Question: Hello doctor, since more than a year on & off i have been suffering from daytime sleepiness issue. I feel sleepy throughout daytime till evening but not after that which also leads to insomnia in night as i can't fall asleep except during daytime. I have consulted doctor but i have received mixed responses such as circadian rhythm disorder for which they prescribed melatonin which doesn't do anything on me & other being Narcolepsy- type 2 so actually i still do not why i feel sleepy during daytime.


I have mid-mild restless legs syndrome diagnosed 3 years back but it's not the cause of my insomnia in night as it was before as well. Doctors suggested sleep studies but as a matter of fact since i can't fall sleep without drug during night i don't think how it will be useful in any diagnosis as i literally cannot fall asleep during night no matter what, my brain remains fully active.

Since due to rls, i take gabapentin which helps in that as well as keeping my mind shut due to which i can still manage to sleep a little in night but even then i feel sleepy throughout day, this is affecting my life as i feel lethargic and sleepy all the time in day when i am supposed to work. I can sleep during day or afternoon without any issue or drug but not in night, all my blood tests are normal including thyroid etc.

On basis of doctor recommendations to not sleep in afternoon no matter what, i have tried that as well but even then i cannot fall into sleep in night even though i feel sleepy.

What do you think i am dealing with here? i can answer any questions in order to assist with diagnosis?

Thanks for your reply doctor, any particular ssri you can mention that can be taken if someone have rls? as from my past experience with different ssri & ssni drugs makes restless legs syndrome symptoms worse, That's why i was not able to continue those for anxiety etc.