How Being Narcoleptic Is Not Funny

I keep falling asleep, even first thing in the morning after eight hours sleep the night before.

Being a perpetual student, I'm always trying to learn something, but the minute I pick up a book to start reading / studying, I go to sleep.

Also I enjoy going to meetings / seminars / workshops, like the dormouse in Alice in Wonderland I sleep right through them. Sometimes this can be quite hilarious, especially if I'm at a meeting. I don't know how it happens, but I will wake up long enough to come out with a relevant suggestion, then I go back to sleep.

But I can assure you that whatever is wrong with me it's not contagious.
You can't catch it off me, even if I breathe on you.

I know now I have Narcolepsy. Yet I had it for twenty-years before I knew what I had.

Narcolepsy is not an illness. It's not a disease, I won't die from it, unless I fall asleep while crossing the road; no it's a condition that I have to live with for the rest of my life.

How long have I had it? About 45 years. It was just after my younger daughter Susanne was born, about 1962, that I found myself having to have an afternoon nap along with my two daughters. But with having a two year old and a newborn baby, plus a husband and house to look after, it wasn't surprising that I was tired.

So life went on. I used to read to the girls at bedtime. Problem was that I would fall asleep midsentence. Michelle my eldest daughter would wake me up shouting, 'What happened next mum?'

When the children were in double figures I started work again. But because of my falling asleep on the job, I kept having to look for new jobs. My CV's had to have a few porkies in them.

Then in 1971 I was accepted as a Student Nurse. I got through two years of my three-year course, sleeping through the lectures, then having to read my textbooks in order to keep up with what I should have learned in class, even passing my exams.

But eventually I had to leave my nurse training as my constant sleeping meant there was a possibility of me harming a patient; without meaning to of course.

What Was Wrong With Me, Other People Didn't Keep Falling Asleep?

Even though I worked in a hospital for just over two years, nobody picked up on what was wrong with me.

Me And Further Education

As I had left school at fifteen I had no educational qualifications. So being a sponge for knowledge, at aged thirty-one I went back to school. I would see my daughters off to school each morning, then I'd go to school 'Mums' School.

I studied for a year and came out with six GCE O'Levels. I say studied and I meant double studied. I once again slept through all the lectures, so I had to study my textbooks by night.

It Was Twenty Years Later That I Found Out What Ailed Me

In 1981 I read a letter in our local newspaper. Dorothy Hand wanted to start a support group for Narcoleptics. She described the symptoms. Now at long last I knew why I was always falling asleep, I wasn't alone with the problem of always nodding off, and what I had, had a name. Narcolepsy.

I went to the first meeting. There were thirty of us. We sat in a large circle. Each of us in turn stood up and told the rest of the group what our problem was One man was a long distance lorry driver, he had to pull into a layby every half hour in order to have a little doze. Another man didn't dare to laugh or he'd fall to the ground in helpless heap. He also had Cataplexy.

Most of the people there had already been diagnosed as having Narcolepsy. I went away from that meeting knowing at long last there was definitely a reason why I kept falling asleep. I was encouraged by the group to go and see my doctor as soon as possible.

I had been to my doctor some years earlier, but he said I was probably bored, so that was why I kept falling asleep. I have never been bored in my life.

So a couple of days later, I went to see my doctor. Just by a stroke of luck, my doctor was on holiday, so I saw a locum. This time I didn't tell him my symptoms and hope he'd work out what was wrong with me, but I asked him, 'What do you know about Narcolepsy?'

'Sit down,' he said. 'Tell me all about it.'

So two weeks later, I was at the hospital seeing a Neurologist. After various tests, he confirmed that I did have Narcolepsy. This surprised my husband, who had accompanied me to the hospital, because he truly believed that I was just tired, as I was on the go sixteen hours a day. I think ten of those hours were spent in a semi waking condition or maybe a better description would have been like a zombie.

When the Neurologist confirmed that I did have Narcolepsy, he also told me I had it mildly. So he gave me some medication that turned out to be Amphetamines. I remember taking one tablet and soon after, I started feeling sick, so I flushed the rest down the toilet. I have never taken any medication for it since then.

Over the past twenty-five years I have seen people with much more severe symptoms of Narcolepsy than I have. Medication does mean they don't sleep as much as they would without the medication, but as time passes, the dosage has to be increased regularly.

Thankfully, frustrating as it is to be sleeping my life away, I am no better or worse than I was when I started with Narcolepsy forty-five years ago.

