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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by delna on October 10, 2009, at 2:49:01
Hi,
Just wondering if anyone is taking more than 200mg Provigil with Parnate.
I know there is no evidence on safety (in terms of papers and recommendations) but is anyone on such a combination?
Any tips would really help.
Thanks D
Posted by floatingbridge on October 11, 2009, at 4:27:40
In reply to Anyone taking Parnate and more than 200mg Provigil, posted by delna on October 10, 2009, at 2:49:01
Yes, I think so. Ask ColoradoSnowflake on the med board.
Best to you Delna,
fb
Posted by floatingbridge on October 11, 2009, at 4:29:20
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Parnate and more than 200mg Prov » delna, posted by floatingbridge on October 11, 2009, at 4:27:40
Posted by delna on October 11, 2009, at 5:28:58
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Parnate and more than 200mg Prov » delna, posted by floatingbridge on October 11, 2009, at 4:27:40
Thanks for the suggestion.....but I think she is only on 200mg :(
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 11, 2009, at 13:06:53
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Parnate and more than 200mg Prov » floatingbridge, posted by delna on October 11, 2009, at 5:28:58
Hi FB and Delna:
I've been pretty quiet lately. My 3yr old grandson broke his leg, can't go to school, so I've been babysitting like crazy (yes, I'm crazy to babysit so much). I also had a brand new grandson Oct 7th. The BIG thing is, I'm feeling pretty normal (?) whatever that is.I'm in my 6th month of Parnate and I've gotten through a whole bunch of effects, brain zaps, fog, side effects and "brain housekeeping". I really don't have any side effects any more. I sleep at night. I feel more like my "old" self than I have in 15 years!! Depression is gone. Nearly constant thoughts of suicide...gone!
All the awful brain fog is gone. I can think clearly. Almost like 15 years ago. I do lots of regular things all day and don't have fatigue. I think Parnate is very definitly working for me where nothing else did....but I still do have "psychological issues" which I need to work on.I can't implore you enough to give Parnate six months before you give it up. My pdoc made me promise that, and I'm glad I did. It's taken my body that long to totally adjust and let go of a lot of old chemical residue. (I call housekeeping).
Ok, I know you asked about the Provigil. I have to have it, or some kind of stimulant. Parnate comes the closest of any AD I've taken to address my LONG battle with fatigue, but not totally. I think my fatigue is it's own entity. But depression makes it terribly bad.
My preferred stimulant is BRAND Provigil. It works the smoothest and I don't even know, in a good way, that I've taken it. I'm just not tired.
I can do well on 200mg a day..100mg am and 100mg
around lunchtime.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get BRAND very often. I have been able to get generic made by Cipra, Modapro Modafinil, which is said to be the best generic. I have to take 300mg/day of it. It isn't very smooth, has sharp edges sort of, comes and goes and comes back. It's kind of weird, but far far better than nothing. I also have some adrafinil, Olmifon, which is still legal in the US as a brain supplement or anti-aging supplement. It works a little. I add some of it sometimes to generic.So, answering your question isn't all that easy!! I also drink a lot of coffee. (not too late in the day). At first on Parnate, one spoon of coffee would raise my blood pressure. Now I've built up to drinking a lot of coffee without any significant blood pressure rise.
I think some people find Parnate very stimulating by itself! That would be great! I'm not one of them.
I still take 25mg of Nortriptyline at bedtime. I'm not sure what it does for me, but I wont stop it because my pdoc wants me to take it.
Parnate/Provigil/Nortript REALLY REALLY Works for me. NO SIDE EFFECTS!!
I don't have panic attacks any more. Not even close. My social phobias are MUCH MUCH MUCH better. Whats left is bad habit. I got a new car which I've been trying to do for 5 years!but was too fearful of "making a mistake". It's fun to drive so that gets me out more.
I went through an anger phase and that's all gone.It's taken almost six months to get here. Through a lot of ick.
That's some of my Parnate story, so far.
Sorry fo being so long winded. It didn't seem like an easy question to answer!!Delna, I'm so happy you're feeling better!! Parnate just might be the one for you!!
fb: Seems like you're in a pretty mellow place waiting for your pdoc. Excellent!
Love you guys!
GayleParnate: 70mg
Provigil/Modafinal: 200-350mg
Nortriptyline: 25mg
Posted by delna on October 13, 2009, at 1:40:48
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Parnate and more than 200mg Prov, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 11, 2009, at 13:06:53
Gayle,
Hope your grandson is better..... and glad to know how good you are feeling on the parnate!
6 months- wow I hope I can hang in there till then..You know I also think my fatigue is separate to the bipolar since I remember having it since nursery school. (the teacher used to make fun of me for constantly yawning) But I don't have a sleep disoder.
I have always used the generic ( that's all we get in India)
Right now my pdoc has me on 200mg but I spoke with him on the phone yesterday and he said (eventually) I can up it (as much as I need to)
Except on Geodon (on which I only took 300mg because it was beyond stimulating in itself) I normally need 400mg Modafanil, 300mg Wellbutrin and I pop 2 caffeine pills too (200mg total)JUST to stay awake and that too, just to sit in bed.I have totally cut back on the coffee because of the apparent interaction. Anyway it doesn't help me much
Its excellent that you have found a cocktail that is working for you and I commend you you for your patience!Although my depression is slightly lifted with the 20 Parnate, I still get suicidal days but that I think maybe due to just being so so fed up with all these drug experiments. I'm not one of those people who gets stimulated on Parnate either but it has stopped sedating me. The fatigue makes me feel suicidal because it makes me feel so helpless and frustrated.
The only thing that has ever worked (like magic) was Geodon + Provigil. But Geodon is out of the question because I think I developed a tardive state on it. God, I miss it so much. I think it spoiled me- now I want to feel that active and energetic (and productive) because I realize that it IS possible. My pdoc tells me Parnate will be like Geodon but I don't think so.But I am going to give it a very fair chance. It's just so annoying that he is titrating up so slowly. What's with that???
Another Parnate question for you Gayle.... do you take your blood pressure daily. I have been told to do so. Also now that you are on this cocktail is it 'safe'. By that I mean can it still produce a hypertensive crisis or are you now physically settled on in?
Sorry to pester and thanks for putting such a positive spin on things. It gives me hopeTC
Love
D
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