil has done nothing to keep me awake even though it's been prescribed for narcolepsy which I have. It's Dexedrine that enables me to stay awake. I'm sure Dexedrine & Provigil may work together but they must in a subtle, gentle manner.
I take 100 mg in the morning & another 100 mg in the afternoon. Some days, especially if I'm not at home, I forget the afternoon dose. I notice no benefit in keeping me awake. Dexedrine (5 mg)morning & then afternoon does that for me.
This is the end of the thread.
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