Posted by KarenB on July 14, 2000, at 0:37:53
In reply to Re: Cocktail Update:It's Working!! » KarenB, posted by SLS on July 13, 2000, at 8:03:43
>I began taking Provigil 200mg/day a few days ago. I experienced an immediate mild improvement that lasted perhaps four hours. For me, this is tremendously significant. Later in the day, I felt pretty dull-witted and kinda zombie-like. This had pretty much worn off by the end of day 2. On day 3, I knew that I still gleaned a small improvement in energy and cognition, but that has begun to dissipate. How does this compare with your experience with Provigil?
I think it made me more tired but I had the worst case of PMS I have had in years, while I was attempting to give it a fair trial. I may try it again later, after I get this hormonal thing under control.
> What provisions have you made for monitoring liver function?
None yet. If it continues to work, I have a very cooperative primary care D.O. who will no doubt write a script every three months for the labwork.
> What is the nature of the effects on the liver, and what is the rate of their occurrence?
This I don't know. Anybody have an answer to that one? It's not that I don't care, it's just that the effects of my illness are so dark and scary, I am maybe willing to take somewhat of a risk rather than be where my mind goes without effective meds.
> I believe you described experiencing an antidepressant effect with Provigil, even though sedation and fatigue may have been produced by it. I know it will be difficult for you to compare the antidepressant effects of the two drugs given the adverse effects of Provigil, but how would you describe the differences, if any, in the quality and magnitude of improvement? How long did it take for you to see an improvement with both drugs?
First day with Provigil, I felt better. May have been a "placebo effect," I don't know but the effect waned after a few days. In the afternoon I was very, very tired, even though I took the second dose prior to the first dose wearing off. I think there is more of a "mood brightening" effect with Adrafinil, although subtle. Come to think of it, it is probably more like Amineptine than anything I have taken. Very similar. No wired feeling. As the "good drug guide" describes it, "cleanish." No detectable side effects whatsoever, for me. Just that "good normal" we are all looking for, with no feeling of being medicated. Effects are almost immediate with both, however, I have read that Adrafinil can take up to three weeks to have it's full cognitive benefit manifest. So, I am committed to giving it a full trial. My mom split shipping with me and is trialing it, as well. She is 70 and having problems with memory. I'll be interested to see what her response will be. So far so good, she tells me.
> Can you make any statements regarding your experiences at 300mg versus 600mg?As with all stimulants I have tried, I need that second dose in early afternoon. I always go almost a week at the lower dose at first, to see how I really feel.
> To what degree do you think Zyprexa may be acting as an antidepressant?I'm sure it is. Neuroleptics, in my system, definitely work as anti-anxiety, antidepressant agents. But, the energy, focus and motivation is surely coming from the Adrafinil. In a very smooth kind of way, it is helping my ADD symptoms.
Do you feel that adrafinil is totally responsible for your improvements in depression?
No. The Zyprexa is responsible in part. My best experience, as you know, is with a psychostimulant plus a neuroleptic. Nothing beats that, to date.
> I will try to remain on Provigil for a while longer. I find it very difficult to remain on a drug that has produced a transient antidepressant effect that dissipates. My history has consistently demonstrated that there is no reappearance of a response once it has been lost. I am extremely impatient, especially when I think something better is within arm's reach. I will keep you informed as to how I progress with Provigil, just in case I do well enough to offer you reason enough to try switching at some point in the future.
Thank you. The impatience from my ADD does not make this drug trialing an easy venture. I know what you mean. It has been my experience as well that when it doesn't work soon into therapy, it NEVER works. I "hang in there," just to lose another couple of weeks of my life.
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> I would be grateful for any answers you can provide me with.
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> I am happy for you. I can't help but to smile as I write this. :-)Thanks, Scott. Hope you find some answers soon, too.
Karen
poster:KarenB
thread:40185
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000708/msgs/40388.html