Comments on: I wonder if I have narcolepsy http://www.intelliot.com/blog/archives/2007/04/04/i-wonder-if-i-have-narcolepsy/ Thoughts, opinions and fascinating discoveries by Elliot, a student at USC Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:51:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Luke http://www.intelliot.com/blog/archives/2007/04/04/i-wonder-if-i-have-narcolepsy/#comment-240218 Luke Wed, 04 Apr 2007 20:35:11 +0000 http://www.intelliot.com/blog/archives/2007/04/04/i-wonder-if-i-have-narcolepsy/#comment-240218 It could be other things making you tired. My thyroid shut down while I was in school and I had to go through some testing and then start work on a thyroid replacement therapy (basically I get to take about 75mg of cow thyroid every 12 hours). That caused all sorts of problems that looked like other things. Secondly, last year (I was 23) I was having severe problems staying awake, let alone aware. Finally I went to a doctor to have myself checked out. Turns out I have sleep apnea and my body was getting a few minutes of solid rest be hour of sleep. So I was fatigued all the time and would sleep the moment I stopped being physically active. My little brother (age 20) has sleep apnea as well (he's 6'3", 210lbs, and is extremely athletic) except his case is very mild, but something he will have to watch out for in the future. What I'm getting at is that you could have other "minor" problems that are accumulating under the stresses of school and social life that will be difficult to determine until you can live on a "normal" schedule or until you have the time and energy into seeing if your sleep issues actually fit the symptoms of other things. It could be other things making you tired. My thyroid shut down while I was in school and I had to go through some testing and then start work on a thyroid replacement therapy (basically I get to take about 75mg of cow thyroid every 12 hours). That caused all sorts of problems that looked like other things.

Secondly, last year (I was 23) I was having severe problems staying awake, let alone aware. Finally I went to a doctor to have myself checked out. Turns out I have sleep apnea and my body was getting a few minutes of solid rest be hour of sleep. So I was fatigued all the time and would sleep the moment I stopped being physically active. My little brother (age 20) has sleep apnea as well (he’s 6′3″, 210lbs, and is extremely athletic) except his case is very mild, but something he will have to watch out for in the future.

What I’m getting at is that you could have other “minor” problems that are accumulating under the stresses of school and social life that will be difficult to determine until you can live on a “normal” schedule or until you have the time and energy into seeing if your sleep issues actually fit the symptoms of other things.

]]> By: Michael http://www.intelliot.com/blog/archives/2007/04/04/i-wonder-if-i-have-narcolepsy/#comment-240188 Michael Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:12:30 +0000 http://www.intelliot.com/blog/archives/2007/04/04/i-wonder-if-i-have-narcolepsy/#comment-240188 It's my understanding that those who suffer from narcolepsy will drop to quickly with no control. It's a neurological problem. Most likely you just get bored easily. Droning lectures, speeches and sermon will often cause me to dooze off. Reading related materials; doing other activity will help. At the speed the other party is talking and sparse level of content, I can multi-task something else without missing much. It's one of the reasons I prefer written materials (over lectures) that I can speed-read and be done with it. If I have to listen, I've learned to apply pressure to the back of my hand (dig in with a finger nail - to the point of pain). Get adequate rest, keep your mind active - in spite of the slow speed of your environment and you'll be fine. It’s my understanding that those who suffer from narcolepsy will drop to quickly with no control. It’s a neurological problem. Most likely you just get bored easily. Droning lectures, speeches and sermon will often cause me to dooze off.

Reading related materials; doing other activity will help. At the speed the other party is talking and sparse level of content, I can multi-task something else without missing much. It’s one of the reasons I prefer written materials (over lectures) that I can speed-read and be done with it.

If I have to listen, I’ve learned to apply pressure to the back of my hand (dig in with a finger nail - to the point of pain).

Get adequate rest, keep your mind active - in spite of the slow speed of your environment and you’ll be fine.

]]> By: William http://www.intelliot.com/blog/archives/2007/04/04/i-wonder-if-i-have-narcolepsy/#comment-240179 William Wed, 04 Apr 2007 15:27:28 +0000 http://www.intelliot.com/blog/archives/2007/04/04/i-wonder-if-i-have-narcolepsy/#comment-240179 I once thought I had narcolepsy too, just from the symptoms you stated. Then I saw this TV show (I think it was Extreme Makeover: Home Edition) where someone really had narcolepsy. They said that it rarely is the falling asleep while drinking soup with your head falling in the soup (as commonly portrayed). Instead, it usually starts with paralysis (while still conscious). This page (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/narcolepsy.htm) has more information. I once thought I had narcolepsy too, just from the symptoms you stated. Then I saw this TV show (I think it was Extreme Makeover: Home Edition) where someone really had narcolepsy. They said that it rarely is the falling asleep while drinking soup with your head falling in the soup (as commonly portrayed). Instead, it usually starts with paralysis (while still conscious). This page (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/narcolepsy.htm) has more information.

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