10 Things You Didn’t Know About Narcolepsy

In honor of National Sleep Awareness Week, the top 10 things you didn’t know about narcolepsy: 

narcolepsy is more than sleepienss and not a joke 10 things you didn't know about narcolepsy julie flygare narcolepsy spokesperson10. It’s not like the movies
Rat Race, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo and Moulin Rouge feature comical characters with narcolepsy. Falling asleep mid-sentence may happen in real-life, but it’s not the typical everyday experience. Narcolepsy is more than sleepiness, involving other serious symptoms and it’s not a joke.

9. People with narcolepsy do NOT sleep all the time
Individuals with narcolepsy may fight sleepiness during the day but be unable to sleep at night. “Disrupted nighttime sleep” is a major symptom of narcolepsy. 

8. Emotions may cause paralysis
Everyday emotions like laughter, surprise or annoyance may cause temporary muscle paralysis (knee-buckling, head dropping or collapsing to the ground unable to move). This is cataplexy, a scary symptom unique to narcolepsy. (Not everyone with narcolepsy has cataplexy.)

napping is not lucky narcolepsy blog national narcolepsy day suddenly sleepy saturday julie flygare narcolepsy spokesperson living with narcolepsy real narcolepsy7. Napping is not a luxury
People with narcolepsy are not “lucky” to take naps, they are experiencing extreme physical sensations. Napping is often inevitable, unwelcome and difficult to plan for in most school or work settings.  

6. Terrifying Hallucinations
Ever woken up but been unable to move your body? This is sleep paralysis, which happens to 1/3rd of all people, but happens more frequently in narcolepsy. Sometimes accompanied by visual, auditory or tactile hallucinations as REAL as reality. This redefines “living a nightmare”.

5. Doctors don’t know narcolepsy
According to a recent study, 91% of primary care doctors and 58% of sleep specialists are NOT COMFORTABLE diagnosing narcolepsy. Only 22% of sleep specialists could name all five major symptoms. As a result, people go undiagnosed for 3 to 25 years.  Misdiagnoses include epilepsy, depression, and schizophrenia.

sleepiness may not look sleepy narcolepsy day suddenly sleepy saturday narcolepsy spokesperson julie flygare living with narcolepsy blog4. Sleepiness doesn’t always LOOK sleepy
Narcolepsy’s sleepiness may manifest as hyperactivity, irritability, moodiness, attention deficits, fogginess, or memory problems. These behavioral and cognitive changes are very real, but not what we think of “sleepiness” – i.e. droopy eyelids, yawning or nodding off.

3. Neurological disorder without a cure
Narcolepsy is believed to be an autoimmune neurological disorder, caused by the gradual loss of neurons (called hypocretin or orexin) which help regulate waking, sleeping and dreaming. There is currently NO cure or replacement for the lost neurons. Patients manage with multiple medications and diligent attention to their health and schedules. No two cases of narcolepsy are exactly alike – what works for one patient may not work for another. 

narcolepsy sleepiness is not laziness 10 things you didn't know about narcolepsy national narcolepsy day suddenly sleepy saturday2. Sleepiness is NOT laziness
Imagine not sleeping for 2-3 days straight. That’s how a person with narcolepsy feels daily. This sleepiness is neurological and uncontrollable and is not a sign of laziness or lack of will power. If I felt like being lazy, I would watch TV or play games. Sleep is not all that fun, I don’t even remember it. 

1. You know someone with narcolepsy
Narcolepsy affects 1 in every 2,000 people – 200,000 Americans and 3 million people worldwide, including many children. Narcolepsy is invisible, we may look “healthy” on the outside while fighting internally or behind closed doors. Misperceptions cause many to keep it private. Yet, people with narcolepsy are your friends, neighbors and colleagues. 

In closing, people with narcolepsy are EVERYWHERE and we are NOT ALONE. View the real superstars of narcolepsy here. 

 Thank you for learning about narcolepsy! Intrigued? Learn more:

Top ten things you didn't know about narcolepsy list julie flygare narcolepsy spokesperson

 

24 Comments

  1. Brandy Martin on March 8, 2014 at 12:03 am

    I printed this out to take to the school with me on Tuesday. I am going to educate the staff on my daughter’s condition. I am going to let them know about me as well but this is mainly about getting her what she needs to function at school. Thank you!

