Nuvigil and Depression

[CaptainYaaar]

I have as of lately been dealing with the kind of depression I am not used to. It has been hard to get and stay out of bed, its been difficult to take care of myself, and I cannot focus at all. I saw my pdoc about it. Initially I suggested Dexedrine because I had done very well on it before but we decided not to because I am prone to facial ticks and Dexedrine can mess with that. I asked him if there was anything similar to that and we decided on Nuvigil. I have been on it a couple days and have noticed a difference. (I dont make excuses to lie down anymore) I was curious if anybody else had any information or experience with this drug. I had never heard of it and I was curious about the affects ondepression, attention and focus. (Im starting college full time in a few days and Im concerned about my studies) Im also concerned about the impact on my anxiety, because I struggle with that (and Prozac has only kind of helped with that.)

Thanks in advance!

[Mayteana]

Nuvigil is the bastard sibling of Provigil. One is a slight change in formula from the other.

Both are wakefulness promoting agents, approved for use with narcolepsy, the side effects of obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work sleep disorder. They are used off label for all sorts of other things, one of which happens to be depression.

In terms of attention and focus, these are exactly what they are called - wakefulness promoting agents. If you've been awake for 30 hours and your brain has turned to jello, taking one of these medicines will result in your brain continuing to be jello but you will find it easier to keep that jello awake for a few more hours. Taking one of these meds won't necessarily help your cognition, but if sleepiness is what was clouding your mind then - yes you will see an improvement.

The effect on anxiety is a crap shoot. Increased anxiety is a possible side effect. Some people get it. Some people feel less anxiety on these meds. YMMV

Unlike stims these meds won't fuck up your sleep. The deal is that if you choose to be awake, the medicine will make it easier to do so. However if you choose to be asleep, the med won't get in the way of that.

Using it for depression is eh. It's not that the wakefulness promoting agents are going to improve depression, but they treat some of the common side effects of depression (sleepiness, lethargy) and as add on's to AD's they can sometimes be a big help in keeping your energy up during the day.

It's not a stimulant, but it's still an upper. Abuse happens. Respect your prescription.

~ May

[Guest Margo]

My doctor just put me on Nuvigil. I have taken it two days in a row. Yesterday I was thrilled that I could be so alert and get so much done without feeling tired. Then last night I hardly slept at all. As today wore on I started becoming depressed and anxious. I have suffered from anxiety and depression for years. I am on medications for both anxiety and depression. Last year I feel asleep at work a few times, which realy scared me. I was afraid I might be fired. I am a reading teacher for individual students at a private school. A few times my students asked me what I was talking about. It was like I was waking up from a dream. Also, I need to lose a minimum of 50 pounds and I haven't been as hungry since I started taking the Nuvigil. I've had some headaches. Today was the worst because I couldn't stop crying and worrying about everything.

I wish I knew what to do.

Margo

[null0trooper]

My doctor just put me on Nuvigil. I have taken it two days in a row.

Not many people see consistent improvement in the first few days of any medication change.

It sucks, but you're going to have to give it more than two days to see if the new medication

works out.

I wish I knew what to do.

If you do not have a therapist/counsellor/psychologist yet, get one. Your post suggests that

you may have more to tend to than you can be reasonably expected to work on without more

support than a pill or two a day can provide. If you have one already and aren't getting

enough support, it might be time to start looking for a replacement.

[Guest Zoe]

I've been on Provigil 100 mg a day for a few years. I absolutely loved it!!! I wasn't nearly as tired as I normally was, needed less sleep and felt really good. I don't suffer from anxiety but I take Lexapro 20 mg for depression. In addition to being MUCH less tired, Provigil seems to give me a little boost so that I wasn't so depressed. Then my doctor gave me some free samples of Nuvigil because I don't have health insurance. I started taking the Nuvigil at 75mg (I cut them in half, which you're apparently not supposed to do) and I started feeling very anxious and afraid. I switched back to Provigil for a few days and felt much better. I decided to give Nuvigil another chance and started taking it at 75 mg again and then moved to 150 mg when the 75 mg left me feeling tired. I've been on the Nuvigil for about two weeks, and I've gotta say, I hate it. For some reason, it makes me much more emotional and a little more depressed. I've decided to give the rest of the free samples back to my doctor. Even though it's free, it's not worth taking to me.

