Alpha Wave Intrusion

[cryuncle]

After years of struggling with insomnia, I have come to the conclusion I have Alpha Wave Intrusion. Unaided by medication I sleep only for 15-20 minutes out of 8 hours. I have done everything under the sun as far as trying to beat this without meds. Now, I must take one of the hypnotic's to get any sleep at all.

Question is, anyone else effected by Alpha Wave Intrusion? If so, what do you do/take to help? Can this condition be reversed or at least relieved?

My sleep Doc is not much help, he just writes more meds. He has tried in the past to get a patient on xyrem but was unsuccessful and would not even try to procure it for me.

I understand there is a new class of sleep drug that has been through all the clinical trials and will be submitted to the FDA this year for a NDA. It is said to work on a completely different GABA receptor than what is currently available. I sure am looking forward to trying this out.

[jane4788]

I have had problems with alpha wave intrusion and sleep paralysis for years.  A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on a VERY low dose (10 mg) of the antidepressant nortriptyline, not for my sleep problems, but to help ease the pain of psoriatic arthritis.  Once I was diagnosed with alpha wave intrusion, she bumped me up to 25 mg every night.  This is a low enough dose that it hasn't really had any side effects (other than the first couple of weeks, I had HORRIBLE dry mouth, which subsided), but it has helped me SIGNIFICANTLY.  Most doctors other than maybe a psychiatrist will not think of trying nortriptyline because it's very old and rarely prescribed anymore, but if you are having this disorder, I highly recommend asking your dr about it!

[sunrunner]

I'm glad to see this forum's stood the test of time! I feel the frustration of everyone who carries this insidious ailment. It's almost been 10 years now since the on-start of my persistent sleeping problems and subsequent DX of Alpha Intrusion.
My sub-par stats were:

*Sleep Efficiency- 72%
*Periodic Limb Movements- 27/hr (mostly unassociated with arousal)  
*Arousal Index- 16/hr

I'm 28 years old and I've spent a significant portion of my early adult years searching for a resolution to my sleep troubles. To those of you in a smiliar search, I'd especially encourage you to read into Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate).  The case studies and testimonials are very encouraging. Also, the tricyclic Amitriptyline is commonly used to treat Alpha Wave Intrusion. In addition, there are some interesting conclusions being made regarding Upper Air Resistance Syndrome and how its effect on a person's sleep is similar to that of sleep apnea minus the apneas. (This syndrome affects those with thickened sinus tissue / chronic allergies)
Feel free to comment & inquire---->    I'm happy to contribute any knowledge I've garnered since the Beginning Of It All   =]  

[Trudylin]

I too have alpha wave intrusion. I am so tired all the time. I have had 2 studies and both showed 50 awakenings per hour and zero deep sleep. When I try sleep medications, I sleep 18 to 20 hours, even when halved!  I work full time and just keep trying to push through the week. Anyone find anything that works?

[sekhmet611]

Trazedone really messed me up.  :-/  I was on it back in 2001 and tried it again last year (since our bodies do change over time).  It made me groggy and sick, with no positive influence,

[sekhmet611]

Also, there is a med called Neurontin that is technically an anti-convulsant, but it's shown to help people with Alpha Wave Intrusion also, this girl included.  :)

[sekhmet611]

I have Alpha Wave Intrusion also.  I've been through the works.  Meds.  Light box.  Pretty much anything you can imagine.  What my neurologist ended up suggesting goes against what many doctors would say.  They usually will tell you that any light or noise is BAD for people with sleep disorders.  But with Alpha Wave Intrusion your brain actually NEEDS something to focus on to relax and allow you to enter into REM.  So every night, I put on a movie, low volume and dark lighting.  Not enough to distract me from falling asleep, but enough that there's a tiny bit of auditory and visual stimulation that my mind settles down.  Long story short, I still have terrible insomnia, but WHEN I sleep, I manage to get a bit of rest at least.

Of course, I'm an odd duck, so what works for me is usually not what works for other people and vice versa.  But worth a shot, I think, if you are still struggling.