I was sitting in the waiting room for my sleep study and I had a sleep attack(Cataplexy) so I couldn’t respond to the nurse when she called my name. The doctor thought I was having a seizure so they called an ambulance. I can’t even count the times I was taken to the ER by ambulance. I was in my PCP’s office to see a podiatrist and I had another sleep attack so my PCP was called to the exam room. He told my friend she has Narcolepsy, a bad case of it but that’s what she has. The diagnosis is bitter sweet because I was thankful they found the cause of symptoms but Narcolepsy is no picnic!😩

Being diagnosed was actually a relief. I finally had a reason other than "I was lazy" or "I wasn't trying hard enough", or the worst, "I'm just rude". Eventually the other shoe fell off & I was depressed about how long & how much I missed because of my battle with narcolepsy, but at least now, I'm better equipped to deal with it.

My diagnosis of narcolepsy with cataplexy was finally made in April 2014. I was just about to turn 50 and had began having the symptoms of narcolepsy and cataplexy when I was 11 or12 years old. But I believe I had it from far earlier. I remember my mother would always tell people that you could set your clocks by watching me. Asleep at exactly 9 p.m. every night, awake at 7a.m. every morning. Like someone flipped a switch. So I had dealt with so much by that time and had so many tests, medications, and doctors even sleep doctors say that I didn't have it when I finally got the diagnosis it was like I had my vindication for all the insults, embarrassments, and accusations.

Its crazy but even today my records say Daytime Solmnolence or excessive daytime sleepiness. NARCOLEPSY RIGHT why cant they just say that

I am amazed at all the replies! I think anyone with Narcolepsy can relate to the experiences and emotional difficulties that go hand in hand with Narcolepsy: it is a 24/7 and insideous disease! I was diagnosed at 48, first with a feeling of happiness that there was a name for the weird things I'd been experiencing, followed by the horror of realizing how different my life would be.

Keep sharing and listening to others who utilize MY NARCOLEPSY TEAM for support. You really need a community of support from others who have many of the same challenges that you are encountering. Being diagnosed later in life IS a HUGE interference to whatever future you might have planned for. It is NOT a death sentence, however. Seek whatever help and assistance is available for you, and take one day at-a-time. It's a challenge, but with the support that is out there today - we all can be "Survivors"!