Question
Between when I was 16-18 I used to go to the doctors regularly about my tiredness & sleeping patterns.
Basically I used to oversleep everyday because I was so tired, then go into school at around 10 (& get into trouble for it!). I used to be home by 4 and be so exhausted I would fall asleep. My mum would have to wake me up for dinner, but I used to still be tired & have to go to bed straight after!
This happened pretty much every day & obviously my work at school suffered, I never went out apart from occasionally on weekends, and my parents were so worried!
I had numerous blood tests but everything was normal so the doctor kept telling me it was 'just my age'.
I am now 21 and at university and although my sleeping pattern has slightly changed (wake up later, nap often, & go to bed slightly later), I am still constantly tired, oversleep everyday even when I tell myself I HAVE to get out of bed, and can't go out in the evenings as I am just too tired!
I have really tried to stop napping/getting up earlier/going to bed earlier, but I just end up making myself feel run down!
I am a pretty healthy person apart from this. I have a very good diet, I do some exercise & walk everywhere so I don't understand what is wrong!
I start full time work next year & I am so worried that I just won't be able to cope with it...
I want to go back to the doctors but am worried they'll say it's still 'just my age'! Do you think I have reason to go back? What do you think the problem could be?
Thanks
Answer
It sounds to me that you may be suffering from narcolepsy., the uncontrollable urge to fall asleep at inappropriate times.You need to go to a sleep center, your local hospital can refer you.They will have you sleep over in their sleep lab, the test is totally painless, they monitor your sleep. Go to sleepnet.com click on disorders narcolepsy. also go to YAWN young americans with narcolepsy. feel free to email again karel