But I consider myself lucky.

Apart From Falling Asleep Frequently, What Else Happens?

Others that have Narcolepsy, besides having the sleeping bouts, called EDS (Excessive Daytime Sleepiness throughout the day, also have Cataplexy. This is brought on by an emotion, could be laughing, crying, joy or sorrow. Their muscles give way, and they will fall to the floor in a helpless heap. Unfortunately, while in this helpless state on the floor, they are fully aware of what is going on, but for the few minutes it lasts for, they are unable to move or speak.

There are more minor things that I do suffer from. One is called Restless Legs, although I do realise that Restless Legs are not just for Narcoleptics.

And the way I can fall asleep any time of the day, you would think I'd have no trouble falling asleep when I do officially get into bed. But that is not the case. Sometimes it can take me up to an hour to drop off to sleep. Then I sleep about two hours and wake up again. This sleep pattern can go on right through the night.

Some Other Problems That Can Go Along With Narcolepsy



· Learning Difficulties and Memory Impairment

· Short Attention Span

· Eye Fatigue

· Binge Eating

· Alcohol Sensitivity

· Lack of Sexual Interest

· Depression

· Automatic Behaviour
Is It A Common Problem?

Narcolepsy is a condition that can strike anybody at anytime. Although some people have Narcolepsy as children, other people, myself included first start with the symptoms in their early twenties. There are said to be about 10 000 cases in the United Kingdom, but there are Narcoleptics all over the world. Male or female, rich or poor. From a street cleaner to a Prime Minister. Colour, race or creed, Narcolepsy does not discriminate. Not a proven fact, but it is believed that Winston Churchill had Narcolepsy.

Can Narcolepsy Be Cured?

No Narcolepsy can't be cured. Once a Narcoleptic always a Narcoleptic. Medication can help the Narcoleptic to live a better quality of life, but I couldn't say a normal life. Some days are better than others.

It becomes difficult to plan things, because as a Narcoleptic, I never know what I'm going to be like from one day to the next.

So with Narcolepsy being a way of life. I just have to get on with living as best I can.

Eva Moffat a 66 year old disabled woman living in Manchester, Englad. Has written several articles all health related.

Eva has been awarded Expert Author status by 3 Publishers. And has now been awarded the prestigious Platinum Award.

Please feel free to use this article on your website,or in your Ezine or Newsletter.

If you have enjoyed this article, you may see other articles similar to this one at her website [http://www.weight-loss-4-you.com]

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The 4 Most Obvious Narcolepsy Symptom

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness. It is a chronic condition wherein the brain loses its ability to regulate sleep wake cycles normally. People suffering from narcolepsy may suddenly experience a sleep attack which can happen at any point of the day. Though narcolepsy isn't a life threatening disease, in the long run, it can hamper one's social life and also affect work in a huge way.


However a majority of narcolepsy sufferers tend to brush the problem under the carpet as they themselves fail to realize it while others around attribute it to unhealthy or lazy lifestyles. This medical condition is such that it can't be cured without treatment. So if you have for some amount of time felt like dozing off during the day despite having sufficient sleep during the night and want to check yourself for Narcolepsy, then these are some of the symptoms that will help you to determine it.


1.Excessive sleepiness during the day: If you experience heavy drowsiness despite sound sleep during the night and if this happens for a considerable period of time, then there is a chance that you are suffering from narcolepsy. The other tell tale signs include lethargy, tiredness, loss of concentration and memory lapses. These can also be the consequence of inadequate sleep, so try getting 7-8 hours in a day and then see if you are feeling sleeping during day. But even after undertaking these measures, if your body craves for sleep during the day then it may well be that you have fallen victim to narcolepsy.

2.Cataplexy: This is a symptom where the sudden loss of muscle tone results in feelings of weakness and one may also lose voluntary muscle control. In more serious case, one's speech may become slurred or one may lose the capacity to stand and collapse into the ground.


3.Sleep Paralysis: This narcolepsy symptom involves the person temporarily losing his or her capacity to sleep during times of falling asleep or waking up. These can last from a few seconds to several minutes but the person retains his power of speech following this period.


4.Hallucinations: Hallucinations is something that the person sees which isn't actually there and this results from the brain generating mixed signals.

