Anyone tried Provigil?

As some of you know provigil is NOT an antidepressant, but it is used for an energy increase, and focus, and helps increase moods. (its actually used for sleep apnea and narcolepsy). Some news shows have called it a "miracle drug", or "viagra for the brain". Its not a stimulant like Addrall, or an antidepresant of any kind. I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and I believe this contributes to my depression. My pdoc prescribed it to me, but I am having trouble getting my insurance to cover it, and its $850 a month without insurance. So I did the worst thing ever and googled it, and I have read nothing but awesome ++++ review on it. Anyone have any experience with it?

Yup, I tried it. Unfortunately one of the key effects is stopping you getting to sleep - not stopping you NEEDING the sleep. So I couldn't sleep at all. I do know that this doesn't happen to everyone just some people so my pdoc tried it to see if it could counter the effects of quetiapine. Sorry this isn't more helpful - more of the usual works for some people, doesn't for others....

Your answer is helpful. How did you feel? Did you try a lower dose like 100mg or 50mg?

Update: So I couldnt find ANYTHING negative on the internet about this drug, so I bit the bullet and spent $450 on 200mg of generic provigil. It takes about 15 minutes to work. As this was so damn expensive to buy I cut one in half and took it about an hour ago. So far I do feel a mood boost. Ive got a bit more done than usual.. hmm.. my doctor prescribed me the 200mg dose so Im going to wait about another hour and if Im doing ok Ill take the other half. So far im very excited..Ill keep you guys posted..

Update: so I took the other 100mg about 4 hours ago, and I can feel i definate mood boost. I just did a full tour of 3 massive casions. My feet got tired before my brain did. Thats unusual for me. I dont feel jittery, or hyper, or anxious. I feel ...ummm.. my "old normal". I would say so far of all the meds Ive been on.. Cymbalta, Celexa, Effexor, Vibyd, prozac,lamotrigne this by FAR has done the most good. This is only day one. Keep in mind that these meds are not typically prescribed for depression/bipolar, and even then most insurance wont cover it. Only because I have sleep apnea was I able to get a script, and even then it was $450 with no insurance for 30 days

Great news - can you sleep? I was on a low dose, 100mg I think.....

Hi there!

I take provigil to counteract the effects of the quetiapine I take. Initially my friend recommended it, and when I asked my psychiatrist about it she initially agreed I could try it, and then changed her mind as it 'was not policy' for the NHS Trust that I am under. So I ended up buying it myself.

It is a lifesaver for me. Before I started taking it, I would be so sedated in the morning, I would fall asleep at work several times in the morning and even at the wheel of my car once. It was awful, I just couldn't do my job. Now I take 200mg first thing in the morning and it's been amazing. It doesn't make me feel high or hyper, it just literally removes the sedation. It has improved my quality of life no end. At first it made me quite headachey but that has gone now i've been taking it for a while...I think it also decreases my appetite a bit, but I don't seem to have other side effects.

It doesn't stop me sleeping at night- in fact, because I've stopped falling asleep in the day and am much more active, I fall asleep a lot easier and have massively reduced the medications I used to take at night to get myself to sleep.

On 200mg per day it doesn't work out to be massively expensive- I buy it for about £300 per year for one 200mg tablet per day. I wish I could get it on prescription as I feel that this would be safer, and I would also rather be monitored whilst I am on it in case of adverse effects. I will try to talk my psychiatrist round to prescribing it for me, but I'm not holding my breath. Regardless, I plan to keep on taking it.

Best, keenie