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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 15:02:45
I took 200mgs. of Provigil from a seven sample pack my doctor gave me yesterday. I'm horribly anxious, shaking, sweating and my mouth tastes like the bottom of a garbage can...(at least what I imagine it tastes like, no firsthand experience). How long will this last?
Posted by Phillipa on October 8, 2008, at 15:07:55
In reply to Took my first dose of Provigil, freaking out, posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 15:02:45
Oh wow I thought it was not supposed to act like a stimulant or even coffee. Did you doc prescribe it for you? I'm sorry. I don't think the drug lasts that long but not sure. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on October 8, 2008, at 15:09:21
In reply to Took my first dose of Provigil, freaking out, posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 15:02:45
Also let me welcome you to babble as see you're new great info here and soon someone with knowledge of this med will answer hang in there. Phillipa
Posted by azalea on October 8, 2008, at 15:23:54
In reply to Took my first dose of Provigil, freaking out, posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 15:02:45
Probably 4-8 hours. Maximal effect is generally 2-3 hours after you take Provigil. Perhaps start with a lower dose. The 200mg pills are scored so it would be easy to break in half for 100mg dose. With a pill splitter, you could even break in half again for a 50mg dose. Sounds like 200mg is too high of a dose for you.
> I took 200mgs. of Provigil from a seven sample pack my doctor gave me yesterday. I'm horribly anxious, shaking, sweating and my mouth tastes like the bottom of a garbage can...(at least what I imagine it tastes like, no firsthand experience). How long will this last?
Posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 15:28:43
In reply to Re: Took my first dose of Provigil, freaking out » Murasaki, posted by Phillipa on October 8, 2008, at 15:09:21
I'm starting to think I'd rather just be depressed, at least that's a feeling I'm used to...my doctor also gave me prescription strength folic acid for depression. I've been checking discussions at this site about folic acid and haven't been able to find any. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.
After reading about so many SSRI experiences I'm ready to throw in the towel and live with it.
Posted by azalea on October 8, 2008, at 16:08:49
In reply to Re: Took my first dose of Provigil, freaking out, posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 15:28:43
Is Deplin the prescription strength folic acid you mentioned?
> I'm starting to think I'd rather just be depressed, at least that's a feeling I'm used to...my doctor also gave me prescription strength folic acid for depression. I've been checking discussions at this site about folic acid and haven't been able to find any. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.
>
> After reading about so many SSRI experiences I'm ready to throw in the towel and live with it.
Posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 16:24:02
In reply to Deplin? » Murasaki, posted by azalea on October 8, 2008, at 16:08:49
Yes. I have a seven dose sample of Deplin as well. I have not taken any yet. My doctor wanted me to use the Provigil first.
She knows I'm reluctant to use conventional SSRI's and wants to try other options. She chose the Provigil because I have centrally mediated sleep apnea with daytime sleepiness as well as depression. (I'm now returning to scrubbing grout with a toothbrush and chewing the inside of my cheek.)
Posted by azalea on October 8, 2008, at 16:36:19
In reply to Re: Deplin?, posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 16:24:02
With sleep apnea, daytime sleepiness, and depression, Provigil seems like a good choice. Could be you just need to find the right dosage. Best wishes.
> Yes. I have a seven dose sample of Deplin as well. I have not taken any yet. My doctor wanted me to use the Provigil first.
>
> She knows I'm reluctant to use conventional SSRI's and wants to try other options. She chose the Provigil because I have centrally mediated sleep apnea with daytime sleepiness as well as depression. (I'm now returning to scrubbing grout with a toothbrush and chewing the inside of my cheek.)
Posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 16:41:21
In reply to Re: Deplin? » Murasaki, posted by azalea on October 8, 2008, at 16:36:19
Thank you very much, Azalea and Phillipa, I appreciate you taking the time to help a newcomer.
I find firsthand reports from people who have actually tried medications to be immensely more helpful than package inserts.
Posted by cactus on October 8, 2008, at 17:00:38
In reply to Re: Deplin?, posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 16:41:21
...I sure didn't have that reaction at all. I have sleep apnea and I'm also a shift worker. I didn't get a reaction like that at all. I did feel a little shaky for a couple of days from 200mg but I also felt normal and alive again. It's given me my life back and helped greatly with depression too.
