Idiopathic Hypersomnia - is there any hope?

[rogue]

I have been diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia with long sleep times, and I also have complex sleep apnea. I am so fatigued all the time, and I am sleeping away my life! I use an ASV machine to address the sleep apnea, and I take Provigil to try to help with the constant sleepiness. At first I was taking 200mg in the morning, and it does help with waking up to some degree. However, I was still falling asleep in the afternoon, anywhere from 2:00 - 4:00 for up to four or five hours at a time. Now I am taking another 200mg of Provigil around lunch, but it doesn't seem to be helping. My quality of life is very low because I'm so tired and fatigued that I feel like I am either resting or sleeping for the entire day. I know that I will be losing my job soon because I can't keep up with my work, even though they are providing accommodations for me. Are there any other options to help? I see that Ritalin is sometimes prescribed. I am also diagnosed as bi-polar, so I already take Paxil and Lithium daily...I am 35 and see my life disintigrating right before my eyes...Is there any thing I can try that will help me get my life back?
Thanks in advance,
Lora

[carrieclarkson]

Hi!I found something online about that, here it is http://www.mayoclinic.org/hypersomnia/ I really hope that helps.

[sharonbaker]

Idiopathic hypersomnia is one type of serious sleep disorder. It is an excessive sleeping without any cause. There are some cause which is behind the Idiopathic hypersomnia such as depression, certain medication, alcohol and drugs, head injury etc.... I am finding some natural treatment or exercise which is helpful for overcome this problem. If any one know about it... Please share with us...

[foggythoughts]

How have you been doing?

[MG (Admin)]

Have you had a sleep study using the CPAP to check that the sleep apnea is being effectively treated?

[rogue]

Yes, I am very highly compliant with the Bi-PAP ASV and it appears to be addressing the sleep apnea to an acceptable level.