tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867152992398605062024-02-18T19:50:32.543-08:00Growing Up Narcoleptic!Cat ������http://www.blogger.com/profile/18346059755913438263noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-16858167437674144542015-04-12T10:20:00.001-07:002015-04-12T10:20:18.995-07:00I am now 13, going on 14. Living with Narcolepsy is not very difficult anymore. Sometimes I have a tough time, they both have gotten worse but with meds it is able to deal with. Life is much easier and I have a LIFE again. Thanks for all your amazing support. I think the tough times are finally over.Cat ������http://www.blogger.com/profile/18346059755913438263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-16983261566617210162013-11-26T06:26:00.000-08:002013-11-26T06:26:53.500-08:00I AM 12 AND LIVING LIFE!Hello again, I seriously need to have a schedule for my blog... Sorry about that folks. I am so busy this year. 7th grade is very time consuming ya know! Oh, I almost forgot to tell you guys, I am in a play! (applause) Oh stop it, I insist! Lol. Well, I am in a play for Annie Jr. I am an Apple Seller and a servant: Cecile the one who picks out Annie's clothes! Coolness. I am in 3 songs! NYC, I think I'm gonna like it here, and Tomorrow Reprise! Cool huh!? Well, I got to go!<br />
Bye, xoxoxoxoxo<br />
Catherine!Cat ������http://www.blogger.com/profile/18346059755913438263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-68008604549696077582013-08-07T16:42:00.001-07:002013-11-26T06:27:13.327-08:00Im back again! LolWow! Its been such a long time since I've wrote on this blog! Well life is going pretty well for me. I'm enjoying my summer. Narcolepsy is just an everyday thing now a days... Period stinks. litterally! I hate having to wear tampons :/ Yuck! But besides that im good. Oh I forgot!!!! My parents got a lock for my fridge and pantry, so that I dont eat in the middle of the night!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! THANK GOD FOR MY PARENTS!<br />
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Love,<br />
Your friendly narcolepsy survivor,<br />
NARCOLEPTIC BABY! ;)Cat ������http://www.blogger.com/profile/18346059755913438263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-4081858983052304272012-12-05T10:32:00.000-08:002013-11-26T06:27:22.806-08:00I'm back!I haven't been on my blog for a little bit! I want to tell everyone how it's been going! Well, you know how I had that weird waking up 9 times a night thing. Well, my doctor gave me some medicene! So now I don't even have to wake up barely. The only thing is I wake up at least twice. But that is better than a bunch of times, which I used to have! So that is all kinda! Another post will be soon! So Just wait at least a week! :) Bye! Chow! Bai! Lol! Bye Bye everyone!<br />
<br />Cat ������http://www.blogger.com/profile/18346059755913438263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-90139288493623425142012-09-11T09:32:00.003-07:002012-09-11T09:32:52.482-07:00I am back everyone! :)<br />
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I am going to talk about my routine in 6th grade.<br />
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Get to school<br />
Go to Saftey Patrol<br />
Get to homeroom<br />
Go to first period<br />
Go to second period<br />
Lunch<br />
Eat main hot pocket<br />
Nap<br />
Homework<br />
FLVS<br />
Saftey Patrol<br />
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Either Cheer or Dance!<br />
Go Home<br />
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SLEEP!<br />
Reapeat<br />
<br />Cat ������http://www.blogger.com/profile/18346059755913438263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-82199833909693756592012-08-14T15:57:00.000-07:002012-08-14T16:02:16.988-07:00Amazing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
While a person's disability is a part of them, and can sometimes seem like the biggest part, it is just that: one part. Narcolepsy is no fun. It is a burden I would not wish on anyone. Sometimes it breaks my heart to see Narcoleptic struggle through a sleep attack. However, life is what we make of it, not matter what cross we have to bear. <br />
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I am so very proud of Narcoleptic. She continues to live each day to the fullest extent possible. She remains on honor roll and competes in cheerleading and science fair. She has friends, is a natural leader and is growing way too fast into a young lady. Narcoleptic is the most sensitive, thoughtful 11 year old I've ever had the privilege to know. This weekend she made her Dad and I breakfast in bed "just because". She tells me almost every day she loves me and that I'm a great mom. Well, she's a great kid. Narcolepsy might contribute to the person she will become, but it will NOT define her. She won't let it. And the person she is to come is going to be simply amazing. Watch out, world. <br />
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-Raising a Narcoleptic<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H8ZuKF3dxCY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Stacey Mundo, ISTC Achievement Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10584184624943200322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-37222848705198739682012-08-13T05:10:00.000-07:002013-11-26T06:27:43.515-08:00I love you Aidan!Hey everyone! It is Narcoleptic here! And I want to tell you about my brother, Aidan! He is the best brother ever! I LOVE HIM SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH! But just sometimes he is mean. He says things like:<br />
