Posted by Mdm Genevieve LeCouer on March 05, 2000 at 13:03:55:

Yea, Hooray, I ain't crazy!!!
After YEARS of doctors & several days on the web....
I KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME!!!!
(well, Almost)

I found ya'll by following links from Stanford Sleep Center Page, which led me to Forum2 from '98. My grandfather used to say I was "born tired & never did get caught up". I've always felt that sleeping was an art-form & a recreational activity. For the last 2 years I've had chronic problems with allergies, bronchitis, bouts of "depression" and "peri-menopause" sysmptoms. Since the one thing they ALL have in common is the Immune System, I'm talking to my doctor TOMORROW about getting a sleep test ASAP.

I think one reason I didn't latch onto the sleep disorder thing, is that until a few days ago, I didn't even know there were variations on narcolepsy -- I only knew about the fall-asleep-on-your-feet kind. Now I know I'm experiencing several of the symptoms, but in milder forms...
(list at end of pg)

I'm still investigating the difference (if any) between Kleine-Levin Syndrome & hyposomnia, but I know I'm on the right track. I'm curious about the correlation of migraine-intensity headaches, respiratory problems & hypo/hyper-somnia. I've been having problems with my Outlook Express, so reply might take awhile.

THANKS AGAIN, IT'S NICE TO KNOW THERE'S A PLACE TO TURN FOR ADVICE & ENCOURAGEMENT.

Symptoms experienced at LEAST 3 times a week:
1. CHRONIC TIREDNESS & "Sleep Drunkeness": I've often wished I could "just lay down & sleep for a week".
2. ALLERGIES: (33+ inc severe reactions to cats, grasses, weeds, trees, SAGEBRUSH)
3. RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS: morning "smoker's cough" (I don't smoke)
4. INTERRUPTED SLEEP: waking 3+ times in a night
5. MULTIPLE, VIVID DREAMS: 3-5/night avg, can fall back into dream-stage within "snooze-alarm" period
6. ??RECURRING &/OR SEQUENTIAL DREAMS (picking up where a previous dream left off - sometimes in the same night, sometimes months later)
7. RESTLESS SLEEP/BRUXISM: go to sleep in a fesh-made bed & the covers are a mess by morning
8. AUTOMATIC ACTIVITIES: driving, walking, even work-palce activities get done by what I ascribed to "kinesthetic memory". Unlike a black-out, I do remember what I've done, but it's vague - like remembering a dream.
9. DAYDREAMING: frequent, vivid daydreams (which I remember) & also just "drifting off" when I completely lose track of time. I have NO time-sense. I've never been able to tell if 5 or 50 minutes have passed.
10. DEPRESSION: Have been on Paxil (Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor) off-&-on for 15 years. The drs put it down to peri-menopause, stress, etc. I've never felt HOPELESS or suicidal; but, I HAVE felt like my life is out-of-control. I've tried to descibe it to drs. It's not a feeling of being apathetic or unable to cope with life, I just don't have the ENERGY to deal with it.
11. SLEEP PARALYSIS: I never had an episode that lasted long enough for me to be afraid I was paralyzed. It just feels like my mind woke up before my body did, and I have to TELL my hand to grab the water glass, or the feet to get out of bed.

Follow Ups:

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