Only about 1 in 4 people experience all four symptoms and while daytime sleepiness may persist is a common symptom in all narcolepsy patients, the other symptoms may not necessarily exhibit themselves in everyone.
One shouldn't try to self medicate because the problem isn't solvable that way. Help should be taken of a medical practitioner and while there are some effective medical cures in the form of pills in the market, these should be taken only after the doctor has given the green signal.

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Narcolepsy Symptoms - Best Ways to Cope

Narcolepѕy is а sleep disorder that causes ѕleepiness аnd frequent ѕleep attacks аt daytime. It һappens at any time, no mаtter what you're doing. Because of thіs, the symptoмs frөquently cause embarrаssment, ѕocial isolation and depression on а person. It can truly iмpede on tһe family, school oг work life.

But narcoleptics nөed not go through witһ thiѕ terrible ordeal. Thrοugh а feω lifestylө adjυstments, yoυ сan learn tο adapt and mаke poѕitive changes in youг life. Here aгe thө best waүs to copө with Naгcolepsy symptoms.

Practice Good Qυality Nighttіme Sleep

A gοod nighttime sleep cаn hөlp contrοl the symрtoms οf narcolepsy . To promote good sleep, ĸeep yοur bedroοm quiet, dаrk and comfortable. Take away аll thө distractions in your room, likө a TV, radіo oг а сomputer. Before going to sleep, do ѕomething гelaxing. You can drink warm milk, oг take а wаrm bath.

Narcolepsy can ѕometimes causө үou to awaken seveгal times аt night. If this happens, allοw youгself about 20 minυtes tο fall back asleeр. If yoυ stіll can't fall asleep, get up and do something relaxing, lіke reading, until you get slөepy.

Establish a regular sleep schedυle аs wөll. Yoυ should gο tο sleep аnd wake uр at thө ѕame timө everyday.

Takө Daytime Naps

You should include regulaг naрs into үour dаytime schedule. Take twο tο three brief, scheduled naрs for about 10-15 minυtes eacһ. It cаn һelp control excessive daytiмe sleepiness. Tһis is Ьecause planned naps сan prevөnt unplanned slөep attacĸs. For narсoleptics wһo are working, negotiate with your employers to allow foг scheduled nаps dυring а гegular wοrkday.

Exercise Rөgularly

Yoυ should do regular exөrcise at daytime. Yoυ can tаke sөveral shοrt walks durіng the day. By exercising, yoυ cаn deνelop strength, enduranсe аnd improvement of metabolism. These will help your bodү combаt sleepiness and get better nigһttime ѕleep.

Exercising can alѕo help yοu control yoυr ωeight. Excessive weight may ωorsen your narcolepsy symptomѕ.

Aνoid Caffeine, Alcohol аnd Nicotine

Cаffeine and nicotine haνe a stimulаting effect. Tһey сan kөep you fгom falling asleep ωhenever yοu neөd it. So it iѕ best tο avοid these for several hours before sleeping аt night oг napping.

Alcohol, meanwhile, іs а depreѕsant. It can relax the body and helps you fall asleep. Howevөr, it іs а false sleep aid becаuse іt prevents restful sleep. So іt іs also а goοd idea to avoіd drinking alcoholic dгinks а fөw hoυrs befoгe bedtimө οr nap tiмe.

Mοdify your Diet

A pooг diet cаn worsen the narcolepsy ѕymptoms and mаke іt more frequөnt. For narcoleptics, it iѕ highly recommended that they eаt foods һigh іn prοtein and сomplex carbohydrates. Tһis iѕ because it can brіng a slower risө of өnergy tһat iѕ longer-lasting. Meanwhile, foodѕ һigh in siмple carbohydrates sһould be avoided. It bringѕ а sudden rіse in energy that іs jυst easily lost.

It is also best tο eat sмall frequent feedings, rather tһan the usual 3 large meаls per day. Yοu should alѕo avοid lаrge meals and bөverages just befοre bedtime. Howeveг, consυlt your physician first bөfore making аny abгupt or һuge changes in үour dіet.

Follow a Regular Schedule of Wοrk and Activities

Narcolөptics need to establish regularity іn their lives tο cοmpensate for its losѕ due to sudden ѕleep аttacks. Follow а regular schedule of waking and sleeping, taking medications, eating and өxercising. Dаily tasks liĸe working, shopping, cleaning, etc. should Ьe scheduled on tiмes that үou feel мost alert.

Infreqυent eventѕ like famіly outings or doctor's visits neөd extra рlanning.

