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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Steve25sds on December 8, 2002, at 20:52:19
I'm in the U.S. and I heard of modafinil and the generic, alertec. I've tried to get it from my doctor, but he says he doesn't believe in those types of meds. What can I do?
Posted by BrittPark on December 9, 2002, at 0:36:37
In reply to Modafinil or Alertec how do I get it?, posted by Steve25sds on December 8, 2002, at 20:52:19
First of all what condition would you like to have treated with modafinil? It's been used with some success as an augmentor of ADs and as a treatment for ADD. Any doctor who says he/she doesn't believe in X (when X is a possible medicine for a particular condition) should quickly become your ex-doctor.
Best of luck,
Britt
Posted by leslieg on December 9, 2002, at 17:02:05
In reply to Modafinil or Alertec how do I get it?, posted by Steve25sds on December 8, 2002, at 20:52:19
Modafinil is the generic name, Provigil is the brand name, I believe. My understanding is that right now the only FDA approved use is for narcolepsy. The manufacturers are actively pursing labelling for other EDS (excessive daytime sleepiness). I get my Rx from my sleep doc (who diagnosed me with narcolepsy). You may be able to find a pdoc who does a lot of ADHD work willing to try you on it -- assuming you have ADHD. But your insurance may not pay for that use.
> I'm in the U.S. and I heard of modafinil and the generic, alertec. I've tried to get it from my doctor, but he says he doesn't believe in those types of meds. What can I do?
Posted by viridis on December 10, 2002, at 3:45:07
In reply to Modafinil or Alertec how do I get it?, posted by Steve25sds on December 8, 2002, at 20:52:19
It shouldn't be too hard to get -- around a year ago, when my psychiatrist first suggested stimulants, he gave me free samples of Provigil, and commented that it's a mild, safe stimulant that works well in some ADD patients. I gather the Cephalon rep gives him lots to hand out, and he says it's very good for certain people, but fails in many others. He likes to try it first, in part because it's much less controlled than other stimulants.
I'm in the latter category (weak response to Provigil for ADD), but it didn't cause me any problems and was quite energizing. Adderall just turned out to be better for me, which is fine with my pdoc.
Are you seeing a psychiatrist or a GP? A psychiatrist may be more willing to try a wider range of options.
This is the end of the thread.
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