Modafinil and Headaches: What Users Say

• Coo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2019

For Depression "For me it's impressive! After my burnout and the following depression, it was a struggle for me that I wasn't able to bring the past performance. Lack of energy and concentration, mood swings, bad memory, and so on. With Modafinil, I am able to work focused on my dream, fight procrastination (which was a real problem), think-power from past days (I often gave up when I had to solve something complex). I don't take it every day, sometimes only 1-2 days a week, mostly when I'm working on my project or when I feel really bad. Side Effects: Headache during the effect phase (when I started, but was gone after the third intake). Insomnia (when you take it too late)."

• 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..."

• Anonymous
• February 8, 2009

Modafinil for Shift Work Sleep Disorder "I was feeling extremely tired and unmotivated after a short time since beginning night shift (emergency worker) duty. My doctor prescribed Provigil. I had never even heard of it before. This is what I need. I am wide awake when I need to be, either day or night, and I can still catch a cat nap on duty, and I don't have trouble sleeping in the daytime anymore. I know many people on Provigil in emergency services. Almost all of us work nights or rotating shifts. I can't say I have heard of any ill side effects other than dehydration and headache. Drank more water and it all went away."

• Ema...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2020

For Fatigue "This medication, modafinil, was awful. I was prescribed 100 mg to take daily for chronic fatigue syndrome. Here's what happened: I felt like my brain completely shut off. ADD to the max... unable to focus, lingering headache turned full-blown migraine, apathetic. If anything, I felt more exhausted; it messed with my vision and created so much pressure behind my eyes that I had a hard time focusing in on anything. It made my brain feel silent... all thoughts were muted, like I was only a hollow vessel. This is not me; my brain normally works a million miles per hour. I can multitask, I can focus... I'm just exhausted, and that's why this was prescribed. I would not recommend this medication. I wish it would've helped."

• Wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2013

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I started taking 200 mg of Modafinil a couple of weeks ago for debilitating chronic fatigue. It has definitely had a positive effect, although a subtle one. I am more awake, better able to focus, and it is easier to overcome the inertia required to start something. I haven't suddenly become energetic or highly productive like others, but there is a subtle difference. Unfortunately, it has seriously impacted my sleep. My brain stays awake most of the night even though my body is exhausted. Additionally, it gives me a pressure headache behind my eyes, and overall just makes me feel a little strange."

• Jon...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 28, 2020

For Fatigue "Modafinil worked great for me, at first, to be alert and increase productivity, until I was out of medication and my fatigue hit me like a freight train, stopping all productivity. The headaches were avoided when I stayed hydrated and only took it in the first half of the day. It controlled my appetite and even helped with weight loss and management. It sounds pretty good at first, but after a few months, I realized I was creating a bigger problem than I had before. Please do yourself a favor and only take it if and as prescribed by your doctor and well-monitored. There are a lot of miracle drugs and nootropics available out there if you search hard enough. This is not all that hard to come by and can have more risks and long-term negative effects than benefits if not taken properly. Please be careful and don’t make problems worse for yourself or others."

• Suz...
• September 11, 2013

For Depression "I had this added to my antidepressant cocktail and I have to admit, it's given me more energy and increased my mood quite a bit. I was really surprised at its effectiveness for depression and depression-related fatigue. The only drawback for me is that I often get headaches when it starts to wear off. But overall, it's a good medicine!"

• Fru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2020

For Fatigue "I had been taking Provigil for about 5 years, then the insurance company would not pay for it any longer as it is very expensive. So, I started to take it in generic form, which is Modafinil. It did not work as well, but it was better than nothing. I continued to take the Modafinil for a couple of years and then my pharmacy switched manufacturers to Aurobindo. There was a definite difference in side effects with this company's product. It did not work, but seemed to have an opposite effect. Also, it made me feel fuzzy-headed, flu-like symptoms, headache, dizzy, all kinds of bad. I called my insurance company, and after speaking to 3 people, I had Provigil approved. I am now free of all the bad side effects of Aurobindo Modafinil. My advice, get Provigil and don't take no for an answer."

