Provigil & Pregnancy/nursing (Page 3)

I'm wondering if anyone else out there took this drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding and what their experience was.

I know anecdotal evidence is not scientific proof of anything, but studying pregnant women is not ethical. I noticed they just started a provigil pregnancy registry to track women who choose to stay on it while pregnant but I'm guessing it will be some time until we hear any results from that.

I chose to stay on it during my pregnancy because I had to work and drive safely. I lowered my dose to the lowest amount I can function on. My son was born completely healthy, very social, happy, no health issues. However, in order to breastfeed, I was switched to ritalin since there is more information available about it and breastfeeding. I hate it... it barely works (I don't want to keep increasing the doses and have addiction issues). It worked ok for a month or so, now it does almost nothing for me. I really miss my provigil but am not sure about the risks of taking it while breastfeeding, and unlike during my pregnancy, there is an alternative drug I can take.

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Hi everyone, thanks for the great feedback. I read that modafinil does not cross the placenta barrier, but am very concerned about getting pregnant while on this med. However there is not much choice as many of us have to work simultaneously.....hard when you cannot function without the drug. Here is my question: Is it really safety drop to 50mg (half a tab) a day or at least 100mg (1tab) ?And has anyone ever looked into signing up for disability for the course of their pregnancy so that they can do it medication free? I would love a baby, but cannot fathom going drug free and working full time. Not working is not possible either. Thank you to everyone who contributed such valuable information. At the end of the day we just all want to be safe, happy, have a healthy child, and to continue to live a life with dignity where we can function in and with society. Any other tips for a soon to be preggo would be wonderful. Thank you!

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I'm unsure completely, so check with your doctor but could you look at taking Concerta? It's a slow release version of Ritalin. I was initially put on Ritalin for Major Depressive Disorder, but hated it because I felt like I was on a roller coaster. I'm a medical excreeter and my body only accepted up to 10% of any medication. Therefore Ritalin would only last for an hour in my system then I would drop. They switched me to Concerta 54mg and it's been the only medication thus far to continue to work for me. It's now 8yrs and still working for me (thankfully). I am now about to come off it as I try to fall pregnant, so not sure how I will go. But whatever I can do to lessen any risk to my baby I'll do. Addmittedly I am nervous how I'll go off it though.

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Re: pregnantnarcoleptic (# 11)

Mom of 2 kids with narcolepsy, daughter wants to be a doctor, how did you cope with narcolepsy and med school, residency? Second choice is teacher which I told her would be a much better fit given her dx
Off topic but haven't met any doctor's with narcolepsy to ask

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I have had narcolepsy for 15 years and have been on Provigil or Nuvigil that entire time. My husband and I are ready to begin a family and I met with a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist today to discuss my options with my medicine. I currently take 250 mg of Nuvigil each day. He recommends I try to cut that dose, but says he is comfortable with me staying on my medicine through the course of my pregnancy. I have been a complete worried mess through this whole process because I am so fearful of the unknowns. I am so thankful to have found this thread so that I can hear others experiences with narcolepsy and pregnancy. I am anxious and nervous to even try cutting my dosage, but I'm hopeful it won't be as bad as I am imagining.
As a side note: it seems like many of you expressed concerns with breastfeeding on Nuvigil or Provigil. My doctor advised that he was more concerned with me taking the drugs during pregnancy and had no concerns whatsoever about me breastfeeding while on meds. It's just interesting to read the varying advice given to each of us. That is one of my biggest frustrations with narcolepsy: no one really having a clear understanding of the disorder or the effects of the medications we take.

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Re: pregnantnarcoleptic (# 11)

I have been taking about 125 mg of Nuvigil spaced throughout the day for two weeks while nursing. I have noticed my son has become increasingly sleep deprived and has had a harder time soothing himself to sleep and I've had to rock him to sleep instead. When he is awake he.is tired, even with 12 hours of night sleep and 4 hours of day sleep. I do not know if it is due to teething about a week ago or if this is a possibile side effect of the nuvigil. I am beating myself up and so concerned.

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Re: Narcolepsymom (# 43)

I would think the OPPOSITE, to be honest! Yes, residency will be tough, but afterward, there are many, MANY doc-jobs (if she has a fav now, it may well change during residency). However a teacher-?? Eek! That's a 20+ year commitment to being on her feet, in a stressful position (constantly performing) that can be both joyful and at times suddenly high-tension, even in the very best of school districts. Besides...teachers make so little money. Another thought-- please steer clear of allowing a diagnosis to define her value. She may well decide a non-MD career makes more sense for her. But it's another thing altogether to have your own mom suggesting that you let your diagnosis sell you short! I know you say this with love, so please understand this is not judgemental. But your view matters, as the mom...being there in her corner to help her use KNOWING her diagnosis to sort out how to get from A to Z to fulfill her dreams (and even if she wants to take a one-year skilled job, she'll have to get creative). Don't let it define her...don't be the one that tries to let it define her.