I've been on some other forums of folks taking Nuvigil (MS forums, ADD forums) and I haven't seen any other group talking about ill effects from Nuvigil. I'm thinking it might just cause spikes in depression for those of us who already have it. Everyone's different though, and unfortunately, the only way to know how it will affect you is to try it :T Best of luck.

[Guest Margaret]

I suffer from major depression. I have been treated with Lexapro for 5 years and have done really well with my mood. In the past year I have become exhausted and sleepy, forgetful and unable to do daily activities. After going doing extensive medical check-up the doctors say this is a physical side-effect of my depression. My psychiatrist prescribed Nuvigil to help with the exhaustion. I have been taking the medication for 2 weeks and have noticed an improvement in my physical ability to stay awake and get more accomplished. I have also had a drastic change in my mood, now I cry frequently an feel very depressed which was under control before the start of the medication. Has anyone had this problem? Thank you

[Guest Tara]

I can only add my experience.

I was put on Nuvigil to help with my fatigue issues. After 19 years of living with exhaustion and feeling like my mind is living in a fog, I was so excited to start feeling better. It took about a week to see any real results, but they were completely positive!

About 10 days later, I wanted to cry. I cry as soon as I think of something sad (not focus on something sad, just a fleeting thought). The depression I am experiencing is mind boggling.

I fought taking antidepressants for years. FOUGHT. I was not depressed. I was frustrated. Frustrated by not feeling well. And now, I have to fight with myself NOT to call the doctor and ask for an anti-depressant.

As soon as I started feeling depressed, I looked at the information and side effects of Nuvigil. I never want to give myself some kind of pre-disposition towards symptoms, so I just take the medication and deal with the effects later. As soon as I realized depression was a listed symptom, I breathed a sigh of relief. Typically, I can deal with that which I can understand. For a few days, this worked. I told myself I was happy. I told myself I was not depressed. I told myself, look at how much better you feel overall by taking this!

Yeah, okay, so that is not working too well right now. The tearing up is getting worse. I am more depressed. If it does not improve soon, I will have to call my doctor. Sadly, I do not know which is worse: this depression or the mental fog. I almost think I rather deal with the depression. At least I can clearly evaluate how depressed I am. *lol*

[crtclms]

My sister, who has MDD, uses provigil during exams periods to help with her concentration, but is otherwise just on Wellbutrin. She has a lot of trouble focusing on her work if she doesn't use the provigil. After exams end, she comes off of it.

For what that is worth.

Captain Yaaar, could you be having a paradoxical reaction?

[Guest Tara]

I was trying to update and ended up reposting so if someone can just delete the repost...

After 3 days of continuous crying, I called my doctor. I started by telling him that the medication was really doing what it was designed to do, I was alert. I was awake. REALLY awake for the first time in almost 19 years. I went on to explaint that the depression I expereienced as a side effect, however, was worse than I could have ever imagined and that I was becoming overly emotional for no reason.

He did not think it was the medication. He offered to put me on an anti-depressant, gently suggesting that after everything I had been through, I should not worry about realizing I was actually very depressed. I paused. I had actually callled with the intent of demanding an anti-depressant. After fighting against the "she is just depressed" mantra for so long, did I really want to give in now? I asked about the possibility of decreasing the dosage or taking it every other day. He responded, Tara, it is not the medication. I gritted my teeth, saying nothing but knowing better.

I did not make a habit of thinking how great it would be to drive into 18 wheelers and concrete medians during my commute to/from work or other random thoughts that could be described as suicidal in nature. I had never expereinced these levels of depression, not even close. It made no sense, I was feeling BETTER. Why would I be depressed now?

