I don't know what kind of job is best with N. I would think that sitting at a desk all day wouldn't be good cause its just too easy to fall asleep. Medical probably wouldn't do in case you had cataplexy with it. Wow really never thought of it. I used to work at a gas station, really bad idea. I worked in retail and that wasnt any good either because I have a problem with memory...lol. I think its just really hard to find a good job. I occasionally watch other peoples children, its good if you don't have them all day and they are older so you don't have to do as much. Maybe teaching would be good.

non-repetative

2tired2type, that's exactly what I've discovered I have to do. I spent a few years bouncing around jobs, but I learned that I absolutely have to strive to find a job that is non-repetitive if I want to be able to work.

I hope to go into education- I can make teaching a different experience every day. If I don't manage to get into grad school to earn the necessary degree, I think I might work as an educational technician (Ed Tech III certification with my bachelors-- when I finally get it eight years after starting! lol)


My notice of unfavorable decision from SS told me I should find a job in textiles hahaha. Can you imagine letting a PWN work over machinery like that?

I've been debating the same thing. Especially since I don't know how narcolepsy will affect me in the future, I want to make sure that if it gets worse I have other things that I can do, and if it does not get worse, I don't want to sell myself short of what I can do.

I think that regardless of how severe your symptoms are, it's important to avoid monotony, and aim to do something that you enjoy and find stimulating.

Currently I am working on my masters in Human Genetics, which is challenging and thought provoking, so it stimulates me to stay alert. I am very interested in the subject, so the challenges are interesting and exciting, so it keeps me going, rather than discrourage me or put me to sleep.

I don't really know where this will take me in the future, I am considering medical school or genetic counselling, but I have the research to fall back on if the narcolepsy poses a problem for that..

I work in a medical office doing front desk work, I do sit at a desk but only about 50% of the time. Even that is hard to do ...I have to be busy and constantly changing tasks when I am there. Just like 2tired2type and krazeecat said, If I am doing something repetitive (especially while sitting) my brain seems to get a sort of tunnel vision and bored, then starts turning itself off. I hate that autopilot/half asleep stage where my body is doing the motions but my brain is not catching up!
When at my desk I will answer phones, schedule appointments, do data entry, and a slew of other things. No matter what it is though, if I keep doing the same task for an extended amount of time, it's over. Just today for example...I had to cover for 45 minutes at the check out desk, this lead to me having to check out a lot of patients in a row, make their appointments, and finish closing their accounts. One after another the same thing and at the second to last patient I was already fading fast and my brain could not keep up. I was in the wrong account scheduling wrong appointments, I knew something was off and must of asked the woman her name 4 times while trying to pull her account. I just could not get my brain to pull it together for me...All the while I was in another patients account and just clicking away. It ended up after they were all checked out that I was completely confused and pretty much transposed the last two, (eyelids so heavy and mud for brains) I started to snap out of it as I realized what I was doing. Needless to say, I had to call both back an hour later to try to figure out and fix the mistake. One of the patients said to me that she didn't even make another appointment, she had expressed earlier she would call back. I had no clue what they even said to me.

Some days are worse, today was filled with moments like this. It leads me too to wonder what I should do as far as employment. Being on my feet all day is no better sometimes because when I do start to slow down...well, that is worse.

I have times during the day that are harder to get past, somewhere around 11am-12pm I can pretty much guarantee I will get EDS so bad I will have to find a bathroom to take a short break in. Same thing happens around 4pm. Funny thing is that about 8-9pm I seem to be at my most alert. It has been so good for me that sometimes I am able to clean up, get laundry in, and prepare for the next day without one foggy spot in between.

Sorry so long-ha ha..as you can see I am at a good alert moment and thinking or typing is pretty easy. I wonder a lot if I should be looking at another shift to work but that would have to be at another job and I like where I am now.

Thank you to all of you for sharing. It is so nice to know that others know how it effects deciding what might be a good suit, to know I'm not alone. I'm still new here. I'm just so greatful for here.
Thank you for this topic. I've often wondered what I would do when I start getting better. I used to be a work a holic on a computer all day with 4 pots o coffee, and that was automatic behavior happening. I'm not sure I want to disappear into computers again.
I'm thinking something not all sitting, but not all standing. Maybe some talking and interaction even if I'll miss half of what is said, but not too much, because I'll need a rest. Something outside part of the day might work. Maybe a guide at a theme park- lol? Just thinking out loud.
Great topic, thank you again.

I've been a nursing assistant for 4-5 years and now am in my 2nd year of Nursing School.
My sleep is backwards, i function far better in the middle of the night than during the day (and tend to sleep better during the day than night time) so working nights (630pm-7am) works well for me.. i have a hard time after lunch and occasionally need to nap but i try to keep myself moving the whole shift...its also nice to suffer a bit for 2-3 days, and then to have 4 days off every week...more sleep and more playing catchup on my sleep.
Long as the night is busy, and even if its slow, i can talk to other co-workers and wander around helpin other ppl out.. this keeps my brain active.

I do one-on-one's sometimes as a CNA and this can be challenging if my patient is sleeping the whole time!
Im usually pretty good at keeping awake IF i have a very stimulating/good book to read (murder mysteries usually). If the book isnt very exciting or im not into it, then i end up pacing the room to keep from passing out.