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Re: Sadie (# 41)

Hello, not sure if this matters anymore or if you are pregnant, but I went on short term disability when I got pregnant since I couldn't take my meds. They also paid for 6 weeks post for vaginal birth and 10 weeks for c section. I had an emergency c section due to length of labor, falling asleep in between contractions and heart rates of mine and his. So to answer your question, you should qualify for st dis Ins, there may be a 5 week waiting period before they start paying but it was worth it to not have to worry about work during and right after my son was born.

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Thanks for posting this. Its very helpful for those who are in the same predicament! Very much appreciated!

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Re: Froggzzz (# 47)

Hello! I am not pregnant at the moment, but plan on it in the next 2 years or so. Its good to know that there are options, and I feel more comfortable knowing that I can be off of medication if need be for a short time. A lot of places now are making it easier to be a mom these days (like Canada, of increased mat leave durations),
but thank you for sharing this!

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Re: Narcolepsymom (# 43)

I am a teacher and just recently diagnosed with narcolepsy. It has been hard for me to find a job. I didn't have great reviews as a teacher, because of the narcolepsy and thr sleep apnea. I guess it depends on what state you live in and also how bad your daughter's narcolepsy is about being a teacher. I know for me the lesson plans and the afterschool work. I also was a special education teacher most of the time which add more paperwork like IEP's and progress reports for their student goals. I hope this helps

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Since my first post, I have been taking modafinil as perceived by my doctor because my daytime sleepiness was affecting my abilities as a mother. I am still nursing full time, my son has now been exposed to the drug for several months. Initially I thought he was reacting to the medication, but I have since come to believe it was a sleep regression. He is healthy and happy and developing exactly as he should. I am now able to keep up with my 2 year old when it counts and though still tired (always tired!) I am functioning.

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Re: Michelle (# 37)

I am the original poster. Just wanted to say that my son is now almost 2 and a half, and appears to be very intelligent. Can already 'read' or at least memorise insane amounts of text. For example, he could recite the entire "very hungry caterpillar" book by the time he turned two. Now he can read "the snail and the whale" and a book about the alphabet "A is for Anteater" but he knows every letter, the corresponding animal, the text, etc. He can count any number - actually count - not just label numbers. Possibly on the autism spectrum. However, I have a 14-year-old who is also incredibly intelligent (at arguably Australia's top selective school) and they both have different fathers, I didn't even know Modafinil existed when I was pregnant with Max. I have read that 'intelligence' is carried through the mother's genes via mitochondrial DNA: independent.co.uk/news/science/children-intelligence-iq-mother-inherit-inheritance-genetics-genes-a7345596.html

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Re: Mdrake (# 20)

I am Mdrake and wanted to update my response. So I took 200mg of provigil throughout my pregnancy with my daughter and Xyrem. She's now 5. She has never had any health issues minus the constipation as a baby. This means she hasn't had the flu, no stomach viruses, ear infections or anything else. We've only had to give her cold medicine twice in her entire life. She has developed verbally, mentally, emotionally, and physically like she should. She's my little rule follower. She does have a type A personality. She likes to know when things are happening and feels more comfortable on a consistent schedule. I know some people have attributed that as a possible side effect of taking their medication, but my daughter is just like her dad. And my MIL has commented about how alike she is to my husband when he was that age, so I think it's very unlikely to have been caused by the medication. Plus, most kids feel more comfortable on a schedule, and they tend to be very chatty. Overall, my daughter is a happy, healthy, 5 yr old. I plan on taking my medication during my next pregnancy too. And I might even try breastfeeding.

Oh and my specialist said that he's had a couple of moms take modafinil and Xyrem while pregnant and breastfeeding without any issues. The mom and baby were healthy and developed properly.

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Re: steadfast (# 16)

Hello, how did everything turn out? I’m 5 weeks pregnant and tried to completely stop modafinil but some days I have to take 100mg to get through my day at work.

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Re: CssW (# 26)

Hello, did everything turn out okay with your baby? I see that some moms who took modafinil during their pregnancy their children started having anxieties as they got older. I’m only 5 weeks and have mostly stopped the medicine but have had to take 100mg here and there just to get through work... ??

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Re: Michelle (# 37)

CssW (# 26) --

Hello, did everything turn out okay with your baby? I see that some moms who took modafinil during their pregnancy their children started having anxieties as they got older. I’m only 5 weeks and have mostly stopped the medicine but have had to take 100mg here and there just to get through work... ??

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MichellCssW (# 26) --

Hello, did everything turn out okay with your baby? I see that some moms who took modafinil during their pregnancy their children started having anxieties as they got older. I’m only 5 weeks and have mostly stopped the medicine but have had to take 100mg here and there just to get through work... ??e (# 37) --

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Re: tasiasmail (# 57)

My baby turned out just fine and I took modafinil 200mg 1-2 a day. I also took Xyrem. She’s now 5 and perfectly healthy. I’m pregnant again (21wks) and I’m taking modafinil 200mg 2x a day and Xyrem at night. The baby is growing just fine. I hope this helps.

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Re: Brandi (# 9)

Hello, how high was the dosage of Provigil you were taking? I am taking it intermittently but at less than 100mg at a time.

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Re: Holly (# 36)

Hi Holly, how did everything turn out with your baby? I’ve also been taking 100mg modafinil throughout my pregnancy as I just can’t function without it, I’m 21 weeks today.

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