Modafinil and Fatigue: What Users Say

• NYe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2020

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I've been taking modafinil for two weeks now, 100 mg in the morning and 100 mg in the afternoon. I was so wanting this to be the miracle I was waiting for. I see absolutely no improved energy. I have more headaches and same bad fatigue. I hope there's something else I can try..."

• ASA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2020

For Fatigue "Reading reviews, I really expected more from this drug. I built up a tolerance to Adderall due to long work hours. I’ve been taking 50-70mg of Vyvanse, but still completely out of gas in the afternoons. Asked my doctor for Modafinil at the highest starting dose, so he gave me 200mg. This dosage did nothing for me. Overall, for me, there is a boost of energy/motivation about 2 hours after taking it (which doesn’t last long), then EXTREME fatigue in the afternoon/evening. Leaves me feeling worse and overall just kind of 'off.' I’m really bummed."

• Anonymous
• July 18, 2012

Modafinil for Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "Originally prescribed Provigil for sleep apnea, or at least that is what my doctors said so that my insurance would pay for it, however, my sleep study was done a long time ago when I weighed more, and insurance has recently stopped paying. I actually take the medication due to 2 previous head injuries. I have been on the medication for about 4-5 years. During that time, I have returned to work and school to pursue a nursing degree. Off of the Provigil, I have to take a nap every day, begin to forget things, and fail my classes at school. I have had to make many lifestyle changes since my accidents, and taking Provigil really helps me. I am a single mom of 2 teenagers and just want as close to a normal life as possible."

• Ros...
• May 1, 2019

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "Modafinil is an interesting drug. I have fibromyalgia and fatigue problems. Within the first 3-4 days of taking 100 mg, I noticed a marginal difference. It was odd, like I had more physical energy and could pay attention without feeling buzzed. However, it did feel very artificial and sometimes like my brain was fighting it. After about a week of taking it, I noticed I was feeling very tired-almost like a train had hit me during the day. I first associated it with sleep issues or not recently taking my testosterone (I take this to help with workouts and fight libido problems that come with fibro), but I eventually realized that the zombied-out feeling was actually caused by the modafinil. It made retaining information and memory recall more difficult. From what I've read, this is called a case of the 'stoopids.' It's typically a pretty rare side effect, and it seems to be pretty successful for many people, but the feeling was just way too uncomfortable for me."

• cme...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2016

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I have had a horrible CFIDS relapse that we think occurred due to a CMV infection. I could barely function at work due to fatigue and brain fog. The doctor finally agreed to prescribe modafinil 100 mg in the morning and 100 mg midday. I feel so much better, but the insurance did not want to cover it. We battled for a week and finally got approval. This medication has worked wonders for me."

• wde...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 22, 2016

For ADHD "I'm a 28-year-old male, with a former drug addiction (mainly GHB), ADHD, and anxiety/depression-related symptoms, and I am treated with Zoloft 100 mg, baclofen 70 mg, modafinil 400 mg daily, and clonazepam 2-4 mg when needed. Modafinil helps me to concentrate and focus without the side effects I've experienced with dexamphetamine, dexmethylphenidate, and Ritalin® (methylphenidate). It also helps me with drowsiness and fatigue caused by baclofen. Although I am a former drug addict, I don't experience any addiction or dependence problems with modafinil. I'm from the Netherlands, where my insurance covers the above medications fully."

• Pau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2016

For Fatigue "I have had fatigue and brain fog for years now, so I decided to try modafinil. I took 100 mg on my first day at 7:00 am, by 8:00 I could feel my tiredness diminishing and went to work. It certainly gave me more motivation and focus, but at the same time, you feel slightly weird. You certainly know you have taken a drug, and for me, the slightly wired feeling is a little off-putting. People leave comments claiming it's amazing, etc., but I feel people taking modafinil for the first time should take caution. On 100 mg, it was incredibly hard to sleep, my mind started cobbling together thought after thought of random things, anything but shutting down to sleep. I would recommend starting on 50 mg, for me, 100 mg is too strong."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 19, 2021

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I've been on this for well over a year (close to 2). I saw minimal improvement for cognitive issues/brain fog, but it doesn't really help with fatigue (high-dose magnesium did a lot more for my fatigue than moda). I'm on 300 mg, and I think there is a tendency for tolerance, so maybe take it, and when it starts to fade, cut back to a pill every other day for a while and then go back to every day, etc. It just needs boosts every so often. Better to be on it than not, but the effect is minimal, sadly, for me."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2008

Modafinil for Multiple Sclerosis "I tried Provigil 2 years ago but I got the jitters. The fatigue has become so bad in the last 6 months that I decided to try it again. This time I had success. At first, I only took it when I needed it, but finally I gave up having so many nonfunctional days that I started taking it every day - I take just 100 mg. My days are much more fulfilling. I have to actually remind myself NOT to overdo, or I'll still get wiped out. It's so good to feel like I can do things again."

• Im ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 3, 2015

For Depression "I have chronic depression and am a survivor of ovarian cancer. After chemotherapy, I suffered from severe fatigue that never resolved. My family physician suggested Provigil. This medication literally gave me my life back. At present, my insurance company has discontinued paying for my Provigil. I stopped taking my old antidepressant to start a new one, which didn't agree with me. I made a doctor visit during the two days I was off any antidepressant, the doctor documented it and no more Provigil. It's under appeal at the present time, but I don't think I am going to win. Beware of what you say!!"

• Mog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2020

For Fatigue "From the 1st tablet of modafinil, I felt a difference. I was about to work all night, I was feeling fatigue, sleepy. Always when I work nights, I struggle against fatigue and sleep. This night, after taking modafinil, everything changed. No fatigue, no sleepiness, I feel super active. WOW."

