Drowsy all day

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Drowsy all day

Posted by Barely awake on November 07, 2002 at 20:35:33:
Hi, I'm sure this must be a pretty common story around here...I'm new here, I'm 22 and will graduate from college in May. I was diagnosed with major depression several years ago and am now going through a pretty down time. But even so, I've been so sleepy that I don't think it can be just depression. (Oh, forgot to mention, I may also have low growth hormone...I'll get the test results next week...that could also cause fatigue, I've heard).
I've had this problem on and off (almost always on) for years: falling asleep in class, sleeping every possible moment, dreaming even during my naps. Now it's gotten so extreme that I sleep normally at night, even oversleep sometimes, and then wake up exhausted. After a few hours of classes, I fall back into bed and sleep almost all day. Then I have to stay up late to get some schoolwork done, and the cycle starts all over again!
I want to get involved in some activities or get a job in the afternoons, but I'm worried I won't be able to, or want to, stay awake for it. I am thinking about applying to medical school, but I can't imagine being able to do it feeling this way. Plus, I don't have any of the experience I need because I've spent all my time sleeping!
Sorry to complain...I am on Wellbutrin (200 mg) and Celexa (30 mg) for depression, though they're not helping as much as they could be. A few days ago, I talked to my doctor about my sleepiness, and he gave me some samples of Provigil.
I'm taking half a pill (100 mg) in the morning and half in the afternoon. My doctor actually told me to start off with just 100 mg a day, but that didn't have any effect on me...he said I could go up to 200 a day, so I have. But still, I don't notice much difference.
I guess I just want to know if this sounds possibly like a sleep disorder, or if it could occur just from depression. Also, is the effect from Provigil immediate, or does it usually take a few weeks or a higher dose to work? Last question: if I can get a prescription of Provigil without being diagnosed with narcolepsy or another disorder, would there be any reason to get a sleep test done? P.S. I don't snore and am not overweight, so I doubt I have apnea...that would be unusual, right?
Thanks so much for reading,
Barely awake me

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Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.