Wake up every morning feeling drunk/hangover... - Sleep Disorders Message Board

TheAntiEndo · 07-21-2008, 09:05 AM

I've never had a drop of alcohol in my life, (so I have so go off depictions on TV and from descriptions of others), but every morning I wake up with what sounds like a feeling of being drunk (w/o the "giddy-ness") and/or a hang-over.

My brain is completely uncomfortable, and feels like it is full of a heavy, sluggish metallic slime. My brain is basically off-line, and it takes a good half-hour before I can start to form coherent thoughts. It's like this pretty much the rest of the day and gets a little better in the evening, but by that time it's time to get the wife and kids ready for bed and get mentally ready for another grueling morning.

The only defence against it is closing my eyes and putting my head back on my pillow, but seeing as I work in an industry that prides itself on keeping certain hours, I don't have an option of getting back in bed. Going to sleep earlier doesn't seem to help much either.

I did have a sleep study done last year that picked up on Idiopathic Hypersomnia, (mean sleep time of 8.8 min on my MSLT). My overnight study found light snoring and a little leg movement but good "sleep rhythm" and no need for a CPAP.

They tried to give me Provigil for the EDS, but that didn't go over too well.

They are also looking into Adrenal issues, and although my ACTH Stim test was abnormal, the other values that point to adrenal issues didn't mesh, (so they are going to re-do the ACTH Stim test).

Does my morning "hangover" probably have more to do with the IH, or adrenals problems, or both? Any suggestions? (I really hate dreading going to sleep and waking up the next day because I know I'm going to feel like I was beaten up and go my whole date like that).

Thanks.

TheAntiEndo · 07-21-2008, 09:10 AM

Also, could this be allergy related?

It doesn't feel like my usual runny nose / irritated eyes / etc, and it feels the worst back behind the sinuses in my frontal lobe.

My body feels pretty rested in the morning, (except a little soreness around my kidneys when I first get out of bed), but my brain is just suffering.

It wasn't this bad when I had the sleep study done. Should I go back and see if they'll do another one?

bethsheba · 07-21-2008, 10:21 AM

Although, I doubt it applies in your case, I always suggest people rule out side effects of any medications that they may be taking. I had a sleep study done which identified my sleep apnea, but my real problem (which wasn't diagnosed by doctors by the way) was a side effect of a medication I was on...so if you are taking any meds for another condition, thoroughly investigate the possiblity of side effects.

I have no personal experiences with hormonal or allergy issues but from what I've read, I think you are wise to check these out.

As for a second sleep study, only your doctor and your insurance company could make that decision (unless you want to pay out of pocket). Although my sleep study was helpful, I found the answers to my real sleep problems on my own....and it sounds like you may also, with the help from an adrenal specialist perhaps.

Bethsheba

index.html · 07-21-2008, 01:53 PM

Here is one thing you can try. Put 1/2 of a vivarin beside your bed. Set your alarm a half hour early. Take the vivarin and then "snooze alarm" for the next 30 minutes. See if your brain is clearer when you actually do get up.

TheAntiEndo · 07-21-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bethsheba

Although, I doubt it applies in your case, I always suggest people rule out side effects of any medications that they may be taking. ...

Basically, I'm not taking any medications at this point, so I don't think that's an issue.

My Mother also has IH, but she is able to get up fairly early and hasn't told me about any similar "brain fog" problems like the ones I exhibit. It may just be a combination of a congenital condition complicated with another illness or problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by index.html

... Set your alarm a half hour early. Take the vivarin and then "snooze alarm" for the next 30 minutes ...

I appreciate the suggestion, but I don't drink coffee, rarely drink caffinated soda, and try to limit any other forms of caffine except for the occasional Excedrin when I get a really bad headache. Taking a healthy dose of caffine every morning may be helpful in the short-term, but it can also introduce a host of other problems from long-term use of a broad physiological stimulant like caffine. I'm trying to find the root cause of the problem and resolve it, not mask symptoms.