Help -I need to stop falling asleep 😴 - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Help -I need to stop falling asleep 😴

Gulfstream_Maggie profile image

I keep falling asleep at home.

All of a sudden my eyes feel heavy and start closing, then before I know it I’m gone.

I can be having a discussion with my partner, he’s describing something to do with our house renovations, and bang …. I’ve dropped off again.

He’s getting very angry now, thinks I should be able to control it and that I’m just being ignorant.

I’m getting paranoid and think I should go to the doctors about it.

i could cry right now.

Just set a reminder on my phone to call doctors on Monday morning.

After looking on Internet I’m wondering if I have narcolepsy.

Symptoms seem to fit, and when I think back I even used to nod off at school during English!

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Gulfstream_Maggie profile image
Gulfstream_Maggie
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11 Replies
Hazel_Angelstar profile image
Hazel_AngelstarAdministratorFMA UK Staff

I get this when fatigue is bad and especially when I've overdone things. Often fall asleep mid conversation with hubby... Or he'll send me to lie down because he can see my eyes felt heavier xxx

Onceabiker profile image
Onceabiker

For me, it is the strength of the meds, which med I take and how much of it I take. I’ve been right round all the meds and my preferred Fybromyalgia med is Nortriptyline which I started on 80mg but was very sleepy. I came dwn and down and have settled at 35mg which some days I’m fine and functioning on and other days I need a two hour siesta in the day..

Go see you GP, good luck.

Evonne02 profile image
Evonne02

Hi Gulfstream_Maggie,

I'm so sorry to hear about what you're going through. I don't understand your husbands reaction at all, as obviously something is wrong. It could be narcolepsy or even a very mild form of epilepsy. Mind you, my sister did that for years and was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid. I'd call NHS111 before waiting forever to see a gp, or go to your local walking centre. Either way, it's not your fault and you need some tests doing to get a diagnosis, asap.

I hope you can get the help and support that you need soon. Please let us know how you get on. All the best 😍

jscann profile image
jscann

Hi Maggie, yes my eyelids suddenly feel really heavy, and I could be standing/sitting/talking/whatever, and I just really need to close my eyes. I struggle really hard to keep them open. I don’t fall asleep though, so for me it’s not narcolepsy.

I wondered if it could be dehydration, or my meds (for blood pressure, RA), or another new symptom of RA. I’ve been keeping myself well hydrated these days, but it happened again last week… After that I stopped taking coffee, though I miss it a lot. No episodes yet, but that could perhaps be a coincidence. I will test it by taking coffee again.

Cat00 profile image
Cat00

My friend developed narcolepsy. He doesn't fall asleep though, infact it is a lack of sleep that defines his narcolepsy. What he does is loose consciousness for a moment, enough to make him fall. Fall from standing or fall off his bike, he broke his arm. It's always triggered by emotion, either by stress or it can be laughter. He regains consciousness by the time he hits the ground. When they worked out what it was they were able to treat it and eventually he got his drivers licence back and leads a relatively normal life. Apparently he has dysfunctional sleep at night where his brain doesn't go into the necessary modes....

Kunky profile image
Kunky

I get like this when my B12 is low also for some it's lack of magnesium. I have monthly B12 jabs and try to eat as healthily as possbile. Keep hydrated too - I drink water and orange juice/ginger shot in the mornings.

Wobblygirl profile image
Wobblygirl

You are definitely not OK!I do hope a medic will finally diagnosed what's wrong with you...

It sounds quite a precarious position to be in and yr judgemental husband is not helping your situation at all!!!

Good wishes to you xxx

Josie-Anne profile image
Josie-Anne

Hi Gulfstream_Maggie,

I know exactly how you feel it have you thought it may be a possibility that you have chronic fatigue syndrome, I have it as well as fibromyalgia and I do the exact same thing, I could be talking then bang I’m gone and can’t hear anything not even the radio or phone or even the radio, my partner did a full Sunday dinner with 4 people round and 2 were young children and I never heard them come or leave which is scary.

Trappedmoth profile image
Trappedmoth

Hi Maggie. It sounds like Chronic Fatigue to me. Chronic Fatigue often accompanies Fibro. I also suffer from this most days. I say suffer because it is for me even worse than the Chronic Pain. It poisons my life. I suggest that you educate husband to understand this nasty illness. Here is a good place to start: medicalnewstoday.com/articl.... There is lots more info online.

Nipper11 profile image
Nipper11

Well done you for sharing. The best results for you is get checked out with the doctor and let him do some tests.

Write down your symptoms to talk through with your GP .

In the meantime look at your lifestyle. Make sure the house is not too warm. Are you sleeping through the night. Do you feel tried ? When sitting focus on sitting up straight to stop you going to sleep.

Focus your mind to be aware of how your feeling and get up and move to stop you falling to sleep.

Look at your diet to eat food that gives you energy. Look at the times of day you are at risk falling to sleep .

Some of these details will help your doctor.

Do chair exercises to help you keep focus and movement is very important for your mind and body. Drink more water throughput the day.

Look at all the side effects of any drugs you may be talking as this may be linked to one of your medication 💊.

Take vitamins. Vitamin C is a good one to start with and vitamin D. Hopefully your doctor will do blood tests just in case you are low on your vitamins intake.

Check on what times you eat and change the pattern if possible. Food can make you feel tired.

There's lots you can do to improve your symptom by changing your lifestyle it just might help you feel more awake.

Don't stress out about your situation as I am sure your GP and lifestyle changes from you will support you.

God bless and stay focused to get this resolved. 🙏 take care and good luck. 👍 xxx

Yassytina profile image
YassytinaFMA UK Volunteer

Differently get in too see your GP ,write down anything that might be helpful. ie parts of the day when it seems worse, how long this has been going on , my fatique was awful and I got diagnosed eventually with CFS, the Fibro was diagnosed 1st and they are very similar, I think get into surgery as soon as you can rather than a telephone call, your partner will see you are doing something too move forward , your not being paranoid it’s something that’s occurring right now ,let us know how you get on . Ps Sometimes the doc will arrange some blood tests if you’ve not had any recently that can rule out things , the practice nurse normally does them at most surgeries, take care xx

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