Nuvigil Side Effects

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I'm having severe side effects from nuvigil. Muscle and joint pain with numbness and tingling down my arms.

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Nuvigil contains the active ingredient Armodafinil, it is a stimulant.

What you are experiencing IS NOT listed as a normal side effect, you should call your doctor immediately, as this may be a serious condition in need of treatment.

You can learn more about this medication here:

Nuvigil Click Here

Are there any other questions?

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2

I took my first Nuvigil pill this morning around 6:30 am. I wigged out so bad like I was on speed. I don't recall the drive into work, shaking/tremors, confusion and everything is kind of dark. Vision is not blurry just seems darkened. Kinda scary. Called my doctor, spoke to a nurse, waiting on a call back. It seems to be calming down a bit, but it was really bad for a while.

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3

I read a report here last night that I cant find now, but After taking Nuvigil for 10 days, I am having severe back muscle pain radiating with numbness and tingling down my left side.No, it is not my heart, I have had another medication (statins) do this because i have severe radicalopthy in my neck and back muscles. But the numbness and pain is about 8 on the pain scale.I stopped it today, so I pray it will go away

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4

i have been having a similar side effect w/nuvigil regarding the tingling. it doesn't happen every time i take it... maybe once every three times i take it. about 6-8 hours after, i can't really think... and i have horrible tingling as if i can almost feel my heart beating and nerves in my arms. it lasts 30 minutes to an hour. i don't know if i should quit taking it. when i don't have the side effects, it works wonderfully.

is this a normal side effect???

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5

Is anyone having horrible pain in the muscles of their neck, especially in the back of my neck while eating. It's unbearable at times.

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6

I only took for 2 days, but went into severe anxiety attacks. Chest pains and hard time concentrating. I;m fine in the morning, but around noon the panick attacks kick in. Decided it wasn't worth it, would rather be tired, but it's the third day and I didn't take the meds today, but still having the panic. I've even on clonozapan for panic attacks and haven't had any in a year until I took this med. Beware it you are prone to anxiety. I'd pass on this med.

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7

It has definitely curbed the sleepiness, but I'd compare it to makeup over a pimple, I am still tired, but it feels masked. I have had some anxiety/irritability toward the end of the day, just finishing two week sample, not sure if I will continue.

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8

Had horrible experience with Nuvigil on third day. Extreme stomach pain along with a strong aching feeling in the middle of my chest (apparently a side-effect from bloating, as it was relieved with belching). I haven't read about this particular experience anywhere else, but I know it was the Nuvigil because it happened again, several days later, when I decided to give it one more try.

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9

i took nuvigil for 4 days, low dose, around 60mg, loved it, was optomistic, worked out, cut through the bs, but severe muscle pains, and some nausea on day 4....complete insomnia, but I can remedy that w a xanax...chest pans scared me so I stopped taking it. Then I felt like the oxygen was being sucked out of my lungs, scary!!! Now it's been almost 3 weeks and I've had severe constipatin, still have chest (heart?) pains and my period came 2 weeks early. Really through my body off just after 4 days. Now I'm still really sleepy and unmotivated. I drink caffeine, but it doesn't do anything, which tempts me to pop a nuvigil again, but I'm too scared, also pigged out after and can't get full! I loved this drug, but side effects over the top!

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10

I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one who experienced the chest pain. I threw all of my Nuvigil down the toilet because I knew the overwhelming tiredness would make me stupid enough to give it another try. I loved the good side of this drug, but the bad side just isn't worth the risk, especially since I have no idea why I had such a bad reaction or why I still don't feel right almost two weeks later.

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11

Been taking Nuvigil for about 2 weeks. Stopped taking it 3 days ago after experiencing severe pain/burning in my chest/stomach area that radiated to my back, head ache in the back of my head and neck, then for the past few days I have this tingling sensation all over my body, mostly in my head. My stomach feels some better, I did feel very bloated... but the headaches and tingling is still very harsh. I pretty much feel like I hit a wall... crash and burned. Sounds like some very similar situations out there. As much as it seemed to be working at first... I won't take it anymore either. Probably need to go see my doctor to let him know. I thought it was just me, but I am thinking it is not.

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12

I started Nuvigil 3 days ago and have had some bad side effects, my stomach is nauseous and cramping so bad, nothing will relieve it. I am also having extreme dry mouth and a weird tic with my tongue that makes me feel like a freak. Also tonight I have insomnia even after taking my Lunesta and doing all my go to sleep methods nothing is working so I decided to check out the side effects of this new med and bingo this is it, no more nuvigil for me and from someone that was just diagnosed as severly sleep deprived I sure didn't need this. I wander if the manufacturer will compensate me for the missed work due to their side effects? :)

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13

Started taking Nuvigil 3 weeks ago. Worked great at first! Then I still felt tired, but strange. Last night I started feeling like someone was sitting on my chest, I had to take really deep breaths and my right arm and shoulder were hurting. I called the doc today, who said it probably wasn't related to the Nuvigil. I'm 26 with no other problems other than the sleep disorder, so I know it was the med. I'm def not taking it anymore! My shoulder and arm still hurts, a little short of breath but i'm hoping that will go away soon as long as I stop taking it.

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14

Ive been on Nuvigil for 3 days. I feel great... Yes at times I get a little nauseous and have a slight headache but I contacted my doctor and she told me my body has to get use to it. I cant actually say it is the Nuvigil that is causing this reaction or the 1000mg of Metformin I take 2 times a day! I will keep everyone updated on my progress!!

