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Suggest Treatment For Shift Work Sleep Disorder

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Posted on Mon, 6 Oct 2014
Question: In May of 2008 I had a sleep study done to rule out other sleep disorders since i had excess sleepyness. I am a shift worker but had had extreme fatigue even before I started working night shift. I was diagnosed with RLS and shift work sleep disorder. The doctor who saw me no longer comes to my clinic and I cannot get my family physician to prescribe the medication that I used to treat the fatigue. Getting meds for the RLS has not been an issue. it seems like doctors refuse to acknowledge that shift work sleep disorder is a real problem. What can I do?
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Answered by Dr. Vishal Garala (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
stick with providgal for better outcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I admire you for positive outlook.

I understand your concern.

Shift work sleep disorder is real disorder and categorized in DSM 5 also.

You mentioned that you have been on medicines since long.

Providgal contains modafinil and it is excellent drug for SWSD.

Nowadays R modafinil is launched and excellent review for treating SWSD for the same.

My personal advise is to stick with providgal for better outcome.

Though there are some alternatives like

Melatonin is natural substance to resets our biological clock of sleep circadian.
You have to take it in afternoon or evening to reset sleep cycle in earlier phase.

Caffeine stimulant also has role in this. Caffeine before night shift can lead to alertness and awareness.

Regular bright light therapy can also help.

So there are many ways of treatment but choice among all is modafinil and R modafinil as it is approved by US FDA for SWSD.

So SWSD is real disorder due to change in sleep circadian rhythm and biological clock. Need to reset it .
Consult psychiatrist if needed.

Still have a query then feel free to ask.

Always here to help you.

Thank you.

Take care.






Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vishal Garala

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 1714 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Shift Work Sleep Disorder

Brief Answer: stick with providgal for better outcome. Detailed Answer: Hi, I admire you for positive outlook. I understand your concern. Shift work sleep disorder is real disorder and categorized in DSM 5 also. You mentioned that you have been on medicines since long. Providgal contains modafinil and it is excellent drug for SWSD. Nowadays R modafinil is launched and excellent review for treating SWSD for the same. My personal advise is to stick with providgal for better outcome. Though there are some alternatives like Melatonin is natural substance to resets our biological clock of sleep circadian. You have to take it in afternoon or evening to reset sleep cycle in earlier phase. Caffeine stimulant also has role in this. Caffeine before night shift can lead to alertness and awareness. Regular bright light therapy can also help. So there are many ways of treatment but choice among all is modafinil and R modafinil as it is approved by US FDA for SWSD. So SWSD is real disorder due to change in sleep circadian rhythm and biological clock. Need to reset it . Consult psychiatrist if needed. Still have a query then feel free to ask. Always here to help you. Thank you. Take care.