    • julie on March 8, 2014 at 12:08 am

      Thank you for raising awareness, Brandy! Thank you for printing this out to share. 🙂

  2. Nikki on March 8, 2014 at 2:44 am

    Great list, thanks Julie!

  3. Ramon on March 8, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    Hi Julie,

    Try viewing the Movie “Bandits” with Billy Bob Thornton and Bruce Willis. I*t is surprisingly accurate.

    Better yet, get the DVD and have a Movie Night with a few friends who ‘just don’t get it.’

  4. Toni on March 8, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    My daughter was diagnosed last summer and she told me about your blog. It has helped me in so many ways to understand how she feels daily. Thank you! You are an inspiration just like her.

  5. laura j. evert on March 8, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    fantastic post!!!

  6. J. Jason Bangos on March 9, 2014 at 3:14 am

    Thanks a lot, Julie, for this insight into the misconceptions involving narcolepsy. We learn something new every day, it seems, and are hopeful for a future where this too can be cured.

  7. Kathy Herbst on March 17, 2014 at 11:42 pm

    Julie!!!!!WOW!!!!

    I am in awe of you!This post is brilliant!!!
    We are so lucky to have you representing the PWN community . You are awesome!

  8. Alex on March 18, 2014 at 5:48 pm

    A great and informative list! It really does bother me that narcolepsy is the butt of the joke in so many films and television shows. Such a reductive attitude to have about a very serious condition.

  9. WilliamSwift on March 20, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    I didn’t know the word “Narcolepsy” and this post educated me. I pinned and tweeted the top 10 list infographic.

  10. Kelly on June 1, 2014 at 1:28 am

    Thank you so much for sharring all this information with everyone. My son is 18 years old and was diagnosed with narcolepsy his last year of high school. We struggled with school when he started high school. I thought he was staying up all night playing xbox and on the computer, so I would take everything away from him. The school was calling me all the time telling me he feel asleep in class. I would take eveything away from him by 10 pm, I couldnt understand how he was falling asleep in class. Every morning was a strrugle getting him up. He cant hear the alarm clock so I have to wake him. Boy did we have some fights. i would leave for work when I thought he was up. I would call him when I got to work and most of the time he fell back to sleep. I would have to leave work to go home and get him up for school. I finally took him to the dr and told them I need to know if something is wrong with him or if he really is a bratt thats staying up all night. He is on medicine right now but he still cant wake himself up. I see him struggle and I wonder how things will work out for him, he does curently work part time and has signed up for collage in the fall. We are working with his dr because he is sleeping 16 hours a day. The doctor tells him he needs to make himself get up. He tries very hard to explaine he can’t. I’m stuck in the middle because I can see what they are both saying. Reading what you have shared has made me think of questions I need to ask the dr. I’ll be reading your book hoping to educate myself so I know what my son is going through.

    Thanks,
    Kelly

    • Carmen on April 18, 2016 at 6:49 pm

      Reading your post was like reading my situation. My son was also recently diagnosed his Sr year 4/4 and it has been a struggle. He has been accepted to College and I am equally concerned about his ability to wake himself up since he also doesn’t seem to respond at all to even the LOUDEST alarm clocks. I want hi to have the best chance at success. Before his diagnosis, he was a 3.5 GPA student but since the increase of symptomology there has been a sharp decline. I wasnt sure what was going on, and even though it wasnt the news we wanted to hear (lifelong incurable disorder) at least we know its something and now its a matter of trying to help him. His first appt with a sleep specialist is at the end of this month. Hopeful for some treatment options and any input from any of you who have been there. Any suggestions for alarm clocks to help with independent waking. i wont be at his collage to wake him everyday. help?

  11. Ellie Burnley on June 16, 2014 at 3:03 pm

    This page past me somehow. It’s very well written – families should pay attention for this disease in one of there loved ones.

