Living with Narcolepsy

I have had asthma all my life, I have scoliosis, my neck bends inward instead of outward and I have severe allergies as well as tension headaches; I also have high blood pressure and depression I take two inhalers, a nose spray and four pills. On top of all my seemingly random issues, recently I became a victim to narcolepsy, as well as mild sleep apnea; and I am 19 years old. As any “average” 19 year old, I love to stay up late with my friends, chat on the internet and do not necessarily have a regular sleep schedule. I work all day at a daycare, and when I hang out with my friends, it is usually later in the evening, thus they end up staying until later hours even up into the morning. Ever since I found out I had narcolepsy only one month ago after a sleep and nap study at my local sleep center, I have struggled with staying on a regular sleeping pattern and more often than not, I choose to hang out with my friends over taking care of my health. This has made my mom worry; I have suffered because of her sadness as well as my younger brothers, and I have gotten sleepier still. I do not fall asleep during conversations or anything like that; I just feel that I could sleep at any moment.

I have had to work extra hard at the daycare I work at just to stay awake during nap time, or just in general and it is crucial that I do stay awake considering I am in charge of overseeing children. My life as of late has been completely unbalanced; my sleeping patterns have been off, my personal life off kilter; mentally, socially, spiritually and physically I have struggled. I know now that despite my mom and brother’s care, concern and advice it boils down to the choices I make in regards to all aspects of my life.

Do I have the courage and strength to overcome all that I face with help? Yes. We all do. Am I trying to get on a regular sleeping pattern? Yes, despite wanting to stay up late with my friends. The way I see it, is I can lament over all of my ailments and not take responsibility for my actions, or I can buck up and face what life has thrown at me with an open mind and take charge of my body, care for it and become a better person for it. Yes, it is hard for me to give up the young nightlife years because of my need for proper sleep. However, I can still have fun doing daytime activities when I can and booting my friends out of my house before it gets too late.

Every morning I take 100 mg of Nuvigil, which has helped me immensely. Growing up is a painful process but one we must all eventually face. In all my few years, my body has aged yet my mind stays young; I have truly begun to see the separation that comes between child and adult. The responsibilities I have, balance that has to stay straight; I am juggling things I was to naive to think I would be in charge of when I was younger. I am all the better for it in the end and I would not wish my life to be any other way, for with what I have learned and experienced makes me who I am. I know I can overcome life’s obstacles even though at times life frowns at me. I can honestly say I do not wish I could have known anything earlier because everything has a time and a place to happen and my part is to take it all in stride.