Narcolepsy Support Group

awww man don't screw up ur interview for grad school though! as annoying as it sounds, maybe you can figure out a bus route? Or maybe you can talk to the person who will be interviewing you and say you think you are getting sick or "something came up" and see if you can have a phone interview and reschedule the one on one interview for a time when you have a buddy to drive with you.

Based on my experiences driving, I believe you can do a 4 hour drive, but NOT by yourself. From one day to the next we N'S don't know if we got our restful rem the night before. So you could set out feeling o.k., but for how long? We are never sure on what are day will bring. I was diagnosed back in 1998,and was told I was a classic Narcoleptic which means I have all the systems known., and through these years of driving I have experience automatic behavior while driving, meaning I continued to drive in a sleep/wake condition. I had one serious accident and many close calls. Please take someone with you, your Mom? Or find another avenue of transit. 4 hours I feel is much too long by yourself. Also you don't want to be tired from your long drive once you arrive. Best of Luck!!

I definately agree with the alternative transportation plans. Take the bus or train if you do struggle with driving alone.

No matter the cost, it is better than putting yourself or others at risk.

Best of luck!

Last month I drove 3000 miles across Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming in nine days.

I had a rental car (Toyota Corolla) that was pretty comfortable. I think it helped to prevent some of the fatigue I usually get...all those bumps and bounces from the road can really wear me out. Fortunately, this car was really smooth.

Cruise Control is a double-edged sword. I think it increases the risk of an accident if you have Narcolepsy. On the other hand, the pain in your foot and leg probably make you tired...

When it wasn't raining or snowing, I stuck my head out the window in the cold air a few times. That seemed to shock my senses into staying alert.

After i wrote my other post I thought I should have suggested scheduling a nap rather then just to take one if you need it. Another thing though that I have found is the adrenaline is my best friend. maybe you will be so jazzed about the drive to the interview you won't even feel tired at all! But be extra careful on the way home...again schedule a nap and know we are all there being your backseat drivers!

well the more you stress about it the more tiered you will make yourself aslong as you know when your sleep attacks are coming just listen to your body and dont push it. Eat a healthy dinner the night before and eat healthy breakfast. Sometimes I can drive long distance other times 20min trip kills me!Crank your favorite tunes and sing to the top of your lungs"no one is listining"Drink lots of fluids being dehydrated will make you very sleepy and the more you drink the more stops you will have to make ...Good luck

Thanks again everyone for your advice. I have decided I'm NOT going, I canceled my interview, which the interviewer understood and said I could reschedule in the future.

It's been rainy here in South Ga all week and go figure, this would be the week that I have been experiencing cataplexy for the first time. So, I guess it was a blessing in disguise.

Thanks so much for all your support!! I'm so glad I have you all on my side!! :)

I think having my dog in the front seat would be great.

What helps me stay awake at work might work while driving too. I got some aromatherapy lotion from bath and body works that if i smell it, it helps to make me alert for a little while and give me a little wake up. Any store that sells aromatherapy like lotion might work too. The ones i have i think are ginger and eucalyptus.