What it feels like to have Narcolepsy

This is from a speech written by Edward Renaud, and presented to Congress & the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research.

"As a teacher, I would like to give a short lesson in practical things you can do to help you understand Narcolepsy. As an experiment, try all of them for a week."

"You may wish to try:

1.) To learn about disrupted nighttime sleep, set your alarm for every ninety minutes and stay awake for 10 minutes each time it goes off.

2.)To learn about daytime excessive daytime sleepiness, alternate suggestion one with periods of 48 hours without sleep. If you fall asleep accidentally in those 48 hours, start over again.


3.) To learn about living with Narcolepsy, explain it to at least 2 people each week. Politely ignore responses such as "I get sleepy sometimes to," or "I know someone who had that but they were cured." and "I'm sure you will get better soon."


4.) To learn about cataplexy, collapse on the floor (not moving for several minutes) each time you are angry, scared, surprised, laughing or upset. You can eliminate this symptom if you can live without these emotions.


5.) To learn about excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep for 1/2 hour before you drive anywhere, sleep for 1/2 hour when you arrive, sleep for 1/2 hour before you leave for home and sleep for 1/2 hour when you get home. That's 2 hours extra for any trip, but it's worth it as you may avoid getting lost while driving, being lost i stores and falling asleep during work or social engagements. You will eventually learn to avoid going most places, you won't have the time.


6.) To learn about Hypnagogic Hallucinations and Sleep Paralysis, have someone tie you to your bed, gag you, then have a friend phone you, pound on your door, scream your name, set off your smoke alarm and break down your front door. You won't be in real danger, but you'll start to believe you are.

Thanks to Kat of the Southpawcats for lending this info!!!!!!