18h of sleep per night OK?

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Dr Charles Shepherd
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by Dr Charles Shepherd on Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:30 pm

Re: 18h of sleep per night OK?

You are describing hypersomnia - medical jargon for sleeping far longer than normal on a regular basis

A period of hypersomnia is quite commonly reported in the immediate post-viral stage of ME/CFS but this usually lessens as time goes on and may then be replaced by other types of sleep disturbance

If you have had ME/CFS for some time the situation you are describing is rather unusual and given the fact that primary sleep disorders (such as sleep apnoea) can sometimes be misdiagnosed as ME/CFS I think this is something that you need to discuss with your GP - especially if it is associated with any other unusual symptoms

If necessary you could be referred to a sleep clinic where brain activity during sleep can be measured during an overnight stay
Dr Charles Shepherd
MB BS, Honorary Medical Adviser, ME Association

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