Just Can't Stay Awake Part 2 - Cuba,MO

Updated on February 23, 2011
T.L. asks from Cuba, MO
4 answers

If anyone recalls I posted a post about not being able to stay awake during the day. I was recently diagnosed with Narcolepsy and have been prescribed Nuvigil for this condition. Is anyone else out there having this problem? I did chaulk to up to having a 6 month old baby and other kids at home along with working 60 hours a week. The problem is that this has been going on for about 3 years now. My Aunt is having the exact same problems that I am having so my doctor and I looked into Narcolepsy since this is something that can run in the family.

If you have Narcolepsy what type of med's do you take?
Do you like them?
Do they work?
What are the side effects?

I am currently taking Nuvigil and the side effects so far is that I am jittery all day, but I am awake and safe to drive again. :)
Down side is that it is $300 a month and my insurance will only pay $10. Nuvigil is currently fighting with the insurance company to stress that I need this medicine so we shall see how that goes.

Thanks for any input you can give. I am really just ready to have a normal day again where I can function and stay awake.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

I do have sleep apnea as well. :(

More Answers

S.M.

answers from Kansas City on

My doctor said I have daytime somulence. I also have symptoms of nacolepsy and I'm not sure what the difference is. I've also been said to have about 20 other conditions and most of them are left untreated because I refuse to accept sickness, high medical bills, medicines that have side effects, and the slippery slope of MORE conditions that get diagnosed a long the way.

I believe that about 80% of the sicknesses we suffer with are brought on by lifestyle, spiritual in nature, a result of stress, anger, resentment, and a combination of many negative factors we do have quite a lot of control over.

Recently a very nice mamasource mama sent me some information about a condition her daughter suffers with. That prompted me to check into herbs to fight that condition since I do suffer from so many similar symptoms. I figure that the Lord created the herbs and it can't hurt and it's not much money at all. I'm taking only 1/2 doses once per day of about 12 different herbs and feeling a LOT better.

At the same time, I'm listening to my mp3 player as I clean house, shop, drive etc... I'm downloading messages from Andrew Wommack, Gloria and Kenneth Copeland, Kieth Moore, and other preachers that believe in spiritual healing. Little by little I'm feeling like a whole and NORMAL person!

You really don't have to suffer and you don't have to accept the sicknesses that Satan wants to send you. :) I hope you will google these preachers and give it a chance. It's certainly cheaper and it's working for me :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Columbus on

I used to work at a sleep clinic and learned all about this stuff. I do not have narcolepsy but was very tired during the day and falling asleep driving. They labeled it idiopathic hypersomnia and I take Ritalin everyday. I started out on Provigil but it over-stimulated my muscles and made them hurt. Plus it was expensive! Ritalin works great and is only 10 bucks/month on my insurance. You could ask about trying that. But along w/ that you want to make sure that you are getting a good amount of sleep at night and have a regluar bedtime routine. I assume that you don't have sleep apnea? There are just a few tips for sleeping better:
1. No TV/computer at least 1 hr. before bed.
2. No eating w/in 3-4 hrs. before bed.
3. You're not even supposed to read in bed... when you're in bed you should be sleeping.
4. No napping during the day... hopefully you won't have to!
5. If you do nap... make sure it's in your bed. You can train your body to sleep on the couch/chair if you regularly nap there.

There are probably more but those are off the top of my head. Feel free to PM if you want more info! Good luck! :o)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.P.

answers from Wichita on

I have epilepsy, have had since I was 4...I take phenobarbital. They tried changing my medicine and it was horrible, I was tired from the medicine and would just space off...you might check on taking it...I take a high dose because they have had to change it over the years, but it only costs me $10 a month and I have no insurance, so I am grateful for that.

Hopefully they can find something for you, tegratol (sp) is another medicine for seizures that they might try. Hope they find one soon I know it is frustrating!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.T.

answers from Reno on

My husband has narcolepsy with cataplexy as diagnosed a few years ago. Since confirmed, his Dr has prescribed various medications to find what works best for him and the one that works best particularly for controlling excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy is Xyrem, which is heavily controlled. It comes out of one pharmacy and can run approx $3,000 a month w/o insurance depending on the dosage. Of course with insurance it varies but they have a patient assistance program lowering the cost even further - thank God! Best advise is to research like crazy to know your options.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions