Who has narcolepsy? What meds have you tried? Which one had the least side effects?

I was diagnosed in 2001 and have been on Ritalin, Concerta, and Provigil. The Ritalin made me lose weight (not good as I'm very tall and thin anyway) so I changed to Concerta, after about a year it was becoming ineffective so the doctor doubled the dosage but it was too much. I couldnt stop grinding my teeth and clenched my jaw so hard that it was sore for a few days. I've been on Provigil now for about 3 years, but I've had to add Ritilan now in the afternoon also. I'm still very tired most of the day though. I can function enough to keep my job but a lot of my day is just automatic behaviors and it is very very hard for me to remember things.

I have narcolepsy and cataplexy.I was diagnosed in 1992 and the Dr.put me on Dexedrine and at the usual doses it did not do much for my EDS.So he kept upping it,in small increments,until after 5 years of being on it my daily dosage was up to 300 mg.I was awake and busy,but not accomplishing much.I started a bunch of projects but never finished them.Then he put me on Adderall and my life suddenly changed.I was a new person.I finally was able to finish what I started,and although I am still somewhat sleepy,I can live with it.I am still on a very high dose,I take 15 30mg pills a day plus I take Paxill for my Cataplexy.I am of course an unusual narcoleptic,not too many need that much medication to function and it does get expensive.Well good luck and I hope you find a med that works for you.

i take adderall for narcolepsy my case it mild but without it all i want to do is sleep all day. i'm currently taking the max dose 40mg a day it helps but i still take a nap or two a day. at first i felt weird but after a bout a week you feel great.

Side effects of Adderall may include changes in sex drive, constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, emotional instability, exaggerated feelings of well-being, fatigue, fever, headache, high blood pressure, hives, impotence, indigestion, infections, insomnia, loss of appetite, mental disturbances, nausea, nervousness, overstimulation, rapid or pounding heartbeat, restlessness, stomach and intestinal disturbances, tremor, twitches, unpleasant taste, vomiting, weakened heart, weight loss.

http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/ADD1008.HTM

When I used to take it, it caused me major drymouth, a rapid heartbeat, loss of appetite, restlessness, and after it wore off I had the hugest headache.

What is Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder caused by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally. At various times throughout the day, people with narcolepsy experience fleeting urges to sleep. If the urge becomes overwhelming, individuals will fall asleep for periods lasting from a few seconds to several minutes. In rare cases, some people may remain asleep for an hour or longer. In addition to excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), three other major symptoms frequently characterize narcolepsy: cataplexy, or the sudden loss of voluntary muscle tone; vivid hallucinations during sleep onset or upon awakening; and brief episodes of total paralysis at the beginning or end of sleep. Narcolepsy is not definitively diagnosed in most patients until 10 to 15 years after the first symptoms appear. The cause of narcolepsy remains unknown. It is likely that narcolepsy involves multiple factors interacting to cause neurological dysfunction and sleep disturbances.

Is there any treatment?

There is no cure for narcolepsy. In 1999, after successful clinical trial results, the FDA approved a drug called modafinil for the treatment of EDS. Two classes of antidepressant drugs have proved effective in controlling cataplexy in many patients: tricyclics (including imipramine, desipramine, clomipramine, and protriptyline) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (including fluoxetine and sertraline). Drug therapy should be supplemented by behavioral strategies. For example, many people with narcolepsy take short, regularly scheduled naps at times when they tend to feel sleepiest. Improving the quality of nighttime sleep can combat EDS and help relieve persistent feelings of fatigue. Among the most important common-sense measures people with narcolepsy can take to enhance sleep quality are actions such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine-containing beverages before bedtime.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/narc...

Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are used in combination to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

http://www.medicinenet.com/amphetamine_and_dextroa...

I tool provilal I hope that how you spell it.I want to kill myself the doctor only gave one eight of a doze's I don't know want to tell you just hang in there if you find something that help you please e mail me thank