Problems hearing alarm and waking up

[dfwtexas]

I asked my neurologist on my last appointment and he didn't feel with was connected to my epilepsy. However I am at a loss and don't know what else besides my epilepsy could be causing this problem. I am on a lot of meds, but only change has been a few months ago when Keppra was increased.
This happens at least once a week. My alarm goes off and I hear nothing. When I come to, I don't feel confused like I do with a seizure...it just feels like I have been unconcicous when I come to and the alarm has been going off for 30 minutes...this morning it had been going off for an hour.
Has anyone else had this problem? I really don't know how to get past this and it is so frustrating!!!

[Loopy Lou]

I don't have a problem hearing my alarm, but i tend to hear it, and when it stops i fall asleep again and then completely forget it ever went off. Luckily it goes every 5 mins, so i can get it the next time.

I've taken to picking the most obnoxious rock song i have on my mobile, putting it on other side of room and then it usually makes me SHOOT out of bed.

Mind you, my phone goes REALLY loud.

Sometimes if you hear the same alarm tone every day, it becomes easier to ignore it and not notice it going off.

[epileric]

I used to have that problem when I was on 3 different anti-epileptic drug's. I'd always assumed it was the medications.

I remember trying to get up early one weekend. I woke up to my parents & brother standing over me really upset that my alarm woke them on the weekend. I felt so tired I just turned off the alarm & went back to sleep.

P.S. (my memory is pretty bad too, did I already tell this story?)

[Nakamova]

You could just be knocked out by meds and exhaustion. A friend of mine could sleep with music blaring so loudly that the neighbor called to tell her to turn it down. Of course she couldn't hear the phone either.

[dfwtexas]

When this problem first started a few months ago, I changed to an alarm clock that is deafening!
Epileric, this Sunday morning, I woke up to my son standing over me. My alarm was going off full blast. My son is very heavy sleeper and he said he was so concerned as the alarm actually woke him up and he was afraid for me.
Maybe it is seizure meds....I NEVER had this happen prior to being diagnosed. I am so concerned that it seems to be happening more.

[Crystal11]

Something I use is a "Shake-awake" for the deaf since I'm not able to hear my alarm. It has a disk that you put under your pillow or mattress. When it goes off, you will be up so quick. It basically will scare you awake- or startle you.
Go to Harris Communications website and look into it. Some people, even if they are not deaf or hard of hearing will use those.
Or you can look into getting a really loud alarm clock for hard of hearing people.

Just some suggestions,
Take care

[valeriedl]

I don't know if you have the alarm set to beep or music, but maybe try setting to something different. On mine I can also put a CD in it to have that music wake me up. You may get so used to hearing the same thing that if you are in a deep sleep you are just used to hearing it so it doesn't do anything for you. Also turn it up loud!

As for falling back asleep after you turn it off, put the alarm clock somewhere in the room were you have to actually get out of bed to turn it off. Then you will be up and don't get back in bed.

You could even get a back up like I have. I have two cats that get fed when the alarm goes off. If they hear it and I don't get up they start going crazy! They start crying and pawing at my face until I finally get out of bed and give them breakfast. This one is a sure thing to make sure I get up!

[dfwtexas]

Thanks for suggestions. my 3 dogs sleep with me and I know on days where I am groggy, they will wake me up....so I don't know if they are trying and I can't remember...but they are all good size dogs, so I don't think I am missing it. I know my sleep lately has not been good, it has been a long cold winter in Dallas. I don't do good in the cold due to the trauma to my arm. Maybe that is affecting me too.

[CathyAnn31]

When this problem first started a few months ago, I changed to an alarm clock that is deafening!
Epileric, this Sunday morning, I woke up to my son standing over me. My alarm was going off full blast. My son is very heavy sleeper and he said he was so concerned as the alarm actually woke him up and he was afraid for me.
Maybe it is seizure meds....I NEVER had this happen prior to being diagnosed. I am so concerned that it seems to be happening more.

Thats some scary stuff. What would happen if the fire alarm went off during one of those episodes!!! Hang in there lady, and I hope it sorts itself out real soon.

[occb]

I wouldn't be surprised if it had to do with the increased medication. I don't have any experience with Keppra, but I have seen how meds can change a person's sleep. My partner's sleep changed dramatically after doing a course of gabapentin. He used to be a very light sleeper, and would wake up to any sound, but while on gabapentin, he slept like the dead. Nothing could rouse him, and that deep sleep has continued even after the gabapentin was stopped.

[dfwtexas]

I think you may be right about it being the Keppra. I know I spent night at friend's house a few months ago and she said she had a hard time waking me up....she was afraid something was wrong because it took her so long to wake me. Until I got diagnosed with E, I was always the one who woke up at every little noise.