Excessive Sleepiness, Hypersomnia, Please HELP!!! - Sleep Disorders Message Board

TonyaM · 10-15-2005, 05:37 PM

Hi, as a brief introduction, I have been excessively sleepy for a long time, and take several naps during the day. I can sleep over 13 hours a night and still feel sleepy during the day. I have had a EEG and it took me over 5 hours to go into REM sleep, and I only went into the stage once. Please I don't know much about this, if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions or questions even I would greatly appreciate it. THANKYOU for your help.

TonyaM

Lostwon · 10-17-2005, 05:24 PM

I'm sort of envious since I haven't been able to get more than 3 hours per night myself

I knew another woman with the same problem, sleeping 19 hours a day, and she also had bipolar depression and anemia. Is this something that just started for you? I'd get it checked out; it sounds like there could be underlying health issues involved that might be worth discovering.

TonyaM · 10-18-2005, 06:51 PM

Hi,
Thanks so much for the reply. I have had blood tests done and a thyroid test, and they all came back normal. I have also been diagnosed with severe depression and bipolar disorder, however I believe the depression was caused by the lack of deep sleep. I am now being treated for the depression and bipolar disorder, both of which are under control, and I no longer consider myself depressed. (Taking lithium and cymbalta - my sleep did improve a little after starting on these meds) I have been sleepy like this since about 12 and I am 22 now. I have an identical twin sister who has the same sleep problem. I am curious as to why it takes me 5 hours to enter REM while the "normal" person enters it after 90 minutes. Again, thanks for the reply.

TonyaM

analog2000 · 10-23-2005, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyaM

I am curious as to why it takes me 5 hours to enter REM while the "normal" person enters it after 90 minutes.

How do you know that it takes you so long to hit REM sleep? Did you have a sleep study? If not, one is certainly indicated in your case.

What did your doctor say could be the cause? There are lots of sleep disorders that can cause a delay in REM sleep. Many of them do have effective treatments available.

Good luck.

TonyaM · 10-24-2005, 05:15 AM

Yes,
I had a sleep study, that is how I know. My doctor didn't say much, but he is trying pills for restless leg syndrome right now even though I didn't show any signs of it on the test. I go back on Nov. 22 and will try something else then. The restless leg syndrome medication is causing me to stay awake at night and I want progression, not regression, so I have stopped taking it after two weeks. Thanks for all your replies.

TonyaM