I have to admit that I feel a little bad when I say things like, "I just don't have enough time. There are so many things I want to do. There are so many TV shows I want to watch." I hate the fact that I can be such a TV junkie. I turn into a total zombie but there's some little bit of enjoyment I find in it. Maybe it's the momentary escape from reality. Like reading a book without the effort.
You see, I can't really read anymore. I've been so tired... sleeping all the time. All I can think of is sleep. I can't focus, can't think. Can't function effectively at work, and that really bites. It's been going on for quite some time but recently has gotten to a point where I've felt that I just can't function properly. Went to the doctor and to make a long story short, we're still working on it but to help out in the short term, he prescribed Provigil (modafinil). Here's some interesting information about modafinil:
a memory-improving and mood-brightening psychostimulant. It enhances wakefulness and vigilance, but its pharmacological profile is notably different from the amphetamines, methylphenidate (Ritalin) or cocaine. Modafinil is less likely to cause jitteriness, anxiety, or excess locomotor activity - or lead to a hypersomnolent 'rebound effect' - than traditional stimulants. Subjectively, it feels smoother and cleaner than the amphetamines too. It may even be anxiolytic.
The exact way that Provigil works is not known.
Provigil is used to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy.
The French government indicated that the Foreign Legion used modafinil during certain covert operations. Modafinil has reportedly been investigated by the United States military for use by its soldiers. One study on helicopter pilots suggested that 600 mg of modafinil given in three doses can be used to keep pilots alert with only 8 hours of sleep in an 88 hour period. Another study on fighter pilots showed that 300 mg modafinil given in three divided 100-mg doses sustained the flight control accuracy of sleep-deprived F-117 pilots to within about 27 percent of baseline levels
So I don't know how I feel about all of that. It's apparently used to treat cocaine addiction as well. I just started it yesterday. Nothing life changing yet. I do feel a bit more alert, a bit more myself. The brain is thinking again and it feels nice. I don't feel quite as numb, sluggish, or dull. Still feeling a bit tired, but today was a bit better than yesterday. It does give me a bitch of a headache by about 1:00 pm, though.
When I was in high school we watched a film (in my psychology class, maybe?) and it was about a dog with narcolepsy. A beagle, I think it was. There were these 70's-type scenes with the little dog running through the grassy field and then falling over on his side, asleep. It was kind of cute and a little sad.
The medication is also being tested for use with alzheimer's patients.
There's something really disconcerting about being this young and feeling like I'm somewhere between an alzheimer's patient and a narcoleptic dog.
edited to add that it's Rusty the Narcoleptic Dog, and he's a dachshund. Isn't he sweet?
Yep... that's sort of how I feel most days.
You see, I can't really read anymore. I've been so tired... sleeping all the time. All I can think of is sleep. I can't focus, can't think. Can't function effectively at work, and that really bites. It's been going on for quite some time but recently has gotten to a point where I've felt that I just can't function properly. Went to the doctor and to make a long story short, we're still working on it but to help out in the short term, he prescribed Provigil (modafinil). Here's some interesting information about modafinil:
a memory-improving and mood-brightening psychostimulant. It enhances wakefulness and vigilance, but its pharmacological profile is notably different from the amphetamines, methylphenidate (Ritalin) or cocaine. Modafinil is less likely to cause jitteriness, anxiety, or excess locomotor activity - or lead to a hypersomnolent 'rebound effect' - than traditional stimulants. Subjectively, it feels smoother and cleaner than the amphetamines too. It may even be anxiolytic.
The exact way that Provigil works is not known.
Provigil is used to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy.
The French government indicated that the Foreign Legion used modafinil during certain covert operations. Modafinil has reportedly been investigated by the United States military for use by its soldiers. One study on helicopter pilots suggested that 600 mg of modafinil given in three doses can be used to keep pilots alert with only 8 hours of sleep in an 88 hour period. Another study on fighter pilots showed that 300 mg modafinil given in three divided 100-mg doses sustained the flight control accuracy of sleep-deprived F-117 pilots to within about 27 percent of baseline levels
So I don't know how I feel about all of that. It's apparently used to treat cocaine addiction as well. I just started it yesterday. Nothing life changing yet. I do feel a bit more alert, a bit more myself. The brain is thinking again and it feels nice. I don't feel quite as numb, sluggish, or dull. Still feeling a bit tired, but today was a bit better than yesterday. It does give me a bitch of a headache by about 1:00 pm, though.
When I was in high school we watched a film (in my psychology class, maybe?) and it was about a dog with narcolepsy. A beagle, I think it was. There were these 70's-type scenes with the little dog running through the grassy field and then falling over on his side, asleep. It was kind of cute and a little sad.
The medication is also being tested for use with alzheimer's patients.
There's something really disconcerting about being this young and feeling like I'm somewhere between an alzheimer's patient and a narcoleptic dog.
edited to add that it's Rusty the Narcoleptic Dog, and he's a dachshund. Isn't he sweet?
Yep... that's sort of how I feel most days.
I hope the meds work out for you... I know how bizarre and traumatic it can be when you're messing with these chemicals. The good news is that by trying we might find the solution and THAT is a very good thing.
Oh and the dog thing. It is a lot of pressure, believe me. I can't even pick out toothpaste (too many varieties) and this is killing me!!!