Aa
Sleep Disorder Doctor today.
Well, I finally had my appt. today along with MORE blood work. My PCP wanted me to see a sleep Dr. due to my fatigue. She I assume is thinking my fatigue is from my sleeping. Sooo, I went to make her happy :)
He and I talked and he asked me a gazillion questions etc. He said he does not think there is anything wrong with my sleeping. Sure, I may not sleep "normal" hours lol I'm a night person, I've been like this for a good 20yrs. He says it's fine as long as it's not causing problems in my life, which it's not. Sure, I wish I were a morning person but I'm not. I did tell him that it would be nice if I could fall asleep at midnight instead of 4am lol BUT... that just isn't how I am. I've tried for years and have given up on being a morning person. He also said he can tell by my answers to him that I do know the difference between being tired and being fatigued. He doesn't feel there are any sleep issues such as sleep apnea or RLS or anything like that. So, I have to keep a sleep diary for 2 weeks and go back to see him. He said then we'll maybe try Nuvigil to see if we can keep me awake and maybe sleep "normal" hours lol Since I've tried sleeping pills on and off over the years and always end up back to my 4am or so sleep thing.
So, with that said anyone have any input on Nuvigil if he decides to put me on it? I do have anxiety and pvc's which taking anything to wake me up sort of makes me nervous.
He and I talked and he asked me a gazillion questions etc. He said he does not think there is anything wrong with my sleeping. Sure, I may not sleep "normal" hours lol I'm a night person, I've been like this for a good 20yrs. He says it's fine as long as it's not causing problems in my life, which it's not. Sure, I wish I were a morning person but I'm not. I did tell him that it would be nice if I could fall asleep at midnight instead of 4am lol BUT... that just isn't how I am. I've tried for years and have given up on being a morning person. He also said he can tell by my answers to him that I do know the difference between being tired and being fatigued. He doesn't feel there are any sleep issues such as sleep apnea or RLS or anything like that. So, I have to keep a sleep diary for 2 weeks and go back to see him. He said then we'll maybe try Nuvigil to see if we can keep me awake and maybe sleep "normal" hours lol Since I've tried sleeping pills on and off over the years and always end up back to my 4am or so sleep thing.
So, with that said anyone have any input on Nuvigil if he decides to put me on it? I do have anxiety and pvc's which taking anything to wake me up sort of makes me nervous.
That's a good deal. My insurance DOES cover it and I still pay a $75 co-pay for a one month supply of Nuvigil. We wouldn't pay if it wasn't so worth it, would we?
Mary
Mary
Because my insurance doesn't cover the Provigil, I go through a Canadian pharmacy and pay for the generic version that is made in India out of pocket. I paid $178 for a 3 month supply of 200 mg which will be split in half making it actually a 6 month supply.
AMEN to everything Red said!
I never would have thought I had sleep apnea. I never felt like I was waking up at all during the night. Usually I fell asleep quickly and awoke in the morning in the exact same sleep position. I thought that's why I was so sore and stiff--from sleeping TOO soundly.
In reality, the sleep study found I was waking nearly 80 times each hour! No wonder I was also taking a several hour nap each day and still had trouble thinking, concentrating and staying awake to drive. Those are the things that convinced me to go for a sleep study.
I believe sleep disorders occur more frequently in PwMS than they do in the general population. Red and I both have sleep apnea AND MS. Mine is OSA (from mechanical obstruction) but she apparently has a mixed bag. The central sleep apnea she mentioned is caused by a problem in the brain (it's neurological).
I've used both Provigil and Nuvigil. Both were prescribed by the neuro who treats my OSA (when the CPAP alone wasn't helping enough) and both have been very helpful. I can only guess that they also help my MS fatigue.
I'd also make sure you get the study. It can't be used to rule out MS but I don't believe sleep apnea can be ruled out without the sleep study.
Deb! Provigil is already available in generic? I thought that wasn't going to happen until 2012. I hope that helps some people here.
Mary
I never would have thought I had sleep apnea. I never felt like I was waking up at all during the night. Usually I fell asleep quickly and awoke in the morning in the exact same sleep position. I thought that's why I was so sore and stiff--from sleeping TOO soundly.
In reality, the sleep study found I was waking nearly 80 times each hour! No wonder I was also taking a several hour nap each day and still had trouble thinking, concentrating and staying awake to drive. Those are the things that convinced me to go for a sleep study.
I believe sleep disorders occur more frequently in PwMS than they do in the general population. Red and I both have sleep apnea AND MS. Mine is OSA (from mechanical obstruction) but she apparently has a mixed bag. The central sleep apnea she mentioned is caused by a problem in the brain (it's neurological).
I've used both Provigil and Nuvigil. Both were prescribed by the neuro who treats my OSA (when the CPAP alone wasn't helping enough) and both have been very helpful. I can only guess that they also help my MS fatigue.
I'd also make sure you get the study. It can't be used to rule out MS but I don't believe sleep apnea can be ruled out without the sleep study.
Deb! Provigil is already available in generic? I thought that wasn't going to happen until 2012. I hope that helps some people here.
Mary
I took Provigil, a drug very similar to Nuvigil, for years before my insurance company decided that they wouldn't pay for it. Then I was switched to Ritalin and it did very little for me. Now I'm taking the generic form of Provigil, and I'm starting to feel like a human being again. The fatigue is much, much better. When I first started Provigil, it took some time to get used the medicine. I also couldn't take the entire pill the doctor ordered because I didn't feel right. I take only half of a 200 mg pill which works perfectly.
