Modafinil and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Gir...
• August 9, 2019

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I took this 6 years ago when I went back to school. Worked great! Went back on a month ago, and I am more tired now than when I went on it and can’t get anything done. Stuck in zombie mode! 200 mg split into half morning, half afternoon. Drinking tons of water to try to flush it out so I can drive home from work :("

• but...
• July 17, 2016

For Fatigue "I've been taking this medicine for over a year, and so far it's given me some energy. I still have to drink it with coffee to get the full effects from the drug. I had MS since I was 18 and am now 34. The only thing I have so far is extreme tiredness, so modafinil helps with that. I'd say it's a pretty good medicine for tiredness and when you can't stay awake. It helps me get stuff done."

• DMN...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 5, 2014

For Depression "I selected depression, but at this point, I believe depression is a side effect of a larger neurological issue and apnea. I was diagnosed with depression years ago, and after being put on tons of different medicines, some of which were a nightmare, I was upgraded to bipolar. Along the way, I gained about 100 lbs and eventually ended up on a cocktail that included Seroquel, which made me very sleepy all the time. I was initially given Provigil as a way to be awake during the day. It was a very positive improvement. After a while, I was adjusted to Seroquel, Lamictal, and Provigil, and it seemed to keep me stable but still lethargic. Eventually, we tried lessening the Seroquel and eventually eliminated it. I am doing better than ever now for several years."

• TBP...
• July 27, 2015

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I wish I was having the experience most of you are sharing. I've been on modafinil for a month with no change at all. I am so tired all the time, nap every day without fail. I feel useless at work and in life."

• 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!"

• Ser...
• July 26, 2017

For Fatigue "I have severe fatigue, and I tried this after using Adderall for many years, and it doesn't work. I was expecting a huge improvement from the reviews, but I was beyond disappointed. I think the people that only benefit from this drug are the types who fall for the placebo effect. It actually makes me more tired when I take it, and I have no improvement with cognitive function whatsoever. Don't waste your money or your time on this drug."

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2011

Modafinil for Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "Provigil has given me my life back! I have been on 200 mg twice a day, and the results are great! When I quit teaching and went on my husband's insurance, the insurance company refused to pay for two times a day, so my doctor put me on Nuvigil. I was on it for 6 weeks, and I was always tired. I am moving back to Provigil."

• Bus...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2020

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "I have been on modafinil for about 15 years now. I took 200 mg x2 a day while working and try only to take one a day now that I'm retired (because it doesn't make much difference). The last five years, I have found it hardly works for me anymore. I use my CPAP regularly and am faithful with checkups. It seems I can't sit to read or watch TV without falling asleep. If I have a busy day, on the go all day, I am constantly yawning and feel totally exhausted when I get home. This is really annoying for me because I used to be full of energy, and now feel as if I have used my life supply all up!!"

• Bil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2015

For Depression "It was a strong drug. It had the side effect of leaving me tired and very depleted the following day, far more than a small 5 mg of Ritalin did. The only caveat is I took Valium at bedtime. This may have messed with the Provigil to the degree that it may have messed with my system. I think this entry is valuable. Benzodiazepines do not appear to be useful in combination with Provigil or Modafinil. Days when I did not take benzodiazepines the following days were pretty normal. The important entry I want to contribute is to say that the days following a Provigil day were the ones that were the most productive. I was far more 'on' after the drug wore off. I felt like a younger, faster version of myself, days even a week later. 100 mg dose."

• sle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2022

For Idiopathic Hypersomnia "Provigil worked great at first. My body developed a tolerance very quickly, though, and I had to start taking 200 mg twice a day. Even though I’m taking this much of it every single day, I am still really tired and have no energy. I might as well not even be taking the medication. The benefits are so minimal. It’s like instead of sleeping 20 hours a day, I sleep 19 hours a day. There’s not enough improvement."

• sle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2022

For Idiopathic Hypersomnia "Provigil worked great at first. My body developed a tolerance very quickly, though, and I had to start taking 200 mg twice a day. Even though I’m taking this much of it every single day, I am still really tired and have no energy. I might as well not even be taking the medication. The benefits are so minimal. It’s like instead of sleeping 20 hours a day, I sleep 19 hours a day. There’s not enough improvement."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2019

For Narcolepsy "I have been recently diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy and mild sleep apnea. Prescribed 100 mg modafinil twice a day. I have been on it a week and have not noticed any difference, except lights seem brighter. I have been misdiagnosed my whole life. I am 42 and am so tired of being exhausted. I am scared to drive since falling asleep and totaling my car on the interstate. I just want to be able to work and be a mom. Hate this disease. I had a hard time even getting modafinil because they wanted to treat the very mild sleep apnea first."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 7, 2023

For ADHD "I was prescribed Modafinil for ADHD about 1 year ago. My dosage is 100-150 mg. For me, the drug works well to help me focus and finish projects that are usually left undone. It helps with my depression as well. However, I have found a fast tolerance within a week of daily use. Coming off the drug is easier than Adderall, but I still experience some depression and lethargy. Therefore, for me, I only use it to complete tasks that need a clear head, such as taxes, and no more than 3-4 days in a row."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2023

For Fatigue "Modafinil really didn't do anything at all for me. First of all, if I take it every day after only 2 days, it'll lose all of its positive effects. I should take it like once a week. For a while, it gives me some energy, after 3 or 4 hours, I get even more exhausted than before."

