Modafinil and Insomnia: 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)."

• Anonymous
• January 27, 2009

Modafinil for ADHD "I really love Provigil. I used it for ADD. Provigil helped me stay focused and motivated. The only side effect was if I took it too late in the day, I might have a little trouble getting to sleep. It makes sense because it is a stimulant. It is a great drug for ADD because it doesn't cause all those nasty side effects other ADD drugs have. Unfortunately, I have to stop using it because insurance won't cover Provigil since it has not been approved to be used as an ADD drug. Completely disappointing. It truly is an amazing drug for ADD."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 7, 2019

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I started using it about a year ago for excessive fatigue from multiple sclerosis or from the MS drug I'd changed to a year back. At first, I started with 50 mg modafinil. At that time, I had to go to a neurological appointment. I had multiple panic attacks while going to the appointment. I even took Xanax, which didn't even help. It's like the modafinil overrode the Xanax effects. Modafinil didn't wear off for hours. I'd already struggled with anxiety from neuro issues, so this was so frustrating for me. Since then, I'll take 25 mg occasionally. Make sure you start low and also take very early or you'll have insomnia. This drug has a very long half-life. Wish it helped me more, but the side effects for me aren't great."

• 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."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2020

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I haven’t seen my side effect listed. I sleep poorly. If I wake up and take a Modafinil, I immediately fall back into a profound sleep for 4 hours. This is weird and definitely not the point of taking the drug. On the other hand, it’s the type of deep sleep I can’t seem to get at night."

• Edi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 10, 2023

For Depression "I have a smart psychiatrist who sees a lot of folks with chronic fatigue and is very used to using modafinil. I've struggled with depression since I was a teenager, on and off. I'm now 71. It doesn't flare up often anymore, but when it does, I begin low-dose Prozac (10 mg) and then, if that doesn't do the trick, I augment it with low-dose (100 mg) Provigil. I have even been known to cut the tablet into quarters and have gotten some relief from that. It's kind of amazing. I don't like to use it often as I have a hard time sleeping in general, and Provigil tends to exacerbate that particular issue. But intermittently, it is a lifesaver. Life is too short to be feeling horrible."

• 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."

• 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."

• Jac...
• September 3, 2013

Modafinil for Narcolepsy "Provigil worked for my narcolepsy for about 6 months. After that, I began to have bouts of insomnia at night and became ultra sleepy during the daytime. I was prescribed sleep medications to help combat the new side effects. Things did not seem to improve. I also gained 40 pounds during the time I took Provigil (which was a total of 9 months). As a woman, gaining weight was my least desirable side effect of all. Finally, I switched off of Provigil and returned to what was working for me originally, Adderall XR 30 mg one to two times per day (depending on what my schedule was like that day). I only switched off of Adderall XR originally because my doctor was concerned about the potential long-term cardiovascular effects on my body."

• yay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 19, 2022

For ADHD "I’m diagnosed with depression and ADHD. After various research, I asked my doctor if I could try modafinil, and he agreed, so I started taking it at the 100 mg dose. In the first days, this medicine felt like a miracle. I was extremely energized, focused, motivated, and happy in general. My only side effects were a lack of appetite and insomnia if I took this medicine too late. Unfortunately, this drug builds tolerance really fast, and after just 1 week, all those positive effects disappeared, and the drug didn’t have any effect anymore. I won’t advise taking this drug for long-term usage; however, if you space out your doses and take it 1-2 times a week, the effects will be much stronger and can help you go through the day, so maybe that’s the most appropriate strategy."

• yay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 19, 2022

For Depression "I’m diagnosed with depression and ADHD. After various research, I asked my doctor if I could try modafinil, and he agreed, so I started taking it at the 100 mg dose. In the first days, this medicine felt like a miracle. I was extremely energized, focused, motivated, and happy in general. My only side effects were a lack of appetite and insomnia if I took this medicine too late. Unfortunately, this drug builds tolerance really fast, and after just 1 week, all those positive effects disappeared, and the drug didn’t have any effect anymore. I won’t advise taking this drug for long-term usage; however, if you space out your doses and take it 1-2 times a week, the effects will be much stronger and can help you go through the day, so maybe that’s the most appropriate strategy."

