Diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia with long sleep time by a sleep specialist on the basis of history and polysomnography.
Issues trying to address:
- Daytime drowsiness; propensity to nap
- Sleep drunkeness on waking
- Sluggish thinking
- Poor memory (formerly, quite exceptional)
- Distractability, poor focus, low motivation
- Headaches
- Fatigue; muscle weakness
Regimen:
Morning:
- Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) (5-10 mg)
- Swanson's EFAs (300 mg EPA/200 mg DHA; from fish)
- Piracetam (800 mg - 1600 mg)
- Choline Bitartrate (500 mg)
- L-Tyrosine (500 mg)
- Huperzine A (50 mcg - cycled)
- Creatine Monohydrate (3 g for a month, then 1.5 g)
- Vit. B12 (1200 mcg;cyanocobalamin; low lab values)
- Inositol (650 mg)
- Vit. C with Rose Hips (1500 mg)
- Biotin (5 mg)
- Alpha Lipoic Acid (300 mg)
- Gingko Biloba (120 mg)
- Vit. B Complex (Doses all less than RDA)
- Green Tea Extract (400 mg)
- Vit. D3 (2000 IU)
- Taurine (500 mg)
- Milk Thistle (1000 mg)
- Calcium & Magnesium (333 mg; 167 mg)
At lunch:
- Dextroamphetamine (5-10 mg)
- Turmeric (700 mg)
Occasionally, as needed, during the day:
- Phosphatidyl Serine (500 mg)
- Modafinil (100 mg)
At night:
- Rhodiola Rosea (400 mg)
- Ashwaghanda (450 mg)
- Bacopa Monnieri (500 mg)
- Melatonin (3 mg; if needed due to taking Dexedrine/Moda late in day)
- Magnesium Malate (425 mg)
I would appreciate any comments on my regimen/stack. Specifically, I am looking to "cut the fat" and eliminate supplements
(i) that are contraindicated for fatigue/drowsiness
(ii)that have long-term negative side effects
(iii)that don't do anything.
I have talked to a pharmacist about the supplements I am on since I am taking amphetamines. According to her system, there are no conflicts or problems, but she warned me that not much research has been done on drug/supplement interactions, that there may be contaminations in my products and that the supplement industry is laxly regulated.
For myself I am risk-averse for supplements generally, but I have a moderate-high risk tolerance for supplements that may help with my drowsiness/excessive sleeping/cognitive impairment. I have only been on the Dextroamphetamine for two days now, but already it is working 100x better than the Modafinil. I was surprised that a CNS stimulant seems also to have improved the quality of my sleep - today I woke fairly refreshed, without assistance, at 8:00 AM, and was "with it" within a few minutes. For the past 6 months, I have been dealing with 12+ hours/night sleeping plus naps during the day, extreme sleep drunkeness and confusion upon awakening, wake time (assisted)- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, wake time (unassisted) - 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM.
My cognitive performance had also tanked recently. Graduated high school with >95% average while working 35 hours/week and doing very little studying. In courses for my Bachelor of Science, lowest mark has been an 88, most courses mid nineties, several 97s and 98s in a rigorous program (GPA = 3.99). Read War and Peace in 4 days. Excellent memory, especially for trivia, dates, names, etc. Picked up languages and new subjects easily. This sundry list is not to brag (I cringe to read what I have written), but merely to illustrate the profound changes I have experienced.
But oh how the mighty have fallen. This summer was *supposed* to be spent in dedicated, focused study for the MCAT. Instead, I sleep all the time and when I am not asleep I do not have the energy, willpower, motivation, or cognitive wherewithall to study. Things I used to love doing - reading, learning Spanish, playing trivial pursuit, having interesting debates with friends - are now too mentally taxing.
Sorry for the long spiel! Thanks so much to everyone who responds.
Edited by EastofEden, 11 July 2011 - 05:39 PM.