is anyone taking modafinil for extreme fatigue

[fity123r]

hi everyone I have a question my hubby is extremely fatigued after his brain injury nearly 3years ago he is always sleeping I spoke to his consultant who recommended modafinil I have heard that this stimulant can cause alot of bad side effects like heart attacks sudden death seizures its hard on the liver to but the advantage are it keeps you awake good for cognition and keeps you alertI just want to know if anyone is taking this or has took it how did they feel with it did it cause any harm to them obviously I want the best treatment for my hubby but at the same time I don't want put him in any more danger

[Nanapal]

Good morning fifty123r

My son also needs a lot of sleep (hypoxic brain injury 3 years ago). Due to complex needs he lives in a care home on a neuro rehabilitation unit. There are several other residents who have also suffered hypoxic injury and I have noticed they also do. My son doesn’t take the medication your husbands consultant is suggesting so I will follow your post and any future updates you write. I know side effects of some other medications my son already takes such as Keppra to prevent seizure activity do relate to fatigue. He used to take Baclofen also fatigue inducing through his PEG but now he has a Baclofen pump which delivers dosage to target pain/spasticity in his legs. We have noticed a reduction in his fatigue since he has had this which is an added bonus.

As we are all aware medications are tailored to each individual. I hope whichever medication your husband is given does help with his fatigue. As you we will explore any avenues which may help with quality of life.

Best wishes Nanapal x

[fity123r in reply to Nanapal]

hello nanapal thank you for ur reply my hubby also had a hypoxic brain injury about the same time as your son and the road of recovery has been very very hard he actually was improving so good last year this time but out of a sudden his getting really bad fatigue this year and it started at the beginning of this year but got worse all he does is sleep all day long with means he sometimes misses his meals to his consultant has recommended this med but I'm very iffy about it but than again alot of people who has Sustained a hypoxic brain injury do go through fatigue like you have said about ur son and the residents who suffered it I think it's part of brain injury I do really want to help him but I feel scared I hope improvements continue with your son his been through alot xxxx

[Nanapal in reply to fity123r]

I hope some of the suggestions posted have been a help to you. Seems lots to discuss with your consultant - please keep us updated when you can.

Thank you for your best wishes for my son. I do chat to him about this forum telling him how lovely everyone is with advice and support. Also to encourage him with posts I have read from people and families in similar positions to him and us. x

[Jpdee75]

Hi I wasn’t on it for long it did help me with the constant urge to sleep but I tried Ritalin and I feel that this helped my brain engage better with activities. My gp insisted I have a heart test and one every six months or I wasn’t eligible. I have no heart flutters or racing but everyone is different so I suggest you insist on this if gp doesn’t

[fity123r in reply to Jpdee75]

hello jpdee75 thank you for ur reply I am quite scared of all the side effects it brings with it I think il have to speak to the consultant again as I'm very iffy about this med

[Unusual1]

has your husband been checked for iron deficiency?

[fity123r in reply to Unusual1]

hiya no he hasn't he did have a blood test for vitamin d which was all ok but not iron deficiency can you be fatigued if you lack in iron

[Unusual1]

yes you can be fatigued if you lack iron. A family member of mine acquired a traumatic brain injury (lost capacity/mimics dementia) and I think it exacerbated his iron deficiency anaemia. He was fine on iron tablet supplements until he had his accident. After his brain injury his anaemia got much worse. Symptoms are a lack of appetite, constantly falling asleep in chair, dizzyness. Managed by iron infusions every 3/4 months (sometimes blood transfusions) and blood tests every 6/8 weeks. Maybe it’s worth asking his doctor to test for anaemia.

[fity123r in reply to Unusual1]

thank you for that I will defo get his gp to send him for a iron deficiency it probably is that xx

[New_beginning]

Hello my husband just been recommended to have a wheelchair now as everything we have tried in 3.5years not really had impact and he has pretty awful unwell episodes.

I just don't think there's anything out there or promoted in UK. Hormone therapy promoted but due to my husband impulsive/risky behaviour and no plan to support as it's injections we have stepped away as when it comes down to the nitty gritty it's only just me and I can't afford for him to regress mentally.

Hope you get answers your end. All the best x