Posted by Racer on July 16, 2004, at 17:40:54
In reply to Apprehensively starting Provigil, posted by Dinah on July 16, 2004, at 17:18:43
So, um, how about "your mileage may vary" as a definitive answer? (Sorry, couldn't resist)
Provigil takes a couple of hours to kick in, I think between about 2 & 4 depending on your metabolism. Then it works for as long as it works and -- at least from my experience -- wears off. When I stopped taking it way back when, the only "withdrawal" sort of effect I found was a *major* increase in my depression and anxiety, but I really do attribute that to the lack of efficacy in the other drugs I was on at the time. Sure, it could have been a withdrawal thing, but when I started taking it again, it calmed my anxiety and evened out my depression a bit. Basically, once I started it again, on its own, I pretty much figured that the only real improvement I had experienced before was due to the Provigil, and not the others.
So, while it's a stimulant, I've experienced it as calming, rather than agitating. I know a couple of others here have said the same sort of thing, too, so I guess I'm unique but not all that weird. :-D Also, while we think of "speed" as making you agitated and anxious, and, of course, it can, I think a fair number of anxious folks still do well on the stimulant meds. Just a sort of straw poll, based on nothing at all scientific.
Now, Dinah, I won't try to hide it -- I like Provigil. For me, it's first drug that I've found helpful -- not in terms of remission of depression, because it hasn't done that, but in terms of making life feel tolerable to me most of the time most days -- that hasn't created so many problems for me from adverse effects that I hated being on it as much as I hated what led me to be on it, you know? So far, it's improved my digestion, made it much easier for me to function, hasn't caused any of the bugaboos: weight gain, sexual dysfunction, etc -- and seems to be a pretty benign sort of a drug. That from me -- the Grand High Poohbah of the Resistant to Taking Meds club. (I have a hard time justifying Advil for a headache, and usually don't bother until it gets so bad I can't open my eyes or move my head. After all, no such thing as a totally safe drug, right?) The only problem I've had with it is the "headache" -- which for me hasn't been so much a headache as a kinda tight feeling at the back of my head. Not nearly bad enough to bother with an aspirin, and not really painful, just a feeling like wearing a too tight cap.
I hope this does help reassure you. I do understand your hesitancy, but the good news is -- if it doesn't work out, you can just stop taking it! Would that all psychotropics were so kind to us that way, eh?
poster:Racer
thread:366935
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040714/msgs/366941.html