i can't stay awake when reading or concentrating

[Enigma89]

i am a 19yo 2nd year law student and have a a tiredness problem which probably ranges back to secondary school but which got worse in sixthform and even more so in university

The problem is when ever i tried to read, or sit in a lecture or even watch a film i just fall asleep or get so tired, if i got up off the chair i could go and do 2hours ecercise and be fine, i could browse facebook and not be tired i can do anything else but when it comes to reading i just can stay awake, i yawn and my eyes go a bit wattery sometimes,

When i go to lectures i sit there and then i just get so tired i concentrate so hard on trying to stay awake but it just distracts me from the lecture even more

ive been to the doctors and they have run blood tests and say im fine, i had an eyetest and that was fine, i really dont know what to do and its starting to affect my work preety bad

can anybody help?

[jmbirds]

I have kinda the same issue , however I was a continental bkf person coffee donut pastery etc for bkf  i couldn't stay awake its was torchure for me so my Dr said stop the carbs and stick with proteins eat eggs and cheese, oatmeal, put peanut butter  on your whole grain toast?  this seemed to help and i also drank vit B water propel , now i just showed signs of wheat and gluten intolerance so i would fall asleep whenever i would eat or sweat , then my body started dumping everything so on a GF  gluten free wheat free menu i am feelin better, so you would eat puffed  rice, rice crispys oatmeal  grits, cream of rice POLENTA italy corn bread fried  bacon bits and cheese and italian herbs is great  , i found sun valley brand granola bars ..NO WHEAT , all your soups might have wheat or gluten in them so certain broths are GF , no pasta  unless its RICE ethnic shopping , area is cheaper then the GF section  no semolina thats wheat also  you can find a list of things to eat on a search i eat rice cakes and mixed nuts in my car  fresh fruits and veg so this might help you stay awake? food allergy your medication can have allergens in it and or side effects
i did this rice corn and oats for 1 week and i seen a difference.
NO i am not diabetic tested, I am hypo thyroid which can be part of your issue? i have normal thyroid levels but i have hypo symptoms with Multigoitor nodules , have an ultrasound of  your thyroid and i was dangerously low VIT D which can make you suffer fatigue issues? have that tested? I  hope something works i shared

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

You seem to be having hypersomnia.

Hypersomnia refers to a set of related disorders that involve excessive daytime sleepiness esp during studying or reading and even driving.

Causes may be excess intake of caffeine,alcohol intake, sleep-wake cycle disorder like in night shifts, obstructive sleep apnea,shift duties,disorders of the hypothalamus,nervous system disorders like brain tumors, Circadian rhythm sleep disorders,psychiatric disorders like depression and schizophrenia,diabetes,obesity,restless leg syndrome,use of drugs or alcohol and narcolepsy(Abnormal sleep disorder leading to excessive daytime drowsiness) and  some medications.

I feel that you should consult a sleep specialist and get polysomnograms(sleep study) done to find a confirmatory diagnosis.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep us posted on how you are doing.