• Man...
• September 26, 2019

For Fatigue "The first time I took modafinil was amazing. I’m having a hard time, so using it for productivity at the desk, however, it lifts my mood right away, and it also makes me enjoy stuff more and be more social. I have insomnia, so either way, I have to take sleep pills. This makes my sleep aid need stronger, so undecided. I think the trick for office work is to only take it once you took the first step in the project at hand, otherwise, it will help procrastinate because it gives energy for other things and makes you stay focused in that thing till you finish. I have hope for this medication, but I have to figure out my dosage, frequency, etc. For the headaches, just drink plenty of water before you get the headache, and you won’t. Good luck! I don’t have narcolepsy, but rather insomnia."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2019

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "Was prescribed armodafinil 150 mg for chronic fatigue syndrome. At first, I started off splitting it in half, which made me alert initially, but it stopped being effective in a few days. I then tried taking the entire 150 mg, which didn't make me alert but gave me headaches, nausea, and made me very thirsty. Have been taking modafinil 100 mg now for a couple of months, to varying degrees of success. I split the pills and take a half in the mornings. I usually end up getting a headache by the late afternoon. On days when my fatigue is exacerbated, I avoid taking it as it leads to a huge headache for me. When I feel the headaches coming on, I know my productive day is over. I find that trying to power through the headaches leads to feeling terrible the next day, even if I take paracetamol. If modafinil had more of an effect on my fatigue, I could forgive the headaches and the price. But unfortunately, it hasn't done much for me."

• lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2015

Modafinil for Narcolepsy "I'm in the Navy, and it was very hard fighting my sleep for the first 5 years of being in. I finally got a sleep study, and they diagnosed me with narcolepsy. I don't really like taking medication for anything, but my doctor introduced me to Provigil. I finally feel like a normal person, although the first month I had very bad headaches. It slowly went away, and I went from taking 1 100 mg pill a day to 2 100 mg pills. My body got used to it within the first 2 months. Overall, I love this medicine. Works pretty good for me."

• too...
• July 24, 2009

Modafinil for Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "My first 30 days on Provigil (200 mg x 2 daily) were literally a life-changing event. I have never felt so energetic, awake, and constantly in a good mood in my life. However, after 30 days, the effects started to wane and, after 90 days, I feel little benefit. I tried taking an additional third supplemental dose of 100 mg a couple of hours after my second daily dose of 200 mg to see if the good results might return, but all I gained from the additional 100 mg was a headache. There is a definite and very unfortunate tolerance problem with Provigil in my experience."

• Car...
• July 6, 2017

For ADHD "I've severe ADD. In Romania, ADHD was recognized for adults only a couple of years ago. Ritalin-like meds aren't legal for adults, only Strattera, and I need to take my parents to testify I'd had symptoms since my childhood - impossible. As I also used to fight not to fall asleep during the day, e.g., tramways, my family doctor wrote a prescription for Modafinil 100 mg - I couldn't afford to buy more, it was ~E100, now ~E20. Tried one pill in my free days - had no real effect. Later, I found a bigger dose had a great effect on my ADD. Dosage matters. Huge help for depression from not being able to handle your life and for related pb. I'm 42 - quality of life and being able to have things done matters more than some side effects (headaches used to be just at first)."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2015

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I am 29 years old, female, and have chronic fatigue due to depression and rheumatoid arthritis. This drug seemed like the perfect cure, but it gave me pretty unwanted side effects, including worsening of depression, panic, dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, worsening of fatigue, dazed, would have words on the tip of my tongue sometimes that would take like 30 seconds to remember what I wanted to say, and muscle tension, extreme anger at people and myself, and increased joint pain. So the 2 hours it would actually increase my energy. All these side effects are NOT worth it."

• JoJ...
• December 17, 2017

For Fatigue "Overall, not good. Worked great at giving me focus, but took my appetite away, and effects wore off after 5-6 hours when a headache kicked in. After about twenty uses, it made me come out in an itchy red rash in exactly the same places on face and neck, but worse each time. Threw them away after 3 episodes of this."

• Ale...
• February 20, 2012

For Fatigue "I've been taking Provigil (200 mg) a day now for about a year. My neurologist prescribed it for my MS fatigue. At first, I felt like I was having a 'party in my head,' but that only lasted for a week or so. I also got a slight headache during this time. Nothing huge that a normal dose of Advil wouldn't solve. That doesn't happen anymore, though. I definitely have to take it early in the morning or I will be up too late (2-3 AM). I find that I am much more focused on whatever task I need to do, including driving. When my husband and I go on a road trip, I seem to be the one who will NOT get sleepy and 'entranced' by long miles in the dark. Definitely, do not have any alcohol with this medicine, even 1 or 2 drinks = unfun!"

