Tired - Eye Straying

[jan]

Dear Dr.,
I have posted before about my neuro. suspecting narcolepsy (among some other things) and two failed sleeping tests. I have been more tired this past week and a half than I have been for quite some time. Last night at dinner my husband told me I looked tired (that is a rare statement coming from him) and he said he thought he saw my right eye stray to the right while looking straight at him. Is there any significance in that? I must tell you my right arm feels a little weak, too, although I am not really concerned with that(I am totally left-handed, if that means anything). I have just recently posted on the heart forum about being so tired. I wanted to know if I could buy over the counter sleeping pills. He said I should tell my dr. about being so tired. Which one, my cardio., my neuro., or my primary? Or should I just wait until I see my neuro. Aug. 12? Again, my question is, is there any significance that my right strayed?
Thank you.
P.S. Even with the sleeping pill last night, I still woke up through out the night.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Jan:

Usually over-the-counter sleeping pills do not give an efficient sleep (good progression through the various stages of sleep).  I would recommend trying melatonin, maybe 5 mg 20 to 30 minutes before sleep.  You can purchase this medication at your local health food store.  I think the straying eye might be a normal finding during drowsiness.  I wouldn't worry too much about it but since I didn't see it I can't really comment.  

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[jan]

Dear Dr.,
It's been 3 nights now that I have been taking the melatonin. I have been taking 6 mg. because the tablets are 3 mg. each. It isn't working, I still wake up through the night (quickly going back to sleep, as usual)but now I am experiencing a period of an 1-2 hrs. of wakefulness,too. Can I increase the dosage?  It makes me want to go back to my higher dose of atenolol, sleep and daytime tiredness wasn't a problem then, a nice benefit.
Thanks, once again.

[Ron]

Been there, done that!  Ask your Dr. to try Trazodone which is an anti-depressant that also usually helps sleep greatly.  I have been diagnosed with Narcolepsy twice ... my maternal aunt, my son and my grandson all have it as well.  Trazodone has provided me with much needed sleep ... I've suffered with poor sleep for over 20 years.

Good luck to you,

Ron

[jan]

Thanks for your response.  How did they diagnose you? I've never fallen asleep uncontrollably, I just get an overwhelming urge to sleep and I can resist it if I have too. It is really confusing because my neuro. thinks I may have it, but presently my cardio. is constantly adjusting my atenolol attributing my sleepiness and dizziness to my neurocardiogenic syncope ( my neuro agrees with the diagnosis of the syncope, but thinks there is more as does my cardio). I am beginning to wonder if there is a false positive for the tilt table test because I never actually faint! If only I could get the dr.s together in one room!