Excessive sleepiness - need help

[JoeFoster]

Hi everyone, I am Joe, and I'm new here.

I suffer from excessive sleepiness, doesn't matter how many hours I sleep. I have absolutely no energy, always sleepy and tired. Coffee doesn't work for me anymore.
I went to see a doctor, and he said everything was ok with me. I don't have narcolepsy or sleep apnea.

I don't think I'm depressed, but looks like I'm getting there.

I don't feel like taking any strong medications yet, can anyone recommend something mild?

Thanks!

[Westend]

If you just want to be more mentally alert and not wired the modafinil is what you need. It can be found at many online pharmacy's and does help you to be more mentally alert but still able to sleep at night. Here is what Wikpedia says about Mondafinil.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modafinil


[h=3]Mood disorders[/h] Other potentially effective, but unapproved uses include the treatment of depression.

[Flyguy]

I second the Modafinil idea. I take it myself and it really helps in my case. Do you work shift work or keep a normal sleep schedule? There is also interested reading at http://nuvigil.com this is the current brand name. I will warn you it's very expensive, but maybe your Doctor can help you with samples and see if you notice any improvement. Provigil is the generic version here in the US, recently released. It's also very expensive because it's so new to the generic market.

[Flyguy]

I have dealt with extreme insomnia (can't shut my brain off at night) even though I'm tired. On the flip side, I deal with fatigue during the day. I've had this problem for years and have tried many different remedies. My current cocktail consists of Ambien for sleep, a fairly high dose from long term use. I use Nuvigil during the day, and lot's of coffee and diet coke on bad days. I have tried Benzo's and they don't seem to work in my case for shutting my brain off at bedtime, oddly enough it's almost the opposite effect.

Everyone's situation is different. I'm just sharing my experience. You may want to get a second opinion from another Doctor to help pinpoint your specific problem. Perhaps a specialist in sleep, or even a Psychiatrist may be beneficial to get some answers.

Depression can be hard for the patient to recognize in themselves. I'm not labeling you by any means, however don't rule out any possibilities.

5-hour energy works in a pinch. They can also get expensive if you use them too often.

Good Luck!

[Westend]

You can buy a case of the Five Hour Energy at Costco pretty cheap. Less than a buck a bottle. Berry flavor is my favorite.

[Flyguy]

You can buy a case of the Five Hour Energy at Costco pretty cheap. Less than a buck a bottle. Berry flavor is my favorite.

We don't have Costco in my neck of the woods, but a friend told me that Sam's Club now has their own version on the shelf. I haven't tied it, but I will have to pick up a case on my next trip to Sam's. None if the flavors are yummy to my palate, but Berry does seem to go down the hatch a bit easier.

[JoeFoster]

If you just want to be more mentally alert and not wired the modafinil is what you need. It can be found at many online pharmacy's and does help you to be more mentally alert but still able to sleep at night. Here is what Wikpedia says about Mondafinil.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modafinil


[h=3]Mood disorders[/h] Other potentially effective, but unapproved uses include the treatment of depression.

Thank you. I've heard about Modafinil before, although you need a prescription for it, I think...I'm a bit scared to buy meds online to be honest

---------- Post added at 10:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 PM ----------

I second the Modafinil idea. I take it myself and it really helps in my case. Do you work shift work or keep a normal sleep schedule? There is also interested reading at http://nuvigil.com this is the current brand name. I will warn you it's very expensive, but maybe your Doctor can help you with samples and see if you notice any improvement. Provigil is the generic version here in the US, recently released. It's also very expensive because it's so new to the generic market.

Thank you. Yes, I saw the prices, not cheap...Do you take the generic version or Provigil? Any difference, as Provigil is very! expensive.

I am self-employed, my sleep schedule isn't that perfect, as I have a lot of deadlines, and often stay awake all night...but nothing I can do about it at this stage if I want to keep the job.

---------- Post added at 11:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:53 PM ----------

I have dealt with extreme insomnia (can't shut my brain off at night) even though I'm tired. On the flip side, I deal with fatigue during the day. I've had this problem for years and have tried many different remedies. My current cocktail consists of Ambien for sleep, a fairly high dose from long term use. I use Nuvigil during the day, and lot's of coffee and diet coke on bad days. I have tried Benzo's and they don't seem to work in my case for shutting my brain off at bedtime, oddly enough it's almost the opposite effect.

Everyone's situation is different. I'm just sharing my experience. You may want to get a second opinion from another Doctor to help pinpoint your specific problem. Perhaps a specialist in sleep, or even a Psychiatrist may be beneficial to get some answers.

Depression can be hard for the patient to recognize in themselves. I'm not labeling you by any means, however don't rule out any possibilities.

5-hour energy works in a pinch. They can also get expensive if you use them too often.

Good Luck!

thank you for sharing, I really appreciate it. I usually try to keep what's happening to myself as people just think that I'm whining.

I've been to a few doctors, and they can't find anything wrong with me. They ruled out sleep disorders, as I mentioned earlier. I sleep ok, but I also deal with fatigue during the day. Sometimes I have to force myself to go for a walk or to do something. It wasn't like that a year ago, I was full of energy. Not sure what happened. My life hasn't changed at all, and all seems to be fine. I am simply too tired all the time.

