I just live with it

I've found that even though I'm tired most of the day, there are plenty of things I can do to combat it. One, I take my vitamins everyday. Two, I always keep myself hydrated, not only because it's healthy, but it's hard to fall asleep if I have a full bladder. Three, I KEEP MOVING. If I sit still, game over. Four, I do not consume any processed sweets, to include soda. I still feel tired, but not so tired I will fall asleep, which is better than nothing. I figured if a diabetic would have to change their life-style to have a semi-normal living, then why not a narcoleptic as well? Insulin/Provigil alone is not enough.

Provigil is an upper, and I stopped taking it because I respond better to another upper, black coffee (no cream, NO sugar). However, I use it sparingly. I believe if my body were to become dependant on uppers, my metabolism would be screwed, so I try to avoid using them, and only using them when I feel really, really tired, or I have to drive some distance. They have a better effect when I don't use them so much.

All these things help, but it is no cure. Diet is the number one thing to get you going.

BTW my tests results were 2:30m, :30s, 1m, and 1:15m.

Elliptical, when do you actually get sleep? In relation to the drinking of water, I have actually had to reduce my water-intake because I was drinking too much before bedtime and it was disrupting my sleep. I used to drink 10+ pints of water per day, but now I have it down to around 3.

Kevin

Chucky wrote:Elliptical, when do you actually get sleep? In relation to the drinking of water, I have actually had to reduce my water-intake because I was drinking too much before bedtime and it was disrupting my sleep. I used to drink 10+ pints of water per day, but now I have it down to around 3.

Kevin

I sleep whenever. I always feel somewhat tired, so it doesn't really matter when I sleep, so long as I get to do it. There are plenty of degrees to how tired I become. Once, I was so very sleepy, that started to hallucinate. While indoors, I saw a white colored wall, suddenly burst into colors, like the kind you see on a soap bubble when it floats into the sunlight. I also had the waking dreams, where I swear I was awake, but I know I could not have been, because I was talking to someone who was not there, and hearing things I could not have possibly heard. And it was frightening.

Most of the time though, its just cobwebs througout the day, although today I caught a 3 hour nap; just couldn't shake that sleepy feeling. For the most part, I do ok. I don't usually require naps, but I still get one in here and there. I really just try to keep myself busy all the time and then I really don't think too much about it. If I get involved in a task, I usually stay somewhat focused until I get it done, unless I am so tired, I cannot focus at all. Then, I just sleep, unless I am at work, in which case I'll give in, and have some coffee which works, most of the time. Once, I was so tired at work, and coffee wasn't helping at all, no matter how much I drank. I just couldn't stay awake, and kept falling asleep in my chair. My co-workers kept asking me if I was going to make it, lol.

With the water: like I said, the idea is to keep a full bladder. For me. Not for you. The cause of your condition could be completely separate from mine. But there are so many benefits to staying hydrated and keeping your liver and kidneys flushed. Becoming dehydrated would make any person fatigued and uppers will ensure faster dehydration. Better for the body of someone like me to drink plenty of fluids.

Also, my brother has gout, which is caused by partial kindney failure, and conditions worsen without the right kind of diet. So, if he was prone to it I may be as well, though I hope I never find out. Lot of benefits to flushing your system. Extra virgin olive oil is the only oil I use to cook food with. Everything else is not very healthy to use, save coconut oil, but I don't prefer the taste to olive oil. Plus Olive oil further increases circulation, and good circulation helps to prevent things like gout and warts in the hands and feet, and further increases the benefit of hydration.

Hi,

You seem to have researched quite a bit on how different foods affect the body, right? I must admit that I have too. Back to the water issue, however, too much water for me can be terrible because I have a chronic condition of my gut. Therefore, if I drink too much water, sometimes the water just flushes out my entire gut contents, which isn't too nice.

There's a guy in my course at college who has narcolepsy too and he just picks up sleep here and there. Some nights, I don't think he gets any sleep at all. In fact, he told me last week that he walked around the town throughout the night at one stage. Do you just fall asleep at your desk or something?; or are you always at home when you get naps?

I admit, I sleep anywhere, to include the workplace, (I try not to get caught). However, I sleep mostly at home, so I control the when and the where, but the why is not something I haven't any power over, unless I choose to do the things I have already mentioned.

I am convinced alot of it has to do with diet, though diet alone is not enough. Just like uppers are not enough to work by themselves.

BTW I got 10 hours of sleep in today, and right now I feel pretty good.

Hey,

10 hours sounds pretty good to me. The guy that I was referring to earlier fell asleep in the noisy canteen today apparently. He looked exhausted when I saw him in class this morning. Anyway, if you are so sure that this is diet related, would you consider seeing a dietician about it? I also recall reading somewhere that low amounts of Iron can lead to fatigue; but there are so many things that could cause it.

Kevin

Oh yeah low iron leads to fatigue!! Low anything leads to fatigue. Your body needs enough of everything, so if it don't get enough of something, it can't function right!

Hello,

Low iron can definately lead to fatigue -- lack of many different things, and many other non-diet related factors can cause fatigue.

I am in university, so I find it had to keep myself constantly going (too much sitting, reading, listening to lectures, etc.), so I find I need medication in order to stay awake. I admire you for coping without, and I hope to find a stimulating occupation so that I can stop taking medication or at least cut back.

I also find water helps to keep me alert, and lots of tea. The medication makes me constantly thirtsy, so that makes it a lot easier to be sure to drink lots.

I hear a lot about altering diet to help prevent excessive daytime sleepiness. I've heard that some narcoleptics eat their fruits and veggies earlier in the day, and save the carbs and proteins (sleepy food) for later in the day. I was wondering if anyone else has tried that and find it helps, or if any other diet helps. I know to avoid sugary and fatty foods, but any other tips would be great. I have an appointment with a dietician in two weeks, and informed her that is is for a diet to help manage narcolepsy, so hopefully that will help.

Also, I was looking for excercise tips. I'm in a vicious cycle -- I know that excercise help me stay alert, but am too sleepy to excercise. I tried pilates, but that didn't really help to wake me up. I think I need more cardio. Does anyone else have the same issue, or tips on how to get past it?

Gillian