I don't know much about sleep apnea but I did have trouble staying awake a few years back. Used to nod off while driving home from work. Personally, my body has felt more energized since cutting the gluten and sugar to a very minimal (can't say I'm 100%). I've heard that MS'ers just may not sleep soundly (waking up a lot during the night) and perhaps just don't get rested. Have you tried some melatonin before bed? There's a nice over the counter one called Unisom. Have you given something like that a try?

I was having an issue related to this. I asked my PCP to run a good work check of my Thyroid & vitamin D. IT came back with a hypothyroid (low rate) & a low vitamin D level. I'm hoping when these r resolved I will be back to my normal self.

Hope this helps you.

Thanks :)

I get very sleepy around 4-5:00 pm. I often fall asleep watching tv because that is all I really can do. If I read, I fall asleep and I can't do much in activities because of the fatigue I suffer from. So, I often nap for an hour or 1-1/2 hr. and I get tired around 9:00-10:00 pm at night. I get in bed, turn off the lights and tv, but I cannot sleep. I talked to my doctor about it as he has prescribed Ambien, but he doesn't want me to take it too often. So, he recommended I take the cheapest generic benedryl medication. He said I can take up to 4 capsules. I recently started taking benedryl and have noticed I am able to fall asleep, but I awake around 3:00 am. I cannot seem to find anything to help me sleep the whole night through, like 7-8 hours like I use to. Without benedryl, I'm usually awake until 2:00 am. I try not to nap during the day but I can't help myself. This is routine for me, not a temporary thing like it sounds like plagues you.

I thought sleep apnea was when your breathing is affected while you sleep - that some people stop breathing when sleeping, and they snore badly.

Sleep apnea is common with people with MS. But it is more than extreme tiredness or sleepiness. Here is a list of symptoms of sleep apnea:

Waking up with a very sore or dry throat
Loud snoring
Occasionally waking up with a choking or gasping sensation
Sleepiness or lack of energy during the day
Sleepiness while driving
Morning headaches
Restless sleep
Forgetfulness, mood changes, and a decreased interest in sex
Recurrent awakenings or insomnia

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain -- and the rest of the body -- may not get enough oxygen.

I had a sleep test done a few months ago. They told me that mine was very mild and they do not treat it when it is this mild. If you think you are having this problem, talk to your doctor about it. He can give you more information on it. I wish you the best!!