Newbie starting meds
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Newbie starting meds

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Posted by Bongosmama on June 02, 2008 at 05:18:54:

Although I have known I am narcoleptic for some time (saw a documentary and knew instantly - AHA!!!), I have only just been officially diagnosed, and started my meds three days four days ago.

I am in South Africa, and Modafinil is VERY expensive, so is Xyrem, and my medical insurance doesn't cover N at all. Sucks!!!

So I have started on Anafranil (10mgs) and Ritalin (10mg). Aside from a little gastro upset the first day, I feel GREAT! I've had 3 nights real sleep in a row for the first time in 23 years (I'm 38) and got through the whole day yesterday without a nap. Wow!

All good... And yet I feel a bit at a loose end. Like, I'm so used to hunting for opportunities to sleep, that I don't know what to do with myself. Sleep has been such a big deal for so long, that even when I'm wide awake, I feel like I should be sleeping. That sounds a bit confused! Well - so am I. Don't get me wrong - I'm LOVING feeling like this. I just planted 180 seedlings, and I'm not tired! I stayed up until midnight with my husband last night, and didn't nap once. Like a normal person!

I guess I have to relearn what to do with my time, and this suddenly focussed mind. And I'm scared that this will wear off (I've read enough of other people's experiences to know that the meds don't last forever) and I think I'm also sad because I could have done this YEARS ago, and I was too stubborn. All those years... so many precious moments with my kids that I slept through or was so foggy, I may as well have been sleeping.

Just wanted to touch base with other people who understand... I have never met anyone else with narcolepsy, and there don't seem to be any support groups in my country. At least I found a neurologist who gets it!

Thanks for reading...

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