Hypersomnia Treatment

[SuzCat]

I'm pretty sure that I have Hypersomnia. I've been exhausted since I was 14 (I'm 35) but it's got alot worse in the last 2 years. I am desparate to sleep all of the time. I feel like I'm a jet-lagged mother of new-born triplets.
If I don't nap, I'm a zombie. I can hardly speak, walk or talk and of course, I daren't drive. And I never feel any better when I wake up. It just tides me over for a hour or so. Then the headaches and desperation to collapse start up again.

I'm waiting to see a Neurologist and get a Sleep Study done. I'm so desperate to have a life, and not need to have 2 or 3 naps a day as well as a full night's sleep. It's getting worse and worse, which is what got my GP to finally refer me to see a Neurologist.

I've read that people with hypersomnia are often prescribed Provigil, Ritalin and other stimulants. I'd love to hear some success stories of people finally getting the right treatment and being able to live again. I'm running out of positive-thinking and patience. And hope.

[SuzCat]

I know we're all wrecked cos of our sleep problems, but please will someone respond to my posting. I'm feeling so desperate out here, all alone among the normal 30-something mothers. Someone speak to me, please!

[Sillygurl21]

I know where you are coming from. I was just diagnosised with hypersomnia and started treatment. Though you have to remember everyone is different, so hopefully things workout well for you. I am hopeful that they will find something to help, but so far provigil doesn't do anything but add to my sleepiness. I am still sleepy during the day and at night I have a hard time getting my mind to stop so that I can sleep. Never a problem before, I was asleep for all five naps in an average of 6.5 minutes. With one nap effected by an idling ambulance outside of my window. My first nighttime sleep study I was asleep in under 3 minutes, the last one was under five minutes. Also I thought I would mention what my doctor stressed to me. The pill is not my treatment, they are only to aid me in being more alert during the course of the day. My treatment is getting a solid ten hours of sleep and keeping to a sleep schedule. So it appears I will have to learn to miss out on some of life.

[SuzCat]

Wow - falling asleep that quickly is amazing! How on earth do you get through the day? I feel exhausted and sleepy, but part of my brain is still awake. I simply HAVE to lie down because my body is so fatigued (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?) but sleep can take half an hour.

It's a weird feeling. Part of my brain is saying, "Sleep, sleep, zzzz" and another part is going, "Wakey wakey! Things to do, things to think, busy, busy, busy!"

I think that I'm probably not getting enough REM sleep. Still waiting for an appointment...

I wish you deep sleep at night, and plenty of it, and a wide awake daytime!
Be well,

Suzie

[Sillygurl21]

I hope you find what is ailing you. I hate not knowing and trying to find ways to make it through the day. Also you might want to look at narcolepsy. I thought I might have Narcolepsy, since I have the hullicinations sometimes. When the doctor told me I had hypersomnia I asked if he was sure it was not narcolepsy. He told me one of the differences is naps help people with narcolepsy, but not those with hypersomnia. And napping never made sense to me, because it did nothing to relieve the tiredness. Also with hypersomnia you get really good sleep, but for some reason you need more of it.
Hopefully you have a sleep study soon, so that you can get your answers.At least knowing what you have gives you a chance at handling it.