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Posted 6/3/2011 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

My mom's family doctor gave a presciption for 200mg of Provigil for my mom. He said to take half a pill a day and see if it will help with her daytime sleepiness. My mom sleeps like 20 hours day due to taking Sinemet and Mirapex. I don't know if I should get this filled and have her try it. Had anyone tried this or is using it? Thank you.
Posted 6/3/2011 6:24 AM (GMT 0)

Bella33,

I have a prescription for 200 mg Provigil and do exactly what you mention - I split the pill in half. I infrequently need to take it and do so on an as-needed basis. I take Requip XL regularly and periodically am not as alert as I would like to be - primarily if I have not slept well. On those occasions, and especially if I am going to have to sit in a meeting/conference/etc all day, I will take half of a 200 mg tablet of Provigil. It works.

 

I have not noticed any negative side effects other than if I take it late in the day, I tend to have trouble making myself go to bed/sleep. I do know folks who have taken it regularly and done fine with it.

 

Not all insurance plans will cover it. Since it is a med primarily related  to sleep, some insurance companies don't consider it a PD med (because no one with PD has sleeping issues, right?). You might want to check with your insurance company to make sure they cover it - it's expensive.

 

lizzy4451

Posted 6/3/2011 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks a lot. I feel much more at ease now. Yes her family doctor said the pills are super expensive. I'll go to the pharmacist today and see if her insurance will cover it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I wonder why the neurologist never suggested this whenever I've told her that my mom sleeps all day long. It's typical that I always have to do the research and ask for it myself.
Posted 6/10/2014 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lizzy,

Are you still taking this? Well I'm at it again. I got another prescription and will pay cash for this for a few pills at least to try it out. The insurance company is reluctant to pay for it. We tried Amantadine but my mom's legs got really weak from it so I had to stop it. She was on just 1 teaspoon liquid and it worked for her so being that she's elderly I think the less the better. We are getting 100mg but will split that in half.
Posted 6/11/2014 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
Good evening Bella,
Provigil (Modafinil) has not been approved by the FDA for use in Parkinson’s disease. I have been on Mirapex for over 18 months. I currently take Mirapex ER 3.75 mg daily. I have experienced day time sleepiness since August 2013. I was out of town for the weekend and could not reach my physician. I picked up a bottle of Walgreen’s ‘Stay Awake’ Caffine 200 mg tablets over-the-counter (about $5.00 per 100). I take a half of tablet (about one cup of coffee or one coke) every 2 hours as needed. When I met with my Movement Disorders Neurologist I ask her about taking Modafinil. She stated that because of the robust list of side effects she never prescribes Modafinil and suggest that her patients take Caffine. I would suggest that you ask your mother’s physician which would be best for her. There is a world of data out there on this subject and if anyone wants to drill down on it I would be happy to join that effort.

Best of Luck,
Chuckie, (Retired Pharmacist)
Posted 6/11/2014 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Chuckie,

Caffeine doesn't work for my mom and it gives her jitters. I've tried it many times already. She used to be a heavy coffee drinker which is why she's basically immune to it now.

Her doctor said she's never prescribed provigil for someone with PD related drowsiness but it's worth a try and see. We are only giving her 50mg once a day which is very small amount. My mom is very sensitive to medication so a little should go a long way.

We all know there isn't a drug out there that works for everyone and there are always exceptions so... I'm praying that this will help my mom. I've asked a PD specialist and a pharmacist on another forum and they both said it's worth a try and see. You just never know how something will work out. Everyone is different.

Thanks so much for the input. I'll report back soon. I'm just tired of seeing my tired. She's lost 10 years of her life with her eyes closed practically all day long. It's very sad.
Posted 6/11/2014 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Awh shucks,
Posted 6/11/2014 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
awh Shucks, Bella
I was hoping that the Caffine would be a cost effective alternative. Let us know how this turns out for you
r mother.
Chuckie
Posted 6/11/2014 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
I originally wanted Ritalin but 2 doctors said no because it's speed and that's a no-no.
Posted 6/13/2014 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
Bella,
Yep, I still take Provigil on occasion. My situation is the same - I take it infrequently and as-needed.

Secondly, your previous post was June, 2011. I can't believe you even remembered this discussion. Great memory you have!

lizzy4451
Posted 6/13/2014 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
Good to know. Actually I was looking on the web to see if anyone takes this and saw this discussion and it was with you. haha I forgot that my mom's doctor had given a prescription before but it wasn't covered by her insurance so I left it alone but now I'm desperate so I paid cash for a few pills. I got a good deal with an online coupon and I thought I was getting a generic but turns out to be the real deal from CVS. I got lucky. I hope this is a good sign that it was meant to be.
Posted 6/24/2014 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
After a week we are done. My mom was so sleepy and dizzy and fell down once. This was a poor choice on my part. I even paid cash for this mistake.
Posted 9/8/2014 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Well since Ritalin, Provigil, and Amantadine went bust I am now going to try good old fashion Starbuck blonde blend coffee for my mom. I don't know if it will make her stay awake. She's been drinking a cup of Lipton black tea everyday for the past month and it doesn't do a thing to keep her eyes open. I also thought of Sudafed but since it's a drug I'm not so keen on it. We shall see what happens with the caffeine.
Posted 9/9/2014 7:45 AM (GMT 0)
Bella,
I think I am missing something. What is it that causes your Mom to be so tired in the first place? Still Sinemet and Mirapex?
Lizzy4451
Posted 9/9/2014 10:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lizzy,

Her doctor said its her meds that are doing this to her. She takes Mirapex and Stalevo and Namenda.
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