Im so tired Im sleeping 20 hours a day for months. I got out of mania in begin August but had been under chronic 24/7 stress with no moments of relaxation for about 15 years prior to the most recent mania (first time manic because I didnt sleep from jan to begin auguzt this year, at most 5 hours a week). I was institutionalized for 5 years but free since begin May.

The fatigue Im currently enduring is really difficult for me. I undetstand that my body needed rest but after months of excessive sleep (20h a day) I feel like it may be becoming unhealthy.

Staying awake is not really a possibility because the fatigue is so overwhelming that any minor excersise of energy just knocks me down. If I refused to go back to bed Id just stop moving all together and just stay in position for hours (avolition, its not as bad as catatonia).

I bought caffeine (in guarana powder form) supplements but I go right thru it. I want to get my life back and am considering buying modafinil. My psychiatrist does not want to prescribe anything because he is extremely conservative when it comes to medication. Youd metaphoricallly have to have all your bones broken before hed even consider prescribing paracetamol.

Please share your advice on what I should do and if modafinil is right for me. And if so at what starter dosage?

Thank you,