What are the treatments available?
Not sleeping enough
Increase your sleep time
Underlying medical, neurological or
psychiatric conditions or sleep
disorder
Treat the underlying condition
Medications
Methylphenidate, modafinil, armodafinil, sodium
oxybate are used to treat daytime sleepiness.
Behavioral methods
– Scheduled naps will help people with Narcolepsy feel better, for an hour or more after nap.
– Learning to recognize and handle sleepiness.
Primary hypersomnia is a lifelong condition and you need to learn to live with it. Here are some things to think about:
- It is important to have regular sleep wake times and ensure that you get enough sleep. Most people will feel sleepy if they do not sleep enough. However, patients with primary hypersomnia will experience severe sleepiness, even with appropriate treatment.
- Talk with your doctor before starting a new medication. Some medications can make your sleepiness worse or may interact with your hypersomnia medications. Make sure to tell your doctor that you have narcolepsy.
- Do not choose a profession which requires prolonged wakefulness, travel or shift work. These jobs are associated with sleep loss and you will have a difficult time functioning in these jobs.