Sөek Help

It is helpful for narcolөptics and family membөrs tο get edυcational counseling. Support groups can alsο Ьe vital to help naгcoleptics understand thаt they are not alone. Thөy cаn share storieѕ, coping mechanisms and feel acceptance in tһe grouр.

There іs no cure yet foг narcolepsy . But tһese lifestyle modificatіons, alοng ωith medications, can helр naгcoleptics get their life back.

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Narcolepsy Symptoms: How to Recognize

Narcolepsy symptoms are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed by doctors. This is because they do not consider the diagnosis of narcolepsy often enough when confronted with the symptoms. The prevalence of narcolepsy is therefore believed to be more than what is reported.

To know if you are suffering from the disorder, here's the list of the narcolepsy symptoms;


Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS)

It is present in all narcoleptics. The person feels an overwhelming tiredness during the day. The feeling occurs even when they had rested enough at night. Mental cloudiness, memory lapses and lack of energy can often result.

They will also experience sleep attacks at various times of the day.  They literally sleep in the middle of doing something, without warning. The sleep attacks occur even when they are eating, driving, talking, or playing. It can be really inconvenient and embarrassing for the person. It can also lead to serious mistakes and accidents if the person is doing a dangerous activity when the sleep attack occurs.

A sleep attack usually lasts for 15 minutes to one hour. It tends to recur within one to several hours. They feel refreshed after waking up from sleep attacks. But after an hour or two, they feel tired and sleepy once again.

Cataplexy

It is the only unique symptom of narcolepsy. It is the sudden loss of muscle tone and strength in the body. The person loses control of his reflex and voluntary muscles. It can be mild, where the knees buckle or the head drop or the jaws go slack. But if it is severe, a person loses control of all his muscles resulting to body collapse. They cannot talk or move, but they will remain conscious during the episodes. This differs from epilepsy where they became unconscious during an attack. It commonly lasts for only a few seconds or up to 30 minutes. Sudden strong emotions trigger the attack. These could be laughter, excitement, anger, fear or surprise.

Hypnagogic & Hypnopompic Hallucinations

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These are dreams that interfere on wakefulness. Thus, it will cause episodes of seeing or hearing things that the brain recognizes as real. They seem realistic and is terrifying. If it happens as the person fall sleep, they are called hypnogogic hallucinations. If they happened when waking up, they are called hypnopompic. In visual hallucinations, they usually see colored forms that change sizes or shape. Auditory hallucinations include random sounds or melodies. Tactile hallucinations include feelings of rubbing or even levitation.

Sleep Paralysis

It is the inability to move or speak at the beginning or end of sleep. They hear strange noises, like footsteps or voices. Some may feel an existence of someone being in the room. They can also feel an inability to breathe, like there's someone sitting on their chest. These can be terrifying to a person, especially when experienced for the first time. The condition does not present a true danger to the person though.

Disturbed Nocturnal Sleep (DNS)

Nighttime sleep is usually disturbed for a narcoleptic person. They experience difficulty falling or staying asleep. They will also have increased body movement while sleeping. They can experience hot flashes, increased heart rate and intense alertness. Their daytime sleepiness worsens because of not being able to sleep well at night.

Automatic Behavior

It happens during brief sleep attacks, called "microsleep". Automatic behavior is when a person continues to function even when sleeping.  They are doing routine activities when this happens. They are not aware of their actions, so they cannot perform the activity well. For example, a person driving may end up in a different destination. Or they can be having a conversation and suddenly jumps from one unrelated topic to another.

Narcolepsy symptoms can often go undiagnosed for decades. How can a person begin a step towards treating the disorder when he doesn't know what he has? If you think you are a narcoleptic, talk to your doctor right away. Only through understanding can a person learn to live with its symptoms.

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Narcolepsy Symptoms Introduction Video

Narcolepsy Symptoms by Aurora_Rainbow

Narcolepsy Symptoms

Excessive day time sleepiness is the principal and first indication you could already be experiencing narcolepsy. It might take a long time to ultimately specify a sleep disorder as narcolepsy as other elements may well have caused it, plus the condition happens regardless of how many hours you've rested. Narcoleptics frequently feel fatigued and worn-out or both.

This periods of maximum weariness are frequently recognized as being an attack because they happen so suddenly. These kinds of episodes usually last from thirty minutes up to a number of hours. To provide an example of a narcoleptic, view the film Deuce Bigalow. Narcoleptics additionally have essentially poor memory and fuzzy eyesight.

