Posted by Ed Poyneer on May 12, 1998 at 09:32:59:

In Reply to: narcolepsy suspected posted by agp on May 12, 1998 at 03:59:39:

I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea 10 years ago this month, and have been on CPAP treatment since May 18, 1988 (I remember the date, because it is my birthday).
When I went for my "post test evaluation," my doctor told me that because of results that were seen in my charts that were done during the MSLT phase (Multiple Sleep Latency Tests--better known as naps), he strongly suspected that I was a Narcoleptic, as well. He said that one of the strong clues was the fact that within about 90 seconds of going to sleep, during these naps, I had gone into REM sleep. To verify the diagnosis, however, it required a blood test, of all things. Apparently, we who have Narcolepsy have a unique protein or enzyme in our blood, to the tune of about 98.5% or more.
I have continued to work since then, and I, too have a job where I'm on my buns most of the day, sitting at the computer. Prior to my diagnosis, I found that to overcome the sleepiness urge, that I would need to get up and walk a little, and very consciously take deep breaths, to make sure that I was getting more oxygen in my lungs. Warm meeting rooms, not being really interested in what was being presented, and shallow breathing all ganged up to cause me to nod off.
I have been on Ritalin (actually its generic equivalent Methylphenidate) since May of 1988, except for a two year period, during which my doctor and I tried using a couple of the other drugs of the same type. Two of those that I can remember are Cylert and Dexedrine. The problem I had, with both of those drugs, was that at the end of about 4 or 5 hours, the effect of the drug wore off, and like I told him, it was like walking along a trail, and just have the trail fall out from under my feet. If I were real careful about watching the clock, or setting an alarm on my watch to remind me to take my medication, I could prevent the "falling" experience. Finally, I asked my doctor to put me back on Ritalin.
A couple of years ago, I knew I was going to be working 60-72 hour weeks, and it was like having to appeal to the Supreme Court, to get my doctor to prescribe one extra tablet a day. My dosage, for all but that one year, has been one 10 milligram tablet, 3 times a day.
One thing about my Narcolepsy, in regard to my family: I now admit it when I'm tired, when I'm driving, especially long distances. We travel from Seattle to Salt Lake City at least 3 times a year, and drive straight through. I've decided it's better to be a "live chicken" than a "dead duck."

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