Question
Hi Karel,
I have been diagnosed with Narcolepsy, though I've had it most of my life. I've had every blood test you can think of.
I only sleep about 2 hours a night, and my doctor has tried everything, and I've tried all the herbs, over the counter stuff too (including good sleep hygiene).
So, here's my question:' after a sleep attack I feel awful...it feels as if my body and mind are in two different places, I'm cold, I often get a headache. I always feel quite strange. And often depressed (after I awaken). The thing is, it goes on for hours; at least 6-8 hours, and my day is ruined. If I try to take a nap the same thing happens, even if the nap is quite short. The 2 hours I sleep at night doesn't have this effect unless I let myself go back to sleep. Then it's awful. I take adderall which helps a little and I don't drive anymore as my sleep attacks can come with no warning at all. Very sudden.
I've heard this called 'sleep inertia' but all accounts I read say it usually last 10-30 minutes, while this goes on for hours.
Have you ever heard of this? Any strategies for coping with it?
What are your thoughts on this? It's a difficult state to "befriend", or get used to--I feels a though I came back from the dead, awakened from general anathesia at the least. Strange stuff.
Thanks,
Glenn
Answer
I also have narcolepsy, you apparently need some stronger med. like ritalin or dexedrine, You also need to take the naps at the same time each day and for only 20 minutes, set an alarm if you must. i strongly suggest you go to a sleep center . Your local hospital can refer you. as far as the inability to go back to sleep see my tips below, go to narcolepsy network.org, sleepnet.com click on disorders narcolepsy.Try these tips religiously for about 6-8 weeks but many have seen results
in as little as 2 weeks.lYou must go to bed and awaken the same time each day regardless
of how little or how much sleep you got the night before.
This starts to reset your sleep clock.
3 hours before bedtime stay away from
tea, coffee, caffeine, caramel colored soda like, coke,pepsi, ginger ale,
or root beer, chocolate and exercise .All these make for restless sleep.Do the following religiously for 4-6 weeks although some have seen changes in as little as 2 weeks.
Make sure room is quiet and dark. When you go to bed if you start to
twist and turn or if you wake up in the middle of the night and cant
go back to sleep, twist and turn for only 20 minutes, then get up, go
into a different room and read a book or magazine only! No computer!
When you start to doze immediately go back into the bedroom.This retrains
the brain into thinking that the bedroom is for restful sleep only. Do
this as many times as you awaken thru the night, it will lesson.
30 minutes before bedtime take a hot bath and immerse hands under the
water.Latest research states that the palms of the hand when immersed
in hot water send signals to the brain to relax. 15 minutes before bedtime\
drink a glass of warm milk. Milk when heated contains tryptophan, a natural
amino acid sleep inducer should do the trick. If this fails you should consider seeing a sleep center.
Your local hospital can refer you. Also go to sleepnet.com click on disorders insomnia
for more tips. Feel free to email again karel