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I hate you!</div>
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or I want you to die!</div>
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or I want to kill you!</div>
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Those types of stuff...</div>
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Well, That is a short paragraph of my brother, Aidan!</div>
Cat ������http://www.blogger.com/profile/18346059755913438263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-76120247840980805062012-08-12T13:05:00.001-07:002013-11-26T06:28:13.787-08:00Emotional Side of NarcolepsyHi it is Narcoleptic, and I am going to write this post about the hardest part of the emotional side of narcolepsy. The meltdowns and the screaming. I mean, being a tween is hard enough. You know, boys, emotional feelings, and just everything! I have had about more than 20 or 25 meltdowns during this and the previous school year. Maybe I am just exaggerating....? But I have cried a LOT! I mean most of the meltdowns is because I am just a girl, and I don't like the shape or size of my body. But, I do think that... I do think that my body shape and size is awful and I hate it.... Because I feel everything I wear makes me look "big". And don't say, "No honey, you look fine and beautiful, but every girl knows in their mind that it isn't. Comment if you have narcolepsy, and have to struggle with your metabolism, and or you feel this way about your body! PLEASE I NEED OTHER PEOPLE WITH NARCOLESY OPINION! Please write your story!<br />
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Love,<br />
Narcoleptic!<br />
xoxoxoxoxoxo<br />
to my mom,<br />
for helping<br />
me with<br />
everything!<br />
<br />
THAT ONE WENT TO YOU MOM!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Cat ������http://www.blogger.com/profile/18346059755913438263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-81790244340488824172012-07-23T12:15:00.000-07:002013-11-26T06:28:41.551-08:00Don't give up! You are loved!ALL THE GIRLS AND BOYS OUT THERE THAT FEEL BAD ABOUT THEMSELVES LISTEN TO THIS:<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-G8IfjPAII">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-G8IfjPAII</a></div>
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This video truly makes you cry!</div>
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Cat ������http://www.blogger.com/profile/18346059755913438263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-77216061442539619092012-07-23T12:04:00.002-07:002013-11-26T06:29:04.000-08:00Signs of Narcolepsy or Cataplexy AttackWell, I talked about my metabolism, my nighttime eating disorder, my sleepiness, and my tween life but I haven't told you about the signs that tell me I am going to fall asleep. You are probably thinking signs? What does she mean? I mean like "colored lights"and "LMBTS" (laughing my body to sleep!) The colored lights means i look around after seeing a bright light and i see colors like blue, pink, or purple and it hurts my eyes. Well when your eyes hurt you close your eyes a lot right? Well, i get sleepy and i can't read anything or my eyes will hurt.<br />
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In fourth grade I........<br />
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I used to fall asleep while my teacher was reading our story of the week to us. I wouldn't even know what the story was about. But thankfully, I have great friends. If I am asleep and everyone is turning the page my friend will notice me not turning the page. So she wakes me up. And when we read the story it is in the morning at like 9:00 or 10:00 so I fall asleep then. My friend thankfully tells me what the story was about at lunch or recess.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Continuing</span> on about the signs that tell me am going to fall asleep soon.......<br />
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The next thing is weak in the LMBTS! I came up with that because everytime someone says something funny or i see something funny I laugh so hard that i have to hold on to something so i don't fall. One time, I was goofing around with my friend and she did something really funny and i started laughing so hard that i had to lay on the floor or i would have a sleep attack. Crazy Huh?<br />
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P.S: I got LMBTS by LMHO!<br />
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<br />Cat ������http://www.blogger.com/profile/18346059755913438263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-90406746884972589222012-07-23T09:43:00.000-07:002012-07-23T12:27:47.649-07:00Night Eating Syndrome & Narcolepsy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Body image is already a problem for young girls in America. They are bombarded with images of unrealistically perfect photo-shopped models starving themselves to death. Yay for <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/07/05/156342683/seventeen-magazine-takes-no-photoshop-pledge-after-8th-graders-campaign">Seventeen Magazine</a>, who recently agreed to publish 1 spread a month of non-photo-shopped photos of "normal" girls. Entering puberty changes your body and your hormones, and at the same time you start to care what boys think of you. Awesome time, right? Raise your hand if you'd like to go back and relive tweendom. <br />
