Sleep problems and Provigil (modafinil)
Question:
Saw my sleep specialist today and it was not the best of meetings. He had to ruch out for an emergency after spending just a few minutes with me. Hardly had time to discuss my situation at work and never even had a chance to talk about dental appliances or SAD. He thinks that I may have a secondary sleep codition and wants to do a third sleep study on me to determine how fast I fall asleep. It is the study where I have to take 5 naps thoguhout the day. He’s certain I’m gong to need this new wonder drug called Provigil (modafinil) to help keep me awake during the day. From what I found on the web, Provigil is for narcoleptics and I am certain that I am not one. Some of the problems that can occure with the drug are infection, nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia. Just the things a diabetic with depression, OCD and sleep apnea needs. I wonder what my chances of keeping my job will be once I get on this stuff (if I do?) My GP is suggesting serzone and I’m sending him a copy of the info. I have on Provigil. Anyone out there have any experience with this stuff? Thanks! Jim Cox * Antispam Warning: Replace "web" in my email address * * with "a51" to reply via email. *
Response:
mib…@nwlink.com wrote: > He thinks that I may have a secondary sleep codition and wants to do a > third sleep study on me to determine how fast I fall asleep. > From what I found on the web, Provigil is for narcoleptics and I am > certain that I am not one.
From what I’ve heard about narcolepsy, you could be narcoleptic, and not realize it, because the actual symptoms can differ from the stereotype by quite a bit. The test your doctor wants to do is probably a MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Test). The test will help to determine if you have narcolepsy or not. It’s good that the doc wants to do the test before he gives you the med. That way, you know that he’s trying to make a correct diagnosis, rather than just throwing meds at you to see what works. It sounds like you doctor is being responsible in this case. Good luck, -Bret Wood -bretw…@cs.uoregon.edu