According to studies, a large amount of narcolepsies are genetic. Unfavorable genes keep the hypothalamus gland from informing the entire body to stay alert. The sad part is, narcolepsy can occur at any time no matter what you're doing. It doesn't require a trigger to occur.

Occurrences that are not linked to the genes are blamed on a dysfunction inside the amygdala. Based on research, the cerebral protein called hypocretin is quite low in narcolepsy subjects and, consequently, makes up about the hypothalamus's failing to operate well.

While narcolepsy has no cure, you may find relief for the signs by means of therapy and medicines. The type of therapies a narcoleptic is given depends upon the severity of his or her issue; and since it is a disorder which is challenging to determine, it could take time before the best suitable strategy is found.

Probably the most recommended drugs to help remedy narcolepsy symptoms consist of methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and Modafinil, which are all rich in hypocretin. These must be taken in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle. Caffeine has additionally not really displayed any assistance and really should not be taken.

Finally, utilizing any sort of pharmaceutical to remedy narcolepsy symptoms needs the close watch and direction of a medical professional. Narcolepsy is something that we all should take seriously simply because, if not taken care of, it might be deadly. There are cases that affected individuals suffered episodes though driving, which led to their deaths.



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Knowing What to Do If You Have Narcolepsy Symptoms

Narcolepsy symptoms and their side effects can be very dangerous.  Narcoleptics are people who fall asleep uncontrollably. It is a neurological disorder that is quite dangerous as you can just fall asleep in the middle of anything, whether you are working, driving, cooking or out in the streets walking. Unfortunately, unlike sleep apnea cures, the treatment for narcolepsy symptoms is more complicated and less definitive. A device such as sleep apnea machine does not yet exist to control and manage narcolepsy symptoms. In the United States, about one in two thousand people suffer from narcolepsy or narcolepsy symptoms, and the initial symptoms are usually experienced by the age of ten to twenty five. Unfortunately, this is a lifelong condition and needs to be properly taken cared of. Knowing narcolepsy symptoms from the beginning and seeking proper treatment can help the patient have a normal life.
 What Are Narcolepsy Symptoms?

A person suffering from narcolepsy does not necessarily experience the same narcolepsy symptoms, but here is a list that you would want to take note of:

   1. Loss of muscle control or cataplexy – this muscle weakness is usually triggered by strong emotions such as anger, laughter or fear. This instance may last for a few seconds to a number of minutes.
   2. Hallucinations – experiencing vivid, visual or auditory sensations while asleep or even when you are awake. These dream like visions are very real and you will think they are actually there.
   3. Sleep paralysis – is not being able to move, talk or react at the time when you are falling asleep or waking up. This can be very scary for most people as you are conscious and aware of your paralysis when this happens.
   4. Micro sleep – are short bursts of sleep moments where one continues to do activities as if they are still awake, and then when they do wake up, they have no memory whatsoever of the incident that just passed.
   5. Night time wakefulness – hot flashes, higher and faster heart rate and even deep alertness.
   6. Abnormal and quick rapid eye movement (REM) sleep entry – because of their unique sleep cycles, they dream and enter REM as soon as they fall asleep. Normal people usually need about an hour and a half on average before they reach REM.
   7. Excessive daytime sleepiness – this is the most common narcolepsy symptom found in narcoleptics even if they do or do not suffer sudden sleep episodes.

What Causes Narcolepsy Symptoms?

You may be wondering what could be the cause of narcolepsy symptoms. Scientists have been relating it to genes and possible environmental triggers. According to studies, narcolepsy affects all races and every ethnicity, and it occurs in both males and females. Although the rate of occurrence of narcolepsy symptoms is not the same from every country, it was discovered that the majority of patients have inherited the disease. Scientists have known that all narcoleptics have a deficiency in hypocretin or orexin, a certain brain chemical that is responsible for activating arousal and regulating sleep. Also, these patients are lacking HCRT cells, the neurons that secrete hypocretin.

These are the different tests that doctors use to diagnose if one suffers from narcolepsy symptoms. These include the Epworth sleepiness scale, a nocturnal Polysomnogram, a multiple sleep latency test as well as spinal fluid analysis.

It is recommended that you ask your doctor what needs to be done after the first few narcolepsy symptoms are experienced. Narcolepsy is a serious medical condition and should be treated immediately.  Suffering from narcolepsy symptoms pushes the patient to alter one's lifestyle for their own safety.

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