The main symptoms of Narcolepsy
The main four symptoms of Narcolepsy sleep disorder are the following:
- Cataplexy ( loss of muscle tone that happens suddenly)
- Hallucinations
- The second one is sleep paralysis
- The most common one – excessive sleepiness
The reason that causes Narcolepsy is still unknown. This disorder can happen at any time, and all age groups can be affected, however more often it starts between 1o to 25 years, however some people develop these symptoms after 35 years.
Provigil and wakefulness effect
Provigil (generic name Modafinil) is a medication that is know for improving wakefulness effect in people. It is very effective especially for the treatment of sleep disorders like narcolepsy, sleep apnea or shift work sleep disorder. It is still however unknown how Provigil works.
In a few studies performed on rats they have been given Provigil in various doses during their sleep/awake periods. That was mainly done to get a better understanding about how Provigil works. It is believed that it works by affecting areas of the brain responsible for wakefulness in people.
Important information about Provigil
Provigil is a medicine, which is known to promote wakefulness in people who have such sleep disorders as sleep apnea and sleep disorder. Unfortunately, Provigil will not cure a sleep disorder, but it can certainly help to fight the symptoms, one of those is excessive sleepiness.
Provigil is not to be used as a sleep replacement. The good night sleep is what everybody should aim for every day. Even if this medicine works perfectly for you, still try to develop a good sleep routine, wake up and go to bed the same time, even on weekends.
Do not change the dosage without consulting your doctor first. Also, we don’t recommend taking additional doses. This medicine does not have withdrawal symptoms, but it can affect the mood and thinking ability.
Provigil Dosage
A few studies have been performed to check which way of taking Provigil is efficient – take it once a day, 1 tablet in a morning or in the beginning of each shift, or take it during the day in small portions? The studies performed were random, blind studies with a control placebo group.
The main reason to perform that study was a fact that Provigil usually works best in the first two hours of taking it, but the sleepiness effect of narcolepsy lasts a day.
The study had shown, that taking small portions of Provigil is more efficient than taking 1 portion a day, because it also helps people to stay awake during evening time.
You need to chose with your doctor which regime is better for you, as both of them are quite well tolerated.