  12. Shara Claybrook on August 8, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    Hi Julie!

    Where do I begin?!? THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU…..
    My daughter was diagnosed with Narcolepsy without cataplexy in January of this year. She was just starting middle school (6th grade, age 12) when the teachers started calling questioning my parenting skills related to her bedtime… “what time is she going to bed” they would ask. I would answer, “usually 7pm… she sleeps until 6-7 a.m the next morning!?!”….
    That is where our journey began in terms a diagnosis. I was thinking sleep apnea because she has always been a sleeper…she just wasn’t rested after sleeping. I mean, no one sleeps unless they need it? LOL After multiple physician referrals ( 6 months worth) and my insistance that there was “something causing” the symptoms we were experiencing, we received her diagnosis!
    Now what? I cannot tell you how many hours I have spent researching this disease, 504 plans, medication options, etc.

    You and your website info should be handed to anyone diagnosed with Narcolepsy!

    With that said, you have further energized me in knowing that Advocacy is key. My daughter is now 13, we are still working on her medication, we are now at a different school (Different school system, altogether) and I feel so fortunate just knowing that we have information, we have options, and we have control! We just have to bring everyone else around us up to speed 😛

    For Valencia that posted in April 2014…. I work as a Human Resources Director, and much like the 504 plan in schools, there are some Federal Acts that protect you as an Employee. Since Narcolepsy in recognized by the American Disability Act, you may qualify for some work accomodations as well as Family Medical Leave Act that protects you job if you need to be absent or late due to your medical condition! I’m not a blogger, but I am more than willing to share my insights 🙂

    Julie, you are a Angel… I hope to meet you at the NN convention in Denver.. Keep doing what you are doing and being a resource for us all!

  13. greg on November 3, 2014 at 12:43 am

    I have narcolepsy and cataplexy, mine showed up after a severe motorcycle wreck, crushed spine in 3 places.I have had to deal with it for 34yrs now, I don’t take drugs as they either didn’t work or the side effects to me weren’t worth what they did for me. I have found that paying attention to diet helps a lot. Controlling emotions is a large help but hard to do at times. If I were to want to stress a point it would be don’t let the Dr have full say of your treatment reserve the right to set the quality of life for yourself, and don’t be afraid to fire a Dr that won’t listen to you

  14. Michael on May 12, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    If anyone have some ideas I am listening.

    I am 65 and have had Narcolepsy since I was a child by history. Diagnosed in 1991 with Narcolepsy, Cataplexy and several other neurological problems.

    Could not drive from 1991 until 2000 when Provigil came out. It worked good until a year ago when I started having a variety of problems. I am now on Nuvigil and whether or not it will work is not for sure yet.

    My main problem is once in January 2011 I lost my vision completely for about 2 hours. In ER they had me on a Gurney for an hour which of course I slept. When I woke up I was fine. The ER Doctor and Ophthalmologist said it was a cataplexy attack. My Neurologist agreed. It has since happen partially in the left eye several times and one more time of blindness. Again all agreed it was Cataplexy. Now have seen a Neuro – Opthamologist who says the doctors are wrong. Narcolepsy could not effect the eyes.

    Anyone have any knowledge or experience with eye problems.

    • Lauren on August 8, 2020 at 2:51 pm

      Michael, I don’t have any answers for you I’m afraid, but I also experience temporary vision loss in my left eye. It doesn’t happen very often these days but several years ago it was every night. I have 20/20 vision and after a heap of eye tests the Opthamologist was left stumped. MRI showed white spots in my brain similar to MS but neurosurgeon ruled that out and decided it was a compressed nerve in my neck sending the wrong signals to my optic nerve. Subsequent MRIs have shown the white spots slowly disappearing, which is interesting considering the vision loss has also mostly disappeared? This was all before I finally got the NwC diagnosis and I don’t think I’ve actually ever thought about any connection between the two, until reading your comment! I’m sorry that my comment is absolutely no help to you at all, but I wanted to let you know you’re not alone!

