Narcolepsy

[livingwith]

I am not diagnosed with Narcolepsy,(yet) but I’d like to share my story and receive some feedback from what I consider the true experts. You all.
I have had this problem since early highschool I can remember. I don’t remember so much falling asleep in class, then, but when I would get home I definitely needed a nap. My best friend used to make fun of me ALL the time, after we’d get home I just had to lay down.
I was pretty determined then to just get a better nights sleep so...Read the full article

[kaypea12001]

I am sorry that no one replied to your post previously. I just signed up on this site tonight but I want you to know that I practically could have written your story. I am 33 now and was only diagnosed with Narcolepsy about 2 yrs ago. I thought and experienced much of what you did over the years. I finally went to a sleep doctor and (after telling him my symptoms and that I thought I had N) he said I probably had something else since N is rare. However, the good news was that he ordered the sleep studies needed (a night time study AND daytime study) to test for Narcolepsy. I was finally diagnosed with Narcolepsy and Central Sleep Apnea and then was able to get on some medication that actually has helped. There is not a miracle cure that I have found but my situation is far better now that I am on meds (Ritalin, long and short acting, Provigil and Xyrem). I hope this helps a little... you are obviously struggling and I hope that you find out what the root of your sleep challenges are.. and that you find what works for you!

[Rudgerx]

Wow, finding this site and then your post has blown me away. I have never run across anyone who has these same plroblems! Like your other responder said your story reads just like mine! at least ninety five percent so... I have been the butt of ridicule and teasing all my life. That and my progressing hearing loss contribute to many people subconcously treat me like I am mentaly defecient. I have fought all my life against this falling asleep; the tired falling asleep when you are tired from not getting restful sleep (irregular sleep cycles?), the zoning or microsleep when you can't focus and have problems with skipping in and out of reality, disorientation, and falling out(?) straight into dreamstate with little or no warning. The only thing that may have saved me is that my dreaming is very abstract, try Salvatore Doli, as opposed to realistic, which I fear because I wont know if I am awake or dreaming. Twenty years ago I went to the first Sleep disorder Doctor in New Mexico. He had me try Welbutrin... Well I felt like Rip Van Winkle, awake for the first time in twenty years!! That worked for about 3 months then I went on a Emotional Rollercoaster and quit it for fear I would hurt someone.
I self treated it fo the next twenty years with herbals and sleep habits that I learned from the center.
I went back last year because of really bad allergies (allergies always trigger the worst episodes). I have been on Prozac for 5 years because of depression, and now I am on Provigil. Life is better but still a battle. My family says I have the most overworked gaurdian angel, considering the thousands of times I have fallen asleep while driving. I also have a CPAP machine and am still not diagnosed with narcolepsy. Tonight I am wondering how much of a connection there is between Narcolepsy, Depression and ADHD. Same meds, very similar symptoms. Why do I need constant stimulation to stay alert? ( I work a dangerous job to stay alert ) I don't multitask well at all. I have unbelieveably poor recall. I have great difficulty reading Technical material, but can finish a novel in short order.
I started a new life at 48, I am 51 now. I guess I will fight this for another 50 years.