I'd try 50mg first before giving it away and see how you go and stay away from all other stimulants including tea, coffee and energy drinks.
For me personally, I had terrible start up effects from SSRI's but everyone is different. Modafinil has been a miraculous drug for me.
Posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 17:12:09
In reply to Re: wow...., posted by cactus on October 8, 2008, at 17:00:38
Cactus,
That's good to hear. I work third shift and have for twenty-two years. The worst of it is I have times where I'm not working and attempt to live a normal non-vampire scedule, very difficult.
I tend to be extremely sensitive to medications. I will experiment with a lower dosage, as you advised. Thanks.
Posted by cactus on October 8, 2008, at 18:59:39
In reply to Re: wow...., posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 17:12:09
> Cactus,
>
> That's good to hear. I work third shift and have for twenty-two years. The worst of it is I have times where I'm not working and attempt to live a normal non-vampire scedule, very difficult.
>
> I tend to be extremely sensitive to medications. I will experiment with a lower dosage, as you advised. Thanks.Always remember it's just a suggestion, don't forget to talk to your doc about it too. Good luck, peace C
Posted by Geegee on October 9, 2008, at 9:51:15
In reply to Re: wow...., posted by cactus on October 8, 2008, at 17:00:38
The only side effect I had from Provigil was a headache, and those went away after a week or so. When I take it (200 mg), I don't feel any "ramping up" or other feelings associated with stimulants. Instead, I just feel awake and alert instead of really groggy and foggy in the a.m. And later in the day, I don't get the afternoon fatigue/sleepiness that comes with Nardil.
Perhaps starting with a lower dose?
gg
Posted by Nadezda on October 9, 2008, at 10:28:11
In reply to Took my first dose of Provigil, freaking out, posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 15:02:45
I'd definitely try a smaller dose, maybe 50 mg at a time, perhaps even more than once a day. Provigil has about an 8-10 hour half life-- although the strong effects are shorter than that.
200 mg is a fairly large dose, and although you might accommodate enough over time to take that, it seems like a lot at first.
I've never had that reaction with provigil, but I generally don't take more than 100 mg at any time.
Nadezda
Posted by Tony P on October 10, 2008, at 17:59:09
In reply to Took my first dose of Provigil, freaking out, posted by Murasaki on October 8, 2008, at 15:02:45
> I took 200mgs. of Provigil from a seven sample pack my doctor gave me yesterday. I'm horribly anxious, shaking, sweating and my mouth tastes like the bottom of a garbage can...(at least what I imagine it tastes like, no firsthand experience). How long will this last?
I've taken it off & on for six months or so. I'm sensitive to stimulants & 200 mg at once the first time made me pretty shaky too, but just for a few hours.As others have said, go very easy on coffee/caffeine until you know how you react. I've found I've developed some tolerance over time -- 200 mg is tolerable now.
An alternative is Adrafinil, not officially available in N.A., but can be ordered from reputable suppliers in Europe/UK. It is slowly converted to Provigil/modafinil, so it's kind of like an XR form: slower to act and lasts longer. 300 mg adrafinil is approximately equivalent to 100 mg Provigil. I find 100 mg provigil plus 300 mg adrafinil is a good combo for me - some immediate effect plus a milder long-lasting one.
Feel free to babblemail me,
Tony P
Posted by Murasaki on October 10, 2008, at 18:09:16
In reply to Re: Took my first dose of Provigil, freaking out » Murasaki, posted by Tony P on October 10, 2008, at 17:59:09
I really appreciate the advice. I didn't sleep for thirty hours after the 200mg. dose I took. Clearly it was far too large a dose to beigin with, unfortunately my doctor hasn't had a great deal of experience with prescribing Provigil.
Her suggestion was to wait a few days and try the Deplin that I also have samples of.
Posted by cloudydaze on October 11, 2008, at 0:24:21
In reply to Re: Took my first dose of Provigil, freaking out, posted by Murasaki on October 10, 2008, at 18:09:16
yeah i had the same thing happen to me with provigil. I had to end up cutting the pill in half and taking 100mg. recently though i began taking the whole 200mg, and i am not shaky, so maybe you just have to start out at a smaller dosage.
This is the end of the thread.
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