I decided to keep taking the medication. As prescribed. Fight through it. See if in time, my body would/could adjust. Let me tell you, those next 8 days or so were pure hell. There is just no other way to describe it, but I was stubbornly resolved to prove it was NOT me.

Then, I woke up, almost 4 weeks to the day I started taking Nuvigil. I blinked. I was awake. I could think. I was not exhausted. I was not even mildly tired. AND I was not depressed or crying. I had made it. In fact, I felt better than I had since I was 14 years old. And as I sit here typing this three weeks later, I still feel the same.

So for those expereincing something similar, try to stick with it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It is so worth it!

Now, I am in the process of fighting with my insurance to cover the medication. I know I need it, so if I have to pay for it out of pocked, so be it. My doctor has been great, giving me additional samples while we appeal their decision. I hope they do cover it (I have been officially diagnosed with both OSA and Narcolepsy among others), but I will cut out cable television and home internet access before I will go back to life as it was before Nuvigil. All I can do is say thanks to those who worked to develop something that works. The road was not easy. Yet, it was definitely worth traveling. As Frost so famously penned: "And I, I took the road less traveled by and it has made all the difference."

~Tara

[Guest Gina]

I've been taking Nuvigil for about 5 or 6 months now. I'm taking it for idiopathic hypersomnia. I love it, but am also fighting the insurance company. Funny how they have more power than the doctor. I also cut my directv, phone service and other things just to afford it. Let's hope for a generic soon!

[Guest Scott]

I've been taking Nuvigil for about 5 or 6 months now. I'm taking it for idiopathic hypersomnia. I love it, but am also fighting the insurance company. Funny how they have more power than the doctor. I also cut my directv, phone service and other things just to afford it. Let's hope for a generic soon!

Provigil loses its patent-protected status in 2012...Nuvigil is protected until sometime around 2023, I think. When generics for Provigil come out, they'll likely be nearly as expensive as Provigil until they recoup some of their costs.

Just started on Nuvigil literally today for residual hypersomnia from BiPAP-treated OSA. Depression hasn't been a major issue for me...situational depression a few years ago, but the constant sleepiness and exhaustion was surely taking its toll recently. I'm thankful that there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Scott

[Guest swf]

Yes that a good product for someone with your symptoms. Just always keep moving. Ive been alost bedridden for 2 years. Have fibro cfc and major dep.

[Guest Scott M]

I was going through a bad depression, which I have battled with on and off for years and my Doctor had tried me on all of the anti-depressants. Lexepro, Zoloff, Welbutrin, Prestiq. Instead of feeling better, I was feeling much worse. All I wanted to do was sleep. I kept thinking maybe it was the meds, but then I was afraid if I stoped them it would be even worse and I was afraid of that. Finally, I was taken off Zoloff, which is the one I finally ended up on, and was given Nuvigil. It was like walking out into the Sunshine. I was my old self again, and felt good about life. This happen Literally with the first dose. The only side affect is that I constantly move my tongue around alot in inside my mouth. I know this drug is not an amphitamine, but it is a controled substance, and I worry about becoming dependent. It would be an expensive habit. Its too bad the anti-depressants didn't work this well.

[etkearne]

How is is compared to the power of Dexedrine? Does it feel weaker? I would think that it did, and, thus, wouldn't give the antidepressant energy you need. I take Adderall (which is 75% Dexedrine by weight) and it is the only antidepressant agent that has ever worked for me. Stimulants are the last spot on the "flow chart" for treatment of depression (I looked at the one my doctor had), so I feel your pain if you are taking a stimulant for depression. Good luck.

