My Adderall and Provigil experience

Last month, my neuro put me on Provigil for fatigue.  It worked.  It helped keep me awake all day.  My two real problems with the Provigil is the headache and the crash.  The headache would hit me a few minutes after taking it.  The crash would come at around two in the afternoon.  I was completely "DONE FOR"!  When I made it to bed for the evening, I was out.  I did not wake up for anything until the next day.

I told my neuro about all of that and he put me on Adderall.  I have been on Adderall for a few days now.  It is working. There is no headache with it. This is from what I have experienced thus far.  The only issue that I do have is the dizziness.  It could just be the MS doing that since, I am not on any MS-modifying medications at the moment, in preparation for the Tysabri.

There is a head rush that comes if I stand up too fast or make a sudden movement while standing with the Addreall. The first couple of days, the Adderall made me nauseous. (That could also be the MS, as well, but I digress.)   It has been a week since I have started the Adderall.  Everyday gets a little better on this medication.  The biggest benefits are the ability to focus a lot better, to stay awake all day, and I have the energy to do what I need to do. (Just not too fast! Ha, ha!)  

All in all, there are many meds that can help with MS fatigue.  It is just a matter of trial and error.  I do have to offer some tidbits of advice...

If headache is a side effect, take some Tylenol, Motrin, Aleve, etc., when you take the anti-fatigue medication.  It will help immensely.

If you are nauseated after you have taken the medication for fatigue, eat some ginger snaps, saltines, or any other type of stomach settling food.  It makes that side effect a little bit easier to deal with.

If you're dizzy, take it slow.  It can take a while for your body to get use to the medications.  I took the Provigil for a month just to give it time to work and for my body to get use to it.

I am doing the same for the Adderall.  MS meds: I gave Avonex six years, Copaxone six months, Rebif eleven months, and Tysabri is to be determined.