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Well, Narcoleptic here has been really struggling with her weight. We recently discovered she's been getting up and eating high-fat high carb snacks at night. This was initially a source of shame for her. I initially thought it was a choice and she was perhaps sneaking food because she was being limited during the day. Here I thought I was helping her, when in reality I was making her feel deprived so much that she was sneaking and lying to me about it. :( <br />
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We had a few heart to hearts and normally when this happens she makes the right choices. The night eating continued. She lied again about it. When confronted in a very gentle manner she cried and said she didn't want to disappoint me. OhMyGod, she's breaking my heart. So, after another heart to heart where I reassured her I just wanted to help her and that I understand, she felt better. I didn't though. I spent several hours researching last night trying to get some insight into how to handle this new development. On the one hand, her overall health is important and she's developing some bad eating habits. On the other hand, I don't want to push dieting on her. I've been trying to model good eating choices and emphasize health versus size. At the same time, getting on a scale and SEEING a difference or putting on pants and FEELING a difference can be very motivating. Another concern for me was any action I took to help her correct the behavior could cause problems with body image permanently. My mother has struggled with that her whole life, and I don't want to create that in my daughter. I have had a weight issue since my early twenties, but I am still pretty confident. <br />
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So, anyway, when all of these things are swirling in my head I read. I used to borrow books at the library or buy books at the bookstore, but now I read studies and forums online. :) Well, I found a lot of information. Turns out 30% of narcoleptics are obese. Studies done to determine the cause of the obesity can not find a link to medication nor caloric intake. It appears their endocrine system is affected. Hormones. Lovely. She's already struggling with the most hormonal time in your life.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"I am 30 years old and have suffered from </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Narcolepsy since I was about 11 or 12 years </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">old. At the same time I started having </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">symptoms of Narcolepsy(which I did not know </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">about until 1997), I also started having the </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">problem of waking up and eating in the </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">middle of the night. I have tried </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">everything to not eat, but I just get so </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">hungry I can't sleep unless I eat. I have </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">recently been researching The Noncturnal </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Eating Syndrome. Does anyone with </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Narcolepsy suffer from the same problem or</span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">is it just me, and if so what have you done </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">to treat this problem. "</span></span>
</blockquote>
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Then, I found a name for what she's expereincing. Why is it that a label can make you feel not so alone and less freaky? NES: Nighttime Eating Disorder. Lightbulbs starting flashing around me. It is newly researched, but appears to be a type of compulsion similar to binge eating. It is <a href="http://www.ultraprevention.com/healing/night_eating_syndrome.htm">hormonal</a>. Different brain chemistry has been measured in connection with it, and, you guess it: commonly <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Droogleever%20Fortuyn%20HA;%20Swinkels%20S;%20Buitelaar%20J;%20Renier%20WO;%20Furer%20JW;%20Rijnders%20CA;%20Hodiamont%20PP;%20Overeem%20S.%20High%20prevalence%20of%20eating%20disorders%20in%20narcolepsy%20with%20cataplexy:%20a%20case-control%20study.%20SLEEP%202008;31(3):335-341.">linked with Narcolepsy</a>.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 21px;">"The majority of patients with narcolepsy experience a number of symptoms of eating disorders, with an irresistible craving for food and binge eating as the most prominent features. Eating disorder symptomatology interfered with daily activities. These findings justify more attention for eating disorders in the treatment of patients with narcolepsy."</span></blockquote>
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So, what to do? Still <a href="http://www.wakeupdiet.com/wud_dtls/wud_dtls_1.htm">working on that</a>. But knowing it's really not a choice, but more of a compulsion gives me direction to work with. I myself was diagnosed with depression and OCD, so I'm familiar with obsessions and compulsions and the high you feel when you eat to ease depression. I can teach her to use the same techniques I use when I am stressed and feel compulsions. It will be tricky though, because I'm asleep when she's suffering.<br />
<br />
-Raising a Narcoleptic<br />
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<br /></div>