Fatigue toi me is not a sleepy feeling. It just feels like my muscles no longer cooperate. Something as simple as closing the clasp on my bra wears me out but I don't want my bed. I just know my body is unable to do things that sometimes is rather easy for me.
I don't know anything about the med being considered. I had the sleep study done not once but twice in one week. I don't have sleep apnea. I was pretty sure going into that I didn't. I did it becaise they needed to rule it out.
Oh the things we do to be sure it is or isn't MS. So far for me, all have pointed back to the monster. But I always question...what if it isn't?
I don't know anything about the med being considered. I had the sleep study done not once but twice in one week. I don't have sleep apnea. I was pretty sure going into that I didn't. I did it becaise they needed to rule it out.
Oh the things we do to be sure it is or isn't MS. So far for me, all have pointed back to the monster. But I always question...what if it isn't?
I have no diagnosis as of yet :( Still in limbo. If he wants to do a sleep study I'll do one, I have no problem with doing whatever these Dr's want me to do. But so far that's what he is thinking. He may think differently after my sleep diary, I'll find out in two weeks when I go back. If he then feels I need one I'll do one, no big deal to me. The bed looked pretty comfy actually lol
My son has RMD and has had it since birth and both he and his twin sister were born with apnea/bradycardia. But, with my own heart issues/surgery and all the years of EKG's and holter monitors you would think they would have seen something going on. I mean maybe not but you would think they would have picked up on me not breathing? Who knows :)
Sidesteps, my leg muscles are terrible... But, I also have TTS so when my legs hurt I don't always know why lol I know the pins and needles isn't TTS. But, pain I have no idea what I'm feeling since TTS is nerve pain. Fatigue for me is a big sign something is coming that I don't want lol
We shall see. Sooner or later these Drs will figure me out :) I do know not to give up. Even with my heart, they at first couldn't "find" what was wrong and tried to send me home saying it was nothing. I refused and they got a specialist to read my EKG and that's when he found it. Had I left them just dismiss me who knows what would have happened!!!
My son has RMD and has had it since birth and both he and his twin sister were born with apnea/bradycardia. But, with my own heart issues/surgery and all the years of EKG's and holter monitors you would think they would have seen something going on. I mean maybe not but you would think they would have picked up on me not breathing? Who knows :)
Sidesteps, my leg muscles are terrible... But, I also have TTS so when my legs hurt I don't always know why lol I know the pins and needles isn't TTS. But, pain I have no idea what I'm feeling since TTS is nerve pain. Fatigue for me is a big sign something is coming that I don't want lol
We shall see. Sooner or later these Drs will figure me out :) I do know not to give up. Even with my heart, they at first couldn't "find" what was wrong and tried to send me home saying it was nothing. I refused and they got a specialist to read my EKG and that's when he found it. Had I left them just dismiss me who knows what would have happened!!!
It's nearly impossible to know if you have sleep apnea without a sleep study. There are many sleep disorders, so, given your MS, it's important that he have you thoroughly tested.
I was referred for a sleep study four times by four different specialists. I cancelled each study because I didn't believe I had apnea and didn't want to go through the hassle of the study.
I was so wrong. I have very severe obstructive and central sleep apneas. Severe is 30 and above, mine was over 78. I was also diagnosed with PLMD 'periodic limb movement disorder' which in my case my legs move 118 times per hour during sleep. I am on a Cpap now and will soon be switched to a Bipap.
My point is that allot of things can happen due to neurological problems. Being properly treated makes a huge difference, less tired, regular sleep patterns and reduction in pain.
I am really surprised he didn't order the study. He needs to make sure and you cant without a study.
I urge you to be open to testing. It can't hurt but it could help tremendously.
Just my two cents:)
Red
I was referred for a sleep study four times by four different specialists. I cancelled each study because I didn't believe I had apnea and didn't want to go through the hassle of the study.
I was so wrong. I have very severe obstructive and central sleep apneas. Severe is 30 and above, mine was over 78. I was also diagnosed with PLMD 'periodic limb movement disorder' which in my case my legs move 118 times per hour during sleep. I am on a Cpap now and will soon be switched to a Bipap.
My point is that allot of things can happen due to neurological problems. Being properly treated makes a huge difference, less tired, regular sleep patterns and reduction in pain.
I am really surprised he didn't order the study. He needs to make sure and you cant without a study.
I urge you to be open to testing. It can't hurt but it could help tremendously.
Just my two cents:)
Red
Yeah, me too... I also have muscle weakness/fatigability where walking short distances or holding a blow dryer is difficult. This luckily is most prevalent and one of the key ways I can feel I'm in a flare. Although, it definitely is definitely more of a "constant" now over, say, 2 years ago. I frequently don't feel well rested.
Well for me, when I sleep a whole night and wake up feeling as if I didn't sleep or am ready to just crash not long after being awake, that is not being tired it's fatigue. I'm just "tired" no matter how much I sleep. I need to lay down, I can't even get off the sofa or out of bed, just going to the bathroom takes everything out of me and I have to lay down. I'm as if I haven't slept for days.
That to me is fatigue :)
That to me is fatigue :)
Oh, I read that wrong. You DO know the difference. LOL ~ I'm a dork.
What is the difference to you? I'm curious as I have different types of fatigue.
What is the difference to you? I'm curious as I have different types of fatigue.
lol No not really... he did mention it but umm I had pretty much already explained it to him before hand :)
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Australia
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
