5 replies to this topic

[shall]

I have been reading for a couple of days. I had a sleep study done in 05 and theY fitted me for the cpap that same night becuase of the severe apnea. I use my cpap every night and ussually sleep all night but still have problems driving. My energy level is very low.

When I am driving,reading or sitting I can feel my legs and arms weaken and I cant hardly resist the urge to sleep. I can fall asleep but only for a short while without the cpap I have been chasing this problem for ten years.

I went to the doc 6 months ago and started 50 mg provigil and thought it was a godsend. It was the only thing that worked. I am now having to take 400 mg and it is wearing off and I am starting to fall asleep at the wheel. I have started 2 weeks of vacation time and next tuesday I have anothe sleep study and they plan on keeping me the next day to see if I have Nacolepsy.

DO you guys have any advice . I am very frustrated

Shall

[greatbig47]

Hi Shall!

Welcome to the board!

It's your vacation, right? Take a deep breath, and know everything will be okay. Are you going to spend your entire vacation frustrated? You work your keester off all year for these two weeks, right?

Depending on what your obligations, I'd say put up a big sign that says, "I'm on vacation!". As someone that is skilled in the fine arts of napping, I can think of no better time to practice my craft. Seriously, Shall...you work hard all year for these 2 weeks!

Be with family. Be with friends. Being sleepy all the time can really stink at times...You're in company that understands that all too well. It's okay to be tired and still enjoy what is around you.

If you are too sleepy to drive, please follow your instinct and don't drive. Try to put your fear, frustration and worry aside for your own sake. The solutions are more likely to be yours if they don't have to push worry, frustration and fear out of the way.

Enjoy your vacation, friend. We'll be here for ya! okay?

-Stu

[shall]

The provigil has been cuasing me to be paraniod, extreme anxiety and Interfearing with my congnitive thinking . I was demoted at work. My boss finally brought me into his office and ask me what the #### was going on. He seen a big change in me. I finally broke down and told him I had a problem that I been facing for the last 5 years and that I was on this drug that I probably needed to seek medical advice and he has told me that I am not allowed to drive the company truck until I get a doctors ok. I have 2 weeks of vacation left and will have to use the medial family leave act if I cannot beat this thing by then. I cannot afford to loose my income. The clinic has postponed my study until next tuesday and wednesday.

[greatbig47]

Ah...the bringing into the office. I've experienced that. Is there anything more uncomfortable?

Take care of you, Shall! Be able to set aside your boss. Set aside his threats about the truck. You matter more than them. Allow yourself to let all the great things around you expand, and push all that out...even if it's just for a little while. You are worth it!

Imagine everything how you really really want it to be. Sometimes just remembering what you want in life can help your cognitive train of thought. I know how provigil can do that to a mind!

-Stu

[Lovemyhusband]

Hi Shall Nice to meet you!

WOW two weeks vacation! That's sweet.....I love when my husband has that much time off of work. I'm a stay at home mom/wife so I am always on vacation .

My only advice to you is to stay positive, as hard as that may be sometimes. I have a suggestion...put up a "gone fishing" sign up and enjoy whatever you want to do. My husband just had a week off, the kids are on winter break from school and other than a follow up appt with sleep dr we did NOTHING. It was the best. We ate what we wanted, slept late, played way to many hours of video games and just plain old goofed off. What a good time we had. At the end of the day we only remember the good times not how many naps we had to take.

Live life to the fullest with no regrets. N is only a bump in the road of life.

[judycasper]

I agree with the others, Shall, try to be positive! I 've also had big problems at work and I also can't take Provigil (for me it was because of the bad headaches). I suggest you use some of the time off of work to study up on the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you haven't already done so. The Narcolepsy Network site has some really good information. Also, look under the disability section on the mesage board and you should find links to some government sites with info. that can help. Things got better for me at work once I gave my HR dept. the ADA letter from my neurologist!

During your time off try to eat a good diet and get a little exercise - even if its just walking outside for ten minutes. Believe me, I know that doing these things can seem impossible if you are exhausted day-after-day! But they really will help! Good luck with everything!