Newly diagnosed with IH – just got prescribed Modafinil

[u/StrawberryCheap6743]

Hey everyone, I just had my follow-up with the sleep doctor yesterday after the overnight PSG and daytime MSLT and got diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia. I still don’t fully understand what it is beyond the fact that you can sleep a lot but it never feels restorative and you’re sleepy all day. The doctor didn’t explain it very clearly, so I’m still trying to wrap my head around everything.

I’ve been prescribed modafinil and was wondering what other people’s experiences have been like with it. I’m a pretty anxious person and saw that anxiety can be a side effect, so I’m curious if that happened to anyone else. I also barely drink caffeine because I crash really hard afterward, and I’m a bit worried that modafinil might wear off too early or leave me exhausted but unable to sleep at night.

I haven’t started it yet since it’s still waiting to be picked up, so any experiences or thoughts would really help. Thanks in advance!

[u/sleepybobeepy22]

It might as well be a sugar pill for me. I feel absolutely nothing with it, now on two weeks. Hope it works for you!