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Do I suffer from narcolepsy?

Posted by Kcamrac on September 02, 2005 at 13:01:00:

I have been struggling for years with this question... I remember starting way back in elementary school I would fade in and out in class. I wouldn't even realize it, most of the time I would think that I was staring at the chalkboard only to be startled by someone nudging me or the teacher making a loud noise, and realizing that I'm opening my eyes as if I was awakening. This pattern continued throughout my military time, where I would drift into very realistic dream states during lectures, watching TV, and even on watch, which seemed so real I didn't realize I was napping. I went to see a doctor in the military about this and he prescribed Zoloft and told me that I needed to go to bed earlier. Of course this was completely incorrect. I am now older and still suffer from these temporary lapses.. In my college classes I find that I drift off without realizing it.. Once I do realize it happens, the harder I try to keep my eyes open, the faster I knock out. When I go through this my head is a complete fog. At work I am always in a surreal state. My eyes constantly feel tired, and I tend to drift off in the middle of typing on the computer only to wake up to a screen full of one letter. I have brought up the possibility of narcolepsy to 4 different doctors now, and they all seem to give me the impression that they think I am making up my symptoms to get hold of the amphetamines that are typically prescribed to help. What do I do.. I've been thinking of doing a sleep study, but when I am under pressure, my natural self preservation instincts will counteract the symptoms. I would have to be observed for at least a week straight ( that would be about the point that I would begin to feel comfortable and slip back into normal habits)... I also notice that on the drive home from work I have to literally hold my eyelids open to keep from knocking out. Has anyone else had symptoms like this? I'm just confused because sometimes I can go a whole day feeling great. Any help or advice is appreciated.

sorry if this doesn't make too much sense.. I'm in that drifting/fog headed state now...

Thanks.
KC

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  • Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.


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