I just got diagnosed with narcolepsy and my doctor prescribed 75 mg effexor and 200mg provigil. I took both this morning but still fell asleep! Can an anti-depressant really work? I know it is going to take a few weeks for the effexor to work but I really don't see how it is going to help..I wish he would have put me on Xyrem.
Effexor and provigil
Started by
tjp3964
, Dec 20 2007 07:56 PM
5 replies to this topic
#2
2SLEEPY
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Posted 15 January 2008 - 08:10 AM
HELLO I HAVE BEEN ON EFFEXOR FOR A FEW YEARS. I AM ON IT FOR NIGHT TERRORS AND DREAMING AT NIGHT. THIS WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FORM OF NARCOLEPSY. BECAUSE I WAS SLEEPY ALL THE TIME DUE TO
THE LACK OF SLEEP AT NIGHT. THE EFFEXOR CALMS THE BODY DOWN TO GET THE REST IT NEEDS AT NIGHT. I WAS PUT ON PROVIGAL BECAUSE OF THE EFFEXOR KIND OF HANGS ON FOR AWHILE DURING THE DAY. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN MY EFFEXOR AT NIGHT. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT DURING THE DAY. BUT CAN HONESTLEY SAY THAT THE COMBO HAS CHANGED MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER.
PS CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT YOUR DOCTOR SAID THE COMBO TOGETHER WOULD DO FOR YOU
THE LACK OF SLEEP AT NIGHT. THE EFFEXOR CALMS THE BODY DOWN TO GET THE REST IT NEEDS AT NIGHT. I WAS PUT ON PROVIGAL BECAUSE OF THE EFFEXOR KIND OF HANGS ON FOR AWHILE DURING THE DAY. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN MY EFFEXOR AT NIGHT. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT DURING THE DAY. BUT CAN HONESTLEY SAY THAT THE COMBO HAS CHANGED MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER.
PS CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT YOUR DOCTOR SAID THE COMBO TOGETHER WOULD DO FOR YOU
#3
sdsmith
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Posted 15 January 2008 - 10:55 AM
I was prescribed Effexor in 1994 for treatment of severe cataplexy and have been taking it ever since with excellent results. Effexor was new at the time and only available in immediate release (IR) form. The initial dose was 25 mg 3x/day - upon waking, at noon and mid-afternoon. I had been med-free for two years (preganancy & nursing). I immediately noticed some improvement in wakefulness. However, I had a problem remembering to take the third dose and sometimes the second, so I asked my neurologist if I could take the full day's dose in the AM since I never forgot the first dose. Morning dosing was a huge improvement. Apparently, optimal dosing for N and C differs from dosing for depression. My dose was soon increased to 112.5 mg IR in the AM and it has stayed at this level for over 13 years. I have only very occasional cataplexy (2 or 3 times/yr) late at night when the med is wearing off.
Effexor is now available in generic form. :-)
I've learned a few things through the years:
-Effexor enhances both serotonin and norepinephrine, where the SSRIs work primarily on serotonin. It makes norepinephrine more available; this is what reduces cataplexy and increases wakefulness in PWN with cataplexy.
-Since wakefulness is not desirable at night, the immediate release form works better for me than the XR. The XR form increases my hallucinations (HH) and sleep paralysis (SP) at night.
-Because the XR version works over a longer period than the IR form, I would have needed a higher dose of XR (possibly double) in order to control my cataplexy. My doc accidentally called in a script for Effexor XR one month instead of IR but at the same dosage. I was less awake with the XR and within one day started experiencing cataplexy during the day. Given the effect on HH and SP, it didn't make sense to take a higher dose of XR, so I went back to the IR within a couple of days.
-I still need a daily nap in the afternoon (60-90 minutes) but I am mostly alert when awake with Effexor.
A newer medication, Strattera (approved for ADHD), is strictly a norepinephrine enhancer. It can be taken with Effexor for greater wakefulness, although it lasts for a much longer time than Effexor. I take it occasionally, esp. when I need to drive a distance. I have to take it first thing in the morning or it will detract from my nighttime sleep.
Effexor and Strattera may not work for you the way it works for me. It seems to be more predictably helpful to PWN with clear-cut cataplexy.
Sharon
Effexor is now available in generic form. :-)
I've learned a few things through the years:
-Effexor enhances both serotonin and norepinephrine, where the SSRIs work primarily on serotonin. It makes norepinephrine more available; this is what reduces cataplexy and increases wakefulness in PWN with cataplexy.
-Since wakefulness is not desirable at night, the immediate release form works better for me than the XR. The XR form increases my hallucinations (HH) and sleep paralysis (SP) at night.
-Because the XR version works over a longer period than the IR form, I would have needed a higher dose of XR (possibly double) in order to control my cataplexy. My doc accidentally called in a script for Effexor XR one month instead of IR but at the same dosage. I was less awake with the XR and within one day started experiencing cataplexy during the day. Given the effect on HH and SP, it didn't make sense to take a higher dose of XR, so I went back to the IR within a couple of days.
-I still need a daily nap in the afternoon (60-90 minutes) but I am mostly alert when awake with Effexor.
A newer medication, Strattera (approved for ADHD), is strictly a norepinephrine enhancer. It can be taken with Effexor for greater wakefulness, although it lasts for a much longer time than Effexor. I take it occasionally, esp. when I need to drive a distance. I have to take it first thing in the morning or it will detract from my nighttime sleep.
Effexor and Strattera may not work for you the way it works for me. It seems to be more predictably helpful to PWN with clear-cut cataplexy.
Sharon
#4
sleepyavon
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Posted 15 April 2008 - 11:58 PM
I have very severe Narcolepsy with severe cataplexy and take over 10 prescriptions, 3 for Narcolepsy/cataplexy: Provigil 200mg 3X Day, Effexor XR 150mg/day, and Xyrem 4ml 3X Night. It helps me laugh without completely falling to the floor.
#5
Cryopathic
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Posted 16 April 2008 - 01:01 PM
I have never tried Effexor before. Whats it like?
#6
Julie A
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Posted 24 April 2008 - 02:05 PM
OK so as some of you know already, I just started my Provigil. I have been on Effexor XR for about a month for anxiety though. I never would've thought it to be a treatment for N. Currently at 400mg Provigil and 75mg Effexor daily. I personally have not noticed any difference in the last month in respect to my sleepiness. Maybe better for CAT. I haven't had a CAT attack in over 6 years 
, so I wouldn't know.
I am haapy for those of you, though, who find this to be an effective treatment and hope we all find one sooner rather than later.
, so I wouldn't know.I am haapy for those of you, though, who find this to be an effective treatment and hope we all find one sooner rather than later.
