provigil or ritalin

I don't have MS (so it appears), but I have quite a few similar symptoms, including dizziness and the related brain fog and fatigue. Back in 2000, neuro prescribed Provigil, saying "we used to use Ritalin for this" but that Provigil is now favored because of fewer side effects. Provigil was very helpful for both fatigue and cognition, although I didn't like the late-afternoon "letdown" effect I got with it. It was rather unpleasant.

m glad your doc is treating the fatigue, but I wonder why the Ritalin instead of the usually more favored Provigil. Have you tried and failed Provigil or something? Yes, people have been helped by Ritalin and it's (better, I think) cousin Adderall for the symptoms of Cog Fog and the ADD it can cause. I'll be interested in hearing how well it works for fatigue. I thank the stars for you finding such a good doctor. They are a treasure!

(I am feeling withdrawl, cold, night leg shakes, sweat, uncontrollable yawning, and the dreaded running to the restroom) Does anyone know if RITALIN and/or PROVIGIL will ease my lack of motivation and energy untill the WD passes? It is now Sunday. I have not taken any opiates since Thursday and am feeling WD, yet am alone at my apt, thinking of "scoring" just 2-3 hydros to make it go away.....My first post, sorry so long. Thank you. Please... any advice would be welcome.

Hi Guys...:) Has anyone here taken Ritalin for the fatigue? My neuro gave it to me a week ago, cause the Provigil just wasn't doing much. The Ritalin helps some, but I'm still dead by the afternoon. Does it take a while on it to build up to the right level or something? Anybody notice any weird side effects with it? I've been getting this freaky feeling of bugs crawling up and down my back for the past week or so.... I wonder if it's from that or from the MS.

I even feel the effects of the Provigil the next day (though not nearly as strong). Actually the Provigil fades out about 8 hours after I take it, but I sure do sleep well that night! The next day, I have slightly more energy than usual. I love Provigil, but, due to the chest fullness, can't use it very often so that is why I was considering Adderall (I'm also ADD). In your opinion, how did the Adderall compare to the Provigil in terms of fatigue reduction?

My neuro suggested maybe trying Ritalin.....he says Provigil is the best, but it is kind of pricey even w/ my insurance.......So is Provigil worth it? ....Has anyone tried Ritalin? Has anyone had any weird s/e w/ either med??? I would be very grateful for any input....

I dont know if this is accurate or not, but I thought it should be shared. I just read this in the "Health" Section of Foxnews.com I have heard a lot of really good things about Provigil, although I've never used it. It was recommended to me many times though. Just some food for thought. Seems EVERYTHING comes with its own set of dangers attached.

I received a letter of denial for Provigil coverage after a free week's trial (from the drug company). The Provigil made a world of difference, but is really expensive. My other option is Ritalin, and I don't like the sound of the side effects. I had no negative ones from Provigil.

I have MS and this is why I am asking about Ritalin instead of the 600 mg of provigil i take every Morning

the only drawback is the potential for addiction. My Gastro said to use it with the same caution as you would ritalin or addreall and do not increase the dosge. He's going to give me a 30 day trial supply and then check to see how its affected the brain fog, fatigue,ect. I hope it works. I forgot that I took my peg injection last week and took it twice. and im having trouble carrying on a conversation because I cant hold my train of thought. Thanks for everybodys support.

Hi Cyndi! I've only ever been on Ritalin, but I can tell you that I love it, it's such a huge help for me! It does sometimes make me a little jittery, but I think it does a great job of making me feel totally alert and awake :) I think it makes me feel happier, too - oh, and it does amazing things to your attention span, haha, three hour lectures suddenly became a breeze. Another plus: the cost!

I asked to switch to Ritalin (because he had originally said they used to prescribe Ritalin, but Provigil had fewer side effects), and Ritalin worked great for me (again, as needed) for a couple of years. Then, not so good. Finally I switched to Strattera, an ADD med (which Ritalin is, too). I've been taking it five years with great success--it works all the time consistently, no side effects, refillable, and it gave me back my ability to think and focus (to a large extent).

I called in for one more refill today, and will ask my PCP next week about Ritalin or Adderall; my ms neuro suggested Ritalin if I couldn't afford Provigil. I'm afraid that the Ritalin will give me tachycardia, as a similar medication did several years ago. Now I'm thinking; will my insurance even cover the Ritalin, without a diagnosis? I should grab my formulary...

Because of the intense fatigue, the NP gave me prescriptions for Ritalin (improve focus), Provigil (fatigue), and Marinol (help with nausea/lack of appetite, helps reduce pain/ spasticity from nerves misfiring) The Ritalin and Marinol are working great so far. I have not yet tried the provigil. I want to talk to my GP first because I have high BP and Provigil can elevate it. This was supposed to be a short note, so I'll keep quiet now.

Hi, I have tried ritalin once a day then twice a day, nuvigil and now focalin. Probably the ritalin twice a day was the better of these. But it gave me a headache, and thats not fun either. The nuvigil was ok that's about all I can say. I was never jittery or anything on it, just made it through the day. It seem to peek late for me and caused trouble sleeping. Which I actually think it's made to peek twice. Not to sure about that. Anyway, now on to focalin.

m a naturally anxious person.. and going on something like Adderall or Ritalin is out of the question... unless maybe if I have to drive somewhere that day. Is there any way to correct the condition, like with antidepresants?

I have debilitating fatigue due to MS and have tried everything - Provigil, Amantadine, Adderall, Ritalin - the works. While Provigil helped for some time while I was still working, that was many years ago and its effectiveness eventually petered out. At the time, I was taking a very large dose in accordance to doctor's orders, and my side effects (heart palpitations, increased rate of speech, crashing, etc.) were quite bothersome.

What are the options for this disorder? Do you find Ritalin affects wear off over the course of treatment? Are there implantable devices now to control this disorder?

Seven days worth of Provigil costs $113, though I could probably cut them in half and make it last two weeks, if Ritalin or Adderall could be a possible problem. Please let me know what you think is the best course for us to take with this matter. I can afford a few weeks of the Provigil, using some of my savings. I appreciate your help with this. Kathy" So, y'all, what do you think? Anything I should add or subtract?

It is working. The next step would be modafinil but I was told that many of their patients use Ritalin or adderall. Both are addictive so they start with the ones with least side effects first. So far amantadine has been helping get me through my day without crashing. Might be worth asking about it.

I am a 74 year old Female and I am taking 20mg of Ritalin SR in the AM and 25mg of Imipram for the cataplexy in the PM. I get about 2 to 4 hrs sleep and the rest of the night I toss and turn. My Dr. told me she doesn't give meds for her patients to sleep. I am concerned about not sleeping and then taking Ritalin to keep me awake during the day.I feel my health will be affected. Is this the normal way to treat my condition?

Provigil or ritalin

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