I might go and see another doctor and ask about Provigil. As I mentioned coffee just doesn't help anymore. I can have two cups in the morning and not feel a thing

Thanks, all!

[Flyguy]

Thank you. I've heard about Modafinil before, although you need a prescription for it, I think...I'm a bit scared to buy meds online to be honest

---------- Post added at 10:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 PM ----------



Thank you. Yes, I saw the prices, not cheap...Do you take the generic version or Provigil? Any difference, as Provigil is very! expensive.

I am self-employed, my sleep schedule isn't that perfect, as I have a lot of deadlines, and often stay awake all night...but nothing I can do about it at this stage if I want to keep the job.

---------- Post added at 11:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:53 PM ----------



thank you for sharing, I really appreciate it. I usually try to keep what's happening to myself as people just think that I'm whining.

I've been to a few doctors, and they can't find anything wrong with me. They ruled out sleep disorders, as I mentioned earlier. I sleep ok, but I also deal with fatigue during the day. Sometimes I have to force myself to go for a walk or to do something. It wasn't like that a year ago, I was full of energy. Not sure what happened. My life hasn't changed at all, and all seems to be fine. I am simply too tired all the time.

I might go and see another doctor and ask about Provigil. As I mentioned coffee just doesn't help anymore. I can have two cups in the morning and not feel a thing

Thanks, all!

You don't necessarily need to purchase your medication online if that if what is bothering you. There really isn't much difference between Provigil and Nuvigil to be honest. Provigil went generic and Nuvigil (same drug maker) said we cleaned up the drug molecules just enough to continue to have something new and exciting to gouge the American Public with insane prices, now that our first goldmine went generic. Please don't get me started on Drug Companies. Nuvigil has a 30-day free trial offer on their website if you want to visit with your Doctor about that option. I believe they also have some assistance with copay's if you have insurance. Again, Provigil is brand new to the generic market, that is why there isn't much price difference yet (if any). My local Pharmacist said give it about 6-months to -1-year when more of the generic versions are on the market, which will bring down the price. Damn, I should be a pharmaceutical Rep! lol

P.S. You mentiond that you were self employed. Do you have health insurance with Rx coverage?

[fibromom]

there is always Ginseng and Ginko that will help with a little B12 sublingual. I found some of the non US generics are not stable in consistaccy - an its a crap shoot if you wil get a sleeper or not.

[JoeFoster]

You don't necessarily need to purchase your medication online if that if what is bothering you. There really isn't much difference between Provigil and Nuvigil to be honest. Provigil went generic and Nuvigil (same drug maker) said we cleaned up the drug molecules just enough to continue to have something new and exciting to gouge the American Public with insane prices, now that our first goldmine went generic. Please don't get me started on Drug Companies. Nuvigil has a 30-day free trial offer on their website if you want to visit with your Doctor about that option. I believe they also have some assistance with copay's if you have insurance. Again, Provigil is brand new to the generic market, that is why there isn't much price difference yet (if any). My local Pharmacist said give it about 6-months to -1-year when more of the generic versions are on the market, which will bring down the price. Damn, I should be a pharmaceutical Rep! lol

P.S. You mentiond that you were self employed. Do you have health insurance with Rx coverage?

Hi. Sorry, I didn't mention, I don't live in the US, I live in Australia, so here we don't have those kind of insurances. I have private health insurance, but only to avoid paying extra taxes. I know it may sound weird

Another doctor told me I don't need this medicine, so hence my question ( I'm not sure if it's ok to ask here?): does anybody know good and trusted pharmacies where you can buy it without prescription?

Has anybody tried those generic brands? I've read some reviews, some say they are the same, some say they dodgy....(If it's illegal to ask, I'll remove my post).

On a positive note: one of my friends recommended yoga Nidra, i try to practice every day before I go to bed. I feel a bit better, I think the quality of my sleep improved, so I'm not THAT tired...

---------- Post added at 08:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:46 PM ----------

there is always Ginseng and Ginko that will help with a little B12 sublingual. I found some of the non US generics are not stable in consistaccy - an its a crap shoot if you wil get a sleeper or not.

thanks, I've tried vitamins before, didn't notice any changes

This is what I am afraid of, that those cheap generic versions won't help, or worse...

[never2many]

I know this is an old thread, but thought I'd respond with my personal experience. A few years ago, I was so tired that I literally couldn't get through a work day without going to my car and taking a few naps throughout the afternoon. After mentioning this to my doc over and over, they finally checked my iron and discovered my Iron levels had plummeted to the point where I needed to receive infusions of iron monthly, and then eventually 2 blood transfusions. It's now regulated with regular doses of hemocyte plus. I never in a million years would have imagined that lack of Iron could make one feel that exhausted.

[LeeAnn]

Anemia -- lack of iron has always been a problem for me and can certainly cause fatigue. My son was diagnosed with sleep apnea and that was the cause of his sleep problems. It is much more common that people think.