Stacey Mundo, ISTC Achievement Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10584184624943200322noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-32412120081705883802012-07-19T09:07:00.001-07:002012-07-19T09:07:27.031-07:00Moodiness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You know what's extra fun about living with a tween-narcoleptic? Mood swings! Crying, giggling, asleep, bouncing off the walls, hysterical, sobbing, talking nonstop. It's like an acting class over here every day! I'm sure all those living with tweens and teens experience this, but sleepiness and the meds certainly make it extra fun! :) Here's to my mantra:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Courage to change the things I can,</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">And wisdom to know the difference."</span></blockquote>
</div>Stacey Mundo, ISTC Achievement Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10584184624943200322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-139581313571766242012-07-18T09:57:00.001-07:002012-07-18T09:57:49.238-07:0010 min later<div><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5UoCGIeBmCpOA_UUMji339JdPY8ACuj8fiyOa-yskXucJWH61AEUr9j5o1aWQZwkm8-BFVCjBLtPPaPsXESeOFxhjfB541SjsBG0DBqaY6mrglQzhYgfHnwGXvnDdkSRanuP-SUPpSMZ/' /></div>Stacey Mundo, ISTC Achievement Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10584184624943200322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-25164678542319492852012-07-18T09:56:00.003-07:002012-07-19T10:34:28.667-07:00Sleep attack while blogging<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</div>Stacey Mundo, ISTC Achievement Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10584184624943200322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-72694635505692939192012-07-18T09:51:00.001-07:002013-11-26T06:29:29.172-08:00I fell asleep typing this!Hi this is Narcoleptic here and I want to tell you about the emotional side of Narcolepsy. Narcolepsy has a extra detail, slow metabolism. (which I named in my first post).<span style="background-color: white;"> My metabolism has slowed down the organ that helps so I burn less calories. The reason why this is MY emotional side of Narcolepsy is because I cry a lot about how I feel I am f a t. My mom thought of putting me on a low carb/low sugar diet which has been pretty hard for me. And </span><span style="background-color: white;">believe</span><span style="background-color: white;"> me I know everyone tells me, "You aren't fat, don't say that." But the problem is I AM A GIRL! I will always feel like this. Even if I didn't have Narcolepsy. Girls are just like that. It is what sometimes makes us so special.</span><br />
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P.S</div>
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I fell asleep typing this! LOL!<br />
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Cat ������http://www.blogger.com/profile/18346059755913438263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-40915407536822811002012-07-17T19:41:00.002-07:002012-07-17T19:47:10.982-07:00History<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My daughter had trouble sleeping right from the start. She did not sleep for more than 20 minutes at a time for the first 7 months of her life. At 9 months old she was diagnosed with <a href="http://www.utoronto.ca/kids/Hypogam.htm"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy</span><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span></a> when we tested her for food allergies. This is a temporary autoimmune disease affecting the immune system. After she was about two years old, she rarely had health problems and most of her vaccines were "taking". She developed within normal limits for all milestones with the exception of some extreme shyness that she outgrew by kindergarten.<br />
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In third grade her thyroid was tested because she was constantly cold and would fall asleep every single time we entered the car, even if we were only in in for a few minutes. She fell asleep incredibly fast and started complaining that she was getting up several times a night. Nothing amiss was found with her thyroid. In fourth grade she started nodding off in the afternoons. By the end of fourth grade she was frequently spending afternoons asleep in the nurses office. She also began to gain weight rapidly.<br />
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The summer before fifth grade she started falling asleep while eating and had a sleep study done in June. While at the first of three apointments, the doctor asked some standard questions and we were all surprised when she answered questions positively that were related to
<a href="http://cataplexy./">cataplexy.</a> After the sleep study, we were not impressed with the doctor and requested a second opinion. We were sent to see a neurologist, who ordered a sleep deprived MRI. Boy, was that hard! That doctor suggested we see his colleague in another city.<br />
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In fifth grade she began taking scheduled naps instead of participating in PE, art and music. By January we finally got an appointment with a doctor who prescribed Provigil and diagnosed her with narcolepsy. We noticed an immediate difference with the Provigil, however afternoons and evenings were still difficult. She began to experience obvious signs of cataplexy. She would have to hold onto something if she started laughing hard. She will sway standing up or sitting if she is tired and her eyes would roll back in her head. The rest of fifth grade she spent her afternoons attempting to stay awake and learned very little. Luckily, she's a bright girl and had understanding teachers who would encourage her to get water or take a walk. We also were frustrated to find that she had gained 60 pounds in 18 months.<br />
