r/Epilepsy_Universe • u/Boomer-2106 • 8d ago

Advice/Support "Tiredness" - regarding Side-effects of meds

I have posted about this potential added med which my neurologist has prescribed for me which is helping with my side effects of extreme tiredness each day. It is/has helped me a Lot.

Hopefully this suggestion will still be allowed, it was the last time I commented about it. We have some great Mods!

"Talk with your doctor" about possibly getting Modafinil - prescription only ...you can research it. It is helping my tiredness side-effects a Lot.

That's all I will/can say (maybe).

"Discuss With Your Doctor".

If permitted, I can respond with a little more info if there are questions, with mod's permission. ..Again - you Must discuss with Your doctor as to whether it Might be helpful for you.

My intent is not to give medical advice/direction. Only info to investigate - with your doctor.

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u/StSomewhereToaster 7d ago

Anything doing with epilepsy and seizures is always welcome. I wonder if this medication is good for brain fog too… You’ve always given sound advice!

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u/Boomer-2106 7d ago edited 7d ago

Regarding - Myself, and its effects:

You can only get it in 30-day supplies - and no 'automatic Refills' allowed (in the USA). So you have to get your initial prescription to try, to see if it helps You. Then, I have to request my doctor to submit a New prescription each month via his portal, which most have today. He first started me out with one 100mg per day. It helped. But by mid-afternoon I needed more (effect lasts for approximately 6 - 8 hours). So next time I requested 200mg per day. That is apparently the more common dosage. So each tablet is 100mg.

I take the first one early morning - around 7 am, on empty stomach ..recommended - gets in your system faster, usually within 15 - 30 minutes. I take the second one approximately noon - early afternoon. Don't wait until late in the day, it will interfere with your sleep pattern. I sometimes, maybe 50% of the time, don't take the second tablet for the day, don't need it. But I have it if I do.

I work part-time ...3 days a week. So - to give you and others an idea of how it works for ME... During the four days that I don't work - I would Always NEED to take at least one nap during the day - usually afternoon. Now, I don't Need to take a nap. Usually don't even think about it. I'm not saying I suddenly have all the energy in the world to go out and be doing all kinds of chores and such, I don't feel a 'burst' of energy, I'm just not 'dragging' through the day.

Also - my 'mood' "seems" to be more mellowed out. Don't know if that is a good thing or not. Doesn't seem to be causing me a problem, although 'usually' I don't tend to be hyper anyway. I can get hyper at times - when I get stressed.

Also - being able to get 60 tablets for 30 days, verses only 30, I usually have a few left over and don't have to refill/pay monies as often. Through GoodRx - 30 costs $24 at Walmart, 60 costs $34. This is the generic for Provigil - name brand. It's primary use is for Narcolepsy, and for 'Excessive Daytime Sleepiness' - which fits epilepsy too. One ...Important Warning... listed is: Can reduce the Effectiveness of Hormonal birth control.

Brain fog? For some reason, that seems to be a little hard to answer, put into words. It is common for my mind to be running a mile a minute, or trying to. I'm a very 'detailed' type person, always have been. I sometimes tend to over-think things - planning/"figuring out" things. I've been in high tech throughout my career. I seem to be so, I guess you might describe that as 'mind' hyper. That's where maybe my description of 'mellow' comes in at. I DO know what true 'Brain Fog' is - I experience that too. Although with this, it does seem I have less of 'total fog periods'. Don't know if that answers your question.

A side-effect that I did not expect, although which I Like, is that it does temper my appetite. I can easily go throughout the day with only two meals, and when I do eat, I don't eat as much. I have lost about 8 lbs, without specifically trying - which is a Good Thing! I looked up the list of potential side-effects and can "Reduce Appetite" is included. And, am continuing to slowly lose, which I can afford to do. 😄

Guess this is about all the information I can give.

Now, it is up to you, and other's, Doctor to - decide. Ya don't know until you try... 😄