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2015

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Pretty much bed ridden. Took 100 mg of Modafinil. Within 5 minutes, had lots of pressure in my head. Very unpleasant. Did absolutely nothing to make me feel better. Instead, felt worse. Extreme pressure in head lasted 90 minutes. Then mild headache the rest of the day. Very disappointing."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2015

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Pretty much bed ridden. Took 100 mg of Modafinil. Within 5 minutes, had lots of pressure in my head. Very unpleasant. Did absolutely nothing to make me feel better. Instead, felt worse. Extreme pressure in head lasted 90 minutes. Then mild headache the rest of the day. Very disappointing."

• Loc...
• February 27, 2015

For Fatigue "A brutal accident left me in a drug-induced coma and on a respirator with a month-long hospital stay. Figured I was back to relative normality. Fatigue was an issue, as was memory loss, attention span, and nightmares. Diagnosed with PTSD, but I knew it wasn't. After 22 months of hell, I was circling the drain and either got help or was 'opting out.' Checked into a neuro ward and they ran a battery of tests on me over 2 weeks. Undiagnosed concussion from the accident. Gave me an SSRI (off now), but nothing fixed the fatigue or constant feeling of hangover/lack of focus. Gave me modafinil and although I had small headaches daily (gone now), the energy/clarity it gave me was unreal. Short/med memory is still shot, but I have my life back."

• Anonymous
• September 3, 2010

Modafinil for Drowsiness "I have been on this medicine for 7 years and cannot imagine life without it. It doesn't seem to work for everyone, but is a lifesaver for me. I had a headache for 3 days when I started it and lost my appetite for a week. After that, it was fine. I can get by on 200 mg if I need to, but feel tired still most of the day (but won't fall asleep unless I want to). My usual dose is 300 mg, which keeps me alert, and I can't even take a nap if I want to."

• Mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2016

For ADHD "I have ADHD, tried modafinil 100 mg, side effects, stomach upset, lost appetite, can't sleep at all for 2 days. Headache. Made me feel jittery, I felt all over the place, couldn't concentrate, actually. Also made me feel unsocial and in a bad mood. The only thing is, yes, you won't sleep. Gave it a try a few more times, don't like it. Sticking to Adderall, much better for ADHD!!!"

• eph...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2016

For Depression "I have been on modafinil for three weeks. Was previously on fluoxetine for a year, self-prescribed for apparent depression. I stopped fluoxetine cold turkey three weeks back and put myself on modafinil. I have carried on well since. Tried stopping fluoxetine suddenly previously also without any replacement drug, but got severe mood disturbances and wasn't successful. Modafinil has been helping me for good ever since. But I started having serious side effects since last week: severe muscle cramps, mainly in calves, backaches, pain in the right scapular region, shortness of breath, mild headaches, increased sexual desire. I am happy on the drug, but leg cramps, pain in the scapular region, and shortness of breath are making it miserable. I may stop modafinil due to the side effects."

• M85...
• January 27, 2016

For Depression "I think I might be the only person in the world having no beneficial effect on this drug. I took 50 mg Modalert and I never felt so bad in my life: I was paranoid, anxious, had several serious suicidal thoughts, headache, and nausea. I kept feeling bad for the next 24 hours. I feel so disappointed and sad, I was hoping that moda could have helped me."

• sle...
• May 1, 2009

Modafinil for Narcolepsy "The first one I tried, and it was not good for me. The constant headaches, dry mouth (very bad at nighttime), made me have very real-like/scary nightmares, and after 2 days did not even change my energy level/random sleep attacks. Still had to have a nap to make it through the day."

• sig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 22, 2012

Modafinil for Narcolepsy "Provigil (Modafinil) has been a good addition to my regimen for dealing with the symptoms of narcolepsy. I take different doses depending on the severity of symptoms. I take 50 mg twice a day most of the time, or 100 mg twice a day. I have tried 200 mg once or twice a day, and that's where the side effects kick in (very dry mouth and headaches). It does keep me awake during the day most of the time, but sometimes I feel as if I never took it. But that's where adding coffee or caffeine pills really helps. I feel safe taking this med, and I'm happy to have discovered it."