Could I have narcolepsy?

Could I have narcolepsy even though I'm not passing out randomly?
I have all the other symptoms other than that. I can say that I have fallen before because for some reason I got extremely weak but I have no idea what that's from because I haven't seen a doctor in a long time.

I have had nightmares that have woken me up within minutes of falling asleep.
I hallucinate when I'm half asleep.
I've had sleep paralysis quiet a few times, not always with hallucinations though.
I am so exhausted all the time. I sleep for 12 hours and I wake up still exhausted. If I try to fix my schedule to something normal I just end up taking a nap and sleeping for another 10 hours.
I also get bouts of insomnia a lot.

Could all this just be from my schizoaffective disorder?



Ahhh I want to see a doctor but I don't have insurance.

Narcolepsy is not like how they depict it in the movies. Your symptoms are the same as those of narcolepsy, but can come from other things as well. The only symptom unique to narcolepsy is cataplexy, so if the weakness you descirbed that caused you to fall was complete loss of muscle tone, that points towards narcolepsy.

I would recommend seeing a doctor and telling them about all of your symptoms. Narcolepsy is diagnosed by a sleep specialist; an overnight sleep evaluation and multiple sleep latency test (MSLT- basically a daytime nap evaluation) is used for diagnosis. Testing for genetic factors are also needed for the diagnosis of narcolepsy.

I was only diagnosed at the end of last summer, and have been struggling to adjust, and sort out how to best manage it. It can be treated with various stimulants, and it takes time to find the right treatment (everyone responds differently).

Some lifestyle tips that I have heard of that can help you manage things:
-healthy and regular sleep cycle: go to bed at a regular time and make regular sleep habits that work for you
-excercise: cardio is best, avoid excercising 5-6 hours before bed
-naps: they say 20 minute naps at peak sleepy times are best, it doesn't work well for me personally because I end up sleeping for hours
-diet: some people to eat more fruits and vegetables earlier on in the day, and carbs and proteins (sleepy food) later on in the day
-deal with emotions: anxiety and depression change your sleep cycle; I don't know much about schizoaffective disorder, but I'm sure this would have a huge impact

Note that I am not a healthcare professional, just a narcoleptic trying to cope. This is some information I have acquired through doctors, internet, and personal experience.

Hopefully this provided some help!