[mwgli]

Hi all, I am a 70 year old woman, and have battled depression both of anxious and somnolent nature, bi-polar 2 of medium awfulness, the severe version of sunlight depression, and about 8 years ago was diagnosed with severe and ongoing PTSD, which over- rides all the other diagnoses in severity. I have tried meds for depression, bi polar, etc. and none have worked over the years. It appears from my investigations and my neuro-psycho-pharacologist's knowledge, agreed to also by my local small town internist, that I am dopamine depleted, likely from birth. The only med made for that was Wellbutrin which made me rageful. The came Vyvanse and I started it a little over a year ago, anywhere from 140 mgs. to the 30 mgs a day I now take. I dumps me into depression anywhere from 5 to 8 hours after I take it, and i have been using brand name Ritalin to add to my day, often taking it too late despite knowing better. I take clonazepam at night, up to 3 mgs with the Vyvanse but now being asked to back off by local doc as best I can and see if I can sleep and get my circadian rhythm turned around to something normal by getting tired. This has not worked previously in my life, but I 'm giving it a try.

Also dumping ritalin after about 2 or 3 PM, not so late considering today I awoke at noon, after 12 hours sleep.

I added Nuvigil a little over two weeks ago and am noticing increasing pain, in hands, knees, feet, calves and toes. I am also very depressed and a bit paranoid. Has anyone else suffered these symptoms. I dropped the Nuvigil last night, I started it hoping it would extend the Vyvanse throughout the day, giving me more time of no depression, and it does do that. I am calling both docs tomorrow. My dose is 250 mgs a day, I started with 4 days of 1/4 pill, and 2 days of 1/2 pill. then whole pills. I need to decide if I should quite before paying for the whole next month and joining the program that does save $600 a year, seemed huge at first until I realized it was just a fraction of the monthly price!

I am tentatively very recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia and the pain is very bad until I get enough hydrocodone in me) , and now the top of 8 #10s I'm allowed is not really taking care of the pain as my doc thought it surely would. I've been tested for all the immune diseases, sleep clinic, everything, including Lyme, etc. The pain is getting worse and worse or so it seems, and the depression is back , I'm sure partly from no joy and an inability to join in..... most friends have given up on me over the years.. I have many which amazes me, but I now can no longer do the things we did together, and am mostly a hermit in house I cannot clean or keep up, have lot's of help outdoors, as I bought a ton of flowers for outside to celebrate 70 years and could not plant a one, as I was shortly thereafter hit wit the FM. I do think the FM after a year of stress and many losses threw me for a loop, and I would have been in a better place to tinker with this is it weren't for the unexpected pain and limited activity level (I'm very active mentally and physically being ADD of course) I still run free with ideas but my body won't accomplish a thing! My gram was driving back and forth across the country into her 80s and my Dad died accidentally or of suicide a year and a half ago. I lost my best dog, and my two new Whippets, yearling sister, have started to fight. I love them both and may likely have to give one up. The psychiatrist had just volunteered to sign them off as service dogs and I was so very happy. I have lurecoursed , a form of racing sighthouds, for 40 years, and while planned to retire my license this year, still planned to run these girl pups, super runners and frisbee dogs, and now it hurts just to take them to the field and throw for them. I do it anyway, of course.

I want to die, but I have two grown sons and I can't do it.. so I spend each day trying to make it to the next day. I'm told to walk, I hate it, so I'm also stubborn! I usually leave every winter for a few months and drive to AZ where I have friends, but now unless I get off some of the drugs that are making me dangerous at times on the road, I cannot leave northern

MN, where the sun does NOT shine many months. I am afraid, and no one wants to hear it, so I'm going to see if any of you know about Nuvigil, and try to go water my dumb flowers and take some to the dump now. They were scraggly leftovers, I'm not wasting good pansies, my favorites. I see as usual I have written much more than the rest of you. So I will call this my introduction and try to mark the important question about Nuvigil. thank you....

[mwgli]

I think Nuvigil is a pretty good med, it's now about 4 hours since I joined this forum since reading last night, and by Tara's experience am inclined to ask my psych doc tomorrow morning at what every time that might be? 10 AM, 2 PM, who knows? if I should reduce the dose , keep it the same, or find some happy medium between what my internist wants me

to do, and my brilliant neuro, psych,pharm doc thinks. Between him saying 3 mgs of clonazepam is normal for me, and to keep up the ritalin, and her wanting me off the ritalin, off everything if possible (although the Vyvanse killed my depression for the first time in my life, I just chattered all the time like a squirrel:) I do not know what to think. I think CaptainYaaar

is right on to go to Nuvigil, and those comments and Tara's encourage me to hang with it.