• 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!!!"

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2021

For Depression "It helped me get off of a 50-year history of major depression. Every time I tried to quit amitriptyline, I would have unbearable crushing abdominal pain. My doctor had me try pregabalin. The depression left almost immediately. Fatigue became a problem, so he had a 50 mg dose of modafinil. Now, I no longer need the pregabalin. Some insomnia occurs, but all in all, this has been a miracle in my life."

• buy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2024

For ADHD "Effectiveness for ADHD: Several clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of modafinil in reducing symptoms of ADHD in children and adolescents, including improvements in inattention, hyperactivity, and overall quality of life. Many users report that modafinil provides them with improved focus, energy, and productivity compared to other ADHD medications like Adderall. Side Effects and Safety: Modafinil is generally well-tolerated, with common side effects including insomnia, headache, decreased appetite, and gastrointestinal issues. However, there are also reports of more serious side effects like severe rashes, allergic reactions, and mental health effects like depression and suicidal thoughts."

• JDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2019

For Narcolepsy "I am new to this modafinil (just started this week). I am taking 200 mg for narcolepsy. So far, it has been great. I haven’t felt this awake in so long. I am able to function all day without naps. One question I have is, since I started this, I have only been sleeping on average 4-4.5 hours at night. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it because I just started? I don’t want to sleep that little, that can’t be healthy."

• Sop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2024

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "Used for chronic fatigue when coming off long-term prednisone. I found it very effective. I feel alive again, more social. Coming down off prednisone is very hard, 2 steps forward, one step back. Modafinil really helped. 100 mg. More alert, memory still a problem remembering names, but otherwise okay. More difficult to sleep at night."

• Tho...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 30, 2015

For Shift Work Sleep Disorder "I first took Modafinil for shift work, but I also took it for fatigue and depression. It worked great for all those conditions. I'm in my 60s, and when I was young, docs gave me real amphetamines to lose weight. Amphetamines are a nightmare compared to Modafinil. Even though they give me the 200 mg tab, I never take 200 mg at once. I always break them in half and take 100 mg at a time. The worst thing is if you take it too late, you can't sleep. But you need to sleep with Modafinil, and you also need to eat with it. You feel better when you do. I give it a 10."

• Not...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 7, 2020

For Narcolepsy "I was diagnosed with narcolepsy, specifically excessive daytime sleepiness, in the '90s. I was prescribed Ritalin twice a day for more than a decade. After moving and changing doctors, I was switched to Pemoline, which was the closest I ever felt to 'normal' until it was pulled off the market for being linked with liver failure. By then, Modafinil had been approved by the FDA for use in treating excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy. It has been very helpful for daytime, though I can still fall asleep (nap) during the day, and I notice that if I forget my 2nd (afternoon) dose, I'm not able to stay asleep through the night."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2025

For Depression "Modafinil is a life changer for me. I am a 47-year-old high-functioning autistic with crossover symptoms of ADHD. I have also dealt with severe anxiety and moderate depression all my life and have tried every benzo, amphetamine, and antidepressant in the book. So, my doc suggested modafinil. My god, this is the drug for me. It has instantly turned me into the person I always wanted to be, and I wonder if this is what normal people feel like every day. Within an hour of taking this pill, I am focused, upbeat, motivated, outgoing, full of energy without the racing heart and mania, and can go all day long (literally from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm) and love every minute of it. Best of all, there are zero side effects aside from mild insomnia, which I am able to overcome with a small sleeping pill at bedtime. It has also nearly eliminated my alcohol cravings. I wish I had known of this drug 30 years ago. Even my wife has noticed the change, and she's very happy with it!"