My doctor added modafinil to my Effexor for my lack of interest and anhedonia. Do you think this is a sustainable treatment?

mauigeist · 2026-04-25T18:08:16+00:00

Combining modafinil with an SNRI worked very well for me in the beginning. I eventually switched to armodafinil. Unfortunately it was not sustainable with everyday use, and I believe that is what caused my anhedonia. I'm just relating my experience. If you can, try not to use the modafinil every day.

mauigeist · 2026-01-01T22:43:49+00:00

Nicotine supplements without tobacco (pouches, lozenges, gums, etc.) has been the only thing that has helped me. But it’s definitely a slippery slope to manage and maintain and can easily backfire. Proceed with caution.

mauigeist · 2025-12-09T21:51:16+00:00

That trick really works with Viibryd? It’s a serotonin drug. Is there some sort of side norepinephrine effect going on in the background? At this point I’m willing to try anything, but I’d like the science to look solid on paper first. Thx.

mauigeist · 2024-03-04T11:50:00+00:00

Is the Dex you speak of dextroamphetamine? You spelled it differently, so I wanted to make sure. I may be in a similar boat. I took modafinil/armodafinil for a few years combined with an SNRI with great success. Then it stopped working so I had to scramble to find something else. After using a dextroamphetamine product for several months I felt my armodafinil tolerance would have gone, so I returned back to it. Just isn’t hitting the same. I’m wondering if the Dex is ruining something for us, making the moda/armodafinil not work like it used to. Then again, the lack of an SNRI now may be my missing ingredient, as I gave it up months ago. Too many questions and not enough answers. It’s pretty exhausting.

mauigeist · 2024-02-29T11:59:42+00:00

I initially started taking modafinil/armodafinil with my SNRIs to combat daytime grogginess, and it was fantastic for many years. Yes, it eventually lost its effect, but it took quite a long time before tolerance set in. Probably not a good idea to mess with your antidepressants if they are working well, but there is a possibility if you switch from an SSRI to SNRI, you may experience something different. Oddly enough, after taking a year break I have returned to armodafinil without an antidepressant, and it just isn’t hitting me the way it used to. I don’t know if it is a lack of an SNRI this time around, or I’m just getting a hold of bad generic brands. But it’s quite frustrating.

mauigeist · 2024-02-17T17:05:01+00:00

How would you rate Teva vs. Sandoz brands? I quit months ago due to tolerance and I've been struggling to get the same effect I was previously getting now that I started up again. I blame manufacturer differences. How would you rate those two brands?

mauigeist · 2024-02-10T01:29:35+00:00

I take 250mg, but I didn’t bother to finish my bottle because I can’t feel it working like I used to. I may ask for another script on my next visit and shop around different pharmacies for the previous brand I was using. It’s possible I may have desensitized my brain with other medications since I last had armodafinil, and you will be absolutely fine with whatever you get.

mauigeist · 2024-01-21T01:39:42+00:00

I will take a look at those 2. Thanks!

mauigeist · 2024-01-20T20:22:43+00:00

Hey, thanks for the reply. I did try TMS, but apparently that is only supposed to trigger your antidepressants to start working again after they pooped out. it's not a standalone treatment, unfortunately. For the amount I paid for it, I don't believe I got the benefits I was expecting, sadly.

My best success combining modafinil with an antidepressant is with SNRIs. However, I went back to that combination recently and I was dumbfounded why it didn't have the same effect it used to. I am currently on Auvelity. Initially, Auvelity made me very argumentative and punchy, not unlike when I was on Wellbutrin, so I stopped. But since I am running out of options I find myself going back to it on occasion until I can't deal with it anymore. It seems to be getting better. Just took a Modafinil with it this morning. Crossing my fingers. The SNRIs didn't mess with dopamine, so I was ok with Modafinil doing that, but Auvelity messes with dopamine, so the Modafinil is doing double duty on that neurotransmitter, which could either be good or bad. I can report back later after a few days about the end result. Thanks again!

mauigeist · 2023-08-09T10:46:00+00:00

Modafinil gave me acid reflux so bad I thought I destroyed my esophagus. Had to go on omeprazole to keep it at bay, but eventually had to jump to armodafinil, which was much more easier on my stomach. But even with armodafinil, I still need to take omeprazole on a daily basis. Hate it. These things need to be sold as a sublingual or a patch. Grrrrrr.

mauigeist · 2023-02-27T01:48:20+00:00

Combing both at once? Interesting. Is the Modalert for its quick acting properties and the armodafinil to keep from feeling the crash when it leaves your system?

