This is how brilliant I am, today. I bolded something to make a point. To a blind person. Doy. Yes, underappreciated genius here. You betcha. Also. Tep, take a minute and just breathe. Take deep breaths and count them...the meditation I used used the number 36.(don't know why...maybe cause it takes a minute.)

what exactly it's supposed to do

Improve wakefulness in patients with sleep apnea or similar issues (though not insomnia). It can -- and often is -- used concurrently with a CPAP machine. (I sound like one of those leaflets in the box with the drug, don't I?)

interactions

Boy, I can't remember what you take, but I know there are issues between Provigil and other drugs that are metabolized via the same hepatic pathway -- Provigil can end up *reducing* the blood levels of some of those drugs.

if there's any long-term effects from taking it.

Depends on your definition of "long-term." The manufacturer would probably say no, there are no long-term effects. And that would be because drug trials in humans probably didn't run longer than 18 months. There simply isn't going to be data for longer than that, which sucks. New drugs, quite honestly, turn the patients into guinea pigs for long-term data.

All of which was probably supremely unhelpful. But it's all I got.

Provigil can end up *reducing* the blood levels of some of those drugs.

Ok. Good to know.

All of which was probably supremely unhelpful. But it's all I got.

Completely untrue. So, it's pretty new? I didn't realize that. My shrink talked like it was something he thought we'd tried before, so I assumed it had been around for a while.

So, it's pretty new? I didn't realize that.

A patent was granted in 1990 (thank you, Wikipedia). FDA gave it orphan drug status in 1993, but that results in relatively limited prescribing, for really proscribed conditions. Its use has been more widespread since probably the mid-00s (or whatever we call this decade).

So not brand-new as in "came on the market in the past year." It's possible your shrink had you try it under orphan drug status, which is kinda cool.

What's orphan drug status?

Orphan drug status: [link]

Sorry to wiki; I just ain't got it in me to keep typing. I'm going back to bed.

No bed; I'm calm(er) for the moment and I think I might go to the gym and see if I can generate some endorphins.

(I took a sick day today; no way in hell I can work like this. I really need my doctor to figure out what's next, and SOON.)

Ok, earlier I mentioned that there were layoffs here this morning. I just found out that my old Boss's Boss (sometimes referred to as Big Boss) was let go. I'm in shock. She had been the head of accounting for YEARS...I'm just....wow. WOW.

I'm just glad you're safe from the layoffs, Suzi. And I'm still vibing hard for Good News for you.

Tep, I hope the doc gets back to you soon with a plan of action - one that's acceptable for both of you.

Until then: Listen up, Teppy Brain. Be good to Tep or we'll tempt her to read shit online that requires brain bleach to remove it from the recesses of her mind. Play nice!

Almost time for me to head out to the dentist. Pleasepleaseplease don't let there be cavities.