Narcolepsy Support Group
A sleep disorder (somnipathy) is a disorder in the sleep patterns of a person or animal. Some sleep disorders can interfere with mental and emotional function. If you are having trouble falling asleep or having some other kind of sleep disturbance, this group is for you.
I'm still learning what it's going to be like for myself now that I've been diagnosed. Some of the things I feel or do I don't know if it's connected to having N or not. I can't talk to my family because they don't understand. My parents think I'm just a lazy 24yr old. Some of what I've noticed is scary. For one, there are times where I just sort of "space out" for a few mintues when I'm watching t.v. When I say "space out" I mean that I have no clue what I was watching, I don't remember thinking anything, I just happen to look at the clock and realize that a couple minutes have passed. Is this normal?
Second, I've taken 10min naps before and had nightmares. My mom keeps telling me that I just need to do more during the day and not take naps. But there are times when I feel like if I don't lay down and nap then I'll fall where I stand. My appitite (sorry if that's miss spelled) changes quite dramaticly. There are days where I'll go pretty much the whole day drinking only water and eating nothing till dinner then only eat a few bites, to "grazing" all day. I've pulled away from my family because I'm just tired of having to pretend that I'm happy and that things are perfectly ok when I feel so tired and so sick of feeling tired and not getting a true honest to goodness nights sleep. I just dont know what to do anymore.....
Second, I've taken 10min naps before and had nightmares. My mom keeps telling me that I just need to do more during the day and not take naps. But there are times when I feel like if I don't lay down and nap then I'll fall where I stand. My appitite (sorry if that's miss spelled) changes quite dramaticly. There are days where I'll go pretty much the whole day drinking only water and eating nothing till dinner then only eat a few bites, to "grazing" all day. I've pulled away from my family because I'm just tired of having to pretend that I'm happy and that things are perfectly ok when I feel so tired and so sick of feeling tired and not getting a true honest to goodness nights sleep. I just dont know what to do anymore.....
its normal for us to have nightmares/hallucinations within minitues of sleeping,i also cant stop eating some days.
I do the eating thing too...sometimes I feel like I am never full, and constantly feel the need to eat...then other days, I look back at the day, and realize I didn't eat until 10PM!
It can be exhausting having to "act" normal, when you feel like your dying inside. I know what it's like to not partake in certain things or be around people because the thought of having to get ready and pull yourself together is more than I can handle, and more than I have the energy for.
You are not alone, and your friends/family will never understand how you feel, all you can do is try to educate them on the reality of narcolepsy, so the judgment isn't on you, but compassion for what you are going through. Best of luck!