Started Provigil for ADHD-PI, depression & fatigue and so far so good!

[fxskier]

I've been taking Lexapro 10mg (at night) for the past year and that has helped a lot with anxiety/panic attacks and the deep depression and sadness, including suicidal thoughts, that have been an issue for most of my life. I have a very fast metabolism so Adderall XR, then Vyvanse, helped my ADD symptoms for literally a few hours but the crashes were intolerable. And if I took the stimulants for more than 4-5 days in a row they would lose their effectiveness. So I didn't take them on weekends, and couldn't get anything done for the life of me.

Not to mention I also have DSPS (Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome). SSRIs alone are great for anxiety and deep depression, but (at least for me) do nothing for the dysthymia/anhedonia that has also been an issue for most of my life. And add up ADHD-Inattentive (low energy seeming to be a hallmark symptom of ADHD-PI), dysthymia and DSPS, and you have crushing fatigue and brain fog!

I started Wellbutrin a few months back and found that really helped with the dysthymia/anhedonia side of things, had minimal benefits on the ADD symptoms, but didn't do much to keep me awake at work and on long drives. But...I was on 150mg XL so maybe 300 XL would have done the trick? But...I can't say anything bad about Wellbutrin as it is an excellent medication overall.

So last week I started Provigil, 100mg at 6:30am and another 100mg at noon. I just take 100mg on non-work days and take Sundays off. My p-doc thinks that this will basically perform triple duty- and help me wake up early during the week (which is one of the hardest things for me to do), take care of the ADD/'brain fog' symptoms, and the dysthymic aspect of the depression and residual fatigue that never quite go away. (I should note that I eat healthy, take apropriate supplements, and push myself to exercise 30min-1hr daily).

Provigil has been a lifesaver so far. I didn't hit the rumble strips on a long drive last weekend (which I almost always do, no matter how well rested I am). That was amazing in and of itself! And it's helping with the full range of symptoms noted above. And best of all, no 'crashes' when it wears off and it doesn't feel like I'm "on something" like with Adderall & Vyvanse. I just feel awake, alert and functional. Basically it allows me to live my life and take care of the things I need to (work & personal responsibilities) without my life revolving around when I can take my next nap! It's great not being a prisoner to constant fatigue and 'brain fog'.

Let's hope this lasts!

[ndnbutterfly]

I'm truly glad that you've found something that works!

I've always wondered about Provil, still not sure what it is! LOL

I, too, fight sleepiness constantly.

[JR1973]

I've been on Provigil (200mg 2x a day) for a couple years now in addition to my stimulants. Love it. It will be going generic in a year or so which will benefit many people because it is very expensive. The 'newer' version is due out shortly from Cephalon. It's called Nuvigil. Single isomer version (similar to the Focalin vs Ritalin concept).