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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Re: Can't wake up
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Re: Can't wake up
by CCF NEUROLOGY MD/ IN, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF NEUROLOGY MD/in on April 27, 1998 at 10:27:02:
In Reply to: Can't wake up posted by Jule on April 27, 1998 at 08:34:58:
I have enormous problems waking up in the morning. As you can imagine, this causes me persistent difficulties in coping with everyday life. The obvious solution of just going to bed earlier doesn't seem to help. I feel as if I am getting into a deeper and deeper sleep as the night goes on. As I understand it, this is the opposite of what really happens. In the morning I am forced to try to drag myself to consciousness as if from a very deep sleep - I feel almost drugged, it is so difficult. I often fail to wake when I should. The last time I remember being able to wake easily was when I was a child of about 8, pre-adolescent years. Correspondingly, I find I wake up and become more alert at about the time when I should be going to bed. Somehow establishing a sensible pattern seems to be beyond my grasp. Could there by any neurological/physical reason for this? Have you ever come across this problem before?
Dear Jule:
The difficulty in waking up in the morning and being sleepy during daytime (excessive daytime sleepiness) are some of the most frequent problems patients with sleep problems consult us for at the Cleveland Clinic Sleep Center.
Therefore, your problem is not unusual.
It seems that your problems have been going on for long time, nut some information regarding snoring, stopping to breathe during night time, inability to keep your self awake during the day, and morning headaches are not mentioned in your letter.
Based on the above, the possibilities are the following:
1. Obstructive sleep apnea: It is the most common sleep syndrome. It occurs typically in patients who are overweight (but may occur in patients who are not obese). It consists of multiple arousals during the night, some of them are not remembered by the patient (called micro arousals), snoring, episodes of breathing arrest, morning headaches, and inability to remain awake during the day.
2. Upper airway resistance syndrome: The symptoms are almost the same as the first one but they are typically milder and associated with different findings on the sleep test (polysomnogram).
3. Sleep wake cycle problems: This could be due to lack of good sleep hygiene, i.e the patient does not always follow the same sleep habits.
4. The remote possibility of brain tumor can not be excluded based on the minimal information you gave, although it is doubtful
My recommendations are the following:
1. Consultation with a Neurologist who deals on a routine basis with sleep disorders. If you would like an appointment can be arranged for you to be seen by one of our Sleep Disorders specialists (you may call 1-800 CCF CARE or 216-444-5559)
2. A sleep study called Polysomnogram (PSG) and blood tests may be needed.
3. Based on the Neurological examination, an MRI of the brain may be needed
4. After the above tests are done, the appropriate treatment will be recommended.
Good luck
In Reply to: Can't wake up posted by Jule on April 27, 1998 at 08:34:58:
I have enormous problems waking up in the morning. As you can imagine, this causes me persistent difficulties in coping with everyday life. The obvious solution of just going to bed earlier doesn't seem to help. I feel as if I am getting into a deeper and deeper sleep as the night goes on. As I understand it, this is the opposite of what really happens. In the morning I am forced to try to drag myself to consciousness as if from a very deep sleep - I feel almost drugged, it is so difficult. I often fail to wake when I should. The last time I remember being able to wake easily was when I was a child of about 8, pre-adolescent years. Correspondingly, I find I wake up and become more alert at about the time when I should be going to bed. Somehow establishing a sensible pattern seems to be beyond my grasp. Could there by any neurological/physical reason for this? Have you ever come across this problem before?
Dear Jule:
The difficulty in waking up in the morning and being sleepy during daytime (excessive daytime sleepiness) are some of the most frequent problems patients with sleep problems consult us for at the Cleveland Clinic Sleep Center.
Therefore, your problem is not unusual.
It seems that your problems have been going on for long time, nut some information regarding snoring, stopping to breathe during night time, inability to keep your self awake during the day, and morning headaches are not mentioned in your letter.
Based on the above, the possibilities are the following:
1. Obstructive sleep apnea: It is the most common sleep syndrome. It occurs typically in patients who are overweight (but may occur in patients who are not obese). It consists of multiple arousals during the night, some of them are not remembered by the patient (called micro arousals), snoring, episodes of breathing arrest, morning headaches, and inability to remain awake during the day.
2. Upper airway resistance syndrome: The symptoms are almost the same as the first one but they are typically milder and associated with different findings on the sleep test (polysomnogram).
3. Sleep wake cycle problems: This could be due to lack of good sleep hygiene, i.e the patient does not always follow the same sleep habits.
4. The remote possibility of brain tumor can not be excluded based on the minimal information you gave, although it is doubtful
My recommendations are the following:
1. Consultation with a Neurologist who deals on a routine basis with sleep disorders. If you would like an appointment can be arranged for you to be seen by one of our Sleep Disorders specialists (you may call 1-800 CCF CARE or 216-444-5559)
2. A sleep study called Polysomnogram (PSG) and blood tests may be needed.
3. Based on the Neurological examination, an MRI of the brain may be needed
4. After the above tests are done, the appropriate treatment will be recommended.
Good luck
