Can't wake up in the morning!

[Dr Steve]

It takes me way too long to wake up in the morning. Here is some info.

I played offensive line at 365 lbs. I couldn't get a good night's sleep, so I took a sleep study to see if I could benefit from a CPAP machine. Results said borderline, got the machine, used it for a year, and saw no improvement.

I lost about 100 lbs after I stopped playing and still can't wake up without 3 alarms going off for 30 minutes.

I took anti depression meds for about 6 months a couple years ago along with a sleep aid (lexapro and lunesta) and didn't see a drastic improvement.

Long story short, is there anything I can do to help myself wakeup in the morning? I've tried the two big solutions and really haven't seen things improve.

Thanks Dr Steve. Love the show.

Thanks for your kind words! This is what I'd do...first get your testosterone and thyroid checked if they haven't done that yet. Both can cause excessive fatigue.

next, I'd do a sleep study WITH THE CPAP ON. doing a CPAP sleep study will help the technician set your machine so it actually does some good. either that our you could see if your doctor could prescribe an "AUTOTITRATING CPAP" machine. The ATCPAP adjusts itself constantly to keep your airway open. I'm guessing you're still having sleep apnea and it's just never been treated effectively.

There is a drug out there called PROVIGIL that's used for narcolepsy and other diseases of sleepiness, but it WON'T help you to wake up more easily to an alarm. All it'll do is make you less sleepy during the day after you've taken it.

let me know if this helps at all. I'd definitely talk to my doctor and get another sleep study set up.


your pal,


steve