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Real members of MyNarcolepsyTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Oversleeping With Narcolepsy

A MyNarcolepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭
Cullman, AL

Does anyone with narcolepsy know if there is a medication to take at night to help wake up in the morning? I have been sleeping through all my alarms. My phone alarms don’t wake me up at all and I have even been sleeping through my shock watch.

April 15, 2021
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A MyNarcolepsyTeam Member

There is a relatively new form of Methylphenidate (Ritalin) prescribed for ADHD that is taken at night to aid in waking in the morning. After taking it, it stays in the gut with very low levels released into the blood for approx. 10 hrs. Peak absorption occurs approx. 14 hrs. after taking it and slowly decreases after that. It's called "Jornay" - ask your doctor about it, it's worth a try!

June 28, 2021
A MyNarcolepsyTeam Member

I dont think there is a medication that can specifically help with that but my recommendations: I change my alarm sounds every few days, I have them at varying volumes, some are voices because those give me anxiety and freak me out so I wake up, I have it on vibrate and put it on a hard surface out of reach so I have to stretch for it. Also when I'm home I have one that emits a bright light for the alarm along with a sound. That has been the most helpful.

April 15, 2021
A MyNarcolepsyTeam Member

Xyrem knocks you out at night to get you to sleep but has something called the “dawning effect “ the next morning. It makes you wake up feeling refreshed and energized,so you wake up the way everyone else does

June 30, 2021
A MyNarcolepsyTeam Member

I have the same problem. I have been sleeping through my alarms and then have to run around for work when I am feeling groggy. Not fun! I recently changed my alarm, so it has different sounds as it goes off. I hope it works.

April 16, 2021
A MyNarcolepsyTeam Member

Oversleeping has ALWAYS seemed to be one of the Biggest obstacle for me. Both professionally as well as socially. I was unaware of any medication available for this specific issue.
I will definitely ask my sleep doctor next visit! Especially now when I'm being asked to be responsible for getting 2 young ladies to and from school and their jobs (btw, completely different schedules)!!
Hopefully my Dr. is / (or will be) aware of medication available that could potentially help me with this particular issue.

October 6, 2023

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