[Guest veryworried]

My husband takes this and I am worried! He has a drug abuse past and it effected him mentally. His dr put him on Invega and Neurotin and it made him brain dead. So she added Nuvigil to the mix. for the last 2 yrs. He is the past few months thinks he is ready to be off his meds, but still wanted to take the Nuvigil. I know nothing about the feeling or addiction problems ( I dont' even take tylenol) I am trying to deal with this but its a fight bc I have hide them and give him it daily. Well last week we decided to take him off, but I found out today he got another bottle from his dr and has been taking behind my back and over taking them ( He has done this before) He thinks he isnt doin anything wrong and it wont hurt him and I am scared that he is getting "high" from them. please excuse my stupidness but i have tried to research abuse and effects and it states a drug abuse background should be monitored. Any advice?

[Guest Cindy]

I have as of lately been dealing with the kind of depression I am not used to. It has been hard to get and stay out of bed, its been difficult to take care of myself, and I cannot focus at all. I saw my pdoc about it. Initially I suggested Dexedrine because I had done very well on it before but we decided not to because I am prone to facial ticks and Dexedrine can mess with that. I asked him if there was anything similar to that and we decided on Nuvigil. I have been on it a couple days and have noticed a difference. (I dont make excuses to lie down anymore) I was curious if anybody else had any information or experience with this drug. I had never heard of it and I was curious about the affects ondepression, attention and focus. (Im starting college full time in a few days and Im concerned about my studies) Im also concerned about the impact on my anxiety, because I struggle with that (and Prozac has only kind of helped with that.)

Thanks in advance!

[Guest CINDY]

OMG!!! I just was looking up this drug because I was switched from Provigil to Nuvigil for sleep apnea also suffer from depression, it just dawned on me today maybe it is the medicine making me crazy. I have been experiencing the exact same feelings. Can't get out of bed, can't focus, feel like my head is going to explode. It is crazy, not us. lol!!! It really helps seeing other people are also experiencing these side effects.

[Guest Cindy]

I have as of lately been dealing with the kind of depression I am not used to. It has been hard to get and stay out of bed, its been difficult to take care of myself, and I cannot focus at all. I saw my pdoc about it. Initially I suggested Dexedrine because I had done very well on it before but we decided not to because I am prone to facial ticks and Dexedrine can mess with that. I asked him if there was anything similar to that and we decided on Nuvigil. I have been on it a couple days and have noticed a difference. (I dont make excuses to lie down anymore) I was curious if anybody else had any information or experience with this drug. I had never heard of it and I was curious about the affects ondepression, attention and focus. (Im starting college full time in a few days and Im concerned about my studies) Im also concerned about the impact on my anxiety, because I struggle with that (and Prozac has only kind of helped with that.)

Thanks in advance!

[Guest CINDY]

I take this medicine for obstructive sleep apnea and I can go to sleep two hours after taking it!!!! Other people seem to stay wide awake.

[crazycatnapper]

My sleep doc tried me on it, but it made me sick. So did provigil. BOTH drugs can make you depressed. My sleep doc was worried that even if one of them worked for my Narcolepsy, it would add to my depression, so he told me to keep notes on how I felt while on it. I had such severe nausea I had to stop taking the meds before I got a chance to see how it affected my mental health, but for those of you wondering if you are crazy, you are not. Nuvigil can make you depressed.

[Guest Don]

Hello All!

