Sometimes I just need some different opionions about when I should actually see a doc...not asking for real medical advice....I simply need a little prodding about when enough is enough and doc-visit is warrented, so I copied my reply that I put on the other provigil thread....Any opinions are helpful!
Wow...Quite a discussion!
I've taken provigil...got some samples from the psych guy when I was on my rotation. Couldn't believe how it worked. I guess in the past 2.5 years, I've taken it about...oh...6 or 7 times. He only gave me a few samples. I've got 4 pills left and I guard them with my life. (I should look to see if they've expired!)
Anyway....hearing some of the posters recommend sleep consults interests me because I've been wondering if I need to do that.
I can't sit and read for more than...literally...a couple of minutes without nodding off and 😴 ....seriously...having an actual dream in the 2-3 seconds I nod off. 😴 I can do this over and over while trying to sit and read. It's to the point where I simply do NOT read all that much anymore, which is a problem. I can't stay awake for lectures. I close my eyes for a second and have that "falling" sensation. A couple of times, I've almost fallen out of my chair. 😴
Now, the part that has me wondering if I really need a sleep study is that I KNOW I am sleep-deprived. I go to bed between 10-11 (most nights...some nights I go to bed and cuddle with my 3 year old around 9)...and I get up at 3:45 so I can run before going to the hospital. Oh, and I am an intern.
So, I already know what some of my problem is. However, the other thing is that I wake up...an average of 4-5 times/night...and those are the times I remember doing so. I wake up, look at the clock, then go back to sleep. 😴
I can fall asleep anytime/anywhere. 😴 There is not a single second in my day that I don't wish I was sleeping. Climbing into bed is - for real - the highlight of my day.
Physically, I am training for the St.Louis marathon...so I don't lack physical exercise. And I don't overtrain by any means.
So....I am afraid to go to a sleep specialist and have him/her tell me what I already know 1)you are an intern...this is expected 2)you need more sleep
That's a LOT of money for diagnosees (sp?) that I can do myself! I also don't want someone to prescribe antidepressants. Not against them...been on them...just honestly don't think I'm depressed. I have a constant, baseline amount of anxiety and agitation...I'm a sleep-deprived type-A...what can I say!
However, if there is a chance that there may be something I can do about this...then I would be willing to go. I just 1)hate going to the doctor 2)hate seeing docs I work with, but don't want to take vacation/sick time to travel to another town to see someone else 3)don't want them to find "nothing" = wasted money and time and then I look like a frickin psych case.
Oh, I am married with a 3-year old daughter. I love my life...but, man, I'm exhausted. 😴
