Sleep Apnea Support Group

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of sleep disturbances.

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RascalFlattsFan 02/18/2013

Sorry if I've asked this before. Does anyone here take Provigil? It's for people with Sleep Apnea who are still sleepy. Also if you have Narcolepsy. I started to think I might have Narcolepsy because I started falling asleep during the day. Just drop off for a second or two. I would just barely be aware of it. My mother goes nuts when she is with me and this happens. I'm using the C-Pap machine every night. I told my PCP and he put me on Provigil. Very reluctently. It's supposed to be addicting. Plus people abuse it to lose weight. I'm taking the highest recommended dose, and it's not working. Some days it makes me sleepy! It's supposed to act like an "upper" and wake me up. Most days I can barely keep my eyes open. If I keep busy I'm OK but don't sit down or watch TV or even read a book. I'm out like a light! I truly hate feeling like this. I've used a C-Pap for @10 years now. I'm not sure where to turn. I had a sleep study in the Spring. So it's not that I'm using the wrong equipment or setting. My PCP perhaps doesn't know enough about OSA and is just drugging me up. Do any of you see a sleep specialist on a regular basis for OSA?

I've been known to fall asleep while using my laptop. I'll wake up hours later and realize I never went to bed and I'm still sitting in front of the computer. The other night my daughter texted me and asked me if I was drunk. Apparently I was texting her in my sleep - very strange spellings and half sentences and words. I told her I was just tired lol What I was doing was having Narcoleptic episodes. Scary stuff!!!

harry3333 02/18/2013

at my sleep lab I was testsd for narcolepsy, perhaps you can be tested
otherwise it seems you are using the wrong pressure on your CPAP or possibly mouth breathing with a nose only mask

SpringLady 02/18/2013

I have only been on CPAP for 2 months. However, all OSA issues are directed toward my pulmonary/sleep specialist. I love my PCP but I do not plan to talk to him about OSA issues. In fact, I believe he would refer me back to my sleep specialist. I plan to continue seeing me sleep specialist on a regular/periodic basis.

RascalFlattsFan 03/03/2013

Sounds like you've got a handle on things
Spring Lady. Keep on using the machine ;)

Harry - how did you get tested for narcolepsy in the lab? I'm pretty sure my pressure is correct but you could be right about being a mouth breather. UGH this sleep apnea stuff never gets easy!

deleted_user 03/03/2013

Have you tried Nuvigil? it`s time released Provigil ,one pill per day.. I couldn`t take, Nugivil, it was way to strong for me. I use a cpap and still feel sleepy. So the doc suggested Provigil 2x daily. I could only take the morning dose. I did lose alot of weight. It has off label uses, weight loss is one, also used for add in adults. as far as abuse potential, i don`t understand, unless you enjoy feeling like a zombie.

Abotsd 03/04/2013

I tried both, and it increased my anxiety. I surely need to loss the weight I've gained on Lyrica. 30 lbs. But cannot bear being more nervous.

e4now 03/06/2013

i havent been prescribed this...i hope you get to the bottom of things fast so you can find relief

RascalFlattsFan 03/10/2013

Thanks everybody for responding. the other day I felt like I was on speed and then a couple days later I could barely keep my eyes open. Luckily my husband comes home early on fridays. I watch my grandson and you can't sleep with a 9 month old crawling around. I'm at my wits end. Stress, depression, panic attacks and now this?? UGH!!

2Kool-I believe Provigil is the off label of Nuvigil. I'm going to ask my PCP next appt. He did tell me to take 1 and 1/2 pills instead of 1 but I didn't feel any different and I take enough meds as it is and I was afraid to keep adding on and on and on to it.

RascalFlattsFan 03/10/2013

not off label, I guess I mean generic?

Ziff 03/10/2013

I used Alertec, Canadian name for provigil. Provigil patent expired, so they created a new formulation, Nuvigil which contains only one isomer of the chemical, more effective at lower dose that the original so less side effects. If there is time release version that would be a little tweak.

It worked for me, but I quit taking it because I thought it was causing headaches.

deleted_user 08/17/2013

I've been on Provigil for chronic fatigue bordering on Narcolepsy for six months now with much success. I have no anxiety, no side effects. I take 200 mg. first thing in the morning. I find if I take a dose later in the day, it interferes with my sleep (go figure). While I take Provigil, I'm totally focused, motivated and accomplish a lot. There have a been maybe two times, however, when even with the Provigil the fatigue was overwhelming. But other than those two times, I've had great success with what what I consider a miracle drug.

keeska 08/17/2013

Hi RascalFlattsFan. I see my sleep specialist (who is also a neurologist) regularly, mainly because I see him regularly for my RSD (CRPS). He makes me bring the computer chip that has the downloaded info from my machine to make sure I'm in compliance.

Is your sleep specialist an MD?

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