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Provigil

What type of Dr would prescibe this med? I suffer from chronic fatigue and being the sole caregiver for an ailing parent now for eight years, I have develped caregiver burnout. Energy/motivation has never been lower. I've tried all kinds of nutritional aids to no avail.  I would like to try this medication for the short term. I don't have a regular Dr so I am curious what type of Dr I should see to discuss this with........thanx
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271792 tn?1334979657
Hi Cath,

Good advise but just so you know, this post is from last November and most of the members are no longer active here. You may want to come out into the forum and talk with some of the other members.
Helpful - 0
1354737 tn?1280014019
I would like to warn you, I was getting all these symptoms being the sole caregiver of my parents, mom with a stroke, and dad with a blend of Alzheimer's, Bipolar, and Senile Dementia. I was there several years before my doctor did give me provigil. The thing is, I wished I would have known that what I had was caregiver  burnout, and I didn't need more energy to use up to get a longer period of burnout,

I needed someone to help me. I needed one of their other 6 children to come give me a break or a visiting nurse, or home health care of something. Because when I took the provigil I got what I'll call, a second wind, but all that did was keep me around abusive, exhausting people longer than I ever should have. Now I'm paying the price. Nobody is giving me any credit for the years of work I did there, my father is crazy which is expected in his condition but all my other siblings are taking advantage of him and telling him how worthless I was and that I should get the house that he promised me when I moved in to take care of them, or anything else.

So now I'm home 2 years still exhausted, still burnt out, severely depressed, exiled from my family. They say nobody really knows their family for real until money is involved. But I believe it has more to do with parents dying and the role reversal. My siblings are all in their 40's and up. But they are acting like children, I would have done that too if I'd not been a nurse and knew what happens to the elderly.

When others told me this same type of story, I said , no not my family. these things won't happen to me. Don't listen to me and don't take these precautions, see  you in a few years and we'll all be listening to the same story, of course, in different circumstances, but basically the same thing, it will happen to you too.

Please take a  vacation, a long enough one to forget about everything, see what might be happening that you're not facing. Or believe won't happen. Spend the first half of a vacation not thinking of anything, just relax and revive. Eat well, sleep well, don't worry. Use the second half of your vacation, being sure that any promises are in writing at the very least, AND away from any siblings possibly getting ahold of it. This isn't all the answers but it may help with some things.  God Bless You, You are doing God's work but don't kill yourself over it. From someone who knows. Sincerely, CJW
Helpful - 0
1063524 tn?1258732204
Usually, yes but they don't have to be an addictionologist.  But probably a lot of regular doctors see older patients or people with problems it is intended for and might have some samples.  You're best bet is a psychistrist but sometimes insurance only pays half of their visit and it could run you up to 40 or 50 dollars depending on the doctor.  But sometimes they will cover the entire visit.  Maybe just start out with a primary doctor that you can talk to.  No one is treating your chronic fatigue?  Sometimes they can recommend someone or just write you a script themselves for just a few for you to try.  I wish you the best of luck and let me know what happens.  Don't just go to one of those walk-in clinics because they will not care.  Ask around some people you know for a good doctor.  Like I said, keep posting.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've tried the Thomas Recipe with no noticable improvements. I will definitely inquire about some samples when I go to the Dr's. Seeing as I don't have a Dr at this time, should I be looking for an addictionologist or just a general MD. I ask because I wonder if this is a med only a psych Dr would be familar with.
Helpful - 0
1063524 tn?1258732204
it's not like a party drug.  that's why they've come out with the nuvigil. it doesn't have exactly the same properties as provigil.  dr didn't go into details.  it's safe to give to the elderly and it doesn't feel like you drank a pot of coffee. i tried one the day he gave them to me because i was already in withdrawal from tapering down on the methadone since i'll be off on tuesday and it just made me feel less shaky and i could stand up for more than five minutes.  you can always ask for a small amount of samples, most psychiatrists have them since it's a new version of the drug they want the patients to try it and you can see if it works for you.  i have lupus so i know what you mean about being exhausted continuously and i will also be starting chemo for it soon so they may also keep me on it for that.  i wish you the best and hope you find something that makes you better...
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the information. I'm not looking for any party drugs, justing trying to find out how to deal with the chronic fatigue. I never cared for that jittery/speedy type of feeling so hopefully I will be able to find a med for the short term.I've read that this med can be a good mood stabilizer for some people.
Helpful - 0
1063524 tn?1258732204
My psychiatrist just gave me Nuvigil which is an updated version of Provigil for when I come off methadone cold turkey on Tuesday.  When most of the physical withdrawals are gone, then I will start taking it to try to get back into life.  He won't prescribe it for over a month.  He's also an addictionologist.  Nuvigil is supposed to have less side effects and literally just came out.  He gave me enough samples to last about five weeks but I'm on Medicare since I'm on disability and the insurance companies would want something called a "preapproval" from your doctor for the reason but would still fill a prescription.  Depending on your insurance, the price can vary.  But I got it from my psychiatrist/addictionologist who is helping me detox.  He didn't give me any narcotics/sleeping pills or anything like that (I'm already on klonopin for seizures along with two other non-narcotic seizure meds) so that's all he gave me.  If you're having sleep/anxiety problems, you can always see a psychiatrist and ask about it.  I know it's given to elderly patients in nursing homes to help them function.  You only take a little and just when you wake up in the morning and only once.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you. I wil talk to a Dr.
Helpful - 0
990521 tn?1311906308
Hi Sid,

Your GP can prescribe this, but this medication is indicated for work shift disorder, and excessive daytime sleepyness associated with Obstructive sleep apnea.  It is also prescribed for extreme fatigue, but if it is not prescribed for the 3 things that the FDA has given approval for, insurance will not approve it.  I took Provigil for about a year, I was on suboxone at the time, which can cause excessive sleepyness, but it was more than that.  In the end, I was tested for sleep apnea and ended up being diagnosed with RLS, which can cause the same symptoms.  The provigil worked great, but like Eagle said, it is very expensive.  It supposedly has less addictive properties from meth, but I can see where it would be abused and it is.  My advice, talk with your doctor, if he/she thinks it is something that is right for you, give it a try, but stick to the strict dosing instructions.  Unlike meth, if you take provigil correctly, you will not have trouble sleeping while taking it.  Good luck.
Helpful - 0
199177 tn?1490498534
You would need to talk to your GP about that as eagle says .
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
A decent GP would be the place to start ..... provigil is actually indicated for treatment of CFS .......... Its an expensive drug at 10.00 a pill prescription.....lots of insurance companies dont wish to cover it for that reason...... but it is being widely used now - - it will most likely be rescheduled before long because it has more of the shortcomings  that straight amphetamines have than was thought during trials........
Helpful - 0
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