I'm worried that if I get used to taking this for CF that it'll mess up my sleep cycle even worse than it is now.

Does anyone take this, if yes, how does it affect you and if not, what do you do for chronic fatigue?

My doc was reluctant at first to prescribe anything but I kept pestering her because I feel like a zombie when I am awake and staying in bed most of the time, which my kids hate and I hate too. She wrote me a prescription for Provigil, but it isn't covered by my medicaid managed care plan without prior authorization, and they would not approve it, they told my doc, until I had tried the cheaper meds first. So I just started on generic Ritalin 5 mg twice a day, which is a very small dose, smaller than what most kids take for childhood ADHD. It seems to help a little....I do not feel at all high or hyper...just a little more alert and focused, which I really appreciate when driving. My sleep schedule has been messed up, days and nights turned around, for so long that I can't blame it on the Ritalin that I am up now. I have been a nightowl for a long time, most of my life actually. The short-acting Ritalin wears off in about 4-6 hours, and I take my second dose at 2 PM, so by the time I go to bed it has worn off. I have difficulty falling and staying asleep anyway, and I don't think it keeps me awake any longer than usual.

I've read a lot on various sites about using stimulants in fibro and CFS, and most of them state that these drugs don't usually make us hyper because we have abnormal brain waves like ADHD patients, as well as many of the symptoms of ADHD. Another plus....the Ritalin seems to have helped a bit with the pain! This is only my second day of taking it so I can't be sure how it will work out in the long run. I had tried the

D-ribose for energy and it had not helped me. Also, the stimulants are supposed to improve exercise tolerance. I hope the small doses of

Ritalin will allow me to have enough energy to enjoy exercise again without wiping me out so that I collapse into bed right afterwards.

Doc is worried about addiction and I would imagine that I will be taking "drug free holidays"where I am off of it for awhile, also using the smallest dose possible. I read that in general, fibro and CFS patients do not need as high of a dose as ADHD patients.

I am the most tired also around my menses...also very bloated! In fact, all of my fibro symptoms are worse around that time of month.

I feel that the 5 mg of Ritalin twice a day is not quite enough. It helps just a little but wears off quickly. I am hoping that she will up the dose just a little bit or that my insurance will okay the Provigil if this doesn't help me. It's a quality of life issue.

Living like the walking dead is not living...when you can even get out of bed, that is!

Here is a good site; all of the articles are interesting and hopeful!

It also discusses herbal solutions to fatigue, but not until after you are energetic and alert enough to pursue the natural route!

http://addfibro.com/connections.htm

I've just started on Provigil but 100 mg. in the mornings only for chronic fatigue. Can you cut your Provigil tablet in half (does it have score marks on it?). Perhaps starting at a lower dose will help you adapt to Provigil and you may only need 100 mg. anyway! I do feel awake but not nervous and I do take a clonazepam 1 mg. at night to go to sleep. I also suffer from generalized anxiety disorder so I do take a 1 mg. of alprazolam or at least now until I get adjusted to taking the Provigil. It may be later on that I will not need to take anything to sleep at night but I do have restless leg syndrome and need something to put me to sleep and keep me sleeping all night. Please let me know how you are doing on Provigil. I have a friend who has narcolepsy and he takes 2 Provigil daily at 200 mg. But he also cuts the 200 mg. in half in case he needs to stay alert should he have to drive somewhere. Please try the 100 mg. daily first so you won't get "upped" on the larger dose. So far, I have not been anxious and this was my main concern with the generalized anxiety disorder. I take alprazolam (generic Xanax) as needed. God Bless! Frances