#Narcolepsy cataplexy places to live full
#Narcolepsy cataplexy places to live pro

Most important, I've learned that it's OK to be myself, that sometimes it'll be hard, and anyone who deserves a place in my life will come ready to roll with that. I saw that I wasn’t the only person whose life was harder because of narcolepsy. It's there that I learned how stress makes my symptoms flare, which medications to try, and that a low-carb diet can help. I wouldn’t have done that without the support group. I was more comfortable hanging out with her, because I had shared a big part of myself that I had previously been preoccupied with keeping secret. But there was an almost imperceptible shift between us. “That’s why you’re so chill all the time,” she said with a smile, and then never mentioned it again. On a recent weekend trip to visit a friend, I told her the truth after a few drinks. Without the support group, I would be completely alone. I don’t have the energy to socialize most weeks, which means I see no one but my coworkers for long stretches of time (I now work at a small magazine). When I’m feeling so tired that I can’t go on, I know I can scroll through my newsfeed and find memes of sleepy cats, rants about significant others who don’t understand, and answers to questions I was too afraid to ask. It's why I joined a private Facebook group for people with narcolepsy, and I cling to the community I've found there. I’ve learned this is a typical response when someone doesn’t understand narcolepsy, which many don’t. The other took longer to respond, finally sending a hurtful missive that sounded like she thought I was just making excuses. One texted right away, with a thoughtful and concerned message. I apologized and told them about my condition. But the stressors of that day piled up, and I couldn’t. The last time I had an attack, I was supposed to get on the phone to help two of my friends sort out a disagreement. See, narcolepsy messes with my dating life even before I can get a date. Last time I joined Bumble, I matched with more than 60 guys, and the countdowns-you only have 24 hours to message a match or you miss out-caused a panic that left me practically unable to function. I have had to cut back on online dating too. I may feel better when I wake up, but sometimes the alarms feel like whiplash, and a hazy weakness will keep me confined to my apartment for days.īecause of these attacks, I had to quit my job teaching high school English daily interactions with students and administrators pushed me to the brink many times. If left uninterrupted, I can sleep for 12 hours or more. I don’t necessarily fall asleep, but it’s better if I lay down I usually pass out.Įven in these circumstances, I try to set several alarms on my phone to bring me back. If it gets worse, I can’t think, speak, or stand.

They feel light and tingly, but they also become so heavy I can’t lift them up. I can feel an attack coming on in my arms first. Similar to cataplexy, these attacks are triggered by a moment of intense emotion. This isn’t a walk in the park, but it’s what my online support group calls “sleep attacks” that do me in. Plus, most people don’t start slurring their words when it happens to them. For most of my life, I thought this was what everyone else called “the afternoon slump.” Except it doesn’t go away after I take a nap. If I’m not ultra-careful about my diet, my mind is foggy most of the day, and by three in the afternoon, I feel like I could fall asleep at my desk-which I mean literally. I can’t do much before I take my medication, which kicks in with a feeling like my power switch has been flipped on. But the truth is, waking up in the morning is excruciating.

#Narcolepsy cataplexy places to live pro

I'm a pro with concealer on dark circles.

#Narcolepsy cataplexy places to live full

I dress well, stand up straight, and never leave my apartment without a full face of makeup. I expend a great deal of my energy every day trying not to look sick.