  15. Elena on June 30, 2016 at 8:08 pm

    I’ve been falling asleep nearly daily (during seated activities only) since high school (every teacher saw me sleeping at some point), through 4 years in the Navy being thought of as “lazy,” through college (where I would fall asleep at the computer with the instructor leaning over me, trying to show me how to do something), and now into my career, where I will fall asleep at my desk or right in front of my department head in a meeting. I had a sleep study done several years ago, after 2 car accidents where I fell asleep at the wheel, but they decided it was caused by poor sleep hygiene. I now average 7.5 to 8 hours of sleep a night, sleep well most nights, and wake up feeling rested, and have less sleepiness than before, but it is not gone. In the past few months, I have started to have bouts of excessive yawning, where I will have the uncontrollable urge to yawn as deeply as I can (often it takes several attempts to satisfy it) up to over a dozen times an hour to the point where my neck becomes sore. This isn’t all day every day, but it is usually when I overeat, am tired in the afternoon/evening, or while exercising (like, have to step off the treadmill in order to yawn). My husband thinks I should have a sleep study, but I’m afraid that if I am narcoleptic, it is so borderline that it may not be diagnosed at all, wasting time and money for nothing. Can you and your readers weigh in?

    • Lynda Allen on December 9, 2018 at 10:29 am

      A sleep study would be a good idea. I was diagnosed with hypersomnia. In my opinion, that is borderline narcolepsy. (My dr corrected me, but didn’t change my mind.) I was given medication, which does help some.

  16. kathryn harwood on July 22, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    Hi Julie, So glad to find you. I was diagnosed with narcolepsy 40 years ago. I’m still standing! There have been many difficulties but I try to look at this as a gift.
    I hear your struggles with friends and family understanding. I usually discontinue a friendship if this is regarded as a joke. There are enough issues with self-esteem. I am now 77 and have no other health issues. Narcolepsy has made me live a regulated, healthy lifestyle, helps me trust my real friends and gives me spiritual insights what I may not have developed otherwise. I was lucky to have found a support group when I was first diagnosed in Toronto.

  17. Sally on December 13, 2016 at 4:18 pm

    I told my Dr. about you and how this could help her other patients.
    When I read your story, about a year ago it helped so much. Thank you.
    I have wanted to post, but still not to the place of wanting people to know.
    I have battled this for years.
    I received my diagnosis, a little over a year ago. Today is not a good day, better than yesterday. Thank the Lord!
    I tried to work today, but ended up having to leave. May God bless you all, who struggle with this illness.
    I know my faith is strong and I’m thankful for others who have shared your story.

  18. Tasha Mac on January 17, 2017 at 5:51 am

    I to have Narcolepsy have had it my 46 years of life and it feels so good to hear and talk to people that are just like me and understand the things that I am talking about, I have been judged by many. And it is a every minute of the day challenge. But just reading some of the comment, really made me realize that I should get into a support group and that is what I’m gonna do, thanks to all you guy’s and girls…. Good luck

  19. Garrik on March 9, 2017 at 1:09 am

    Julie,

    I read your blog about telling friends when you first were diagnosed and just cried, literally and figuratively.

    Since I don’t have narcolepsy it would be easy for me to walk away and say” Well that’s life.. We all have challenges and need to deal with it”.

    A good friend of mine was diagnosed with narcolepsy and cataplexy a few years ago. Over this time I have tried to be supportive for him.

    But sometimes I feel so frustrated and inadequate being his friend. I try to see the world from his viewpoint not mine.. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him.

    So Julie, and to any others who live with the daily challenges of narcolepsy….What can I do to be the best kind of friend for you?

    Thank you
    Sincerely

    Garrik

  20. Tara on March 30, 2017 at 11:54 am

    I came across your website and it struck a lot of emotions ( I’m sitting which is a good thing)! I am 41 yrs old and have finally decided to seek the help for my undiagnosed Cataplexy and Narcolepsy . Ive know Ive always had an issue; but hid it well from family and friends. Its starting to get worse as I get older and the daily struggles of just life in general; time for someone to help me figure this out, no more hiding! I am curious of some of the medications or life changes that I may need to seek out. I have a Dr apt coming up and I plan disclosing all that I have been hiding. Thank You for your personal stories, glad Im not alone ! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated…

    Thanks Again
    Tara

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