15 replies to this topic

[Toph4er]

I'm curious, how many of you have tried this and how much does it help? I've been looking for something because Provigil doesn't seem to always do the trick (like my 5 hr. nap today, whoops ). What about any other similar things out there? (besides Redbull, Monster, AMP, etc. )

Chris"Toph4er"

[greatbig47]

I'm curious, how many of you have tried this and how much does it help? I've been looking for something because Provigil doesn't seem to always do the trick (like my 5 hr. nap today, whoops ). What about any other similar things out there? (besides Redbull, Monster, AMP, etc. )

Chris"Toph4er"

Serious?

Have you been reading my Blog again, Toph?
I LOVE 5 hour...Avoid the 6 hour, it's a poorly made rip-off. 5 hr seems to have just the right mix...Well, as with all tools, tips and tricks...your results may differ. It's got an insane amount of vitamin B6 (2000%) and an even crazier B12 amount (8333%). I'm hoping if we mention them enough, they'll toss a case (or 20) our way to give away as prizes in a contest...

It flies against all I believe in, but I have to admit I'd be tempted to put a "
Brought to you by the fine makers of 5-hour Energy" under "NARCOLEPSY NETWORK ONLINE COMMUNITY"... Of course I'd never do it, but we all have our temptations, right?

[sleepylisa]

I'm a big fan of Sugar-free Red Bull, although it gets pretty expensive when you drink 5 a day like I do. I tried the 5-hour energy once, but unfortunately came down with a horrible case of the flu a few hours later and now just the smell of it brings on a wave of nausea... Maybe I'll try it again sometime, but the Red Bull really gives me that "extra push" I need when I'm driving etc.

I've actually heard some good things about taking CoEnzyme Q10 supplements...has anyone ever tried it??

[Toph4er]

Yes yes, stu, I know you love the stuff, but like sleepylisa, I can have some rather bizarre reactions to stimulants & suppressants. Like, Melatonin, that stuff wires me...along with Benadryl, anything-PM, etc. However those arn't anything I'd want to use on a daily basis .

[Ashley]

I tried one for the first time last weekend and I thought it was awesome. The taste is wretched but I didn't have to take a nap until 2 p.m. I was out and about so I know that helped too. I'm not sure if I'll ever drink another though. It made my stomach hurt for a little bit.

[Julie A]

Are you guys drinking the 5 hr energy along with taking your meds, provigil specefically? I just started my meds and would give it a shot but I'm afraid of the mixture.

[greatbig47]

If you get the real stuff, it's not much more than giving your body a healthy blast of the B Vitamins. Most of it will pass through your body any way. I will sometimes have one in place of a provigil. Sometimes I just like to get away from provigil now and then.

I don't do it everyday. Maybe once or twice a week.

[Curiosity]

I take Concerta and drink 2 or 3 sugar free Red Bulls a day. The few times I have tried 5 Hour, it has actually made me throw up. No idea why.

Why is it that elsewhere on the internet I always read that people with N shouldn't use caffeine? It's really the only thing (outside of Adderall, which I can't take anymore due to side effects) that makes me feel truly awake and not just fighting off sleep. Before I was diagnosed, I used to self-medicate with 6+ cans of Coke a day.

[greatbig47]

Why is it that elsewhere on the internet I always read that people with N shouldn't use caffeine? It's really the only thing (outside of Adderall, which I can't take anymore due to side effects) that makes me feel truly awake and not just fighting off sleep. Before I was diagnosed, I used to self-medicate with 6+ cans of Coke a day.

Maybe it's because it's a nice, broad statement that's safe. According to this logic everyone should avoid caffeine, sugar and the likes of all stimuli creators that are easily available. Chances are it was advised by someone that doesn't know the feeling of a narcolepsy storm doing all it can to make us vertical.

I'm originally from the Pacific Northwest. If you tell me to "put aside" my coffee because of the caffeine, it just won't happen.

I know in a perfect sleep cadence, there's not a lot of room for caffeine. So what. It's been known to improve the quality of my life. I have chosen my dosage (usually my own common sense tells me 1-2 cups is fine). I've chosen my perfered time of dosing (Goodmorning!).

The doctor gives us a pill to take, but we are the ones who choose to take it. All medicating is self medicating if you think about it, or at least it should be. I know I don't really want anyone else medicating me but me. Of course I'll take the advise and perscription of a trusted specialist, but from that point on it's pure experimentation with drugs.

If my path runs across something that makes the quality of my life a little better, I enjoy the right to take it...even if the drug companies don't make any money off of it.

-Stu

[Ashley]

Since my somewhat negative post in April I've been drinking one 5 hr energy drinks every morning as soon as I wake up. As long as you chug it down real fast the taste isn't so bad.

Does anyone know if it would be bad to drink more than one a day? Can you get too many vitamins?

[MEColumbo]

Hi I'm new to the network and joined last night. I'm glad i to see the positive reviews about the 5 hour drink. i've been skepticle to try it. I take 50 mg of ritalin a day and about 6 vivarins or no doze a day, not to mention the xyrem at night and still doze off at my desk at work at least once a day. if i could sub a pill or two during the day, i might be able to get something done.