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15

I have taken Nuvigil for a month. 75mg makes me anxious and jitterty. I do best when I take small doses. I have joint pain, dry mouth and constipation. I am tired though I take it for MS fatigue. I have urinary incontinence at night but this mnay be something else.
Confusion is another sidr effect.
Does anyone else take it for MS fatigue?

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16

I just started the 250mg Nuvigil three days ago and it worked fine the first day. Second day, I felt like I had the flu. I was weak, sore throat, stomach pains and my head was throbbing.

I stopped for one day, did fine and went back on today. Today is horrible. I have a tingling/numbness going through my legs and arms. I can't eat because it feels like I'm about to puke and earlier, my heart was beating far faster than normal.

I dont know if I should take this pill another day or if I should stop now. I will update how I feel tonight, just to make sure it's not just me.

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17

mark,what dosage are you taking and for which condition? I'm experiencing sleeplessness at night and wakeup briefly about 4am.

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18

Today was my 3rd day, I feel completely stoned, over heated, and I have no appetite, my stomach wants food but each time I even look at food I want to throw up. And this is the only medicine I'm taking. and I still feel sleepy, but I cant sleep.

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19

I have recently been diagnosed as probable Narcolepsy and was given 250mg of Nuvigil to try. I took the pill around 9 a.m. and felt pretty good for the first couple hours. Then, around 12 noon things went downhill and I felt nauseous and weak and my bones and muscles ached so bad I wanted to cry and also to top all that off...I couldn't sleep until 4 a.m. I called my doctor and told him about my symptoms and he said oh yeah...whoops..I must have given you too much!!! He told me to cut the pill in half and try again. I am scared though. I have plans to take it this Saturday as if I have the same sort of reaction I wouldn't be able to work (during the week). So far my body is not metabolizing this Nuvigil very well :(. I'm still sleepy.

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20

I hate this stuff. I had many side effects: pain in neck, nausous, grumpy, wired feeling yet still tired, terrible headache, overall bad feeling, anxiousness, feeling toxified. Gross stuff...worse even than SSRI's. Stuff is garbage compared to the good stuff Concerta.

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Re: Bob B (# 167) Expand Referenced Message

Hi Bob.....you kill me how you write......funny, but brutally honest!! I just started taking nuvigil and the last thing I want to loose is my sex life.....with numb arms! Sounds Horrible... Thanks for the info....Beverly from Colorado.

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213

I took Armodafinil (Nuvigil) 75mg for three days and everyday I was experiencing itching in my body. I'm badly in need of taking this medicine for daytime sleepiness. Can I take an antihistamine medicine for relief from the itching? Or what are the alternative ways to treat it?

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212

For chronic fatigue I valiantly tried to make Nuvigil work for me on & off for years and end up going right back to Generic provigil. 2-3 pills in of Nuvigil. I start to feel it coming on & get then the stomach spasms from Hell begin then Fever body aches, Ringing in my ears. This drug is in need of a serious over haul in my opinion. it’s truly a waste to have a potentially wonderful life changing medication not do what it’s designed fully to do.

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211

I've taken Nuvigil for years along w/ meds for RA, thyroid, fibromyalgia, HPN, etc. My insurance denied coverage repeatedly for weeks recently. I contracted Influenza A & pneumonia during this time, plus experienced withdrawal. I began Nuvigil for the past 2 days again and had terrible reactions within 6 hrs.

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210

My head felt like there was a hamster on speed running around on a wheel it was horrible

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209

From my experience with insurance, the most likely reason they will not pay for it is because treatment of MS would be an "off label use," so insurance companies want documented proof that MS specific treatments have been ineffecrive for you. I have Narcolepsy and Shift Work Disorder and my insurance still would not cover Nuvigil until I had tried Provigil as it is cheaper.

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208

I am also on Nuvigil for Narcolepsy and Shift Work Disorder and experience similar side effects. From what I have read and can understand, Nuvigil blocks the reuptake of dopamine creating extra-cellular levels, however it does not increase dopamine production. Because of this method of action, Nuvigil can become ineffective and have increased side effects after just a few days. Dopamine is often the nurotransmitter related to our "pleasure center," increasing feelings of wakefulness, euphoria and even pain relief. So when the initial boost of extra-cellular levels of Dopamine decline, we begin to experience pain, depressed mood and reduced wakefulness. Nausea, headaches and muscle/joint pain are listed as common side effects of Nuvigil. Increased anxiety and heart rate are also common which could explain the feeling of irregular breathing. The best advice I have come across to reduce these symptoms is to only take the medication when absolutely necessary. I choose to have my "off days" when I am off work. Unfortunately, on these days, I can barely function and still experience the negative effects which makes life very difficult as I am a single mom. I have also read of people cycling their Nuvigil where they take it for two weeks, one week off, one week on and two weeks off. For me, that does not seem like a feasible option so you would need to take into account your own life style, schedule, etc. and discuss it with your doctor. I hope this helps.

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207

Went from adderall to nuvigil. The doctors are getting BIG kickbacks for this drug. It's a $900 p/m drug... So they are going to fight to keep you on it. I had an allergic reaction on the darn stuff, my former doc KNEW it was a huge issue and took me off immediately. It's been 4 years. I told my doc I started breaking out itching all over that only got worse and never stopped Even 12+ hours after taking the tablet. He just said to lower the dose and keep trying to "make it work"-- now I'm worried because I'm reading about s.j.s and all these HUGE warnings about itching with this drug... I'll be looking for a different doctor Monday morning.

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206

I had horrible side effects I felt like I was on speed couldn't sleep at night confused and didn't want to continue living on that way I quit taking that but it took a week before I began to feel normal again Took me a while before I figured out what was making me go crazy

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205

Woa stop taking it! Sounds like a heart attack or stroke.

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