Daytime sleepiness is a worse problem for me since one of my medications was recently increased, although it doesn't happen every day. My methods of dealing with sleepiness before the increase were the typical get up and move, walk outside, cool water on my face, etc. but now they aren't enough. The time of sleepiness is about the same, which tells me it is related to the medication. It's the type of sleepiness which hits suddenly and hard, and if I don't lie down I'm going to fall down. After a 30-60 min nap I am still very groggy.
I can tolerate a large cup of tea (regular, not decaf.) with no effect on seizure activity so now instead of having tea in the AM I have a cup of tea after a nap (when I've needed to nap). I then am much more awake, and then get moving and I am fine until bedtime. My neurologist has no concerns with what I am doing, as we're both suspecting/hoping that the increased degree of sleepiness is temporary.
I'm curious to know how others here deal with strong daytime sleepiness that is not constant but relatively short (ie. until the "hit" of the current medication dose has lessened). Right now I am not working (which is why I chose now for the medication increase), but how do you deal with relatively short duration sleepiness like I have (very strong, hits hard) on the job? For those who are working, do you personally call sleepiness like this an intolerable side effect even if the medication is otherwise making a difference in seizure activity?
Thanks in advance for your input!
I can tolerate a large cup of tea (regular, not decaf.) with no effect on seizure activity so now instead of having tea in the AM I have a cup of tea after a nap (when I've needed to nap). I then am much more awake, and then get moving and I am fine until bedtime. My neurologist has no concerns with what I am doing, as we're both suspecting/hoping that the increased degree of sleepiness is temporary.
I'm curious to know how others here deal with strong daytime sleepiness that is not constant but relatively short (ie. until the "hit" of the current medication dose has lessened). Right now I am not working (which is why I chose now for the medication increase), but how do you deal with relatively short duration sleepiness like I have (very strong, hits hard) on the job? For those who are working, do you personally call sleepiness like this an intolerable side effect even if the medication is otherwise making a difference in seizure activity?
Thanks in advance for your input!