[rantboy]

I'm a big fan of Sugar-free Red Bull, although it gets pretty expensive when you drink 5 a day like I do. I tried the 5-hour energy once, but unfortunately came down with a horrible case of the flu a few hours later and now just the smell of it brings on a wave of nausea... Maybe I'll try it again sometime, but the Red Bull really gives me that "extra push" I need when I'm driving etc.

I've actually heard some good things about taking CoEnzyme Q10 supplements...has anyone ever tried it??

I have never tried CoQ10 for narcolepsy but take it for a different reason. Unmentioned by doctors As per usual...statins (for the heart) stop the natural production of CoQ10 by your body. So it essential to take a supplement if you take a statin. If you do not take statin it does no harm and may help. It's roll is to assist cellular energy production.

[rantboy]

Maybe it's because it's a nice, broad statement that's safe. According to this logic everyone should avoid caffeine, sugar and the likes of all stimuli creators that are easily available. Chances are it was advised by someone that doesn't know the feeling of a narcolepsy storm doing all it can to make us vertical.

I'm originally from the Pacific Northwest. If you tell me to "put aside" my coffee because of the caffeine, it just won't happen.

I know in a perfect sleep cadence, there's not a lot of room for caffeine. So what. It's been known to improve the quality of my life. I have chosen my dosage (usually my own common sense tells me 1-2 cups is fine). I've chosen my perfered time of dosing (Goodmorning!).

The doctor gives us a pill to take, but we are the ones who choose to take it. All medicating is self medicating if you think about it, or at least it should be. I know I don't really want anyone else medicating me but me. Of course I'll take the advise and perscription of a trusted specialist, but from that point on it's pure experimentation with drugs.

If my path runs across something that makes the quality of my life a little better, I enjoy the right to take it...even if the drug companies don't make any money off of it.

-Stu

Stu

I learned something today. You are rational. I like it. Your statement about all medicating is self medicating due to the fact you choose to do it, 'offical ' reccommedation or not, is awesome. It implies self responsability and independent thinking. Few are plugged in like that. Most people I have met follow the standard - its thier fault - line of reasoning.

Rantboy

[greatbig47]

Stu

I learned something today. You are rational. I like it. Your statement about all medicating is self medicating due to the fact you choose to do it, 'offical ' reccommedation or not, is awesome. It implies self responsability and independent thinking. Few are plugged in like that. Most people I have met follow the standard - its thier fault - line of reasoning.

Rantboy

Thanks..That means a lot to me at this point in my life.

I think I have the mental institutions, parents that thought I was mentally challenged, a mis-diagnosis of Bi-polar disorder and my nemisis "Zyprexa" to thank. After awhile a person just says "Enough! I was *bleep* better before all this...WAY better"

We live is a country that is supposedly "free"... If that's so I could grow any plant I wanted in my back yard. I could marry any one I wanted to. I could distill my own oils for aromatherapy. All these things are not really allowed in a country that claims to be democratic and free...

Meanwhile, it's perfectly legal for a doctor to mis-diagnose a 4yr old child of Bipolar disorder (or boredline personality disorder, or ADD, or ADHD...pick one) and put them on a healthy diet of a chemical that you and I would have trouble pronouncing.

Freedoms great, ain't it? (sorry...got off topic a little)

-Stu

[Ms.Vanna]

Chris, I have tried virtuously every energy drink out there, and for me personally it's not even worth it. I have yet to find a stimulant that helps me, I've been on so many I can't even keep up with them. And, than after a decade of dealing with meds, side effects, and blah, blah, blah they discovered that I have borderline sleep apnea. I wake up 30 times every hour so, of course I'm dead tired in the morning from waking up all night and due to narcolepsy. Crazy to say the least.

I'm curious, how many of you have tried this and how much does it help? I've been looking for something because Provigil doesn't seem to always do the trick (like my 5 hr. nap today, whoops ). What about any other similar things out there? (besides Redbull, Monster, AMP, etc. )

Chris"Toph4er"

[Ms.Vanna]

Stu, you make some very valuable points. It never ceases to amaze me all of the diagnoses that Dr.s place on me. Bipolar, ADHD, GAD, etc. etc. All of the meds that they were placing me on was causing me to go insane I finally had to put my foot down, and take charge of my body. Pumping me with all of that junk landed me in the hospital twice. They finally realized after my second emergency room visit that they obviously over medicated me and now I'm simply on ritalin. Crazy to say the leaste.

Thanks..That means a lot to me at this point in my life.

I think I have the mental institutions, parents that thought I was mentally challenged, a mis-diagnosis of Bi-polar disorder and my nemisis "Zyprexa" to thank. After awhile a person just says "Enough! I was *bleep* better before all this...WAY better"

We live is a country that is supposedly "free"... If that's so I could grow any plant I wanted in my back yard. I could marry any one I wanted to. I could distill my own oils for aromatherapy. All these things are not really allowed in a country that claims to be democratic and free...

Meanwhile, it's perfectly legal for a doctor to mis-diagnose a 4yr old child of Bipolar disorder (or boredline personality disorder, or ADD, or ADHD...pick one) and put them on a healthy diet of a chemical that you and I would have trouble pronouncing.

Freedoms great, ain't it? (sorry...got off topic a little)

-Stu