Posted by Bekka H. on January 5, 2002, at 19:48:36
In reply to Motivation/Focusing Problems on Provigil, posted by Mark H. on January 3, 2002, at 15:01:00
> I've taken Provigil for about four months as an alternative to generic Ritalin. The Provigil effectively keeps me awake and alert, and my personality is "nicer" and less edgy than it is when I'm taking methylphenidate. HOWEVER, I haven't been able to get anything done for four months! I'm somewhat better on methylphenidate, but not great. Has anyone else experienced problems with procrastination, focusing, and staying on task while on Provigil and/or Ritalin? I'm trying to sort out what is biochemical and what is simply neurotic!
>
> Thanks in advance for your observations.
>
> With kind regards,
>
> Mark H.
**************************************************Hi, Mark:
You didn't say how long you were on Ritalin before stopping it to begin Provigil. Were you on Ritalin for a year or two, or were you on it for many years? I think there are probably many factors involved, including the possibility that Ritalin might just be better for you; however, another thought is that, on Ritalin, you got so accustomed to Ritalin providing the motivation, so now you have to re-learn how to be motivated without Ritalin. I have expereinced this problem with some medicines and, over time, I rely on the drug to do the work for me, so when I'm off of the medicine, or when I start a new medicine, I have to re-learn many tasks. You said you have been on Provigil only four months. That doesn't seem like a very long time. I've read that, after amphetamine withdrawal, for example, it can take up to one year to readjust. And, to the extent that Ritalin is similar to amphetamines, perhaps that is true of Ritalin as well. Also, have you tried not taking anything, or did you go directly from Ritalin to Provigil? I'm wondering whether the problems you describe might be a function of something Provigil is doing and have nothing to do with being without Ritalin? Why don't you pick a small, completely UNdaunting task and try to do it? Perhaps you need to re-learn your own self-driven motivation, but don't try to do everything all at once. Just start with small things, and try to work your way up, little by little. If, after a few months, you are still having this difficulty, perhaps you can speak with your doctor about stopping Provigil and trying to go either med-free for a while (to see whether the problem is there in the absence of a medicine) OR try something else. For example, I heard that a new form of Ritalin is coming out in early 2002. I think it will be called Focalin, and it is made up of just the d- isomer of Ritalin and is supposed to have fewer side effects. Another medicine in the pipeline is atomoxetine, which is effective in children and adults with ADD/ADHD. I'm uncertain, but I think it is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
poster:Bekka H.
thread:88641
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020103/msgs/88916.html