Idiopathic hypersomnolence

[danaeris]

... which means psychopathically idiotic and hyper when sleepy.

Um, no.

Actually, according to my sleep specialist, it means that I am sleepier than your average person. People with this condition need to sleep longer than others, and fall asleep more easily than others. Generally, this diagnosis is used for people who don't have symptoms extreme enough to classify as narcolepsy (and do not have sleep apnea), but are sleepier than your average person.

There are two possible treatments which are identical to those used for narcoleptics.

(1) Nap therapy: Sleep about 9 - 9.5 hours every night, and make time to take a 30-60 minute nap once or even twice a day. Yes, this is difficult to do if you have a full-time job. Many workplaces are understanding and will allow people with a doctor's note to take off time in the middle of the day to go home and nap. One of her patients has found that he can only work 4-5 hours a day. That sounds unecessarily debilitating...

(2) Take Alertec (known as Provigil in the US, and modafinil generically).

Since I have 2+ months to try out nap therapy before school starts, I'll be starting with that. If it proves ineffective, I'll give the Alertec a shot once the school year begins.

At least this means that if a teacher gives me shit about falling asleep, I can give them a note telling them to piss off.

Comments

Modafinil

[eirl.livejournal.com]

I'm currently on modafinil because of sleep apnea and it is moderately effective with no side effects. My husband is on it for the same reason and finds it very effective with no side effects. So if you have to go that route, I can vouch for it not being scary or yucky or anything, at least for me.

[nathanjw]

Modafinil sounds like fascinating stuff; both the theraputic and semi-recreational (sleep-avoiding) uses of it seem to work well.

[secretsoflife.livejournal.com]

hey, that's my diagnosis too!

i've been taking modafinil for about 3 years.