• OSA...
• July 11, 2015

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "The first time I took this (prescribed for obstructive sleep apnea), I thought, 'Wow, this is the answer!' I was awake and alert but didn't feel drugged.... I felt 'on the ball,' and I hadn't felt like that in forever. The second time I took it, I felt extremely tired. I forced myself out of bed but felt extremely depressed and anxious. I took another tablet, not realizing I was having a negative reaction to this drug. I became so tired I stayed in bed all the next day. I felt disorientated, and it was as if everything was in slow motion. I could not get out of bed and was more tired than I had ever been in my life. My heartbeat was fast, and it felt irregular. I started to have negative thoughts and hallucinations. Not good!!!"

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2009

Modafinil for Narcolepsy "I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, for that, I got a CPAP. But I also had trouble with zombie episodes and uncontrollable sleepiness (at work, while driving, very scary). I was diagnosed with narcolepsy several years ago (not formally tested, though). I have all the symptoms (night terrors, sleep paralysis), but I have not been tested for it. Anyway, my sleep doctor put me on it primarily because of several driving issues. It seems to work well, I have not dozed off or had a zombie episode since I have been on it. I still feel tired, and I can sleep if I want to, so I feel a little more in control. I also don't feel like a speed freak, like Adderall. I am on 200 mg in the morning for the past 2 weeks. So far, I am pleased with it."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2019

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "I have sleep apnea, depression, and ADHD. My pulmonary doctor put me on this. This has been a week, and it's not working. Adderall stopped working as well. I wake up, and I can't get out of bed. I'm always tired."

• Vic...
• March 19, 2019

For Narcolepsy "I was diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy when I was a freshman in high school. I am now 26 years old with a 3-year-old daughter. While I was in high school, I was prescribed Ritalin, which did help. Recently, I was prescribed Adderall, and it worked GREAT. I was taking a 20 mg tablet twice a day (one in the morning, once at noon or 1 pm). I went and saw a new sleep disorder doctor who prescribed the modafinil at 200 mg a day (1 tablet in the morning). I am still absolutely exhausted by noon or 1 pm. On modafinil, I am fine in the morning after I take it, but again, by noon or 1 pm, I am absolutely exhausted, can't focus, and can barely keep my eyes open enough to function. I had high hopes for this medication, but it just doesn't seem to be enough for me. I don't feel any different than when I wasn't taking anything."

• Tyr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2016

For Drowsiness "I'm 25, diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety disorder, and idiopathic hypersomnia. I've taken Concerta for several years for ADHD and was only recently diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia. For a while, I took both Concerta and Ritalin. While it helped to some degree with daytime sleepiness, I still found it impossible to wake up and would frequently crash before I could even make it to bed. Recently, I was taken off of Concerta and Ritalin entirely and switched to modafinil. While wake-promoting effects aren't quite as strong, they're much more consistent. I'm still tired, but it's much more manageable and easier to wake up. As a plus, since making the switch, my anxiety is also much better."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• July 3, 2023

For Fatigue "Actually, the times when I don't take any modafinil, I have more energy and can easily stay up all night. Modafinil only gives me a sudden surge of mental and maybe physical energy for around half an hour. Then, I become lethargic and down."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2017

For Drowsiness "I have EDS, also epilepsy. Actually thought for years the EDS symptoms were caused by my antiseizure meds since they can make you tired. It was something that I just accepted, so I really didn't have much of a life. Anyways, I started on Modafinil about 2 weeks ago, 100 mg when I wake up at 7:45 am to go to work. I was finding that it helped, but at about 11-11:30 am, I was back to how I normally am. I just saw my doctor, and I am now to take 100 mg three times a day. Today was my first day on my new dose. First dose was at 8 am, second at noon. Had 2 cups of coffee. By 4 pm, I was feeling drowsy, yawning, eyes heavy. Feeling like I needed to nap. *Long story short: it works, but short-acting. 3-4 hours. I wish they made an extended-release version.*"

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2017

For Drowsiness "I have EDS, also epilepsy. Actually thought for years the EDS symptoms were caused by my antiseizure meds since they can make you tired. It was something that I just accepted, so I really didn't have much of a life. Anyways, I started on Modafinil about 2 weeks ago, 100 mg when I wake up at 7:45 am to go to work. I was finding that it helped, but at about 11-11:30 am, I was back to how I normally am. I just saw my doctor, and I am now to take 100 mg three times a day. Today was my first day on my new dose. First dose was at 8 am, second at noon. Had 2 cups of coffee. By 4 pm, I was feeling drowsy, yawning, eyes heavy. Feeling like I needed to nap. *Long story short: it works, but short-acting. 3-4 hours. I wish they made an extended-release version.*"

• Cel...
• June 1, 2009

For Narcolepsy "This is the first and only drug I've ever taken for narcolepsy, and my standard of life, work, etc., has improved incredibly since then. I do get the side effects (dry eyes, dry mouth, crawling skin, headaches, tummy problems, and ironically enough, sometimes tiredness too), but these are subsets of one main side effect - massive dehydration. So I just drink lots of water and am mindful of it. Once you get over the main onset headache (which admittedly took me a few weeks), the benefits far outweigh the cons. I'm lucky with the costs, as I live in the UK, so 6 boxes x 30 tabs (200 mg) only costs the price of a prescription (about"