Q I was diagnosed with narcolepsy at a neurology clinic and prescribed modafinil. Can Oriental medicine treatment also be effective?
A Rather than replacing stimulants, Oriental medicine treatment can be used together with them in a direction that strengthens spleen qi (脾氣) and heart qi (心氣), the underlying foundation of drowsiness, thereby enhancing the effect of the stimulant and reducing the burden of side effects.
Detailed Answer
Modafinil and stimulants are effective at immediately suppressing daytime sleepiness, but they do not restore hypocretin itself. Oriental medicine treatment focuses on supplementing spleen qi and improving the ascending-clear and descending-turbid (水昇火降) flow to create a bodily environment in which the brain can more easily maintain wakefulness. Used together, it can help improve quality of daily life without forcing the medication dose higher.
Oriental Medicine Clinic Perspective
After assessing the depth of spleen qi deficiency (脾氣虛) and heart qi insufficiency (心氣不足) through pulse and abdominal diagnosis, we use Bojungikgi-tang formulas to lift the yang energy and Chongmyeong-tang formulas to strengthen the concentration of mind and body. We manage the patient so the conventional medication can be adjusted in stages while monitoring the body's condition, rather than stopping it abruptly.
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