Last week I saw my doctor at the Cleveland Clinic for a check-up.  He
noted that I have gained weight (5 lbs), and asked if my illness
(diagnosed with Sjogrens Syndrome, and may also have SLE) is still
affecting my job .  When I told him I am not able to be active
(affecting my weight) and that I have to call in sick to work
frequently, he suggested that I try Provigil.

I read about it, and decided to give it a shot.  Fortunately, my
insurance covers it, so it's a $20 copay instead of the $400+ it would
be per month if my insurance didn't cover it.  I have been taking
Provigil for a week now, and I wanted to see if other people take it
and what their experiences are.

For me, I take 100 mg at my first alarm in the morning, and then I hit
snooze to go back to sleep.  Within 15-20 minutes I am ready to get up
and feel peppy and just like I used to feel before I got sick with
Sjogren's.  I take a 2nd 100mg tablet at lunch (my doctor suggested
this timing so that I don't tire out too early in the day, but that I
can still get to sleep at night).  For the most part, this has worked
great.  I feel like it's a huge miracle for me.  For the first time in
ages I have had the energy to do laundry and actually fold and put
things away instead of leaving them in the dryer or a basket as I had
been due to my fatigue.  I have been able to do more cleaning in my
house and just feel better in general throughout the day and feel a
lot more clear-headed.

I was worried that I would feel like i was "on something" or that I
would be "hopped up", but instead I just feel "normal", which is
something that I thought I had lost forever.  I am 30 years old, and
have been operating with the engergy level of a 90 yr old for several
years now, so I am pretty excited.

Today was a little different.  My body may be trying to fight off an
infection, but I woke up achy today and super-exhausted,--after taking
my 1st Provigil pill I had no change.  I actually slept another 6
hours!  I didn't know it would be possible to still be tired and sleep
after taking a drug used for Narcolepsy.  I forced myself to get up
and take my Noon dose of Provigil and dragged myself into work (5
hours late, at this point), and even now I still feel awful.  Could it
be that I'm coming down with something, or has my body just gotten
itself accustomed to the Provigil?

I'd appreciate anyone who has experience with Provigil.  I have been
so excited the last several days at the prospect of having my life
back, and if Provigil is going to continue to work I would love to
continue taking it.

Thanks,
Chelle