• Bjc...
• January 24, 2016

For Fatigue "Life back. Fatigue, fibro, myofascial pain, and no REM sleep. I was only out of bed on the average of 6 hours per day. Stomach pain and nausea bad 2 weeks at 200 mg, so cut in half. At 100 mg after 10 days, can tolerate. Speech is not as fast as on 200 mg and not quite as active, but up most all of the day. Tired at night, but still takes a while to get to sleep. So happy to feel almost normal again!"

• Hyp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2022

For ADHD "I had suffered from ADHD-Inattentive type my entire life, but was only diagnosed when I was in my mid-20s. My main symptoms were constant feelings of sluggishness, brain fog, trouble initiating tasks, and staying focused. After a few other meds, my psychiatrist suggested Modafinil, which is typically prescribed for narcolepsy. Desperate for help, I started taking it. Weeks 1-3 - Didn't feel a thing. Weeks 4-5 - Literally felt like heaven. Suddenly, my brain went quiet, and I was able to get tasks done. The biggest benefit was how it completely alleviated my brain fog and sluggishness. I now have so much more energy. I can get through the day and stay active in conversations. I am much more able to follow along with things. Literally felt like euphoria. Week 5 onward: The high feeling kind of faded, but I still feel many of the benefits. Still no brain fog or sluggishness. The one thing it didn't quite help with is focus, but I'm still very happy with this choice of med."

• Anonymous
• July 17, 2011

Modafinil for Multiple Sclerosis "Second day on Provigil. I feel great! I took my first pill yesterday at around noon, and I did not have trouble sleeping. I went to sleep a little later than usual because I could, though! I feel more alert, but I don't know if I want to continue to take it every day. That's why I gave it a 9 out of 10. I woke up this morning pretty fatigued, and I almost didn't want to take it because I wanted to rest, obviously since I was fatigued. But once I took it, I felt great again! If you have MS and insurance won't cover it because it is not approved for use for MS patients, have your neuro file a claim as to why it would help you! Don't let insurance stand in the way. Everyone who has chronic fatigue due to MS should try this pill."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2010

Modafinil for Drowsiness "I have been taking Provigil 200 mg x 2 for 3 years. I don't doze off while driving like I used to, which is wonderful. I do still get very sleepy in the afternoon, and I have a lot of fatigue. The major downfall to Provigil is the cost. I lost my job due to a layoff and no longer have insurance. My prescription without insurance is over $800 per month. Needless to say, I will no longer be able to take it once I use all of what I have. Not looking forward to that at all. My doctor also prescribed Ritalin to take in the afternoons, but it just makes me jittery for about 15 minutes, and that's pretty much all it does for me."

• SHE...
• August 15, 2011

Modafinil for Multiple Sclerosis "I have had multiple sclerosis since 1978. For a long time, there was no medication for M.S. I began taking 100 mg of Provigil many years ago, but now take 200 mg twice daily. I switched to methylphenidate 10 mg twice daily for 3 months, as my insurance, or lack of insurance, made Provigil financially prohibitive. All I did was sleep. My fatigue was totally incapacitating! Now, with insurance in place, I'm back on Provigil. I've re-entered life and realize how vitally important Provigil is to my well-being!"

• Mis...
• April 25, 2016

For Narcolepsy "I took modafinil for a week and a half for narcolepsy and couldn't continue. I was wide awake for 2 days but practically manic. By the third, I was a waking zombie. My brain fog was significantly worse, and my fatigue increased to the point of hardly being able to get out of bed. It became progressively worse each day."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2022

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I was prescribed modafinil for chronic fatigue and brain fog. The first week, my doctor had me take 1/2 a pill for a week, then move to 1 pill a day thereafter. The first week, I noticed a big difference, and when I started taking the whole pill, I was blown away by my energy and desire to get things done. HOWEVER, after being on it for about a month, the energy and desire to do anything were completely gone. My fatigue was worse than before, and I started having suicidal tendencies and horrible thoughts towards people I know and love. I realized it was time to stop and did cold turkey, and I'm worse than I was before I started taking it."

• Cam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2023

For Fatigue "I just started taking 100 mg prescribed for MS fatigue. Today is my second day, and I didn't notice anything other than an increase in fatigue. Not sure what's going on. I'm sad this hasn't helped me at all. Should I give it time? Others said they felt improvement immediately, but I'm more tired than before and can hardly move."

• JMi...
• March 8, 2021

For Narcolepsy "Increases my energy but leaves me with a headache all day that by the time I'm off work, I am miserable. It also gives off a sluggish feeling, like being under the influence of alcohol to a certain degree... light-headed/dizziness kind of thing. Hard to focus."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2022

For Fatigue "It has been the most useless medication I've ever taken regarding fatigue. At least, Adderall and Ritalin worked the same way for a couple of weeks, generating energy. Just the first time, I felt more energetic for only 3 or 4 hours, and the major problem with this med is that all of a sudden, it puts you down, giving you a type of fatigue that now it's worse than before. The dosage isn't important at all with this med. I'm a researcher, and it's the first med I've come across and taken that 200 mg is no different than 600 mg. Even for some people, a higher dosage makes them feel so lethargic and depressed. There are people out there who take medications like antidepressants that make them feel so lethargic during the day, and 100 mg of this med doesn't, or, in better words, can't counteract. I'm on Seroquel, which makes me so exhausted both mentally and physically, and this 'magical med' couldn't counteract the fatigue-induced part even a bit."