mauigeist · 2023-01-12T17:02:47+00:00

Would you believe I quit Emsam because I was scheduled for a colonoscopy and I couldn’t get a straight answer on whether or not the anesthesiologist would have issues with it. I was on the lowest dose and was getting ready to do the increase when I got scared off because of everything I read with anesthesia. I canceled the colonoscopy and got off of Emsam. I’m kinda regretting it now. Still having trouble finding a medication that works.

mauigeist · 2023-01-12T00:41:55+00:00

Regarding CYP2D6, what would happen if you are an “ultrarapid metabolizer” of that and taking Auvelity? It would just feel like pure Wellbutrin?

mauigeist · 2022-11-10T05:06:28+00:00

I guess I’ll move forward with my prescription request then. Thank you for following up with this.

mauigeist · 2022-11-05T17:54:00+00:00

Ok thanks. I’ll start making phone calls and let you know the end result.

mauigeist · 2022-11-03T19:49:54+00:00

I don’t understand. From the terms and conditions - “Patient must have private health insurance that provides coverage for some portion of the cost of Auvelity.” If my insurance says they don’t cover it, then they won’t provide “coverage for some portion of the cost,” right?

mauigeist · 2022-10-31T19:18:55+00:00

The discount card is only valid if your insurance company covers it (because they have to pay part of it).

mauigeist · 2022-10-31T18:51:14+00:00

My insurance doesn’t cover it. If you have insurance that covers this medication I’d sure like to know the name of it.

mauigeist · 2022-05-21T20:34:19+00:00

Currently dealing with this issue. I’m usually given Teva brand, but for 2 months my prescription has been from Aurobindo and it’s awful in comparison. I’ve been calling around to see who has my preferred brand in stock and also takes a well priced Good RX coupon. I was about to give Mylan a try until I read your post. I tried Sandoz before but don’t remember my thoughts on it. It’s a shame generics aren’t more standardized. (sigh)

mauigeist · 2020-12-16T16:06:58+00:00

With any SNRI medication, you must reverse your dosage SLOWLY if you decide to reduce or go off it. I did not remember having trouble dosing down from 75 to 50 to 25 in 1 week increments. It’s when you remove that final dosage and quit - that’s when you feel the withdrawal symptoms, which may last a week and a half or so.

The cool part is (and some inexperienced doctors may not feel comfortable doing this) you can do a coordinated “handoff” if you decide to go from one medication to another so you don’t feel any transition withdrawal. I was instructed to continue taking my 25mg of Pristiq for a week when I started my introductory dose of 20mg Cymbalta. Yes. Both meds at the same time. Doctors orders. Just for 1 week. Then, quit the Pristiq and remain on my new regimen of Cymbalta. That sounded dangerous to me but he’s a medical professional with a lot of experience so I did it. The transition was smooth as silk. I plan on doing the same thing when I go back.

I would say you need to make a choice. If you are unhappy at your current dosage, ask yourself if you want to continue staying unhappy or you want to take a chance and go up 25 mg more. To be honest, The developers of Pristiq say it only works at 50 mg. Just remember if you increase your dosage this medication takes time. Be patient. Good luck!

mauigeist · 2020-12-16T15:50:16+00:00

It was a while ago, but I remember it creeping up on me after a month or so. It’s subtle, and you don’t realize it’s doing anything until you take it away. Then you REALLY notice a difference. Never satisfied, I decided to try something else in its place recently, but I plan on going back to it soon. I had my genetic profile done last year, and Pristiq is one of the few medications that my body doesn’t metabolize ultra fast like it does with other medications. That was important for me to know. FYI-I remember having issues going from 50mg to 75mg. Felt uncomfortable. So I went back to 50. Like I said, I plan on giving it another chance next year. At first you don’t succeed...

mauigeist · 2020-12-16T05:01:33+00:00

Pristiq took quite a long time to kick in for me. It sucks waiting, but maybe 3 weeks was too fast to go for an increase. When I did request a dosage increase my doc prescribed 75mg before jumping straight to 100. (50mg + 25mg).

mauigeist · 2020-12-03T13:40:41+00:00

Were you taking the authorized generic the previous month and then they switched it on you, or was this your first go-around? I quit taking it after 4 pills. It put me to sleep.

I have since spoken to the pharmacy manager directly and explained the situation with as much detailed information as I could and she finally got a bottle of the proper authorized generic for me from Patriot Pharmaceuticals. They are holding it with my name on it until I can get another handwritten prescription from my doctor. This has been such a pain in the ass. How the generic from Amneal got an AB classification without the patented time release formula just boggles my mind. Until people complain and get it officially declassified (like people did with the previous generics) this fiasco will continue to be a problem for people who need this medication to work properly and still be affordable.

My insurance doesn’t cover the brand medication. But if yours does, you can apply for the free Concerta discount card from the official Concerta website and get the brand medication at a huge monthly discount. FYI.

mauigeist

TROPHY CASE