I have developed an annoying symptom recently.
Some evenings, when I’m reading a book or watching an exciting TV programme (Hannibal, Pretty Wicked Moms), I go from wide awake to instantly zonked.
No reprieve. It starts right out of the blue; my eyes start rolling and I’m pinned to the sofa, completely aware of what’s coming next – total oblivion. In that slim interim, I know I should get up and walk around, problem is I just can’t.
It’s suddenness is frightening. Apart from that, The Teenager sneaks downstairs and slurps down countless yoghurts while I’m in the Land of Nod. He probably also clones my credit card to buy online games, who knows?
Anyway, I had my review with the neurologist (a very nice man – *waves*) just over a week ago. When he asked me if I had anything I was concerned about, I launched into the saga of my numb big toe, my odd left foot, my odd right foot and this most peculiar Insta-Sleep (just add yawns).
He prescribed me Amantadine, warning me to take them no later than 2pm, otherwise I would be up all night – I wish. Yes, I was sorely tempted. But, I took them as instructed and nothing happened for almost a week. Then, blam, I was……awake. Fully. The grass was green and the bluebirds were singing. My life was suddenly in blinding Technicolor.
I worry though that the tablets mask the underlying symptoms. Am I pushing myself too far? Will I reach a point of collapse? Will this new-found energy enable me to exercise more? Bearing in mind that last Monday, the few squats I attempted with my lovely trainer led to four days of agony. I’m not joking. I walked up and downstairs at home like a crab, meh.
Also, the tablets have given me the most amazing dreams, so vivid that when I wake up in the morning I have to remind myself what is real and what is imaginary. I have the most marvelous conversations with friends and family, but I find out to my dismay that they are entirely one-sided.
I will keep trying with the tablets. I made the mistake of telling my boss. He offered to trade me two packets of Jaffa Cakes for a tablet. I wasn’t tempted. Much.
I have struggled with this symptom for months now . It`s the one that frustrates me most and makes me feel out of control . In that split second I know it`s coming I feel so annoyed . It`s very different from fatigue episodes. I will be interested to see how you go on the medication . All I’m trying right now is 5000 iu of vit D a day ! But something has to give – the 11 year old and my teenager are causing a national Ritz cracker ( her ) and Cornflakes ( him ) shortage when they hit the kitchen as I hit the pillows .I fear they will be feral by summer hols !
It’s weird, isn’t it?! I can cope with the normal fatigue that hits during the day, but this Insta-Sleep is in a whole different league. It’s reassuring to know I’m not going mad, that it happens to other MSers too!
Another symptom of MS – feral children, lol 🙂
x
This is sooo annoying isn’t it? I love Hannibal too and get very upset when I find myself instantly going off. You get that eyes rolling as you describe and I swear I must look crossed eyed as I desperately try not to fall asleep.
I have to admit this is a symptom I have had for years and it drove my ex husband mad but I just couldn’t help it and still can’t.
I have a list of films that I have almost seen longer than the films I have seen.
These tablets you are on sound fab but I also get what you are saying about staying aware of your energy levels, pushing yourself etc.
I really hope they help you xx. I will definitely take a note of the name and talk to my Neuro in November.
Sam x
Yup, that eye-rolling, cross-eyed look is something else! Luckily it’s only the cat who notices. I watched the same episode of Hannibal three times in a row as I dropped off all the time.
Am going to see how the tablets go for another couple of weeks. The Teenager will be most annoyed, lol.
x
Yes, this happens to me a lot and I cannot understand why. I sit down to watch a favourite TV programme and later I can remember watching the opening sequences clearly, then somewhere a switch must have flipped and bang – oblivion. It’s a bit scary and very annoying.
That’s exactly what happens! I really do find it frightening and it can scare The Teenager too. I’m pinning my hopes on Amantadine 🙂
x
How can you be sleepy watch Hugh Dancy?? :p Hannibal is a good show tho, the eye candy is just a nice bonus :p
hopefully the tablets work 😀 haven’t been on that one, but i haven’t gone to a docs about fatigue yet, probably will this year with uni, but before I just would sleep and often at my desk lol
He is gorgeous, isn’t he?? Claire Danes is a lucky woman. I normally have the misfortune to wake up during a particularly gruesome bit.
x
The Amantadine induced vivid dreams can be really something. Its not just the dreams but that the division between dream and reality seems to become so ill defined.
I hd to stop taking them in the end because they dreams affected everything else too much.
Totally agree, it’s most odd. I’m going to see how I get on with them for a little while longer. They seem to be giving me a bit more energy plus I’m sleeping much better at night for some reason!
x