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Since May, she has been on a diet. She continues to swim daily, participate in cheer and dance several times a week and play outside with her brother and cousins. She has begun taking a class over the summer online so that she can attend school halftime this coming school year. She has increased her Provigil dose to 200mg a day and we are now considering a sleeping med to help with the disrupted sleep at night. The doctor has prescribed a stimulant for the afternoons, but we have been unable to find a pharmacy that carries it due to national shortages. We are still working on her recognizing, accepting and responding to her body. She is stubborn and tries to push through the attacks.<br />
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We are determined to find a way for her to be successful doing whatever she wants to do. We are so proud of her hard work and determination. Despite the past few difficult years, she remains on honor roll, has competed at the State Science Fair, and has participated in cheer and dance teams.<br />
<br />
~Raising a Narcoleptic<br />
<br /></div>Stacey Mundo, ISTC Achievement Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10584184624943200322noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-58862010996723358972012-07-17T13:08:00.001-07:002012-07-17T15:58:23.272-07:00Sleeping beauty!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
So here she is, taking a quick nap before we see a movie. She forgot to take her meds this morning and is off her schedule because it's summer.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBvy9CwIeefNx5xS8VUL3NnuiJtartGjobTIVgKhPMaHhXTY9RatFIdsCJ0ghbxPY-LQRbel8N3lfc6xi6PDkrabXvYd1spcW0nk7m_uIwmLHG-L1Nj6gwJ4b30DF_puxJ-dqCwHyx0Nf/" /><br />
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~ Raising a Narcoleptic</div>
</div>Stacey Mundo, ISTC Achievement Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10584184624943200322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486715299239860506.post-4285432051352992882012-07-15T08:55:00.002-07:002012-07-15T10:12:20.149-07:00All About Me<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I came to have narcolepsy when was about 9. I am 11 years old! For those of you who don't know what narcolepsy is:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that impairs the ability of the central nervous system to regulate sleep. It is the second leading cause of excessive daytime sleepiness 9after obstructive sleep apnea). It is a serious condition requiring medical treatment usually from a sleep disorders specialist. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">People with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness, and intermittent, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the daytime. Someone who has narcolepsy is prone to falling alseep while engaged in conversation, driving, eating, or at other inappropriate times. The sleepiness occurs in spite of a full night's sleep and may persist throughout the day. Other narcolepsy symptoms include:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">cataplexy - short lived intermittent muscle weakness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">hypnagogic hallucinations - hallucinations while falling asleep or waking</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">sleep paralysis - paralysis while falling asleep or waking</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">distrubed nocturnal sleep - waking up repeatedly throughout the night</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">leg jerks, nightmares and restlessness</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.orlandosleep.com/disorders-narcolepsy.ht">http://www.orlandosleep.com/disorders-narcolepsy.ht</a></span><br />
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I have cataplexy, disturbed nocturnal sleep and leg jerks, nightmares, and restlessness. With cataplexy if I laugh too hard I will experience weak muscles and have to sit down or I will feel I am about to collapse. I have experienced having to wake up a lot during the night. It bothers me and makes it difficult to sleep.<br />
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Narcolepsy is a difficult disorder to live with as a kid. We went to 3 doctors to find a doctor that gave me medicine that worked to help me a little. He works at Nemours. I am still struggling with it! Nacrolepsy has other things that are included besides falling asleep during the day. Narcolepsy also slows down your metabolism (which controls how fast your body converts food to energy).<br />
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Because of this, I am 137 pounds. If I tell my friends, they say I don't look like it at all. And I am on a diet which is hard for me when I see everyone else eating junky stuff and not gaining any weight. I feel discouraged everywhere I go when I see skinny people! <br />
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I also have to take a nap during my afternoon classes so I can stay awake for my other after school activities. I have to take Florida Virtual School so I can still pass my afternoon classes! If you want to do this, go to http://www.flvs.net/Pages/default.aspx<br />
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Did you know that only 50,000 people have been diagnosed with Narcolepsy in the United States? Please comment if you can relate to this.Cat ������http://www.blogger.com/profile/18346059755913438263noreply@blogger.com10