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What Causes Extreme Sleepiness During The Day Time?

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Posted on Fri, 1 Jul 2016
Question: Yes
I've been using Neupro (4mg/24) patches for 9 years. I'm experiencing problems with binocular vertical diplopia and extreme sleepiness during the day. It is a struggle to stay awake during the day. Driving limited to trips of no longer than 30 minutes. I've tried using water proof tape on the application area to reduce the dosage to 3mg/day. Feel much better with regards to double vision and sleepiness. Much more energetic and alert. However, suffer from RLS at the lower dosage. Latter limits sleep to 4 hours per night.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Read below.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

If rotigotine (Neupro) is causing you extra daytime sleepiness then the possible options would be either to reduce dosage or switch to another alternative treatment. Since you say dosage reduction doesn't control RLS then other options may be considered such Pregabalin or Gabapentin which are a commonly used option.
However before changing medication due to sleepiness during the day it must be considered if actually that daytime sleepiness is due to the lack of sleep during the night due to RLS and not a medication side effect. In that cases RLS control would be the way to tackle it, and perhaps Neupro dosage might actually be increased.

Of course any medication needs to be completed with non-medication measures such as sleep hygiene, exercising, avoiding alcohol and nicotine etc.

I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olsi Taka (13 hours later)
Took 3 mg Neupro ( exposed only 75% of 4mg patch, using waterproof tape) last night. Applied patch 2 hours before bed time. Also took additional 100 mg of Synamet at the same time, for a total of 150 mg. Kept Azilect dosage the same (1mg in AM). Slept 8 hrs, with no RLS. RLS and sleepiness seem to have been mitigated. We'll see.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Read below

Detailed Answer:
I see, so you take Sinemet and Azilect as well. Those may also be used for RLS, so the addition may have had its effect. It is good that you seem to have found some balance for the moment, however make sure to take the dose increase with your new neurologist as well.

Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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What Causes Extreme Sleepiness During The Day Time?

Brief Answer: Read below. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. If rotigotine (Neupro) is causing you extra daytime sleepiness then the possible options would be either to reduce dosage or switch to another alternative treatment. Since you say dosage reduction doesn't control RLS then other options may be considered such Pregabalin or Gabapentin which are a commonly used option. However before changing medication due to sleepiness during the day it must be considered if actually that daytime sleepiness is due to the lack of sleep during the night due to RLS and not a medication side effect. In that cases RLS control would be the way to tackle it, and perhaps Neupro dosage might actually be increased. Of course any medication needs to be completed with non-medication measures such as sleep hygiene, exercising, avoiding alcohol and nicotine etc. I remain at your disposal for further questions.