Another thing I didn't get to mention was the medical facts behind
provigil/modafinil. I too suffer from borderline hypersomnia coupled
with my narcolepsy, and that was another of the basis for my doctor
using provigil. First thing, know that doctors who are 'sleep
disorder specialists' are not that category by school. Sleep
Disorder Doctors usually start out as other practices and then work
their way into sleep disorders. Provigil is amongst the highest
financial backers of the AMA, several health insurance carriers, and
providers of free samples and financially supportive media materials
to clinics across the country. This scares me, and it should others.
Provigil actually has a very bad track record that you can read
about at the FDA's web site and several other web sites. It is a
stimulant, nothing more. It is meant to wake you up by making your
heart race. This is similar to methanfetamines such as Cylert and
Dexadrine, both of which have similar effects. There are other drugs
out there that a basic PCP can provide you. There are anfetamine
salts such as aderall that are not as dangerous (but I do NOT
recommend this drug, I know first hand what it will do to your body
over time...) and several other drugs that specifically counter
ADHD/ADD. This may not be your trouble, but funny enough, they
counter the ADHD/ADD by making the brain more awake, therefore more
alert. You may want to consult a physician about an anti ADD drug
and have the opportunity to try them until one works best for you!!
I hope you find a good doctor. Please check the credentials of your
sleep disorders doctor. There is a national website that will list
registered sleep disorder doctors, and even then, give you a very
thorough background on them to know if they know their stuff.
Another GREAT resource is to get a physician to refer to a
neuroligical trauma/clinic center. Neurologists mainly focus on the
brain and its affects on the body through the nervous system, but
they too have full working knowledge of sleep disorders (usually,
not all do), as it is a neurological issue.
I hope some of this helps you.. good luck!!!

Cyber







--- In Narcolepsy-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Catherine Miller"
<catYahoo@m...> wrote:
> I just saw my sleep doctor again. He has tried to put me on
Provigil
> for my idiopathic hypersomnia.
>
> Last year I tried to take the Provigil and when I took 1 a day I
> noticed a racing/irregular heartbeat and tightness of my chest.
But
> after a short period of taking it regularlly it didn't work (I hit
a
> point after he increased me to 2 a day where I could take my
second
> one and go take a long nap).
>
> Well after I saw him this time he still wanted me to try to take
the
> Provigil (1/2 pill 2x a day). I took half this morning after I had
> breakfast and now I can feel my heart (I've discribed it in the
past
> as my heart is racing the Dayton 500... fast in the straight away
and
> slowing in the curves...etc) beating really oddly and I keep
trying
> to take deep breathes but feel like I can't get any oxygen in.
>
> One other thing my sleep doctor noticed yesterday was a heart
murmur.
> Could the provigil be making this worse? I am going to call my pcp
> today and see what he wants to do now.
>
> Cat