What is life like for someone with narcolepsy

Symptoms also include sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and.But it's taken a while to get to that place.Because narcolepsy is a rare condition, in normal life many people with narcolepsy may never meet anyone else with the condition.People with narcolepsy often find it difficult to stay awake for long periods of time, regardless of the circumstances.The disorder itself does nothing to shorten a person's life.Visit the video library to hear personal.

For example, having to fall asleep at 8 p.m.It's sudden episodes of muscle weakness that are triggered by strong emotions. the muscle weakness of cataplexy is like a mild waking version of the same paralysis your body goes into during rem sleep.Severe drowsiness often causes lapses in attention.With over 150,000 people living with narcolepsy in the u.s.For instance, some people with narcolepsy might fall asleep for 10 to 20 minutes several times every day, whether they want to or not.But my medications play a huge role in allowing me to sleep and be awake.

Sleeping for 13+ hours a day wasn't uncommon;The reason is lack of brain chemical called orexin/hypocretin, whose purpose is, among other things, to promote wakefulness, but has also been linked to appetite.People with narcolepsy may feel rested after waking, but then feel very sleepy throughout much of the day.