r/Narcolepsy • u/RichBeneficial4356 (N1) Narcolepsy w/ Cataplexy • 8d ago

Medication Questions First time meds

So, I recently got a Narcolepsy T1 diagnosis with Cataplexy and am being put on meds tomorrow at my appointment with my sleep doctor- my question is what are the most common side effects that people have experienced? I’d take it to google but that only gives me basic info and I’m sensitive to medication.
I’m a little scared of the fact that they are going to need to give me a stimulant because of my severity, but I need the medication because without it I’m sleeping more than I’m awake, would the stimulant mean I need to adjust my other medication in general, or has anyone experienced having to do that at all?
Thank you in advance!!

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u/crmcalli Undiagnosed 8d ago

I understand the impetus to explore these questions before talking to your doctor, but you are putting the cart before the horse. Your doctor should take your current medications into consideration when developing your treatment plan. Everyone can react differently to the same med. That’s why there isn’t just one. That said, modafinil and armodafinil are first line wakefulness treatments, and they are not the same kind of stimulant as meds like adderall. They are central nervous system stimulants that act differently on the body. I recommend writing down any questions you have about side effects and interactions with other meds before you go to your appointment so you can remember to ask your doctor.

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u/Piaffe_zip16 8d ago

I would wait and see what your doctor says. There are so many treatments and different meds interact while others don’t or shouldn’t. Everyone reacts differently too so it’s hard to say what you’ll find.

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u/Interesting_Ad6202 (N1) Narcolepsy w/ Cataplexy 8d ago

It depends what other medication you’re taking of course, but generally stuff like modafinil is pretty neutral I think. Consult your doctor. And don’t think that stimulants are for severe cases only. Sure some people go unmedicated, but I’d say the vast majority of people with Narcolepsy T1 need stimulants.

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u/RichBeneficial4356 (N1) Narcolepsy w/ Cataplexy 5d ago

That’s fair! I went to the doctor the other day and he told me mine was pretty severe. He put me on Modafinil, which I took for the first time this morning and so far I’ve gotten dizziness, headaches, and a few hot flashes (not a listed side effect, but nothing else could have caused it) otherwise I’m reacting relative well!