Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Sudden Onset Of Hypersomnia While On DMD For MS?
Question: What is possible cause of sudden onset hypersomnia? I have stable MS. I am on no DMD for MS. Disease Modifying Drug for MS.
Sunday I awoke, had two cups of coffee. Less than half an hour later I started falling asleep so I returned to bed. After sleeping 2-3 hours I awoke and attempted to do computer work at home. I started falling asleep, again. I returned to bed and slept 2-3 hours. I awoke and attempted to do tasks around my home. I again because extremely drowsy so I returned to bed and slept another 2-3 hours. At 4-5 pm I awoke again and stayed awake until about 9 pm. I returned to bed and slept until 5-6 a.m. the next day.
Rx taken daily; Synthroid 50 mcg
Rx weekly; Fosomax
Caltrate 1200 mg six days a week (when not taking Fosomax)
Daily supplements; 5,000 Vitamin D-3
Health Conditions; stable Multiple Sclerosis, diagnosed Nov 2009
DISABILITY SCALE; -0-
OSA, obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP USED part of each night
Monday a.m. and throughout the day I felt back to normal.
* sudden onset hypersomnia has never occurred previously *
Sunday I awoke, had two cups of coffee. Less than half an hour later I started falling asleep so I returned to bed. After sleeping 2-3 hours I awoke and attempted to do computer work at home. I started falling asleep, again. I returned to bed and slept 2-3 hours. I awoke and attempted to do tasks around my home. I again because extremely drowsy so I returned to bed and slept another 2-3 hours. At 4-5 pm I awoke again and stayed awake until about 9 pm. I returned to bed and slept until 5-6 a.m. the next day.
Rx taken daily; Synthroid 50 mcg
Rx weekly; Fosomax
Caltrate 1200 mg six days a week (when not taking Fosomax)
Daily supplements; 5,000 Vitamin D-3
Health Conditions; stable Multiple Sclerosis, diagnosed Nov 2009
DISABILITY SCALE; -0-
OSA, obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP USED part of each night
Monday a.m. and throughout the day I felt back to normal.
* sudden onset hypersomnia has never occurred previously *
Brief Answer:
Many possible causes, but not for only one day.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Looking at your other conditions there are two which could cause daytime sleepiness.
One would be as a result of sleep apnea which is the main cause of daytime sleepiness. I understand you use CPAP, since you imply it has worked fine before one can't speak of insufficient effecacy, but one hypothesis might be that the machine hasn't worked correctly during the night.
The other condition is hypothyroidism. However if you took your medication correctly it is unlikely for the hypersomnia to manifest only for one day.
Coming to other possible causes. Narcolepsy would be one of them. However the diagnosis is not made by a single day and also it typically appears at an earlier age than yours, so unlikely.
Brain lesions in certain areas like the thalamus for example related causes may cause such symptoms. Such lesions might be stroke, tumors, infections, inflammatory conditions etc (MS lesion unlikely). However in all these cases the symptoms would persist more, they may improve spontaneously in stroke but unlikely in a day.
So for the moment, since the problem has returned to normal it is hard to pinpoint the cause. If it repeats a some routine blood tests and brain imaging might be advisable, but unlikely to reveal much right now, I suggest simply to wait and see for now.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Many possible causes, but not for only one day.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Looking at your other conditions there are two which could cause daytime sleepiness.
One would be as a result of sleep apnea which is the main cause of daytime sleepiness. I understand you use CPAP, since you imply it has worked fine before one can't speak of insufficient effecacy, but one hypothesis might be that the machine hasn't worked correctly during the night.
The other condition is hypothyroidism. However if you took your medication correctly it is unlikely for the hypersomnia to manifest only for one day.
Coming to other possible causes. Narcolepsy would be one of them. However the diagnosis is not made by a single day and also it typically appears at an earlier age than yours, so unlikely.
Brain lesions in certain areas like the thalamus for example related causes may cause such symptoms. Such lesions might be stroke, tumors, infections, inflammatory conditions etc (MS lesion unlikely). However in all these cases the symptoms would persist more, they may improve spontaneously in stroke but unlikely in a day.
So for the moment, since the problem has returned to normal it is hard to pinpoint the cause. If it repeats a some routine blood tests and brain imaging might be advisable, but unlikely to reveal much right now, I suggest simply to wait and see for now.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
