Increasing stage 4 & rem sleep

[kmil1999]

I actually posted this on your blog, then found this so reposted.

I am trying desperately to find out how to increase my stage 4 and REM sleep.  I never feel refreshed when I wake up, no matter the length of time I am asleep.  Pain and exhausation has ruined my life.  I believe not getting the restorative sleep is the root of the problem.  

  These are the results of my sleep studies:
5/12/04:  Stage Wake- 1.7%, Stage 1- 9.4%, stage 2- 35%, stage 3- 39.9%, Stage 4- 0, REM 15.6, 47 arousals, 26 hypopneas, NREM, 13 hypopneas, REM, 96% sleep efficiency.    

   4/4/06: 7.5% stage 1, 85.6% stage 2, 4.3% stage 3, 0% stage 4, 2.6% REM.  Sleep efficiency 92.3%, 84 arousals.  

  5/2/06: 19.5% stage I, 69.1% stage II, 11.4% stage III, 0% stage IV & REM,  Sleep efficiency 87.7%, 106 arousals.  

   3/3/08: 2.8% stage1, 81.4% stage 2, 15.8% stage 3, 0% stage 4 & REM, sleep efficiency 75%, 27 arousals, 14 PLMS

  3/19/09: 5.3% Wake, 2% stage 1, 61.5% stage 2, 35.3% stage 3, 0% stage 4, 1.1% REM, sleep efficiency 87.2%, 129 PLM.

I follow all the sleep hygiene ideas.  I have had a regular sleep schedule, although the hours are not "normal".  I have begun trying to adjust this slowly, but it has proven to be very difficult.  (I usually go to bed at 2:00am and up at 11:00am.)

What can I do to increase the two paticular stages of sleep that are so critcal, so I can heal?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Karen

[kmil1999]

  I have been to a sleep doctor.  I have a Narcolepsy diagnosis.  However, no one has been able to answer the question about improving the stages I need to.  I take Xyrem at night now so that I have two four hours blocks of solid sleep.  The first 2 weeks I took it, I felt better than I had in over 10 years.  (I was on Xyrem during the last two sleep studies.)  After that, I returned to the unrefreshed sleep.  

  I don't drink alcohol and I make sure that I don't eat at least 2 hours before I go to bed.

I do appreciate your respose.  
Karen

[Steven Y Park, MD]

Thanks for the report. It does seem like you don't get enough stage 3 & 4 sleep. Incidentally stages 3 & 4 are now lumped together as N3. Stage 1 is N1, and Stage 2 is N2. Without looking at the entire study in light of your clinical features (including your extensive history and physical exam), it's difficult to make any conclusions. Have you seen a sleep doctor about this yet?

Also are you eating close to bedtime? If so, make sure you don't eat anything or drink alcohol within 3-4 hours of bedtime.