Being started on Nuvigil

[Autoimmunity]

Good luck.  I agree 1/2 dose is probably a good idea.  What strength do you have?

[Reanne]

I would love to try Nuvigil, but can't because I have mitral valve prolapse. 

[eyeamdry]

Reanne, I also have MVP but it has been under control for years with atenol.  I might call my cardiologist early in the a.m. to see if he thinks it's ok for me to take.  The strength is the middle one.....165.......I think.  I will start wih 1/2 of that and see how I do.  I won't chance the drug again if that happens, as my family has all died of heart attacks and I'm afraid of this.  However, living 20 hours a day in bed/couch is no way to live either.  Will keep you posted.  Lucy

[eyeamdry]

I want to add that I had a very horrible night last night and am going to wait a week or so before starting Nuvigil.

I had night terrors all night for the past two nights.  I have NOT started any new meds in many months so it's not that.  I don't know if something got off kilter, but it was something I've never had before.  Two nights in a row like this.  I could not find my husband in the dreams and that type of thing.  He is not sick or anything, but he had serious surgery recently--but is doing fine. 

He is going huinting on Sunday and wants me to wait until he gets back to start the medicine.  I think that is a good idea because I still am not feeling well.  I will wait and then still report on my results later.  Lucy

P.S. I called my heart dr and he said that is could cause heart palpatations and cautioned me of this and said to try and see what happens.  I will be very careful. 

[becbec00]

Lucy,
I do agree you should wait. It is never a good idea to start a new med if you are on edge about it. Your state of mind can actually have an effect on it. But I will be waiting to hear how you do. But I hope it works for you as anything that improves your quality of life is worth trying.
Keep us posted.
Becky

[eyeamdry]

Last night, I didn't have the terror type dreams I've had, but I had one bad dream.  It was more of a straight normal kind of dream I'm used to. I dreamed  that my cancer had returned.  Not a good dream, but not all 3-d kind of flaky stuff.  Lucy

[marycr]

After 12 years in heck, I was sent to a rheumatoligist. On first visit he put me on Nuvigil  & predisone. First time I've felt normal in 12 years. I had forgotten how it felt. Miricle drug'

[Autoimmunity]

I know I have said this before, just wanted to say it again (but of course follow your doctors instructions).  I take 250mg 1-2 a day at separate times and I have been on this medication for quite a while, so my system is used to it.  I forgot to eat this morning with it (originally told by my dr to take it on empty stomach).  Hours later sitting at my desk no exertion my heart started racing.  My heart rate was around 120 sitting at my desk.  This continued all day long and I felt like crap.  Hot, racing heart, freezing hands.  It makes a HUGE difference if you take the medication with food.  Just wanted to share that.

[eyeamdry]

OK, got all my obligations and husband is home from his hunting trip. Tomorrow, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 17TH, I will take my first 1/2 dose of Nuvigil. 

I am retired and sleep odd hours such as staying up half the night and sleep all day.  I want to change this somewhat.  I have no need to get up at 6, 7 or even 8 o'clock.  Hubby is up at 5 am every morning to sit in front of tv.  Excuse me, sleep in front of tv.

If I get up around 9 or 10ish and EAT BREAKFAST AS MY DR DIRECTED, I'll see how I do.  Will make a post if I remember tomorrow.  Want to say that I am terrified of the fast beating heart thing.  I've had that all my life, but is controlled.  That;s why I'm going easy on the med.  Lucy

[Autoimmunity]

Looking forward to hearing your results.  I'm sure everything will be ok.  Having positive thoughts for you.  Let us know.

[eyeamdry]

Well, I took my first "dose" of Nuvigil today.  I have 150 mg tabs.  I broke one in half.  On part was a little smaller than the other and I took it.  It would have been a tad less than 75 mg.  I didn't go any where today as I was a bit afraid of any reactions.  I did not have any reactions.  I will take the other "bigger half" in the morning.  If I do not have any reactions, I'll probably start with a full tab on Friday or Saturday depending on what I have to do.  I am afraid of having heart palps or fast heartbeat that goes on all day.  I know this is one of the possibilities of this med.

Lucy

[Autoimmunity]

Well, I took my first "dose" of Nuvigil today.  I have 150 mg tabs.  I broke one in half.  On part was a little smaller than the other and I took it.  It would have been a tad less than 75 mg.  I didn't go any where today as I was a bit afraid of any reactions.  I did not have any reactions.  I will take the other "bigger half" in the morning.  If I do not have any reactions, I'll probably start with a full tab on Friday or Saturday depending on what I have to do.  I am afraid of having heart palps or fast heartbeat that goes on all day.  I know this is one of the possibilities of this med.

Lucy

Glad to hear the first day went so well.  Did it help with your fatigue at all? 

[eyeamdry]

AutoI---I have no idea if it helped with fatigue or not just on one day.  I usually take several days before I have an answer to my questions on any med.

I envy people who can just know after one day if they are helped or not.  I'm a bit dimmer.  Will keep reporting though.  Lucy

[eyeamdry]

OK-OK--I've been basically Nuvigil-less and decided I had to get serious.  It could only kill me once.  First I have the sleeping pattern of a second or thirdd shifter.  I always had day jobs and felt my body wanted to do something else in those hours.  So now I sleep all day and half the night.......tadatada.

I have to get my self up and out of the house and exercise or I'm going to just get worse.  My hubby woke me very gently at 8:30 am like I told him and said he hAD MY BREakfast ready.  I whined and said I'd eat later I was going to sleep more.  Then the phone rang.  Back to sleep I tried.  Then the phone rang again.  Hubby was answering it, but the ring kept bothering me.  OK, I get up again and go back to bed again.  Then up again.  By now it's 10:00 a.m. and I'm thinking if I can hurry, I'll be able to make my water class. 

I made it.  The gals were glad to see me.  I took a whole Nuvigil and am still alive 5 hours later.  I do not feel like I have energy, in fact I'm taking a nap.  I did some C-mas shopping after I did the swim.  I could hardly walk from the car in the garage to the house when I got home.  My knees are bad and I'm waiting for my surgery on my big toe on Dec 17th.  I at least want to get a months worth of the Nuvigil so I can tell if they're worth it or not.   I know they will be expensive.  I am going to keep taking the 150 every morning and will report sooner than later. Lucy

[Autoimmunity]

I didn't feel much in the beginning.  I think it builds up in your system and you should start noticing some improvement.  It does get me through the day.  Do you have the discount card from the manufacturer?  I only pay $10/month.  I think it will go up in a few months though.