Provigil in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a complex rheumatic condition that is often difficult to diagnose. The most common symptoms include muscle and joint pain, fatigue and difficulty sleeping. Provigil is one of the medications used to treat the fatigue associated with fibromyalgia.

Diagnosis

• Because the symptoms of fibromyalgia are similar to the symptoms of other diseases (fatigue, headaches, difficulty sleeping, inability to concentrate, stiffness and anxiety), it is often diagnosed as a result of ruling out other diseases. According to WebMD, women are more likely to get fibromyalgia than men.

History of Provigil

• Provigil has been used since 1998 for sleep disorder conditions such as narcolepsy and sleep apnea, but it is a recent addition to the options for treating fibromyalgia fatigue. According to fibromyalgia-symptoms.org, a study of fibromyalgia patients who took Provigil showed a 50% decrease in fatigue related to fibromyalgia.

Side Effects

• According to Drugs.com, possible side effects of treating fibromyalgia with Provigil include headache, nausea, fever, hallucinations, red skin rash and depression. Severe side effects include difficulty breathing or swelling of the tongue, throat or face, which require immediate medical attention.

Contraindications

• Conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, recent heart attack and certain medications (i.e. blood pressure medication) may exclude the use of Provigil as treatment for fibromyalgia.

Warning

• Since Provigil affects the central nervous system, people taking this medication should avoid driving or engaging in any potentially dangerous activity until they know how they react to the medication.