Thank God in Heaven for this topic! And thank you, Tara, for your words of encouragement. I'm on my second trial of this nightmare drug, taking it for ADHD, sleep problems and mild depression. I can only echo the familiar stories of depression and anxiety! The first two days taking Nuvigil was great! I felt like leonardo Decaprio in "Titanic". I was the freaking "King of the World"! Full of energy, alert and actually felt like being producyive at work! About the third day, some old friends paid me a visit. Mr Black Cloud of Depression, his cousin Arnold Anxiety and their friend Mr Worry Wart! Oh yeah, I'd also get nightly visits from Irma Insomnia! I would try taking two Benadryl along with Silenor (sleep med). My mind and body were still a frantic bundle of nerves! The next day, after a fitful nights' sleep, my constant companions throughout the day were depression, anxiety and a general attitude of not giving a damn about anything! Activities that were previously enjoyable were now a thing of the past. I didn't quite entertain the thought of suicide, but at the same time, I wouldn't have minded if I'd fallen asleep never to awaken! The most horrible feelings I've ever experienced all in a two-day time span.

I'm starting to think I'd rather put up with the feelings of low-energy/ low-motivation. At least then I understood what was going on! I'll take Tara's advice, and try to finish my 30-day prescription. Thanks for listening!

Don

[dy95]

Hello All!

Thank God in Heaven for this topic! And thank you, Tara, for your words of encouragement. I'm on my second trial of this nightmare drug, taking it for ADHD, sleep problems and mild depression. I can only echo the familiar stories of depression and anxiety! The first two days taking Nuvigil was great! I felt like leonardo Decaprio in "Titanic". I was the freaking "King of the World"! Full of energy, alert and actually felt like being producyive at work! About the third day, some old friends paid me a visit. Mr Black Cloud of Depression, his cousin Arnold Anxiety and their friend Mr Worry Wart! Oh yeah, I'd also get nightly visits from Irma Insomnia! I would try taking two Benadryl along with Silenor (sleep med). My mind and body were still a frantic bundle of nerves! The next day, after a fitful nights' sleep, my constant companions throughout the day were depression, anxiety and a general attitude of not giving a damn about anything! Activities that were previously enjoyable were now a thing of the past. I didn't quite entertain the thought of suicide, but at the same time, I wouldn't have minded if I'd fallen asleep never to awaken! The most horrible feelings I've ever experienced all in a two-day time span.

I'm starting to think I'd rather put up with the feelings of low-energy/ low-motivation. At least then I understood what was going on! I'll take Tara's advice, and try to finish my 30-day prescription. Thanks for listening!

Don

[notfred]

I find it to be a mood brighter. It helps some with focus, more so in waking you up so you can focus. Not near the focusing power amphetamines have, but it does have almost the same effect in waking you up.

nf

[Guest pearson80]

My husband takes this and I am worried! He has a drug abuse past and it effected him mentally. His dr put him on Invega and Neurotin and it made him brain dead. So she added Nuvigil to the mix. for the last 2 yrs. He is the past few months thinks he is ready to be off his meds, but still wanted to take the Nuvigil. I know nothing about the feeling or addiction problems ( I dont' even take tylenol) I am trying to deal with this but its a fight bc I have hide them and give him it daily. Well last week we decided to take him off, but I found out today he got another bottle from his dr and has been taking behind my back and over taking them ( He has done this before) He thinks he isnt doin anything wrong and it wont hurt him and I am scared that he is getting "high" from them. please excuse my stupidness but i have tried to research abuse and effects and it states a drug abuse background should be monitored. Any advice?

[Guest loravk]

I've been taking Nuvigil for about 5 or 6 months now. I'm taking it for idiopathic hypersomnia. I love it, but am also fighting the insurance company. Funny how they have more power than the doctor. I also cut my directv, phone service and other things just to afford it. Let's hope for a generic soon!

i have taken provigil in the past and am now taking nuvigil, with the option to supplement an adderall in the afternoon as needed, but i am doing well on it. i thought i would mention that nuvigil and provigil both have patient assistance programs through the manufacturer for those who don't have insurance or their insurance won't cover it. i get mine for free every 3 months and it is shipped to my house.

[Anna]

I've never tried nuvigil but I love provigil for both my (mild) ADHD and depression. Have heard annecdotally that nuvigil can be "stonger" whatever that means.

Not everythign works for everyone.

FWIW I HATED adderall. HATE hate.

Anna